Are all Christian faiths the same?
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PS95
Well-Known Member
Hi ziggy-
I don't think this is a new thing. It could be a national security reason.- valid? There have been groups naming the name of Christ who were dangerous cults. Koresh comes to mind. There are also several on the list who are anti- government and aren't smart enough to keep their mouths shut about it. God wants us to obey the laws of the land and to be respectful, etc. Mouthing off like that is anti-gov and would be considered as anarchists by the pentagon. All churches are under government tax exempt status. Wars have long been over religious reasons or with religious overtones.
I think there are likely several other reasons. I don't care about that list. Means nothing to me and it's not even right.
Why they didn't list Mormons and it has the Mormon gov officials enraged is odd. Mike Lee was pushing people to read the book of Mormon on that site below where your link took me. Maybe the gov does consider LDS as Mormon. I didn't know there was a difference.
But yeah JWs absolutely do not belong on that list- it's sort of like on this forum. Just say Lord Jesus and you're in.
We all know by now that many will say, Lord- Lord-didn't we this and that- and He will say He never knew them- workers of lawlessness.
There is profession but we also need possession.
Nothing on that list violates the 1st amendment Many Americans do not understand what they call separation of church and state.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
It merely means that we are all free to practice our faith- and Congress can make no law telling us what faith to be.
It also affords the right to assemble peacefully...
What it does not mean is often stated by people who are lifting a sentence by Jefferson out of a letter he wrote while in France- and he was not speaking about any of the things people try to pretend he said.
I suppose my privilege is being a United States Citizen who has lived under the protection of our countries laws.
And I will admit, we got comfortable, we fell asleep.
You watch the news but it's so far away.
I hear you.
It's different when it's in your own backyard. You are forced to pay attention.
If you don't stand and fight for your faith, what will be the future of our children?
I dont trust in horses and I don't trust in chariots.
But with the Lord beside you in battle you can not lose.
How do you think we still exist today?
Christianity began with 12 men. God multiplied those numbers.
The Romans tried to destroy them, The Jews tried to Kill them.
You think they didn't fight?
If they hadn't fought, we wouldn't be here.
Have faith in God to go before us in the battle, because we have been given the power to tread on serpents and scorpions.
Luk 10:19
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
I believe him. Do you?
Hugs
Brakelite
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Not too far distant you will be offered a choice. Keep our commandments and you will eat and have a roof over your head, you will work and be happy.
Keep God's commandments and we will take everything away from you. Your right to work. To buy or sell. Your right to have a bank account. To own a house. To rent. To worship according to the dictates of your conscience. What price Truth then?
Brakelite
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Mmmmm, as if Jefferson, Madison, and their friends whose parents managed to escape the tyrannies of Catholic and Protestant Europe because of the union of church and state there, and were happy and determined to repeat that in the New world.
I have to say, I am one of the fortunate few who actually owns nothing except a used car and 6 cats.
I am disabled and unable to work. I home hospice my 91 y/o dad 24/7/365 and never leave the property which has been willed to my daughter.
The only thing they can take from me is what the government usually takes, my benefits.
I haven't got anything to lose except my salvation and they can't take that from me.
But it could be very challenging for many.
And those are the times we need to be the church in the wilderness and the church in Acts.
Going to have to depend on each other.
How much are you willing to lose to keep your faith?
I am ready to die for mine.
Hugs
The Pentagon
02/07/2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday committed to getting the Pentagon to pass a clean audit within four years after the Defense Department failed several in a row.
During a town hall with defense staffers, Hegseth said that he will ensure the Pentagon “at a bare minimum” passes a clean audit by the end of the current administration.
“The American taxpayers deserve that,” he continued. “They deserve to know where their $850 billion dollars go, how it’s spent, and make sure it’s spent wisely.”
The Pentagon failed its seventh audit in November, though officials claimed at the time they made strides toward the goal of a clean audit in 2028. Around half of the agencies passed and half failed in the audit.
The Pentagon has not passed a clean audit since it became legally obligated to in 2018, even as the budget has soared and is approaching a trillion dollars.
The Marines have been an exception, with the military branch announcing this week a clean audit for its $49 billion in financial assets.
