Boy Scout Troop 1571 touring the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in 2018, docked at Naval Base Kitsap–Bremerton, Washington State. Photo courtesy of the author.

Journal of Political Risk, Vol. 13, No. 8, August 2025

By Roan Aidane

Given geopolitical unrest and fluctuating enlistment rates of youths within the armed services, it is worthwhile to recall an institution that has a track record of effectively preparing youth for the American military while building America’s civic capacity: Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America, BSA). Scouting America stands as an underutilized resource in national security and military readiness. The death of the bills, H.R. 5622 in the House and S. 4499 as part of the “Youth Lead Act,” in the 118th Congress, underscores the undervaluation of Scouting America as an organization critical to U.S. national security.

Scouting America serves as a feeder organization for the U.S. military, not solely through skill training, but by instilling values pertinent to military service, such as discipline, leadership, and a sense of duty. Amidst the demographic and cultural hurdles confronting military recruitment, supporting Scouting America, through measures like the Youth Lead Act of 2024, must be viewed as a valuable matter within national security.

Scouting’s basic framework was conceived systematically along military lines. The founder of Scouting, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, modeled Scouting on what he had observed of local cadet corps, where boys during wartime helped the wounded, carried messages, and acted as sentries.¹ Such roots thereby became an integral part of the Boy Scouts’ DNA within the United States.

Historically, the American dynamic of Scouting was very much like the military style, and it has grown since then. Former Boy Scouts make up a notable portion of students who go on to study in the U.S. Military institutions (see table below).

Boy Scout and Eagle Scout Representation in Service Academy Classes²

In the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 2017 class, 17% of its student body comprised former Boy Scouts, with 10.1% of those being Eagle Scouts as well. At West Point, between the years of 2012–2017, 20.2% of cadets were Eagle Scouts. From 1988–2020, the Naval Academy averaged between 19–30% of midshipmen participating in Boy Scouts, with 11.9% of the 2016 class being Eagle Scouts. The Merchant Marine Academy’s 2020 class had 20.8% of its midshipmen as former Scouts, with 12.2% being Eagle Scouts. Such figures indicate how Scouting, as an organization, effectively contributes to the creation of disciplined young leaders who are then capable of fulfilling the expectations of military service.

Scouts for America can work alongside significant new recruiting innovations, such as the “Future Soldiers Training”³, to help guide the next generation of armed servicemembers. One Air Force special reconnaissance wing airman recounted how the Scout ranking system and structure had “unconsciously” prepared him for elite special warfare training. Hailing from a high school of 72 students, he said “For scouts and special warfare, you don’t have to be the best person, you have to be the right person.”⁴ These are not isolated anecdotes. Scouting stimulates and accelerates the enlistment of more prepared soldiers.. According to the revised Army recruiting policy, “Achieved the Scouting America Eagle certificate … qualifies a recruit to enter the Army at the rank of Private First Class (E-3).”⁵

The Youth Lead Act of 2024, proposed by Representative Don Bacon and Senator Todd Young, would help offer grant funding to Scouting America, which in turn would invest in the future of national security. It proposes increasing grant accessibility to Scouting and other leadership organizations around the nation. Such a bill recognizes the value in funding these youth programs. This reality must be acknowledged, as scouting is an inexpensive way to build readiness long before boot camp.

House and Senate bills, H.R. 5622 and S. 4499, introduced in the 118th Congress as part of the Youth Lead Act, both remain stalled as of July 2024.⁶ They are merely symptoms of the lack of national attention devoted to youth development programs within national security policy. Yet, 2024 recruitment data show the highest growth rate in the past three years.⁷ It must be considered that positive recruitment trends can be maintained through investment in proven programs such as Scouting America.

Lately, the historic relationship between the U.S. military and Scouting America has come into question. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s team is currently “reviewing partnerships” between both organizations due to recent policy changes within Scouting America. It is important to note, however, that Scouting America does not receive any funding from the DOD. What it does have is access: the use of bases for events, support from military bands, the presence of color guards, and participation by the military in National Jamborees.⁸ Scouting, according to DOD legal guidance, is a private organization entitled to support under military policy if the event advances morale, readiness, and community engagement.⁹ In recent years, Scouting has undergone significant changes. It has grown to admit girls and has rebranded itself.¹⁰ Some find that such policies are created by those who “wanted to destroy it or dilute it into something that stood for nothing”, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated.¹¹ It is up to policy leaders to debate such developments. What is important is that through such future discussions, the value scouting plays on national security is recognized, in all future policy planning and proceedings.

When national security concerns become increasingly complex, such times require more innovative solutions. Scouting in America should now be recognized as a capable strategic partner. From its 100-year model of discipline, leadership, and public service, it can address the military readiness crisis of today. A similar bill to H.R. 5622 in the House and S. 4499 would ensure funding and is probably a good investment in readiness and recruitment within the military, which can positively affect U.S. national security.

Roan Aidane is an Eagle Scout and graduate of George Washington University with a major in Political Science. He was a Congressional Intern in the House of Representatives during the 117th Congress, an Order of the Arrow member, and Senior Patrol Leader.