Pentagon creates new 'Office of Religious Affairs' – FOX 10 Phoenix

Pentagon creates new ‘Office of Religious Affairs’  FOX 10 Phoenix

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is launching the Office of Religious Affairs as he expands his ongoing faith-focused reforms across the military. FILE-Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces a new Office of Religious Affairs as he gives a State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Sept. 30, 2026 in Quantico, Virginia. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is starting an office of religious affairs as part of his faith-related changes at the Pentagon. Hegseth said in a speech Wednesday that the office will facilitate offering "first-class religious support" and will report directly to him. In a statement from the Pentagon obtained by The Associated Press, the federal agency said the Office of Religious Affairs, or ORA, will advocate for military chaplains and religious support "at the highest level of the Department.

It will not "compel religious participation, favor one faith, or diminish the rights of personnel of any faith or lack thereof." A leader of the new office has not been named. And the Pentagon memo said the religious affairs director will coordinate spiritual resources, including "faith-based homeschool support for military families." RELATED: Rep. Thomas Massie moves to impeach Pete Hegseth over Iran war The AP reported that other federal government agencies have had religious or faith-based offices, which were created under President George W.