The Pentagon’s failure to pass a clean audit has led to concern across Capitol Hill. Ahead of his confirmation, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) raised concerns in a letter to Hegseth about his ability to handle the finances of the Defense Department and its work toward a clean audit, citing his alleged financial mismanagement of two veterans organizations he once led.
But Hegseth said Friday that the Pentagon is “accountable for every dollar we spend, and every dollar will waste we find or redundancy is one dollar we can invest somewhere else.”
“It used to be that if you sit call for an audit, somehow you were you were undermining the department,” he told staff. “I believe the exact opposite.”
At the town hall, Hegseth also said the Pentagon would focus on deterring adversaries and enforcing the southern border, and he called for accountability for top officers overseeing the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan during the Biden administration.
He also pledged to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the Defense Department. Both Hegseth and President Trump have already taken action to remove DEI policies across the U.S. military and the rest of the federal government.
02/07/2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday committed to getting the Pentagon to pass a clean audit within four years after the Defense Department failed several in a row.
During a town hall with defense staffers, Hegseth said that he will ensure the Pentagon “at a bare minimum” passes a clean audit by the end of the current administration.
“The American taxpayers deserve that,” he continued. “They deserve to know where their $850 billion dollars go, how it’s spent, and make sure it’s spent wisely.”
The Pentagon failed its seventh audit in November, though officials claimed at the time they made strides toward the goal of a clean audit in 2028. Around half of the agencies passed and half failed in the audit.
The Pentagon has not passed a clean audit since it became legally obligated to in 2018, even as the budget has soared and is approaching a trillion dollars.
The Marines have been an exception, with the military branch announcing this week a clean audit for its $49 billion in financial assets.
The Pentagon’s failure to pass a clean audit has led to concern across Capitol Hill. Ahead of his confirmation, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) raised concerns in a letter to Hegseth about his ability to handle the finances of the Defense Department and its work toward a clean audit, citing his alleged financial mismanagement of two veterans organizations he once led.
But Hegseth said Friday that the Pentagon is “accountable for every dollar we spend, and every dollar will waste we find or redundancy is one dollar we can invest somewhere else.”
“It used to be that if you sit call for an audit, somehow you were you were undermining the department,” he told staff. “I believe the exact opposite.”
At the town hall, Hegseth also said the Pentagon would focus on deterring adversaries and enforcing the southern border, and he called for accountability for top officers overseeing the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan during the Biden administration.
He also pledged to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the Defense Department. Both Hegseth and President Trump have already taken action to remove DEI policies across the U.S. military and the rest of the federal government.
The Pentagon’s press secretary, Sean Parnell, later posted the May 20 memo on X (formerly Twitter) explaining that the changes were “long overdue” and aimed at streamlining data collection for chaplains, not endorsing or legitimizing any faith
In short, Pete Hegseth issued the directive in May 2026, and the Pentagon implemented the revised Christian list as part of its broader religion code reform.
Religion codes are standardized abbreviations or numerical identifiers used to represent different religions in databases, surveys, and official records.
Overview of Religion Codes
Religion codes are used to categorize and standardize religious affiliations for data collection, research, and administrative purposes. They allow organizations to efficiently record, search, and analyze information about individuals’ religious affiliations without using full textual descriptionsExamples of Religion Codes
- BDA Conventions: The BDA (Baptist Data Archive) uses a set of religion codes to standardize entries for advanced search and reporting purposes
bda-online.org.au.
- NLSY79 Survey: The National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth (NLSY79) assigns numerical codes to Protestant denominations and other religions for research purposes, such as R6558, R6583, and R6616 for specific Protestant groups
nlsinfo.org.
- Military and Medical Records: Abbreviations are used to record religious affiliation in official forms. For example, the U.S. Army uses codes like "BAP" for Baptist, "CATH" for Catholic, and "JEW" for Jewish, as listed in their Medical Records Administration manuals
Purpose and Benefits
- Data Standardization: Ensures consistency across large datasets and multiple institutions.
- Efficient Data Entry: Short codes reduce errors and simplify record-keeping.
- Research and Analysis: Facilitates statistical analysis of religious demographics and trends.
