***Some parts of this letter have been omitted for my and my family’s privacy***

I am writing to share this letter which I have sent to local Congressional Representatives as well as multiple media outlets with regard to the leaked Pentagon memo that, within, spoke about severing ties with Scouting America.

My name is Gabriel H., and I am a sixteen year old Sophomore. I am also an Eagle Scout from Troop 262 out of Shallotte, North Carolina. I am writing to you in regards to the leaked Pentagon memo which included plans to sever ties with the Scouting America Program. While I am sure you are receiving an influx of emails and letters as a result of this memo, I would still like to share with you my story from my scouting experience. 

I have been in the scouting program since I was first eligible to join as a Tiger Scout in fall of 2016. I can remember a recruiter from the former Boy Scouts of America coming to my school and describing, in detail, all of the unique programs that scouting had to offer. I remember, more specifically, the awe that I was in when I learned that my local Boy Scout Reservation, Camp Bowers, had its own pirate ship. Needless to say, I went home, told my parents, and signed up with Pack 38 out of Southport, North Carolina less than a week later. 

At my first meeting, I had no clue what I was getting myself into because when I went into our meeting location, there was no pirate ship. But, I was intrigued for other reasons, and that is why I stayed. A handshake, a sign, a salute, the scout law, and the scout oath. I was so interested that my father bet me ten dollars that I could recite the scout law by the time that I got home from the meeting (only about a fifteen minute drive). I am happy to report that I memorized it, and that the ten dollars was mine. However, I did not memorize the saying for the money, but rather I memorized it because I felt the power and importance of the words that I was saying. From there, I continued my journey of cub scouts, going camping, participating in fun outdoor activities, and finally getting to explore the pirate ship (the whole reason I signed up).

When it was time for me to cross over from my cub scout pack into the troop, I was burned out. I felt lost in my scouting journey. I, in truth, did not know what I wanted to do. I decided to stick it out and join Troop 102 out of Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina. Almost immediately, a fire that was almost extinguished was reignited with a passion. At my second meeting with Troop 102, I began my first merit badge, Scholarship, earning the badge only two weeks later. I thank my parents for not allowing me to let my flame for scouting burn out completely. 

Troop 102 made me the scouter that I am today, a scouter filled with passion for the program and a scouter who knows that you earn what you receive because nothing is just given to you. For example, when completing the Aviation merit badge, I flew a plane from the copilot’s seat, with the pilot’s permission, while in the air, and without the pilot’s assistance. I did not just go on a commercial flight and call that “good enough.” I earned it. 

Unfortunately, the troop that shaped me and made my eternal flame for scouting burn brighter than ever decided to fold. This was due to all of the leaders’ children attaining the rank of Eagle and aging out of the program. That has led me to where I am today, an Eagle Scout, myself, from Troop 262 in Shallotte.

Nothing in my scouting journey was simply given to me. I worked very hard to ensure integrity in all of my scouting ventures. The scouting program is anything but, “… no longer a meritocracy that holds its members accountable to meet high standards.” The only thing that was given in my scouting journey was the 1732 books that were given to local underprivileged elementary-aged children because of my Eagle Project. (My initial goal was only 500 books). I have worked tirelessly to ensure that everything I do in scouting is properly earned so that my time is not wasted. How about the over 250 volunteer hours that were actually worked by my fellow scouts and individuals in the community? Were those just given to me? Personally, I think not.

Now, instead of celebrating, not only my hard work, but every Eagle Scouts’ hard work, we are diminishing their accomplishments by saying that the leadership that they practiced and the skills that they learned are now, in a sense, worthless, because Scouting America is “woke.” Personally, I believe that Secretary of the Department of War Pete Hegseth needs to wake up and realize that this program that he claims, “no longer supports the future of American boys,” supports the future of ALL people who participate in this program, American boys AND girls alike. 

One of the pinnacle moments in a scouter’s journey is receiving the letter of congratulations from the President of the United States. For me, I now have to wonder if what the president said in his letter was the truth. This action does not correspond with anything that was said in the letter. 

Scouting America’s brand reinvention does not “attack boy friendly spaces,” but rather it creates an open space for all of America’s youth. Why should we not let girls into our program? Some may argue that it is because there are Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and that they should not be intermingled; however, the Girl Scout program is very different from the Boy Scouts. Is it not okay for girls to want to learn about skills, such as first aid, and want to sleep outside? Should we treat them as if they are fragile vessels or should we let them pursue what makes them happy? This idea is not only antiquated, but could be compared to similar beliefs within the Taliban and Isis.

When girls were first welcomed into scouting programs, I adopted a mindset that the programs were separate for a reason and that they should remain so. It is now that I realize I was very close-minded and that our sister troop is actually our better half. My sister troop are the ones who taught me how to tie knots. They were the ones who showed me that they are in the scouting program for a reason and that they have every right to be there. They bring things to the table that our boy’s troop does not. We complement each other which is what leads to our success as a unit.

The military cutting ties with the scouting program is NOT how we support the future of American youth. Many scouts go from wearing the scouting uniform to wearing the uniform of one branch of America’s Armed Forces. Cutting ties is not encouraging scouts to voluntarily join the military, but rather it is discouraging them. Cutting ties will result in scouts simply hanging up their uniform and not wearing one of America’s military. And why? Because Scouting America decided to allow girls to pursue their interests in the Scouting program?

The damage done with this action is collateral. Scouts, individually, did not have a say in whether or not they let girls in the program. Also, what about the almost 30,000 lives that could be at risk this summer at the National Jamboree without the military’s support? As someone who will be there, I am concerned for my own health during those two weeks. At this late date, does Scouting America even have time to create a viable back-up plan?

The left did not want, ” …to destroy it or dilute it into something that stood for nothing.” We are passing the blame to someone without even asking Scouting America why they did what they did. We are blaming the left for a program that decided to evolve with evolving times. Scouting America does, in fact, stand for something. Scouting America stands for America and for the future of both American boys and American girls. It stands for a firm duty to one’s self, one’s God, and above all, one’s country.

We are not trained how to properly fold, care for, and retire a flag for no reason. We do not participate in flag ceremonies for many different occasions for no reason. We do not wear a uniform emblazoned with the American flag for no reason. We do it because of Scouting America’s dedication to America.

Scouting is an adventure, something that all participants will cherish for the rest of their lives. Scouting connects scouts of all ages from all different backgrounds. I joined a program that builds camaraderie between all participants, not a program that is tarnished by the United States’ Government. Being a scout is not just a hobby, it is part of who I am as a person. Scouting has taught me so many things that I could not have learned anywhere else. The principles of scouting are and will continue to be the moral foundation of my life. 

To conclude, I like to leave you with this thought. This past summer, I went to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. I went with a crew of both boys and girls. In unison we hiked over 140 miles, learned crucial survival skills, and built strong camaraderie. All of the girls were able to walk at the same pace or at an even faster pace than the boys. This is one of the many examples which only showcases how capable girls are and how much they equally deserve to be in the Scouting America program.

I come from a line of scouters and military members, one of which even received a Purple Heart and Combat Valor in Vietnam. I would like to formally invite you to join us at one of our meetings to see us in action. We meet every Monday at 7:00 in the evening. I will speak about this issue at any place, at any time, and I will be more than happy to answer any questions. Thank you for your attention to this matter and I look forward to your response.

Best Regards,

Gabriel H., 

Eagle Scout, Troop 262

Sea Scout, Ship 2003

Scribe, 2026 National Youth Leadership Training