Pentagon Threatens Scouting America: Military Support Could Be Withheld Ahead of National Jamboree

Pentagon officials have publicly warned Scouting America that it risks losing long-standing military support unless it implements unspecified "core value" reforms, a move that could jeopardize the National Jamboree scheduled for July in West Virginia.

The admonition, posted on social media by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, comes months before thousands of Scouts are expected to converge on the Jamboree — an event that depends on National Guard and active-duty personnel for medical, security and logistical support. A sudden withdrawal of that assistance could imperil the youth gathering and affect military families who run Scout units on bases overseas.

What the Pentagon Said

The Defense Department warned Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts) that it must adopt unspecified "core value reforms" or risk losing its partnership with the military. According to reporting in The Washington Post, people familiar with the matter said the Pentagon has private demands that have not been publicly disclosed.

"They are on the clock, and we are watching," Parnell wrote on social media.

Context: Hegseth's Broader Agenda

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth — a former Fox News host — has spent much of his tenure pursuing a wide-ranging cultural agenda inside the Pentagon. His interventions have included reviews of library books, disputes over historical images and web pages, renaming naval vessels, leading a prayer service at the Pentagon, and changes to grooming standards. In November, Hegseth suggested severing ties with the Scouts, a proposal that drew bipartisan criticism.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during an executive order signing on Aug. 25, 2025 in the Oval Office of the White House.(Al Drago / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Reactions And Concerns

Senator Jack Reed (D–R.I.), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, sharply criticized the warning. Reed said Scouting America has long helped shape young people grounded in duty, leadership and love of country, and that threatening the organization over its inclusion of young women is "shameful and false." He warned that politicizing the Scouts undermines a partnership that benefits military families and national readiness.

Advocates and observers say removing access to military facilities or withdrawing personnel support would disproportionately affect military children and overseas units that rely on base resources and staff to sustain Scouting activities.

What’s At Stake

The National Jamboree is a large-scale logistical operation requiring coordination with multiple military units. Without timely confirmation that military support will continue, organizers face difficult choices involving safety, medical coverage and the event's overall feasibility.

Outlook

Time is limited before the July event. The Pentagon’s public warning signals a firm posture, but the specific reforms sought have not been disclosed publicly. Observers will be watching whether Scouting America and the Defense Department resolve their differences in time to protect the Jamboree and longstanding ties with military communities.

This article first appeared on MS NOW and was originally published on ms.now.