- Interoperability: Enables different systems (e.g., medical, military, survey databases) to communicate using a common set of codes.
Military Daily News
Published Jun 4, 2026,
Military.com has learned that the Department of Defense, for the first time in almost 10 years, has dramatically reduced its number of recognized religious faiths and belief systems by approximately 180.
The reforms mark the first time the list has been officially revised since a memo was issued March 27, 2017, decreasing the total number of faiths from 211 to its new number of 31. The changes were iterated in a May 20, 2026, memorandum issued by the Under Secretary of War and signed by Anthony Tata, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness of the United States, and obtained by Military.com.
This latest revision to the faith codes comes at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to the Tata-signed memo, done to “streamline the DoW collection of religious preferences collection for service members to enhance the delivery of targeted religious support from the Chaplaincy.” It calls for the previously instituted faith and belief codes to be revised within a 60-day period from the issuance of the memorandum.
In Twitter posts and radio-show appearances in 2017 and 2018, Tata repeatedly made the false claim that President Barack Obama was a "Muslim" and a "terrorist leader"; accused Obama of being "an anti-Semite" who wanted to "destroy Israel" and "did not want" to defeat ISIL; and claimed that the negotiation of the multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran was born by Obama's "Islamic roots."
Tata accused then-President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama of being "borderline treasonous" during Trump's transition to the presidency. In August 2018, he accused former CIA Director John O. Brennan, a critic of Trump, of being a "clear and present danger" to the U.S. and called Brennan a "communist" on Fox & Friends.He repeatedly pushed the notion that a "deep state cabal" was working to undermine Trump; pushed false conspiracy theories that Brennan ordered the assassination of Trump; and, on another occasion, tweeted at Brennan, "Might be a good time to pick your poison: firing squad, public hanging, life sentence as prison b*tch, or just suck on your pistol." Tata also referred to Islam as "the most oppressive, violent religion"; accused both Obama and former president Bill Clinton of being guilty of "sedition and/or treason"; accused Obama of being a "Manchurian candidate" who supported "Hamas & Muslim brotherhood"; and suggested that "the left" and Obama "hates America." Tata also made various inflammatory Twitter posts attacking Democratic politicians Nancy Pelosi and Maxine Waters as "violent extremists" and using a racist hashtag to criticize CNN journalist Don Lemon.
sometimes these rabbit holes go pretty deep.
Published Jun 4, 2026,
Military.com has learned that the Department of Defense, for the first time in almost 10 years, has dramatically reduced its number of recognized religious faiths and belief systems by approximately 180.
The reforms mark the first time the list has been officially revised since a memo was issued March 27, 2017, decreasing the total number of faiths from 211 to its new number of 31. The changes were iterated in a May 20, 2026, memorandum issued by the Under Secretary of War and signed by Anthony Tata, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness of the United States, and obtained by Military.com.
This latest revision to the faith codes comes at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to the Tata-signed memo, done to “streamline the DoW collection of religious preferences collection for service members to enhance the delivery of targeted religious support from the Chaplaincy.” It calls for the previously instituted faith and belief codes to be revised within a 60-day period from the issuance of the memorandum.
In Twitter posts and radio-show appearances in 2017 and 2018, Tata repeatedly made the false claim that President Barack Obama was a "Muslim" and a "terrorist leader"; accused Obama of being "an anti-Semite" who wanted to "destroy Israel" and "did not want" to defeat ISIL; and claimed that the negotiation of the multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran was born by Obama's "Islamic roots."
Tata accused then-President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama of being "borderline treasonous" during Trump's transition to the presidency. In August 2018, he accused former CIA Director John O. Brennan, a critic of Trump, of being a "clear and present danger" to the U.S. and called Brennan a "communist" on Fox & Friends.He repeatedly pushed the notion that a "deep state cabal" was working to undermine Trump; pushed false conspiracy theories that Brennan ordered the assassination of Trump; and, on another occasion, tweeted at Brennan, "Might be a good time to pick your poison: firing squad, public hanging, life sentence as prison b*tch, or just suck on your pistol." Tata also referred to Islam as "the most oppressive, violent religion"; accused both Obama and former president Bill Clinton of being guilty of "sedition and/or treason"; accused Obama of being a "Manchurian candidate" who supported "Hamas & Muslim brotherhood"; and suggested that "the left" and Obama "hates America." Tata also made various inflammatory Twitter posts attacking Democratic politicians Nancy Pelosi and Maxine Waters as "violent extremists" and using a racist hashtag to criticize CNN journalist Don Lemon.
sometimes these rabbit holes go pretty deep.
