Hegseth Establishes Pentagon Office of Religious Affairs

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has established a Pentagon Office of Religious Affairs that will report to him and oversee religious policy, resources and the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, according to a memorandum dated September 30. The office is also directed to support research and tools for assessing spiritual fitness, readiness and resilience, though the memorandum does not define those terms or describe an assessment system. Hegseth announced the office on September 30 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, saying it would advocate for chaplains and religious support. The memorandum assigns it a role advising the secretary on religious matters, securing resources for religious affairs and representing him in dealings with Congress, government agencies and religious organizations. The office’s director has not been named. The directive also identifies support for religious ministry and facilities, chaplain-led programs, chapel youth programs, faith-based homeschooling support for military families, suicide-reduction initiatives and contracts with faith-based organizations.