Why Is the Department of Defense Picking Fights With The Scouts? | Command Post

The Department of Defense (DoD), specifically Secretary Hegseth and spokesman Sean Parnell, publicly threatened to cut support for Scouting America's National Jamboree. The stated reason was Scouting America's embrace of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and 'social justice, gender fluid ideological stances,' which the DoD claims run 'counter to the values of this administration and the Department of War.' Parnell's social media post explicitly stated a 'zero tolerance' for DEI at the DoD.

Sean Parnell's social media post quoted by the hosts: 'From day one at the War Department, we have made it very clear, no more DEI at DOW... Scouting America's leadership has made decisions that run counter to the values of this administration and the Department of War, including an embrace of DEI and other social justice, gender fluid ideological stances.'

General Hurtling, a distinguished Eagle Scout and former Boy Scout camp counselor, highlights Scouting's deep historical ties to military preparation and its foundational values. The Scout Oath emphasizes honor, duty to God and country, obedience to the Scout Law, helping others, and physical, mental, and moral strength. Historically, Scouting was founded by a retired British army officer, Lord Baden-Powell, to build character and self-reliance in young men, serving as a 'soft recruitment pipeline' for the military.

General Hurtling's personal history with Scouting, including achieving Eagle Scout and Distinguished Eagle Scout. He recites the Scout Oath and details Lord Baden-Powell's founding of Scouting in 1907 to prepare young men for national service. The military views Scouting as a 'potential recruiting tool' due to character development, leadership, and outdoor skills.

The hosts strongly advocate for DEI, arguing it is a critical component of organizational strength and military effectiveness. General Hurtling, drawing on four decades of military experience and teaching at a business college, states that DEI research shows it contributes to better organizations. He emphasizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential for building cohesive units from varied backgrounds and ensuring all service members, including the 20% who are women, feel included and valued.

General Hurtling's statement: 'When you take a look at DEI research, it shows that DEI is one of the contributors to better organizations... four decades in the military, that was our major requirement to build diversity in the force... the equality is critically important and the inclusion of everyone into the accomplishment of the mission.'

The hosts criticize the DoD's focus on Scouting America's DEI policies as a significant misdirection of attention and resources. They argue that the Secretary of Defense should be concentrating on pressing global threats, the state of the military force, and the execution of the national defense strategy, rather than engaging in 'picking a fight with the Boy Scouts.' This reflects a pattern of prioritizing 'woke' issues over substantive defense challenges.

General Hurtling: 'I'm trying to figure out when we have so many other things that the Department of Defense... should be focused on... we're really concerned today about the expanding threats to our security, the state of the military force today, the key elements of the national defense strategy... And yet we're picking a fight with the Boy Scouts.' Ben Parker adds that the Secretary is worried about 'chaplains of the military going woke' instead of China or Venezuela.

Political inconsistencies and perceived untrustworthiness from the US government are starting to impact military alliances and defense procurement decisions. While professional military relationships remain strong at the working level, allies like Canada and European nations are beginning to reconsider purchasing US defense equipment. This shift is driven by concerns about trust in delivery, equipment quality, and the reliability of the US as a long-term partner, potentially leading to a 'breaking away' from the US defense industry.

Discussion of Canada potentially canceling F-35 orders for Swedish Gripen jets. General Hurtling notes: 'It's an indicator of what the European forces... are doing in terms of breaking away from the US acquisition and defense industry because right now there's issues of trust.' He also mentions the 'deployment of trust' suffering when US military forces are withdrawn from foreign locations.