On April 24, 2020, Trump announced his intent to nominate Tata to be the next Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, replacing John Rood, who resigned from the position in February 2020. On June 11, 2020, Trump formally nominated Tata for the position, which is the third-highest ranking position in the Defense Department.
Upon his nomination, Tata's past conspiratorial and inflammatory comments in Twitter posts, radio interviews, and other statements led to opposition to the appointment. After the nomination was made, 51 minority, LGBT, faith, disability and employee groups (including the NAACP and American Federation of Teachers) sent an open letter to senators opposing Tata's confirmation, calling him "patently unfit" for the post due to his comments and criticizing Tata's record as superintendent of the Wake County, North Carolina school system. Democrats, included Senate Armed Services Services committee ranking member Jack Reed of Rhode Island, strongly opposed Tata's nomination, citing his past comments. A number of Republicans also expressed concerns or ambivalence about the nomination, although the Republican chair of the Senate Armed Services Services, James M. Inhofe, expressed support for Tata, and Trump pressed the committee to move forward with a hearing on his nomination. In June 2020, Tata sent a letter to senators apologizing for his past remarks, saying the comments "while grievous, are not indicative of who I am." Several former generals, including Joseph Votel and Tony Thomas, withdrew their support for Tata after learning of his offensive comments. Retired generals Clarence K.K. Chinn and Dana J.H. Pittard supported Tata's confirmation, saying that Tata's past remarks were "ill-considered" but that Tata had a record of supporting "racial, ethnic and religious equality" in his military and civilian service.
On July 30, 2020, Tata's confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee was canceled just before it was set to begin, signaling that there might not be a sufficient number of Republicans to confirm Tata's appointment. On the same day, the White House reportedly advised the committee that the nomination was likely to be withdrawn. Tata was then appointed as "the official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Policy reporting to the Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Dr. James Anderson", a position that does not require confirmation by the Senate. Both the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith, and the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jack Reed, condemned the appointment, with Reed describing it as "an insult to our troops, professionals at the Pentagon, the Senate, and the American people."
With the resignation of James Anderson in November 2020, Tata assumed the responsibilities of the acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, or "the senior official performing the duties of the under secretary of defense for policy". Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin fired Tata in February 2021.
On February 3, 2025, Tata was nominated by U.S. President Donald Trump to be the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on July 15, 2025.
Upon his nomination, Tata's past conspiratorial and inflammatory comments in Twitter posts, radio interviews, and other statements led to opposition to the appointment. After the nomination was made, 51 minority, LGBT, faith, disability and employee groups (including the NAACP and American Federation of Teachers) sent an open letter to senators opposing Tata's confirmation, calling him "patently unfit" for the post due to his comments and criticizing Tata's record as superintendent of the Wake County, North Carolina school system. Democrats, included Senate Armed Services Services committee ranking member Jack Reed of Rhode Island, strongly opposed Tata's nomination, citing his past comments. A number of Republicans also expressed concerns or ambivalence about the nomination, although the Republican chair of the Senate Armed Services Services, James M. Inhofe, expressed support for Tata, and Trump pressed the committee to move forward with a hearing on his nomination. In June 2020, Tata sent a letter to senators apologizing for his past remarks, saying the comments "while grievous, are not indicative of who I am." Several former generals, including Joseph Votel and Tony Thomas, withdrew their support for Tata after learning of his offensive comments. Retired generals Clarence K.K. Chinn and Dana J.H. Pittard supported Tata's confirmation, saying that Tata's past remarks were "ill-considered" but that Tata had a record of supporting "racial, ethnic and religious equality" in his military and civilian service.
