A partial settlement Nov. 15 of an American Civil Liberties
Union lawsuit against the Defense Department and other
organizations allows the military to continue supporting
the Boy Scouts of America, as long as commands don’t
officially sponsor Scout units. The ACLU lawsuit, filed
in 1999, alleges that the Boy Scouts religiously
discriminate because the Scout Oath requires youth to
swear to do their duty to God and country. The partial
settlement requires DoD to issue a letter reminding
commands of its policy: “The Boy Scout Jamboree will still
go on as scheduled at Fort A.P. Hill,” said Defense
Department spokesman Lt. Col. Joe Richard. “We are still
fully supporting the Boy Scouts. But, we are reminding
base commanders and post officials they can’t sponsor
non-federal organizations in their official capacity.
It’s not a new policy, but we are reminding people.” The
jamboree will be held July 25 through Aug. 3.
