An Eagle Scout medal (AP file photo/M. Spencer Green)
By DAVID CRARY
NEW YORK (AP) — The Boys Scouts of America is considering a dramatic change in its controversial policy of excluding gays as leaders and youth members.
Under the change being considered, the different religious and civic groups that sponsor Scout units would be able to decide for themselves how to address the issue — either maintaining an exclusion of gays or opening up their membership.
The announcement of the possible change came Monday after years of protests over the policy — including petition campaigns that have prompted some corporations to suspend donations to the Boy Scouts.
Under the proposed change, said BSA spokesman Deron Smith, "the Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members, or parents."
Women may be able to start training as Army Rangers by mid-2015 and as Navy SEALs a year later under plans set to be announced by the Pentagon.
Women may be able to start training as Army Rangers by mid-2015 and as Navy SEALs a year later under plans set to be announced by the Pentagon that would slowly bring women into thousands of combat jobs, including those in...
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan is scheduled to arrive in his upstate hometown while the funeral of a second victim is being held in the Hudson Valley.
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan has arrived in his upstate hometown as the funeral of a second victim was being held in the Hudson Valley.
Friday, June 14 2013 12:14 PM EDT2013-06-14 16:14:18 GMT
The U.S. Defense Department has established was it is calling the world's first brain tissue repository in an effort to understand more about traumatic brain injuries(TBI) to members of the armed services.
The U.S. Defense Department has established was it is calling the world's first brain tissue repository in an effort to understand more about traumatic brain injuries(TBI) to members of the armed services.
The officer who handled sexual assault claims for a New York Air National Guard airlift wing says the unit has promoted abusers instead of punishing them.
The officer who handled sexual assault claims for a New York Air National Guard airlift wing says the unit has promoted abusers instead of punishing them.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says commanders must remain part of the legal process in dealing with major offenses in the military such as sexual assault.
In a story June 12, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was the only Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee who supported a measure to remove commanders from decision-making on...
Friday, May 17 2013 4:17 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:17:46 GMT
A Humvee carrying six Navy SEALs and two other sailors overturned during a training exercise at Fort Knox in Kentucky, killing one of the SEALs and injuring the others, military officials said Friday.
A Humvee carrying six Navy SEALs and two other sailors overturned during a training exercise at Fort Knox in Kentucky, killing one of the SEALs and injuring the others, military officials said Friday.
Timely and adequate health care is needed to help U.S. military personnel and their families readjust to life after deployment, an Institute of Medicine report finds.
Timely and adequate health care is needed to help U.S. military personnel and their families readjust to life after deployment, an Institute of Medicine report finds.
U.S. military personnel who were the victims of sexual or physical assault as adults are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions, according to a new study.
U.S. military personnel who were the victims of sexual or physical assault as adults are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions, according to a new study.
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An Eagle Scout medal (AP file photo/M. Spencer Green)
