06/05/2026
Northern Pagan Church is concerned by reports that the Department of Defense has significantly reduced the number of religious affiliation codes available to service members, removing Pagan, Wiccan, Druid, Heathen, Asatru, and many other minority faith designations.
For decades, Pagans and members of other minority faiths have served honorably in every branch of the United States military. Recognition of those faith communities was not granted overnight. It was earned through years of service, advocacy, and relationship-building by service members, chaplains, and religious organizations.
The Department of Defense has stated that these changes are intended to streamline religious affiliation reporting and improve the delivery of chaplain support. We hope that goal can be achieved without diminishing the visibility or understanding of minority faith communities.
We do not yet know the full practical impact these changes will have on accommodations, chaplaincy services, religious support, or the ability of service members to accurately identify their faith within military records. We believe those questions deserve careful attention.
What we do know is that recognition matters.
Religious affiliation data is more than an administrative category. It helps institutions understand the communities they serve. When minority faiths become invisible within official records, it becomes harder to understand their needs, measure their presence, and ensure they receive equal consideration.
We are particularly concerned that service members may be forced to choose between misidentifying their faith, selecting a broad category that does not reflect their beliefs, or appearing to have no religious affiliation at all.
Northern Pagan Church supports the religious freedom of all service members and believes that members of minority faith traditions deserve the same recognition, consideration, and support as any other service member. We believe service members and their families deserve a clear understanding of how these changes may affect religious identification, support, and accommodation within the military.
Communities do not become stronger by making people invisible. They become stronger by recognizing, understanding, and supporting the diverse people who make up those communities.
This moment is also a reminder that communities and institutions matter. Rights are important, but institutions are often how those rights are preserved, defended, and carried forward for future generations.
To all Pagan service members, veterans, chaplains, and their families: we see you, we appreciate your service, and you remain an important part of our community.
Defense Secretary Hegseth previously announced the change due to an "impractical" system.
