Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced an extensive overhaul of the U.S. military’s Chaplain Corps, aiming to refocus on religious ministry rather than secular practices. In a video message released on Tuesday, Hegseth expressed his intention to “make the Chaplain Corps great again,” criticizing the current state of chaplaincy within the armed forces.
Hegseth pointed to the influence of “political correctness and secular humanism,” claiming these trends have diminished the role of chaplains. He noted that many chaplains are now perceived more as therapists than as spiritual leaders. The Secretary criticized the Army’s Spiritual Fitness Guide, which he stated mentioned God only once while referring to feelings eleven times and even discussing concepts like playfulness nine times. This guide, released in August 2025, was developed through a comprehensive study by III Corps, resulting in a 112-page document aimed at enhancing spiritual fitness as part of overall force readiness.
In his message, Hegseth declared that the Army would be “tossing” the guide due to its alienating impact on religious soldiers. He confirmed that a directive to eliminate the guide would be signed on the same day. Following the announcement, Army spokesperson Tony McCormick affirmed, “We are aggressively moving forward with Secretary Hegseth’s intent to discontinue the Army Spiritual Fitness Guide.”
Key Changes Ahead for Chaplaincy
Hegseth outlined several additional reforms aimed at simplifying the current faith and belief coding system, which he criticized for being overly complex with more than 200 codes. His proposed changes emphasize the need for a cultural shift within the military, intending to place spiritual well-being on par with mental and physical health.
“There will be a top-down cultural shift, putting spiritual wellbeing on the same footing as mental and physical health, as a first step toward creating a supportive environment for our warriors and their souls,” Hegseth stated.
The Pentagon has not provided further details on whether the video message constitutes formal policy changes or if there are any modifications planned regarding the roles and responsibilities of military chaplains. A spokesperson for the Pentagon noted that there was no additional comment beyond what was stated in the video.
Hegseth’s initiative reflects a significant shift in military policy, indicating a renewed emphasis on traditional religious values within the Chaplain Corps. As these changes unfold, the impact on military personnel and their spiritual support remains to be seen.
