Pentagon Establishes New Office of Religious Affairs
In Washington D.C., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is establishing a new Office of Religious Affairs within the Pentagon, which will report directly to him.
Portland, OR, October 1, 2026 — In Washington D.C., U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is initiating the establishment of a new organizational unit within the Pentagon. This new entity will be known as the Office of Religious Affairs.
The Office of Religious Affairs is slated to operate directly under the purview of the Secretary of Defense, reporting immediately to Secretary Hegseth. The specific details regarding the office’s mandate, its initial staffing, or the timeline for its full operational status were not immediately available. The formation of this office signifies a new focus on matters of religious affairs within the Department of Defense’s senior leadership structure.
Further information regarding the objectives and operational scope of the Office of Religious Affairs is expected to be released as the establishment process continues. The Pentagon has not yet provided details on any potential budget allocations or specific programs the new office might oversee. The decision to create an office reporting directly to the Secretary of Defense indicates a high-level priority placed on religious affairs within the department’s strategic considerations.
The precise nature of the religious affairs the office will address, whether related to support for service members of various faiths, policy guidance, or other areas, remains to be clarified. An official announcement detailing the office’s mission and structure is anticipated in the near future. The contractor’s name involved in setting up this office was not provided, nor were details about any initial consultations or permit statuses related to its formation.
Story summarized from the original created by TIFFANY STANLEY, Associated Press on www.koin.com, see more information here.
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