ReportWire

Tag: boy scouts

  • Pete Hegseth, No Boy Scout, Reportedly Wants to Put the “Boy” Back In Scouts

    [ad_1]

    Remember the good old days, when men were men and scouts were boys? US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth apparently does, and believes that, in fact, the sun set on those golden days in 2018, when the organization then known as Boy Scouts of America amended its rules to allow girls to join. Things got darker still on February 5, 2025, when the entity officially changed its name to Scouting America.

    Hegseth is reportedly prepared to order the government to cut all ties with the organization, ending a relationship that dates back more than a century.

    NPR reported Tuesday that the outlet had received drafts of memos Hegseth intends to send to Congress mandating a severing of ties with Scouting America. Hegseth, who never participated in Boy Scouts, wrote in the draft that the organization now serves to “attack boy-friendly spaces,” accusing the group of being “genderless” and promoting “gender confusion.”

    “The organization once endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt no longer supports the future of American boys,” Hegseth reportedly wrote in a memo.

    According to the Scouting America website, “The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”

    Hegseth, however, reportedly believes that the group’s mission is to “cultivate masculine values,” per one memo, and that they are failing at it.

    When contacted by Vanity Fair for comment, an official from the Department of Defense said, “The Department will not comment on leaked documents that we cannot authenticate and that may be pre-decisional.” Representatives for Scouting America did not immediately respond to Vanity Fair’s request for further comment.

    The about-face comes amid attempts by the Trump administration to quash many diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. In 2020, Scouting America added a new requirement for scouts working to achieve the group’s highest rank, Eagle Scout: A “diversity, equity, and inclusion” badge, later renamed the “Citizenship in Society” badge.

    Though the scouts have never been formally integrated with the U.S. government or military, they’ve had a somewhat symbiotic relationship, with the foundations of the scouting program drawing on military handbooks, and scouting providing opportunities for military recruiting. The armed forces also provide medical and logistical aid, as well as demonstrations, at the National Jamboree, a quadrennial scouting event that sees some 20,000 scouts flocking to West Virginia in the years it’s held. Additionally, military bases often have affiliated scout troops, an association that would be banned under Hegseth’s reported orders.

    [ad_2]

    Kase Wickman

    Source link

  • US military could cut ties with Scouts

    [ad_1]

    The U.S. Military could be preparing to sever ties with the Scouts, according to a leaked Pentagon memo. 

    U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wants to bring an end to the centuries-old partnership between the military and Scouting America because he believes the organization has developed a tendency to “attack boy-friendly spaces,” according to documents reportedly seen by NPR.

    A Department of Defense official told NPR the Pentagon would not comment on “leaked documents that we cannot authenticate and that may be predecisional.” Newsweek contacted the U.S. Department of Defense for further comment via email.  

    Why It Matters

    The U.S. military’s relationship with Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) is a long-standing association that has influenced youth leadership training and military recruitment. 

    The possible break stems from new policy directions within both organizations relating to inclusion, diversity, and shifting values, raising questions about the military’s approach to civic engagement and youth development at a time when both national security considerations and recruitment remain top priorities. 

    What To Know

    Documents obtained and reviewed by NPR indicate that Hegseth is advancing plans to end all Defense Department ties with Scouting America, citing misalignment with traditional military values.

    In a draft memo to Congress, not yet sent, Hegseth is reported to have criticized Scouting America for becoming “genderless” and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, arguing that Scouting America has shifted away from a “meritocracy which holds its members accountable to meet high standards.”

    The Department of Defense has supported the Scouts in various ways since formalizing assistance in 1937, including providing medical and logistical aid to the National Jamboree and allowing Scouts to meet on military installations. 

    However, under Hegseth’s proposal, these supports—along with recruitment advantages for Eagle Scouts and the use of military resources at Scouting events—would end.

    The draft documents reveal concerns about the Jamboree, which attracts up to 20,000 scouts to a remote Virginia site, suggesting that sending personnel and equipment to support it would divert resources from border operations and protecting U.S. territory at a time of international security challenges and limited budgets. 

    A source familiar with the Pentagon documents told NPR the memo was prepared to notify Congress but stressed it had not yet been formally delivered. 

