Pentagon Establishes New Office for Religious Affairs
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is establishing an Office of Religious Affairs at the Pentagon, which will report directly to him and provide religious support.
Springfield, MO, October 1, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Defense is establishing a new entity dedicated to religious affairs within the Pentagon. The Office of Religious Affairs will report directly to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The primary function of this newly formed office will be to provide religious support to personnel within the Department of Defense. Specific details regarding the scope of this support or the organizational structure beyond its direct reporting line to the Secretary were not immediately available.
The establishment of the Office of Religious Affairs signifies a focus on accommodating and supporting the diverse religious needs and practices of service members and civilian employees. Religious support in military contexts typically encompasses a range of services aimed at fostering spiritual well-being, which can include chaplains, religious services, and counseling.
The director and staffing for the Office of Religious Affairs have not been publicly announced, nor have details on its budget or specific operational mandates. The office’s creation indicates an administrative effort to centralize or enhance the provision of religious support functions at a high level within the Pentagon.
Story summarized from the original created by TIFFANY STANLEY, Associated Press on www.ozarksfirst.com, see more information here.
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