Pentagon sets up Office of Religious Affairs reporting directly to Hegseth

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the creation of an Office of Religious Affairs that will report directly to him, saying "the real battle is spiritual." The office will support military chaplaincies and protect free exercise of religion.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the creation of an Office of Religious Affairs (ORA) that will report directly to him. Hegseth unveiled the office on September 30 at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia during his “State of the Force” speech, in which he announced six major initiatives.

Hegseth at the Pentagon (file, 2025)

“It won’t be a policy shop pushing paper. It will have real teeth,” Hegseth said, adding that “the real battle is spiritual.” He said spiritual health should be placed on the same level as physical health.

According to the department, the office will “protect free exercise, remove policy barriers, identify unmet requirements, and secure the support needed for the Service chaplaincies to succeed,” while the chaplaincies remain the primary providers of religious support. The department said the office will not compel religious participation, favor one faith or diminish the rights of personnel of any faith or none. Its leadership, staffing and budget have not yet been announced.

A US Army chaplain during a service (file)

Hegseth’s religious agenda has drawn criticism. Earlier this year the Pentagon cut the list of recognized faith codes from more than 200 to 31, and critics and some veterans have raised concerns that his policies favor a particular faith.