On Friday, the Pentagon cut the number of religious affiliation codes from over 200 to 31 to help military chaplains streamline religious support services.

The Defense Department has announced a significant reduction in the number of religious affiliations it officially recognizes

The Department of Defense moved this week to reduce the number of recognized religions, faiths and belief systems from more than 200 to 31.

Despite the criticism, department officials have emphasized that the change is administrative rather than theological.