Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on Feb. 26 that the Pentagon will continue supporting Scouting America, formerly the Boy Scouts of America, after the organization agreed to remove all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from its programs.

Scouting America signed a memorandum of understanding committing to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order barring DEI efforts in public and private organizations.

Changes include removing DEI language from programs and publications, eliminating a “citizenship in society” merit badge focused on diversity, and introducing a military service merit badge.

Membership will now be based strictly on sex assigned at birth, with only male or female designations allowed, USA Today has reported.

Scouting America President Roger Krone emphasized the group remains committed to serving military families and maintaining its longstanding inclusion of girls in leadership and programs.