Bulwark Takes Hegseth Threatens to Cut Scouts’ Funding Over “Woke” Policies | Command Post
Feb 5, 2026
Mark Hertling, retired lieutenant general and longtime Scout, gives a concise military-minded take on the DoD’s spat with Scouting America. He connects Scout values to leadership and service. Topics include the threatened jamboree support cut, DEI and integrated troops, Iranian drone concerns near carriers, and Canada‑U.S. military cooperation and NORAD implications.
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DoD Vs. Scouts Distracts From Real Threats
- The Department of Defense publicly threatened to cut support for Scouting America over its embrace of DEI and integrated troops.
- Mark Hertling argues this dispute distracts from core defense priorities and misunderstands scouting's values.
Hertling's Personal Scouting Background
- Mark Hertling described his long scouting history, including earning Eagle Scout and serving as a Boy Scout camp counselor.
- He said his scouting experience helped him gain admission to West Point and received a Distinguished Eagle Scout award in 2012.
Scouting's Military-Origin Values
- Lord Baden-Powell, a retired British Army officer, founded scouting to build character, fitness, and service after the Boer Wars.
- Hertling links that origin to scouting's long alignment with military-style leadership and civic service.