WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has recently announced the establishment of a new Office of Religious Affairs at the Pentagon. This initiative forms part of his broader efforts to integrate faith-related reforms within the military framework.
During a speech delivered on Wednesday, Hegseth emphasized the importance of providing “first-class religious support” to military personnel, stating that the new office will report directly to him. “Our department is, you might say, putting on the full armor of God, because while we wage physical war, we all know the real battle is spiritual,” he articulated, reflecting his evangelical Christian beliefs.
The Office of Religious Affairs (ORA) is designed to advocate for military chaplains and enhance religious support at a high level within the Department of Defense. According to the Pentagon, the office aims to ensure that it does not “compel religious participation, favor one faith, or diminish the rights of personnel of any faith or lack thereof.”
However, the announcement has faced immediate criticism. Rachel Laser, the head of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, expressed concern that this move elevates Christianity to a more prominent role in shaping military policy, potentially undermining the commitment to religious freedom for all service members. The organization has previously sued the Pentagon over its worship services.
Historically, other federal agencies have had faith-based offices, initiated under President George W. Bush and continued through the Obama and Biden administrations. Additionally, President Donald Trump established a White House Faith Office during his term.
Shaun Casey, a religion scholar who led the State Department’s Office of Religion and Global Affairs during the Obama era, noted that such offices typically focus on the political implications of religion rather than promoting religious beliefs. “It was there to understand what were the political implications of lived religion in the various hot spots around the world,” he explained, suggesting that the ORA’s objectives may differ significantly.
The Pentagon has yet to name the director for the new office. A memorandum indicates that the religious affairs director will coordinate spiritual resources and support initiatives, including “faith-based homeschool support for military families.” Hegseth has also advocated for incorporating conservative and Christian perspectives into the military school curriculum.
Furthermore, the memo highlights initiatives aimed at addressing suicide reduction across the Department, indicating an increasing reliance on chaplains to support troops facing mental health challenges. Hegseth has stated his desire for chaplains to emphasize spiritual guidance over therapeutic approaches, urging them to focus more on God.
In addition to the creation of the ORA, Hegseth has implemented changes within the military’s chaplain corps, including a directive that chaplains, who are commissioned officers, should no longer wear their rank insignia but instead be identified by their religious symbols. This move has raised questions regarding the balance of religious identity and military hierarchy.
The Defense Department has also reduced the number of officially recognized religious affiliations from over 200 to just 31, a list that no longer includes atheists, Unitarian Universalists, pagans, or Wiccans. This decision has drawn scrutiny regarding its implications for inclusivity within the military.
In his address to chaplains at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, Hegseth encouraged them to “live your calling, stand firm, preach truth, and minister to the flock.” He concluded his speech with a biblical reference: “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me?”
As the establishment of the Office of Religious Affairs unfolds, it remains to be seen how this initiative will impact the landscape of religious expression and support within the U.S. military, alongside the ongoing discussions surrounding the separation of church and state.
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