Secretary of War Pete Hegseth launched the Chaplain In-Service Procurement Program on Friday, enabling active-duty service members holding bachelor's degrees to pursue graduate theological education and transition into military chaplain positions while remaining in uniform.

The initiative provides tuition coverage through service branches and allows participants to retain full pay, allowances, and benefits during their studies. Graduates return to duty as chaplains equipped with direct religious expertise.

The program forms part of broader reforms under the Office of Religious Affairs, established in September during Hegseth's State of the Force address. The office reports directly to the secretary and prioritizes spiritual fitness and readiness across the force at the same level as physical health.

Hegseth has pursued related changes since taking office, including a December 2025 directive eliminating the Army's Spiritual Fitness Guide. He described the 112-page document as unacceptable for mentioning God only once while emphasizing feelings and playfulness, replacing self-help approaches with a renewed focus on faith and virtue.

Additional steps include reducing official religious affiliation codes from more than 200 to 31, streamlining recognition primarily to Christian denominations, and updating chaplain uniform insignia to emphasize religious symbols over rank on combat and working uniforms.

These measures aim to restore chaplains as ministers rather than therapists and ensure resources for chapel programs, faith-based family support, and suicide prevention initiatives tied to religious ministry. Officials stress the policies protect free exercise of religion without compelling participation.

The in-service procurement effort addresses prior barriers that required separation from the military for theological training, aligning with the office's mandate to strengthen religious support infrastructure and policy.