On July 30, 2020, Tata's confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee was canceled just before it was set to begin, signaling that there might not be a sufficient number of Republicans to confirm Tata's appointment. On the same day, the White House reportedly advised the committee that the nomination was likely to be withdrawn. Tata was then appointed as "the official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Policy reporting to the Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Dr. James Anderson", a position that does not require confirmation by the Senate. Both the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith, and the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jack Reed, condemned the appointment, with Reed describing it as "an insult to our troops, professionals at the Pentagon, the Senate, and the American people."
With the resignation of James Anderson in November 2020, Tata assumed the responsibilities of the acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, or "the senior official performing the duties of the under secretary of defense for policy". Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin fired Tata in February 2021.
On February 3, 2025, Tata was nominated by U.S. President Donald Trump to be the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on July 15, 2025.
After the nomination was made, 51 minority, LGBT, faith, disability and employee groups (including the NAACP and American Federation of Teachers) sent an open letter to senators opposing Tata's confirmation, calling him "patently unfit" for the post due to his comments and criticizing Tata's record as superintendent of the Wake County, North Carolina school system.
hmm.
NAACP
In the second half of the 1990s, the organization restored its finances, permitting the NAACP National Voter Fund to launch a major get-out-the-vote offensive in the 2000 U.S. presidential elections. 10.5 million African Americans cast their ballots in the election; this was one million more than four years before. The NAACP's effort was credited by observers as playing a significant role in Democrat Al Gore's winning several states where the election was close, such as Pennsylvania and Michigan
On June 29, 2020, WTOP-FM, a Washington, D.C. news radio station, reported that the NAACP intended to relocate its national headquarters from its longtime home in Baltimore to the Franklin D. Reeves Center of Municipal Affairs, a building owned by the Government of the District of Columbia, located at U and 14th Streets in Northwest Washington, D.C. Derrick Johnson, the NAACP's president and CEO, emphasized that the organization will be better able to engage in and influence change in D.C. than in Baltimore.
en.wikipedia.org
This is a long article but worth reading. Too much to post here.
The question is: Why is the Pentagon revising it's Religion codes.
The reforms mark the first time the list has been officially revised since a memo was issued March 27, 2017, decreasing the total number of faiths from 211 to its new number of 31
The Department of Defense has reduced its recognized religious affiliation codes from more than 200 to just 31, eliminating Pagans, Asatru, Druidry, and Wicca, along with numerous other minority faiths and secular worldviews, in a move officials say will streamline chaplaincy support for service members.
Here are the faiths that no longer appear to be specifically recognized under the new policy, according to an Independent analysis.
Leaders of removed faith and worldview communities, as well as legal advocates, have expressed alarm and outrage, arguing the consolidation strips official recognition and could jeopardize ecclesiastical endorsement of chaplains who serve those traditions; the Military Religious Freedom Foundation called the move unconstitutional and signaled potential legal action, and other groups want the full memo published for clarity . Pagan and Wiccan outlets, along with civil‑liberties and humanist organizations, have publicly demanded transparency about criteria for removal and what accommodations will remain available
strips official recognition and could jeopardize ecclesiastical endorsement of chaplains who serve those traditions.
I didn't know Wicca had chaplains.
what a web...
hmm.
NAACP
In the second half of the 1990s, the organization restored its finances, permitting the NAACP National Voter Fund to launch a major get-out-the-vote offensive in the 2000 U.S. presidential elections. 10.5 million African Americans cast their ballots in the election; this was one million more than four years before. The NAACP's effort was credited by observers as playing a significant role in Democrat Al Gore's winning several states where the election was close, such as Pennsylvania and Michigan
On June 29, 2020, WTOP-FM, a Washington, D.C. news radio station, reported that the NAACP intended to relocate its national headquarters from its longtime home in Baltimore to the Franklin D. Reeves Center of Municipal Affairs, a building owned by the Government of the District of Columbia, located at U and 14th Streets in Northwest Washington, D.C. Derrick Johnson, the NAACP's president and CEO, emphasized that the organization will be better able to engage in and influence change in D.C. than in Baltimore.
NAACP - Wikipedia
This is a long article but worth reading. Too much to post here.
