Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (R) has been named president-elect of the Boy Scouts of America.
Gates will serve both as a member of the Boy Scouts of America executive committee and president-elect, according to Scouting Magazine.
Once Gates is approved by the voting members of the National Council of Boy Scouts he will serve for two years as the nation president effective May 2014.
Gates is a Distinguished Eagle Scout and, among other related titles, the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association.
In May the Boy Scouts of America voted to end its ban on gay youth. Gates, while serving as secretary of Defense urged Congress to quickly repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the military’s ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the U.S. armed forces.
Gates also serves as the chancellor of the College of William and Mary.
