Ex-Defense secretary Gates to head Boy Scouts of America

Doug Stanglin | USA TODAY

Former secretary of Defense and CIA director Robert Gates — an Eagle Scout — has been nominated to lead the Boy Scouts of America.

The organization said in an announcement Wednesday that Gates was elected to the National Executive Board and will assume the role of president upon approval of voting members of the National Council.

If elected, he would take office in May 2014 to lead the BSA and its 2.6 million youth members.

"Our country and its young people need scouting, and Boy Scouts of America is honored to have Dr. Gates serve on our National Executive Board as the national president-elect," said Wayne Brock, chief scout executive. "I believe Dr. Gates' vision and passion for scouting will continue to allow the BSA to focus on delivering the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training to the young people of this nation."

The 70-year-old Kansas native served as director of the CIA under President George H. W. Bush, and as secretary of Defense for both President George W. Bush and President Obama.

"There is no finer program for preparing American boys for citizenship and leadership than the Boy Scouts of America. As an Eagle Scout, I know firsthand how impactful this program can be and I believe its mission is more important today than ever before," said Gates. "I am honored to take on this role and look forward to working on behalf of the millions of youth and adult members who make scouting what it is today — an organization providing life-changing opportunities to today's youth."

Gates, a former president of the National Eagle Scout Association, will take over an organization that has gone through an upheaval over the issue of allowing gay youth to participate in scouting.

In May, voting members of the BSA approved a proposal with 61% of the votes to end its 22-year ban on openly gay scouts.

"While people have different opinions about this policy, we can all agree that kids are better off when they are in scouting. Going forward, our scouting family will continue to focus on reaching and serving youth in order to help them grow into good, strong citizens," the organization said in a statement when the vote results were released.