The question is: Why is the Pentagon revising it's Religion codes.
The reforms mark the first time the list has been officially revised since a memo was issued March 27, 2017, decreasing the total number of faiths from 211 to its new number of 31
The Department of Defense has reduced its recognized religious affiliation codes from more than 200 to just 31, eliminating Pagans, Asatru, Druidry, and Wicca, along with numerous other minority faiths and secular worldviews, in a move officials say will streamline chaplaincy support for service members.
Here are the faiths that no longer appear to be specifically recognized under the new policy, according to an Independent analysis.
- Messianic
- Eckankar
- Heathen
- Native American
- Church of the Spiral Tree
- Troth
- Rosicrucianism
- Dian Wi (Dianic Wicca)
- Sacred Well Congregation
- Druid
- Deism
- Gard Wi (Gardnerian Wicca)
- Shaman
- Seax Wi (Seax Wicca)
- Asatru
- Pagan
- Humanist
- Eastern Religions, Other
- Unitarian Universalist
- Wicca
- Magick And Spiritualist
- Atheist
Leaders of removed faith and worldview communities, as well as legal advocates, have expressed alarm and outrage, arguing the consolidation strips official recognition and could jeopardize ecclesiastical endorsement of chaplains who serve those traditions; the Military Religious Freedom Foundation called the move unconstitutional and signaled potential legal action, and other groups want the full memo published for clarity . Pagan and Wiccan outlets, along with civil‑liberties and humanist organizations, have publicly demanded transparency about criteria for removal and what accommodations will remain available
strips official recognition and could jeopardize ecclesiastical endorsement of chaplains who serve those traditions.
I didn't know Wicca had chaplains.
Modern Chaplaincy
Today, chaplains may be ordained clergy or professionally trained laypeople. Modern chaplaincy emphasizes inclusivity, with multi-faith, secular, or humanist chaplains increasingly common, especially in healthcare and educational settings. Their duties include providing emotional support, crisis intervention, counseling, and spiritual guidance tailored to the needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds.what a web...
Does the Pentagon pay for Chaplain services?
Under DoD Instruction 1304.28, the Department of Defense establishes policy for the appointment, service, and responsibilities of military chaplains. This includes requiring chaplains to meet religious requirements, care for the spiritual needs of service members, and advise on religion, morals, ethics, well-being, morale, and spiritual readiness Executive Services Directorate. The instruction assigns responsibilities to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and the Secretaries of the Military Departments, ensuring that chaplains are properly trained, assigned, and supported.
The Armed Forces Chaplains Board (under the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness) oversees the procurement, training, and assignment of chaplains, as well as the use of supplies, equipment, and facilities for religious purposes prhome.war.gov. This means the Pentagon funds chaplains’ salaries, training, and operational needs, and ensures they have the resources to carry out their duties.
In addition, the Pentagon’s policy framework — including DoD Instruction 1300.17 on accommodation of religious practices — ensures that chaplains are paid and supported to meet the religious needs of service members in accordance with the First Amendment prhome.war.gov.
In summary: Chaplain services are a core part of the Pentagon’s mission, and the Department of Defense directly funds and manages them through formal policy, training, and resource allocation.
Who funds the Pentagon?
The Pentagon is funded primarily through the federal budget, which allocates resources to the Department of Defense (DOD). In FY 2025, the DOD had a budget of $2.21 trillion, which covers its base budget and contingency operations
usaspending.gov+1. This funding supports the six branches of the U.S. military: the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force Overall, defense spending represents a significant share of federal expenditures
A Pentagon military chaplain’s pay is tied to their rank and service years, starting in the low $50k range for early-career officers and potentially exceeding $100k for senior ranks, plus allowances and special pays. Federal civilian chaplains in Pentagon-related roles can earn significantly more, with top earners exceeding $190k annually.
Do you think the Pentagon is doing the right thing?
I think Senator Mike Lee maybe wanted people to dig a little to see how much it was costing the tax payers and what kind of services they were paying for.
And what kind of resistance they are facing and by who.
40 Trillion in debt people. Sometimes you have to trim the pork.
I still don't like the idea that the Pentagon keeps a database on peoples religion. But when you look at the cost, it makes you go, hmm.
