Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a significant reform of the military’s Chaplain Corps, aiming to refocus its mission on religious services. In a video message released on Tuesday, he stated his intention to “make the Chaplain Corps great again.” Hegseth criticized the current state of the Corps, asserting that chaplains have increasingly been perceived as therapists rather than spiritual leaders in an environment dominated by political correctness and secular humanism.
Hegseth’s remarks included sharp criticism of the Army’s Spiritual Fitness Guide, which he claimed reflects a departure from traditional religious values. He pointed out that the guide, introduced in August 2025, only mentions God once while referencing feelings eleven times and even includes the concept of playfulness nine times. During his address, he used air quotes to emphasize the word “feelings,” suggesting a disconnect between the guide’s approach and the spiritual needs of military personnel.
The Secretary expressed concern that the guide “alienates” religious soldiers by promoting secular humanism. As a decisive step in his reform agenda, Hegseth announced that the Army will be discontinuing the guide, instructing that it be scrapped immediately. Tony McCormick, an Army spokesperson, confirmed the commitment to end the Army Spiritual Fitness Guide, stating that they are moving forward aggressively with Hegseth’s directives.
Hegseth outlined additional changes aimed at simplifying the current faith and belief coding system, which he described as excessively complicated with over 200 codes. He emphasized the need for revisions to create a more supportive environment for service members.
In his video, Hegseth declared, “There will be a top-down cultural shift, putting spiritual wellbeing on the same footing as mental and physical health.” This initiative marks a significant move towards fostering a holistic approach to the wellbeing of military personnel, recognizing the importance of spiritual care alongside mental and physical health.
Following inquiries regarding the potential policy implications of Hegseth’s statements, a Pentagon press officer confirmed that no further information was available beyond the content of the video. The upcoming changes represent a notable shift in the military’s approach to spiritual care, reflecting a broader intention to establish a supportive atmosphere for those serving in the armed forces.
