Hegseth orders overhaul of Chaplain Corps
By Eve Sampson
Dec 17, 2025, 05:01 PM
The Rev. Sam Godfrey, left, and Col. Mitchell I. Lewis, a chaplain with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, say a prayer Wednesday, Sept 9, 2015 during the Vicksburg District's Blessing of the Fleet on the Yazoo River Diversion Canal at Vicksburg City Front. The Blessing of the Fleet dates back to medieval times and is a tradition the Vicksburg District conducts for its Mat Sinking Unit prior to their departure for revetment and dredging season. (Justin Sellers/The Vicksburg Post via AP)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered an overhaul of the military’s Chaplain Corps in a Tuesday video message, saying he intends to “make the Chaplain Corps great again,” by restoring its focus on religious ministry.
“In an atmosphere of political correctness and secular humanism, chaplains have been minimized, viewed by many as therapists instead of ministers,” he said in the video, since posted on social media.
Hegseth railed against what he described as “new age notions” in the Army Spiritual Fitness Guide, saying, “it mentions God one time — that’s it. It mentions feelings eleven times. It even mentions playfulness — whatever that is — nine times.” In the video, Hegseth gestured air quotes when he spoke the word, “feelings.”
He said the guide “alienates” religious soldiers “by pushing secular humanism.” As a result, Hegseth said the Army will be “tossing it,” and said that he had a directive that would be signed that day to scrap the guide at once.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2025/12/17/hegseth-orders-overhaul-of-chaplain-corps/