    What People Are Saying

    Scouting America said: “Scouting is and has always been a nonpartisan organization…Over more than a century, we’ve worked constructively with every U.S. presidential administration—Democratic and Republican—focusing on our common goal of building future leaders grounded in integrity, responsibility, and community service.” 

    Retired Army Staff Sergeant Kenny Green, a military parent of three Scouts who has relocated many times as a result of his work, told NPR: “We went from Louisiana to Alaska. From Alaska to Germany. From Germany to Texas…At every military base, there was a Scout troop that could help ease the transition to a new home…I can’t even say how vast their benefits are, especially for military families.” 

    Criticism of the proposed cut also comes from within the Pentagon. Navy Secretary John Phelan said in a memo viewed by NPR: “Passive support to Scouting America through access to military installations and educational opportunities serves as a crucial recruiting and community engagement tool for the [Navy]…Prohibition of access could be detrimental to recruitment and accession efforts across the department.”

    President Donald Trump, speaking at the 2017 Jamboree, previously lauded the Scouts, saying: “The United States has no better citizens than its Boy Scouts. No better.” 

    What Happens Next

    The move could disrupt not only the Scouts’ annual Jamboree but the broader pipeline of service-minded youth entering the U.S. armed forces. Planning for next summer’s Jamboree continues, but without clarity—uncertainty hangs over whether military support and access to installations will persist or cease by directive.

    The Pentagon said it is reviewing all partnerships to ensure they “align with the president’s agenda and advance our mission.”

    Congress could weigh in, given its legislative oversight and the statutory requirements around military support for scouting events.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • WTF Fun Fact 13649 – God Bless America

    WTF Fun Fact 13649 – God Bless America

    [ad_1]

    Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” is a continuous benefactor to youth in New York City. Written in 1940, this iconic song’s royalties were dedicated by Berlin to a special fund.

    Named the “God Bless America Fund,” its sole purpose was to support America’s youth, with a particular focus on the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of New York City. Over the years, this fund has channeled over $10 million into local scouting groups, significantly impacting young lives.

    God Bless America Supporting the Scouts

    The tragic events of September 11, 2001, led to a renewed popularity of “God Bless America.” As the song echoed across the nation, royalties surged, directly benefiting scouting organizations in NYC. Victoria G. Traube, a trustee of the fund, noted that annual royalties, typically exceeding $200,000, were expected to triple that year. This increase meant more resources for scouting programs, especially in the poorest neighborhoods of New York.

    Both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of New York City have been beneficiaries of this fund. They’ve historically used these funds to expand programs into underserved communities and offer opportunities to disabled and troubled children. Activities like nature hikes, cookouts, and educational field trips are just some examples of how these funds have been utilized.

    A notable aspect of this support is the commitment to inclusivity. Over a year ago, the “God Bless America” fund trustees requested both scouting groups to confirm their non-discriminatory policies, including attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community. Both groups affirmed their commitment to inclusivity, with the Boy Scouts of New York actively working to reverse national policies against gay scout leaders.

    Berlin’s Enduring Impact

    Irving Berlin’s decision to donate his song’s royalties was more than a financial gesture; it was a commitment to American youth’s future. Linda Emmet, Berlin’s daughter, reflected that her father viewed children as the country’s future and believed in supporting them.

    Berlin’s involvement with scouting wasn’t just financial; he was actively engaged on the boards of both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts, highlighting his dedication to these organizations.

    As “God Bless America” continues to resonate across the nation, its impact on New York’s scouting programs grows. Plans are underway to use these funds to help children, including scouts, cope with the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. With at least nine troop leaders lost in the tragedy, the need for support and healing is evident.

    Berlin’s vision extended beyond a single song or moment in time. His commitment to America’s youth, especially in fostering outdoor education and life skills through scouting, has left an indelible mark on generations. As “God Bless America” plays on, its royalties will continue to fund adventures, learning, and growth for countless children in New York City, ensuring that Berlin’s legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of America’s youth.

    — WTF fun facts

    Source: “Irving Berlin Gave the Scouts A Gift of Song” — NYT

    [ad_2]

    WTF

    Source link