Wellbeing of non-religious ADF personnel at risk, former recruiter warns

Col Phillip Hoglin, a former director of military recruitment, says Defence must provide a ‘secular wellbeing capability’ or risk the health of some staff. Photograph: Dan Peled/Getty Images

Defence must recruit secular alternatives to religious chaplains or face increasing risks to its members’ health and wellbeing, according to a former top military recruiter.

Col Phillip Hoglin, now a reservist and military researcher, said the Australian defence force (ADF) is becoming less religious, but has only a handful of secular support officers.