Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a significant overhaul of the military’s Chaplain Corps, emphasizing a return to its foundational role in religious ministry. In a video message released on October 3, 2023, Hegseth expressed his intention to “make the Chaplain Corps great again” by addressing what he perceives as a shift toward secularism within military spiritual practices.
Hegseth criticized the Army Spiritual Fitness Guide, calling it indicative of “new age notions” that have diluted the role of chaplains. He noted that the guide, which was launched in August 2025, mentions God only once while referencing feelings eleven times and even includes the concept of playfulness nine times. He argued that this focus alienates religious soldiers and promotes a secular humanist agenda.
In his address, Hegseth made it clear that the Army will be discontinuing the controversial guide. “We are aggressively moving forward with Secretary Hegseth’s intent to discontinue the Army Spiritual Fitness Guide,” stated Tony McCormick, an Army spokesperson, confirming the directive issued by Hegseth.
Planned Changes to Chaplaincy
The reform will also involve simplifying the complex coding system used to categorize faith and belief within the military. Hegseth highlighted that the current system has expanded to over two hundred codes, which he deemed overly complicated. The intent is to streamline this process to better support military personnel in their spiritual needs.
Hegseth outlined a vision for a cultural shift within the Army that places spiritual wellbeing on par with mental and physical health. “This is a first step toward creating a supportive environment for our warriors and their souls,” he stated. The Secretary emphasized that more revisions are on the horizon, aimed at enhancing the spiritual support available to service members.
The response from the Pentagon regarding whether Hegseth’s statements would result in formal policy changes was limited. The press duty officer confirmed that there was nothing additional to share beyond the contents of the video.
This initiative marks a significant shift in the approach to spiritual care within the military, reflecting ongoing debates over the role of religion in public service sectors. As the reforms begin to take shape, the military community will be closely observing the impact on chaplaincy and the broader implications for service members’ spiritual health.
