One of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s top advisers has recommended that the Defense Department cut ties with Scouting America, known for decades as the Boy Scouts, saying it is too ‘woke’ to support, according to multiple people familiar with the discussions.
Tami Radabaugh, the deputy assistant to the secretary of defense for strategic engagement and a direct adviser to Hegseth, has been lobbying other senior officials to suspend the Pentagon’s decades-old relationship with the group.
Her arguments include citing Hegseth’s previous criticism of Scouting America when he was a host on Fox News, where he decried the organization as having ‘lost what they stand for.’
It is not clear where Hegseth and the people around him stand on the issue.
Though the Pentagon has yet to decide whether to cut off its relationship with Scouting America, discussions are ongoing regarding the implications of such a decision.
These discussions explore whether the relationship would undergo a total severing or a more limited measure, such as Hegseth not being involved in upcoming events.
Radabaugh recommended that Hegseth refrain from participating in a video for Scouting America due to these concerns, and he has not yet done so, according to sources close to the discussions.
In response to inquiries about the situation, Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, said, “Secretary Hegseth and his Public Affairs team thoroughly review partnerships and engagements to ensure they align with the President’s agenda and advance our mission.”
The controversy deepens as discussions began shortly after the announcement that the Boy Scouts of America would officially rebrand as Scouting America in May.
Hegseth publicly condemned the organization during a segment on Fox News surrounding the name change, attributing its issues to “the left” and accusing them of wanting to “destroy” the institution rather than improve it.
“This is an institution the left didn’t control.
They didn’t want to improve it.
They wanted to destroy it or dilute it into something that stood for nothing,” he stated at the time.
According to Hegseth, the government gains more power when organizations like Scouting America lose their foundational values.
“This is a tragedy,” he expressed.
He lamented that young children would miss out on learning essential skills—or more importantly, the values that once defined the organization.
The U.S. military has historically supported scouting activities, as noted by Gordon Shattles, Scouting America’s national director for corporate communications.
This longstanding partnership includes allowing the organization to hold all of its National Jamborees at Fort A.P. Hill, now known as Fort Walker, from 1981 until 2010, when the event was moved to the Bechtel Reserve—a facility owned by Scouting America.
Shattles emphasized that Scouting America shares a “long and celebrated history of collaboration with the United States military,” noting that this relationship spans decades.
Moreover, statistics reveal that many scouts have pursued military education, with over 3,516 Eagle Scouts enrolling at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point since 2003.
This year, approximately 20% of the graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy were either in Scouting America or Girl Scouts, and about 10% had achieved the prestigious Eagle Scout rank or Girl Scout Gold Award, according to information provided by Scouting America.
Shattles reiterated that the military supports scouting activities annually by allowing units to conduct meetings and campouts on military bases.
Military color guards often participate in scouting ceremonies and events, further strengthening the bond between the two organizations.
Many active-duty and retired military personnel also serve as scout leaders and merit badge counselors, particularly for outdoor skills, citizenship, and emergency preparedness badges.
He made clear that Scouting America does not receive any funding from the Defense Department or any federal agencies.
In addition, scouts have contributed to military recruiting efforts, as noted by two defense officials.
While the U.S. Army Recruiting Command does not have an official affiliation with Scouting America, recruits who enlist with certain awards from scouting—like Eagle Scout Certificates or Girl Scout Gold Awards—can enter the Army with higher ranks upon enlistment, as confirmed by a spokesperson.
Furthermore, U.S. Army Cadet Command conducts marketing and recruiting activities with Scouting America to inform Scouts and their families about Army ROTC opportunities, according to a spokesperson’s email.
Support for the Jamboree has also been evident from the West Virginia National Guard in recent years, with the expectation that they will provide military bands and colors for the next event in 2026 at Bechtel Reserve, as revealed by a defense official and Scouting America.
After more than a century as Boy Scouts of America, the organization officially became Scouting America in February, coinciding with its 115th anniversary.
This name change is part of a broader initiative for increased inclusivity, which includes allowing girls to join the organization.
The organization previously filed for bankruptcy in 2020 due to lawsuits from tens of thousands of sexual abuse survivors, leading to a nearly $2.5 billion trust compensating victims.
President Donald Trump expressed strong support for the organization during his speech at the Jamboree on July 25, 2017, praising Scouts as young people of character and integrity who would lead communities and uphold the values of the nation.
He remarked, “The United States has no better citizens than its Boy Scouts.”
Furthermore, he pointed to ten members of his Cabinet who had been scouts, emphasizing the organization’s key role in shaping future leaders.
With internal discussions continuing, the ultimate decision regarding the Pentagon’s relationship with Scouting America remains to be seen.
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