Agreement between Department of War and BSA

This page considers the February 27, 2026 preliminary agreement between the Department of War (Pentagon) and the BSA as it relates to the BSA’s Monopoly

Link to Pete Hegseth’s Statement on the Memorandum of Understanding

Link to Scouting America Statement to Scouting Families

Summary of Changes

  1. All DEI eliminated, “Zero”
  2. Citizenship in the Society Merit Badge is discontinued
  3. Scouts must register as their bio gender
  4. Biological boys/girls may not share tents, showers, or bathrooms.
  5. Military dependents receive free BSA registration

Actual Impact

Changes #1 and #2 are the elimination of explicit DEI programs. They promoted progressive ideas. Loved by the left, hated by the right.

Changes #3 and #4 seem intended to prevent, for example, a boy from checking “female” on his application and thus being allowed to bunk with his girlfriend. Since this kind of thing is controlled very locally by the youth, their parents, the Scoutmaster, the Troop Committee, and the Sponsoring Organization, national changes are unlikely to change anything either way. Most camps use single-person toilet and shower facilities. Other than at camp, most kids sleep one to a tent. It does not forbid a trans child from joining. It does refuse to give their gender choice any credibility.

Change #5 seems a reasonable thing, given how much financial assistance is given by the military to the BSA.

But the power of the Federal Government over the BSA feels inappropriate..

From a Progressive Standpoint

These rule changes are an offense to LGBTQ children. And the entire movement to support them.

The power of the Federal Government over the BSA is offensive.

From a Conservative Standpoint

These rule changes are reasonable and logical. We should not even be discussing sex in Scouting.

The power of the federal government over the BSA turned out well. But with a future change in administration, it will all change back.

Is There Any Set of Rules that Would Please Both Left and Right?

Obviously not.

The only thing they have in common is discomfort with the subservient role of the BSA to the US Government.

The only answer is to allow competition so that all families can seek the Scouting program they want. And the only way to do that is to end the BSA’s monopoly.