I recently spoke to the mother of an Eagle Scout about the current debate in Scouting regarding the official policy of discrimination against gay boys and adult leaders.

The woman is active duty. Although she is not a flag officer, she has a very senior officer's rank and decades of service. When she arrives on base, virtually everyone salutes.

Her response to my question stunned me. It was very matter-of-fact and puts this entire debate to bed in one fell swoop:



A primary reason Baden Powell formed the Scouts was to provide training to young men that would prepare them for military service and leadership. It is the policy of the United States military that gay men and women are accepted and valued within the ranks at all levels. If the Boy Scouts want to continue preparing young men for military service, then they need to align their policy with the military's.