Pentagon's new religious policy sparks outrage and rushed compliance among troops
The Department of Defense has introduced a new Office of Religious Affairs and cut recognized faiths from 211 to 31, prompting backlash from service members who must select from a limited list by Friday.
The Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has launched an Office of Religious Affairs to promote what it calls "spiritual readiness" across the armed forces. Simultaneously, a May directive reduced the list of recognized religious affiliations from 211 to 31, removing 180 faiths and leaving only nine non-Christian options. Service members are required to choose their religion on a new form by the upcoming Friday deadline, a timeline that has left many scrambling.
Officials such as Richard Anderson, assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs, claim the streamlined list will help chaplains provide tailored support based on accurate data. However, several current and former military chaplains, as well as a longtime Pentagon civilian, contend the policy pushes a Christian identity and violates existing laws and policies protecting religious choice. The controversy highlights tension between the department’s stated goal of readiness and concerns over religious discrimination within the military.
Why it matters
The policy could reshape religious freedom for millions of U.S. service members and set a precedent for faith-based governance in the military.
In this story
