President Donald Trump’s administration is making a significant policy change inside the U.S. military, focusing on the role of faith, morality, and spiritual leadership among America’s armed forces.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced a broad overhaul of the military’s Chaplain Corps, saying the goal is to restore its original mission and reaffirm the importance of religious faith within the ranks. In a video posted to social media, Hegseth said the effort is aimed at strengthening the chaplaincy by returning it to its core spiritual purpose.
Faith and Tradition Back at the Center
Hegseth argued that over time, political correctness and secular ideology have weakened the role of military chaplains. Rather than serving primarily as ministers and moral guides, chaplains have increasingly been treated as general wellness counselors, he said.
To illustrate his point, Hegseth criticized the Army’s current Spiritual Fitness Guide. He noted that the guide spans more than 100 pages but references God only once, while repeatedly emphasizing emotional language such as “feelings,” “self-care,” and “playfulness.”
According to Hegseth, the document reflects modern self-help trends rather than traditional values such as faith, virtue, and moral responsibility—qualities he believes are essential for service members facing high-stakes decisions.
What the Chaplain Corps Does
The U.S. military Chaplain Corps is made up of ordained clergy serving across all branches of the armed forces. Chaplains are commissioned, non-combat officers who conduct religious services, provide confidential counseling, and advise commanders on morale, ethics, and religious accommodation.
By law and military regulation, chaplains must support service members of all faiths, as well as those who choose not to practice religion. They are prohibited from coercive religious activity and operate under strict constitutional guidelines.
The Chaplain Corps predates the founding of the United States and has long served as a safeguard for religious freedom in environments where civilian clergy are unavailable, including combat zones and overseas deployments.
Immediate Policy Changes
Hegseth said he will sign a formal directive this week eliminating the Army Spiritual Fitness Guide from use, effective immediately.
“These types of materials have no place in the War Department,” he said, emphasizing that chaplains are intended to provide spiritual leadership—not function as general emotional support officers.
In addition, the department plans to introduce a streamlined and standardized list of faith codes. The goal is to clearly define what qualifies as a recognized religious denomination or belief system within the military, reducing confusion and administrative delays.
Support From Religious Liberty Leaders
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who chairs the state’s Religious Liberty Commission, praised the move and highlighted the realities faced by U.S. service members.
“Our servicemembers confront life-and-death decisions on a daily basis,” Patrick said in a statement. “To withstand that pressure, they need the ability to view their service through a moral and spiritual framework.”
Patrick noted that the Chaplain Corps, first supported by General George Washington, has historically played a vital role in strengthening soldiers’ character, resilience, and sense of purpose.
A Broader Military Reset
Supporters say the change reflects President Trump’s broader effort to reverse ideological experiments within the military and refocus the armed forces on readiness, tradition, and mission effectiveness.
By restoring the chaplaincy’s spiritual foundation, administration officials argue the military can better support the mental, moral, and emotional strength of the men and women who serve.