In a video announcement posted on X, Hegseth said military chaplains were not only assigned duties by the Pentagon but were called to the service by God. He said their role is essential to the military mission.
“The crucible of combat tests more than the body. It tests conviction, character, and spirit. In combat, in crisis, and in loss, a warfighter needs more than a coping mechanism. They need truth, big T truth. They need conviction. They need a shepherd,” Hegseth states.
In the post, Hegseth wrote they are making the Chaplain Corps Great Again.
The War Department highlights the topics covered by Hegseth in the video. He announced two more changes coming to the service.
“The previous system had ballooned to well over 200 faith codes. It was impractical and unusable. Our internal review committee recommended that going forward the department use 31 religious affiliation codes,” Hegseth states
With over 200 faith codes, Hegseth says that many were not used at all. In fact, 82% of service members that identified as religious only used six of the codes. Wiccan or Pegan chaplains are not long for the corps.
"This brings the codes in line with its original purpose, giving chaplains clear, usable information so they can minister to service members in a way that aligns with that service member's faith background and religious practice,” Hegseth states.
Secondly, chaplains will no longer wear their rank insignias.
“The memo I will sign today directs chaplains, all of whom are officers, to replace the rank insignia on their uniforms with their religious insignia. And while they will retain rank as an officer, to those they serve, their rank will not be visible,” Hegseth states.
Hegseth says it can be intimidating for a junior enlisted service member to express vulnerability or confide in a senior officer.
“A chaplain is first and foremost a chaplain, and an officer second. This change is a visual representation of that fact,” Hegseth states.
This is only the first steps, Hegseth says, as they restore the chaplain position to one of a moral anchor.
