US Politics

Hegseth to Revamp Chaplain Corps, Scrap Spiritual Guide Offering ‘New Age Notions’

The secretary of war said he wants chaplains to be ’moral anchors’ for the U.S. fighting force rather than ‘emotional support officers.’
Hegseth to Revamp Chaplain Corps, Scrap Spiritual Guide Offering ‘New Age Notions’
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gives a speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., on Dec. 6, 2025. Caylo Seals/Getty Images
Jacki Thrapp
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The Department of War revealed immediate changes to the Chaplain Corps as it tries to revive what it called the “spiritual backbone” of the military.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on Dec. 16 that his department would condense the Faith and Belief Code system, recenter the focus of chaplains, and eliminate what he called the “unacceptable and unserious” Army Spiritual Fitness Guide.

Jacki Thrapp
Jacki Thrapp
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Jacki Thrapp is an Emmy® Award-winning journalist based in Nashville. She previously worked at The New York Post, Fox News Channel and has written a series of Off-Broadway musicals in NYC. Contact her at [email protected]