Western Region

Because of the military support, I was able to be a cub scout when I loved in Portugal.  It was the same for my son when we lived in Germany.  I think that having a connection with the military is of great value for Scouting and for the military.  My son is an Eagle Scout and has been selected for a 4-year NROTC Scholarship next year when he starts college.  Although I left scouting as a Boy Scout because of the troop when I moved to Mississippi - the troop was less about camping and more about uniform inspections and being in Ranks.  I was not looking for a military experience (although I retired form the Navy after 30 years in 2021). So, I can understand why Scouting America made the decisions it did -  Cit Society has been sacrificed for bigger, more important priorities to the program.  But as the Cit Society MB counselor in my troop, I am concerned that there will be a cost.  After two years teaching the Merit Badge, I learned from the scouts as we talk about the requirements.  The scouts never had issue with them, only the parents.  The scouts did not understand what the issue was -  which really makes confident in the future generations. I disagree the argument that there is no value since elements have always been there.  Can we use the same argument to get rid of cooking since it is in every advancement requirement to First Class and in Camping MB?  Same with First Aid?  Since that argument does not work, what is the actual pushback on the Merit Badge?  

This is directly connected to the letter I received earlier today in my email.  "     Scouting America and the Department of War Scouting Family,   Today, Scouting America and the Department of War finalized a commitment to strengthen our longstanding partnership with the U.S. military. 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.    Throughout our discussions, we remained true to the core commitments that define our organization—our name, our mission, and our promise to serve all youth in our programs. Those commitments are unchanged. We will continue to deliver stability, mentorship, and opportunity to the children of those who serve our nation.    What This Agreement Delivers  Continued support for Scouting on military installations worldwide  Ongoing Department support for National Jamborees and other events  New benefits for military families, including waiving registration fees for children of active-duty, Guard, and Reserve families  Launching a new Military Service merit badge, developed in cooperation with the Department  Memorializing our existing practices for membership registration and safeguarding youth  As part of Scouting America’s commitment to comply with Executive Order 14173, we will be discontinuing the Citizenship in Society merit badge. While this change complies with the Executive Order, the lessons found in this merit badge are found throughout the Scouting program. Scouting has always taught respect for others, leadership, and consideration of diverse perspectives through the ideals enshrined in the Scout Oath and Law. Scouting America’s mission remains unchanged and is reinforced across our advancement, leadership development, and outdoor experiences.    Our emphasis on duty to God, duty to country, and service to others is strengthened by this partnership. Scouting’s values have not changed, and they will not change.    Why This Partnership Matters    Since 1910, Scouting America has played a strategic role in strengthening our nation’s military readiness. More than 130 million Americans have been Scouts. Millions have gone on to serve as military leaders, first responders, educators, and civic leaders. For military families navigating deployments and frequent moves, Scouting has long provided a steady anchor during times of uncertainty.    Service to Military Families   In our discussions, we affirmed Scouting’s deep commitment to military families. To that end, we will waive the national registration fees of all active duty, Reserve and Guard troops. Your support in this effort is critical – and we encourage you to make a donation to support Scouting families. Click here to give today.   How to Communicate Locally    When speaking with families and volunteers, lead with confidence and clarity:  This agreement provides continuity for military families  It supports Scouting on military bases and support for events such as National Jamborees  Fee waivers will be available for active-duty, Guard, and Reserve families  Program updates were made to comply with Executive Order 14173  Our mission, and commitment to serving all youth remains unchanged  Membership registration and our practices to safeguard youth remain unchanged  Scouting America works constructively with every administration—always focused on serving youth.    Our Resolve    For more than a century, Scouting America has endured because we are resilient, principled and unwavering in our mission. We remain committed to developing leaders of character. We remain committed to service and our nation. We remain committed to the principles enshrined in our Scout Oath and Scout Law.     Thank you for your leadership and dedication to Scouting America.  Respectfully, Roger A. Krone Chief Scout Executive President & CEO Scouting America   Copyright © 2026 Boy Scouts of America. All rights reserved.   Scouting America 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane Irving, TX 75038   I am pleased that those within our leadership in Washington have stepped up and worked out the wrinkles a little.  For me, the MB was never needed, and it was always just, as some of my naysayers locally have noted, a woke response to things.  The elements covered in the MB always were there if one paid attention to the concept of Scout Spirit, so we have untied one unneeded knot, or so I hope.  

Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Discontinuance | Scouting America

Argh.  This is where my judgement of BSA is harshest.   Originally, my judgement was harsh on poor legal review.  As times changed over the decades, better-than-average youth protection practices needed to be updated to protect both youth and BSA legally.  So many things failed there.  Now reading the last comment makes me question BSA respect for those donating money.  If OA and NESA donations were solicited as endowments, BSA had a responsibility to the donor to respect the donation and handle the endowment properly.   What I'm reading instead is that OA / NESA endowment donations were really just another way to solicit general fund revenue.   It's either poor accounting, poor legal judgement or outright misrepresentation.

Your understanding is incorrect.    They did not “vote to contribute”, the corporation told the court the OA and NESA endowments were protected. They they were not subject to the bankruptcy contributions to the trust. The other side said show us how you did proper record keeping for the funds inputs and outputs. They had no records and had just comingled the funds in the general funds. Thus, they were ordered to contribute the funds. Thus they need to “recapitalize”.