IRVING, TX (February 27, 2026) – Scouting America issued the following statement today following the Department of War’s announcement.
Scouting America is proud to uphold our longstanding commitment to military families across the globe through a renewed, strengthened partnership with the Department of War. Over several months, we engaged in dialogue with Department leadership to align on how we could deepen our service to military families, while making programmatic updates to comply with Executive Order 14173.
Today we are moving forward with implementing new programmatic elements that deliver on that mission: waiving registration fees for military families, launching a new merit badge focused on military service and veterans, and reinforcing our commitment to Scouting’s foundational ideas: leadership, character, duty to God, duty to country and service.
Throughout this engagement, Scouting America held firm on the core commitments that define us. We maintained our name as ‘Scouting America’ and preserved our service to the more than 200,000 girls who participate in our programs. Girls have been an integral part of Scouting since the 1960s and have served as leaders and program developers for decades. That commitment is unwavering.
Our primary objective throughout this engagement was to maintain support for families who depend on us. Since 1910, more than 130 million Americans have passed through Scouting’s ranks. Millions of those alumni have gone on to serve as officers and enlisted leaders in our military, teachers, entrepreneurs and first responders.
Scouting America is one of the most reliable pipelines to the United States Armed Forces our country has ever known. Scouts are significantly more likely to serve in uniform than the general population. Eagle Scouts are heavily represented in ROTC programs, service academies and military leadership tracks. Scouts contribute millions of hours of service to their communities each year. The leadership, discipline and responsibility developed through Scouting translate into adulthood as public service, civic engagement and a readiness to lead.
Tens of thousands of Scouts participate in units that meet on or near military installations in the U.S. and abroad. For children who move frequently, whose parents deploy, and whose lives are shaped by uncertainty, Scouting is often the one constant: a uniform, a community, a set of values that travel with them wherever they go.
Today’s affirmation deepens a 116-year partnership that greatly benefits our Armed Forces and our communities. Together, we strengthen military families, support readiness and help raise generations of Americans committed to service. Scouting America looks forward to strengthening a partnership that maximizes impact for America’s youth. Scouts will continue to put duty to country above duty to self.
About Scouting America
Scouting America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®”
Scouting invites every youth to a safe, fun place to learn, explore, and grow. More than 130 million Americans have been through our programs since our founding. Currently, nearly 1 million youth are served by almost 500,000 adult volunteers in local Councils throughout the country.
To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, or to sign your child up for Scouting, visit www.BeAScout.org.
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Media Contact
Scouting America Statement link: https://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/press-releases/scouting-america-statement-concerning-department-of-war-announcement/
