Military Chaplains Act of 2025

This bill sets clear rules for military chaplains across the Army, Navy (including the Marine Corps and Coast Guard), Air Force, and Space Force. It explains their daily work: caring for service members and families, advising commanders on religious accommodation and spiritual readiness, and keeping private talks confidential—including in isolated or combat settings . Chaplains may lead services, teach, counsel, and pray according to their own beliefs. They cannot be forced to do anything that goes against their faith, and they cannot be censored or punished for refusing.

The bill also adds support and oversight. Chiefs of Chaplains advise each service’s top leaders and run programs that train commanders, handle religious accommodation requests, and help with crisis and suicide prevention . Commanders must provide space and transportation so chaplains can do their jobs. Breaking these rules can lead to punishment under the military justice system, after the President updates regulations within one year of the bill becoming law. The bill’s findings point to the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as the basis for these protections.

• Who is affected: Military chaplains; service members and their dependents; commanders across the Army, Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard, and Air Force/Space Force .
• What changes: Clear duties for chaplains; freedom from censorship and retaliation; protected confidentiality; required support from commanders; more training and guidance on religious accommodations; possible discipline for violations .
• When: Within one year of enactment, the President must issue rules to make violations punishable under the military justice system.