Overview
- The Defense Department cut roughly 200-plus religious affiliation codes to about 30–31 in a May 20 memo intended to simplify data for chaplains and commanders and to streamline resource planning.
- A version of the new list published in early June labeled many entries as Christian but did not include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under that label, prompting sharp objections from Utah lawmakers.
- The Pentagon issued an updated list on Monday that removed the 'Christian' subheadings and called the earlier labeling a mistake while keeping the overall consolidation in place.
- Advocacy groups and members of minority and nontraditional faiths warn the cuts erase specific recognition for atheists, Wiccans, pagans, humanists and Native American faiths and could complicate requests for chaplain access and religious accommodations.
- The change is part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s broader effort to reform the chaplain corps, and critics say the move could trigger legal challenges, Freedom of Information requests, and continued political scrutiny before implementation.