Ok.
I think I'm done with this for now.
As Senator Lee says:
Stay Tuned
Hugs
Pentagon’s Role in Paying for Chaplain Services
Yes — the Pentagon (Department of Defense) does pay for chaplain services as part of its mission to provide spiritual and religious support to service members, their families, and other authorized personnel.Under DoD Instruction 1304.28, the Department of Defense establishes policy for the appointment, service, and responsibilities of military chaplains. This includes requiring chaplains to meet religious requirements, care for the spiritual needs of service members, and advise on religion, morals, ethics, well-being, morale, and spiritual readiness Executive Services Directorate. The instruction assigns responsibilities to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and the Secretaries of the Military Departments, ensuring that chaplains are properly trained, assigned, and supported.
The Armed Forces Chaplains Board (under the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness) oversees the procurement, training, and assignment of chaplains, as well as the use of supplies, equipment, and facilities for religious purposes prhome.war.gov. This means the Pentagon funds chaplains’ salaries, training, and operational needs, and ensures they have the resources to carry out their duties.
In addition, the Pentagon’s policy framework — including DoD Instruction 1300.17 on accommodation of religious practices — ensures that chaplains are paid and supported to meet the religious needs of service members in accordance with the First Amendment prhome.war.gov.
In summary: Chaplain services are a core part of the Pentagon’s mission, and the Department of Defense directly funds and manages them through formal policy, training, and resource allocation.
Who funds the Pentagon?
The Pentagon is funded primarily through the federal budget, which allocates resources to the Department of Defense (DOD). In FY 2025, the DOD had a budget of $2.21 trillion, which covers its base budget and contingency operations
Pentagon Chaplain Pay and Compensation
Military chaplains are commissioned officers in the U.S. armed forces, so their pay is determined by the Uniformed Services Pay Scale — the same system used for all officers in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Space Force. This means their salary depends on rank and years of service, just like any other officer.Base Pay Ranges
- Army Chaplain: A newly commissioned chaplain (often at the rank of Second Lieutenant) starts at a lower pay grade than a seasoned chaplain at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel. For example, a typical Army chaplain at the Captain level earns around $55,638 annually.
- Median U.S. military chaplain salary: About $50,400 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Federal chaplain salaries (non-military, but similar in structure) can range widely: from roughly $90,000 for early-career federal chaplains to over $190,000 for highly experienced ones www.governmentsalaries.org.
Additional Compensation
Chaplains receive the same allowances and special pays as other officers:- Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) – varies by location, rank, and dependent status TheGunZone.
- Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) – standard meal allowance for all officers TheGunZone.
- Special pays – may include hazardous duty pay, board certification pay, language proficiency pay, and incentive pay for critical assignments TheGunZone.
Pentagon Context
The Pentagon (Department of Defense headquarters) employs chaplains in various capacities — as part of the military chaplain corps, in DoD civilian chaplaincy roles, or in federal prison chaplaincy.- Military chaplains at the Pentagon are paid according to their branch’s pay scale and rank.
- Federal chaplains in DoD civilian roles (e.g., in the Bureau of Prisons) can earn $90,000–$190,000+ depending on experience and grade www.governmentsalaries.org.
- The average Pentagon employee salary is about $83,300/year, but chaplain pay can be higher or lower depending on role and rank Salary.com.
A Pentagon military chaplain’s pay is tied to their rank and service years, starting in the low $50k range for early-career officers and potentially exceeding $100k for senior ranks, plus allowances and special pays. Federal civilian chaplains in Pentagon-related roles can earn significantly more, with top earners exceeding $190k annually.
Do you think the Pentagon is doing the right thing?
I think Senator Mike Lee maybe wanted people to dig a little to see how much it was costing the tax payers and what kind of services they were paying for.
And what kind of resistance they are facing and by who.
40 Trillion in debt people. Sometimes you have to trim the pork.
I still don't like the idea that the Pentagon keeps a database on peoples religion. But when you look at the cost, it makes you go, hmm.
Ok.
I think I'm done with this for now.
As Senator Lee says:
Stay Tuned
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- Dec 31, 2010
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