Hegseth announces creation of new Pentagon office for religious freedom and military chaplaincy reform

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday announced the creation of a new Pentagon office dedicated to protecting religious freedom for military personnel and reforming the chaplaincy corps, the latest in a series of cultural and institutional changes he has implemented since taking office.

The Office of Military Religious Freedom and Chaplaincy Reform will oversee policy on religious expression, accommodate service members' requests for religious exemptions, and review current chaplain training programmes, Hegseth said at a Pentagon briefing.

Critics of the move argue it continues a trend of inserting religious considerations into military culture in ways that could undermine unit cohesion and secular governance of the armed forces. Advocacy groups for military religious diversity welcomed some aspects of the announcement while expressing concern about the office's mandate.

Hegseth has previously drawn criticism for statements about the role of Christianity in the military and has rolled back several diversity and inclusion initiatives implemented under the Biden administration. Supporters say the new office fills a genuine gap in protecting the constitutional rights of religious service members.