Esteban du Plantier said:

---

If you're a boy in a troop, nothing is different right? Since troops are gender segregated?

There are a couple girls in our Cub scout pack, but they're gender-specific at the troop level. So what is a male scout experiencing differently these days?

---

Quote:

---

Scouting Family,

This morning NPR aired a story about a supposed leaked Pentagon memo directing the U.S. Military to sever ties with Scouting America. According to the story, the draft memo, which has not been sent to Congress, indicates that the Secretary of War plans to cease support for youth in Scouting programs on military bases in the U.S. and overseas, cut support for the National Jamboree, and eliminate increases in pay grade for Eagle Scouts who enlist in the military.

Listen to the story here or you can read the story here.

We are surprised and deeply saddened by this news. The Scouting movement has had a strong relationship with our nation's military going back more than a century. From the tremendous support of the West Virginia National Guard at our National Jamborees to Scout troops that provide stability for the children of military families deployed around the globe, our nation's military has walked side-by-side with Scouts for generations. An enormous percentage of those in our military academies are Scouts and Eagle Scouts. Our Scouts and leaders admire and are inspired by our military heroes. Many of our Scouts trade their Scouting uniforms for the uniforms of our nation's armed forces.

According to the story, the draft memo purports that the Scouting organization is "no longer a meritocracy" and does not hold members to high standards. This view is clearly uninformed. Badges and ranks are not given, they are earned. Just ask any Eagle Scout. Young men and young women alike thrive in Scouting. Scouts wear an American flag on their sleeves and swear a duty to God and country.

Scouting isn't something we do. It's something we are.

Scouting will never turn its back on the children of our military families. Just as we always have, Scouts will continue to put duty to country above duty to self and will remain focused on serving all American families in the U.S. and abroad.

Scouting is and has always been a nonpartisan organization. For more than a century, we've worked with every U.S. presidential administration Republican and Democrat focusing on our common goal of building future leaders grounded in integrity, responsibility, and service. We will continue our efforts to work with the Pentagon to address this critical issue.

At the same time, I encourage each of you to contact your senators and congressional representatives immediately and ask for their support. You can locate contact information for your representative at these links: House and Senate.

Some of you may be discouraged by this news, but, just like the service men and women of our military, a Scout is brave. I see this as a clear call to redouble our efforts. All youth are in crisis today. They need the fun, adventure and the challenging, character-building programs of Scouting more than ever.

Support your local councils. Lift up your fellow volunteer leaders and Scouting families. Let's prepare the next generation for lives of purpose and impact.

---

LMCane said:

---

Esteban du Plantier said:

---

If you're a boy in a troop, nothing is different right? Since troops are gender segregated?

There are a couple girls in our Cub scout pack, but they're gender-specific at the troop level. So what is a male scout experiencing differently these days?

---

nope

I was up at Gettyburg a few weekends ago and there were mixed troops boys and girls

---

LMCane said:

---

Esteban du Plantier said:

---

If you're a boy in a troop, nothing is different right? Since troops are gender segregated?

There are a couple girls in our Cub scout pack, but they're gender-specific at the troop level. So what is a male scout experiencing differently these days?

---

nope

I was up at Gettyburg a few weekends ago and there were mixed troops boys and girls

---

Esteban du Plantier said:

---

LMCane said:

---

Esteban du Plantier said:

---

If you're a boy in a troop, nothing is different right? Since troops are gender segregated?

There are a couple girls in our Cub scout pack, but they're gender-specific at the troop level. So what is a male scout experiencing differently these days?

---

nope

I was up at Gettyburg a few weekends ago and there were mixed troops boys and girls

---

There are no integrated troops in College Station.

So, when my sons move to troops, what will they experience differently?

---

SanDiegoAg12 said:

---

It's a travesty what's happened to BSA as evidenced by the need to change the name.

---

FrankK said:

---

Perhaps the qualitative or quantitative benefits don't merit pay differences any longer. Those would be a deciding factors. We shouldn't perpetuate relationships just for sentimental reasons.

---

mm98 said:

---

I was not a scout. My son is. So we're experiencing it together for the first time

The grill troop is 100% separated. I do not see anything in our troop to argue that meritocracy isn't being enforced. Oh well.

---

FrankK said:

---

I am curious. A pay increase for scouting graduates would be warranted if their performance, effectiveness, or "time to get to fighting strength" is superior to those who aren't. Also, the relation may no longer benefit the DoW as it used to as well.

Perhaps the qualitative or quantitative benefits don't merit pay differences any longer. Those would be a deciding factors. We shouldn't perpetuate relationships just for sentimental reasons.

---

stallion6 said:

---

shiftyandquick said:

---

To be fair, I didn't actually know that there was a relationship. I was in scouts as a kid, and I also have volunteered as a scout leader as an adult. And I've had kids in scouts.

Scouting America has released the following statement: "Secretary of War plans to cease support for youth in Scouting programs on military bases in the U.S. and overseas, cut support for the National Jamboree, and eliminate increases in pay grade for Eagle Scouts who enlist in the military."

From the NPR article: "U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is planning for the military to sever all ties with Scouting America, saying the group once known as the Boy Scouts is no longer a meritocracy and has become an organization designed to "attack boy-friendly spaces," according to documents reviewed by NPR.
In a draft memo to Congress, which sources shared with NPR but which has not yet been sent, Hegseth criticizes Scouting for being "genderless" and for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion."

I think this move will be very popular on the F16. Another "owning the libs." And "we need a warrior who will fight wokeness." And "Eagle Scout meant a little 30 years ago, but now it means nothing and probably worse than nothing."

Of course the weird thing is that women actually serve in the military. So it's kind of odd that having girls in Scouts would be seen as anti-military. But clearly this MAGA movement is anti- women in the military I think.

https://www.npr.org/2025/11/25/nx-s1-5615164/pentagon-scouting-hegseth-cut-ties

---

They brought it on themselves by falling victim to woke policies. Another example of weak organizational leadership.

---