(RNS) — The Department of Defense is substantially reducing the number of religions it officially recognizes, reportedly excluding atheists, pagans, humanists and New Age faiths, an independent military-focused news website reports.
The reduction of recognized faith groups represents the first time the military has revised the list since 2017, when it vastly expanded the list of recognized faith groups to about 211. The new list includes 31 recognized faiths, as first reported by Military.com on Thursday (June 4).
The outlet said its report was based on a May 20 memorandum it obtained after it was issued by the undersecretary of defense.
The Department of Defense did not immediately respond to a request from RNS for additional information, including the specifics of who was included on the list and how such decisions would affect military members of other faiths who might desire assistance from a chaplain.
But the report seems to reflect developments previously announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
In a March video, he introduced upcoming Pentagon plans relating to reforms of the chaplain corps and recognition of religions.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. on March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
“The previous system had ballooned to well over 200 faith codes,” Hegseth said. “It was impractical and unusable, and many codes were never used at all.”
“Our internal review committee recommended that going forward the department use 31 religious affiliation codes,” he added.
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Hemant Mehta, author of the Friendly Atheist Substack, questioned the exclusion of so many faith groups, including, reportedly, atheists.
“There are good reasons to include (more faiths), not just for accuracy, but because it makes it easier for people of minority beliefs to get the help they need and to gather with other people who may share their beliefs within the military,” Mehta said.
He also wondered if fallen soldiers might be recognized for their actual faith on headstones.
The Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration lists more than 80 “emblems of belief” that can be used on headstones in military graveyards.
The Rev. Bill Devine, 7th Marine Regiment chaplain, speaks to U.S. Marines assigned to the 5th Marine Regiment during a Catholic Mass at one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces in Tikrit, Iraq, on April 19, 2003. ( …