Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the creation of the Pentagon's Office of Religious Affairs on September 30 during a State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

The new office reports directly to Hegseth and will advocate for chaplains and religious support at the highest levels of the Department of Defense. It aims to provide first-class religious support to service members and elevate spiritual readiness alongside physical and operational fitness.

A Pentagon memorandum dated September 30 outlines the office's responsibilities. These include aligning policies on religious affairs, representing the secretary in engagements with Congress and religious organizations, and overseeing the Armed Forces Chaplains Board. The office will also secure funding for chaplaincies, chapel programs, faith-based homeschool support for military families, and initiatives addressing spiritual fitness.

Hegseth stated that the move addresses a loss of religious community in the military after years of political correctness. He noted that 95 percent of the force recognizes an Almighty God and emphasized the need for chaplains with religious expertise rather than secular careerists. The secretary quoted Psalm 33:12 and described the department as putting on the full armor of God.

This action follows other reforms under Hegseth, including a reduction in officially recognized religious affiliations from over 200 to 31 earlier in 2026. The office director has not yet been named and will serve as the principal advisor on religious matters.

The memorandum specifies that the office will not compel religious participation and will protect free exercise rights for all service members, including those of no faith. It will deliver a baseline report on unfunded religious affairs requirements within 90 days.

Supporters view the office as restoring balance after prior policies that sidelined faith-based support. Critics have raised concerns about potential favoritism toward certain traditions, though the directive focuses on voluntary access and resilience for the total force.