# US Marines cut religious codes from over 200 to 30

2026-08-12T18:54:19+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

US Marines have until September 30 to update their religious affiliation records under a new system that reduces available codes from more than 200 to 30. The Marine Corps says the revision consolidates faith and belief designations into broader categories to help chaplains understand the composition of their units. The change is part of a wider Pentagon overhaul of religious programmes and chaplaincy ordered by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Earlier, Hegseth scrapped the Army’s Spiritual Fitness Guide and ordered chaplains to replace rank insignia with faith symbols. Marines must now select the “most appropriate” broad category for their religious identity.

## Coverage

- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/us-marines-religious-choices-cut-from-200-to-30-what-the-new-rules-mean-article-155597110>

Tags: chaplaincy, military reforms, Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, religious affiliation, US Marines
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