Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Thursday that Scouting America will adopt policy changes to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within federally connected institutions.

In a video posted to X, Hegseth said Scouting America will require members to use their biological sex at birth for official documentation rather than gender identity. Applications will list only male and female options, and selections must match the applicant’s birth certificate.

He added that the organization would clarify policies to ensure that youth of opposite sexes assigned at birth do not share bathrooms, tents, or similar facilities.

The Pentagon will “vigorously review” the organization’s compliance in six months and could withdraw support if the changes are not maintained, Hegseth said.

“We hope that doesn't happen, but it could,” he stated. “Ideally, I believe the Boy Scouts should go back to being the Boy Scouts as originally founded, a group that develops boys into men. Maybe someday.”

Some of the announced changes mirror proposals Scouting America presented to the Pentagon in January. Those include discontinuing its Citizenship in Society merit badge, introducing a Military Service merit badge, and waiving registration fees for children of military personnel.

Hegseth said the reforms would ideally lead to a renewed focus on what he described as scouting’s foundational principles: duty to God and country, leadership, character, and service.

Under a newly signed memorandum of understanding between the Department of War and Scouting America, the federal government will allow scouting activities to take place on U.S. military installations and Department of War facilities, subject to applicable law and departmental policy.