Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a significant overhaul of the military’s Chaplain Corps in a video message released on Tuesday. Hegseth emphasized the need to refocus the Corps on religious ministry rather than its perceived role as a therapeutic service. He stated his intention to “make the Chaplain Corps great again,” highlighting a shift away from what he described as an environment dominated by political correctness and secular humanism.
Hegseth criticized the Army Spiritual Fitness Guide, released in August 2025, for its lack of emphasis on religious content. He pointed out that the guide references God only once, while mentioning feelings eleven times and even playfulness nine times. In his remarks, he expressed concern that such language alienates religious soldiers, claiming that the guide promotes secular humanism over spiritual needs. Hegseth declared that the Army will immediately discontinue the guide, stating he would sign a directive to scrap it that same day.
According to Military Times, the III Corps led a study that contributed to the development of the now-discarded 112-page document. Following Hegseth’s announcement, Army spokesperson Tony McCormick confirmed the decision to discontinue the guide, emphasizing that the Army is committed to implementing Hegseth’s directives.
Changes to the Chaplain Corps Structure
In addition to scrapping the Army Spiritual Fitness Guide, Hegseth outlined other changes aimed at revitalizing the Chaplain Corps. He mentioned plans to simplify the faith and belief coding system, which he criticized for becoming overly complex with more than two hundred codes. Hegseth stressed the importance of placing spiritual wellbeing on equal footing with mental and physical health, framing this as an essential step towards fostering a supportive environment for military personnel.
Hegseth’s comments reflect a broader cultural shift he aims to implement within the military. He stated, “There will be a top-down cultural shift, putting spiritual wellbeing on the same footing as mental and physical health.” This approach aims to address the holistic needs of soldiers, emphasizing the importance of nurturing their spiritual lives.
As for whether Hegseth’s filmed statement constitutes formal policy changes regarding the roles and responsibilities of military chaplains, a Pentagon press officer indicated on Wednesday that there were no further details to provide beyond the video. This leaves open questions about the implementation of Hegseth’s directives and how they will affect military chaplains moving forward.
The announcement marks a pivotal moment in military policy, especially for those involved in spiritual leadership within the armed forces. Hegseth’s commitment to reshaping the Chaplain Corps could have lasting implications for the role of chaplains and the spiritual health of military personnel.
