Defense Secretary Hegseth Says Scouting America Will Eliminate DEI Programs to Maintain Military Partnership

(RightwingJournal.com) – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers a major victory for conservative values by forcing Scouting America to ditch woke DEI policies and restore biological sex-based membership to secure military support.

Story Highlights

Hegseth announces five key reforms on February 27, 2026, eliminating DEI, scrapping the “Citizenship in Society” merit badge, and basing membership on biological sex.
Scouting America concedes after negotiations to preserve century-old DoD partnership, including base access and equipment.
New perks for military families: fee waivers and a military service merit badge, aligning with Trump’s anti-DEI Executive Order 14173.
Reforms reject post-2012 “woke” shifts like gender fluidity, restoring focus on duty to God, country, leadership, and service.

Hegseth’s Bold Announcement

Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary, announced on February 27, 2026, that Scouting America agreed to critical reforms. The organization, formerly Boy Scouts of America, eliminated all DEI initiatives and discontinued the “Citizenship in Society” merit badge. Membership now bases strictly on biological sex, barring shared intimate spaces across genders. These changes ensure continued Department of Defense support, including access to military bases and equipment worldwide. Hegseth detailed the agreement in a Pentagon video, emphasizing restoration of Scouting’s foundational ideals.

Timeline of Reforms and Negotiations

Negotiations began after President Trump’s January 2025 Executive Order 14173 targeted DEI discrimination. In November 2025, Hegseth accused Scouting America of undermining boy-friendly spaces through cultural changes. The Pentagon proposed policy shifts in January 2026. Scouting America, with over 1 million members aged 5-21 and 628,000 volunteers, confirmed the renewed partnership. Reforms implement immediately, with policy reviews and new badge details forthcoming. This resolves earlier expressions of surprise from the organization.

Key Reforms Restoring Traditional Values

The five reforms include waiving fees for military families and introducing a new military service merit badge. Hegseth declared “No more DEI. Zero,” criticizing post-2012 shifts toward gender inclusivity and humanism as destructive. Scouting America reaffirmed commitment to leadership, character, duty to God, and duty to country. These align with Hegseth’s vision of a “frontiersman ethos” for military preparation. The changes reject transgender inclusion in shared spaces, prioritizing biological reality over fluidity.

Historical ties date to 1910, with DoD providing personnel and facilities. Former Secretary Bob Gates oversaw some inclusivity expansions, now reversed. Hegseth’s push reflects broader anti-woke military policies, including transgender service bans.

Impacts on Families and Recruitment

Military families benefit from fee waivers, boosting participation in programs serving over 1 million youth. Long-term, reforms reinforce traditional boy-to-man preparation, aiding recruitment amid Hegseth’s merit-based focus. Critics claim it declares war on tolerance, but facts show alignment with nonpartisan Scouting history across administrations. DoD leverage ensured compliance, signaling pressure on youth organizations for anti-DEI standards. This victory counters years of leftist erosion of family values and common sense.

Defense Secretary Hegseth says military support for the Scouts hinges on ending 'woke' merit badges https://t.co/06P6kpaNix

— Jazz Drummer (@jazzdrummer420) February 27, 2026

Conservative audiences see this as reclaiming institutions from globalist overreach. Scouting’s concession preserves essential training while rejecting agendas that diluted its core mission. President Trump’s leadership drives these wins, frustrating past woke policies.