From the earliest days of the American Revolution, General George Washington understood something profound about warfare: battles are not won on strength alone. He instituted the chaplaincy in 1775, recognizing the vital need for spiritual guidance and the “blessing and protection of heaven” for troops facing unimaginable hardship. For two centuries, these chaplains served as the moral and spiritual backbone of the armed forces.
That foundational role, however, has been quietly eroded in recent decades. A growing concern, recently brought to light by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, points to a deliberate weakening of the Army Chaplain Corps – a “war on warriors” waged through subtle policy shifts and a changing cultural climate.
The core of the issue lies in a move away from faith-based leadership. Testimony before a Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty revealed a pattern of diminishing religious expression within the military, beginning in 2009 and continuing through subsequent administrations. Former chaplains, historians, and legal advocates painted a picture of a once-respected institution being marginalized.
One key concern was the attempt to outsource chaplain services, removing them from daily life with service members. This would have fundamentally altered their function, transforming them from integrated spiritual support into contracted, detached services. The very essence of pastoral care – being present in moments of crisis – was threatened.
The changes weren’t limited to logistical shifts. Chaplains were increasingly sidelined from teaching roles, particularly in areas of military ethics. Historically, they were instrumental in imparting Just War theory, a centuries-old doctrine guiding ethical decision-making in combat, rooted in the teachings of Augustine and Aquinas. This moral compass was being removed from the education of soldiers.
Instead of spiritual guidance, chaplains found themselves rebranded as “spiritual readiness coaches” or “morale officers.” The focus shifted from virtue and moral formation to “emotional management” and self-help techniques. A vital connection to faith was being replaced with secular approaches.
Even symbolic expressions of faith came under scrutiny. Coded biblical references on rifle scopes were ordered removed, deemed “disturbing” by Pentagon officials. Latin mottos referencing God were altered to eliminate religious terminology, responding to pressure from secular organizations. These actions signaled a broader intolerance for religious expression.
The shift was starkly illustrated by the Army Spiritual Fitness Guide, a document over 100 pages long that mentioned God only once, while repeatedly emphasizing “feelings” and “playfulness.” Despite acknowledging that the vast majority of service members identify with a religion, the guide promoted secular humanism, alienating those seeking genuine spiritual support.
Secretary Hegseth has responded decisively, announcing the immediate elimination of the Army Spiritual Fitness Guide. He is initiating reforms to restore chaplains to their historic role as moral anchors, emphasizing that their primary function is religious leadership, not emotional support.
The goal is a cultural shift that recognizes spiritual well-being as equal in importance to mental and physical health. Hegseth reaffirmed the chaplain’s sacred calling – to be a “pastor and shepherd of the souls entrusted to his care” – and pledged to ensure they have the freedom to fulfill that mission without institutional restraint.
This isn’t simply about restoring a tradition; it’s about recognizing a fundamental human need. In the crucible of conflict, soldiers require not only physical and mental strength, but also the solace, guidance, and moral clarity that only a dedicated chaplain can provide.
