CHAPLAIN ADVISEMENT AND LIAISON
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 1000 NAVY PENTAGON WASHINGTON, D.C. 20350-1000
SECNAVINST 1730.10A ASN (M&RA) 28 AUG 2018
SECNAV INSTRUCTION 1730.10A
From: Secretary of the Navy
Subj: CHAPLAIN ADVISEMENT AND LIAISON
Ref: (a) 14 U.S.C. §1 (b) The Merchant Marine Act of 1936 (c) SECNAVINST 1730.7D (d) SECNAVINST 1730.9 (e) DoD Directive 1304.19 of 11 June 2004 (f) SECNAVINST 5720.44C (g) Geneva Convention (I) For the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field of August 12, 1949 (h) Geneva Convention (II) For the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded, Sick, and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea of August 12, 1949 (i) Geneva Convention (III) Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of August 12, 1949 (j) DoD Directive 2311.01E of 15 November 2010 (k) U.S. Navy Regulations, 1990
1. Purpose. Establishes policy on the role of Chaplains as advisors to commands and individuals, and their derivative tasks as command liaisons.
2. Cancellation. SECNAVINST 1730.10.
3. Applicability. This instruction applies throughout the Department of the Navy, including the Coast Guard when operating as a Service in the Navy under reference (a) and to Chaplains serving with the Merchant Marine pursuant to reference (b).
4. Policy
a. Advisement and Liaison. The Chaplain advises the command in three distinct ways. First, the Chaplain delivers individual advice to Service Members (individual advice). Second, pursuant to reference (c), the Chaplain advises the commander on all matters regarding the Command Religious Program
SECNAVINST 1730.10A 28 AUG 2018
2 (CRP), command climate, command morale, unit cohesion, and human factors within the command (command advice). Third, pursuant to reference (c), Chaplains advise commanders on the effect of religion on military operations, within the boundaries of their non-combatant status (external advice).
b. Individual Advice. Chaplains listen to individuals who come to them for help, regardless of religious affiliation, and offer advice to help individuals make sound decisions. Chaplain advice is rooted in ethics and morality, and when requested, can be faith-based. Chaplain advice strengthens core values and contributes to leader development. Individual advice is confidential pursuant to reference (d).
c. Individual Liaison. In their capacity as individual advisors, Chaplains work in concert with peers and other professionals, including, but not limited to, medical personnel, attorneys, social workers, and mental health professionals. As a result, subject to the selective release of confidentiality pursuant to reference (d), Chaplains may sometimes represent the interests of one party to another, as in the case of making or receiving referrals or when advocating for the needs of authorized personnel.
d. Command Advice. Chaplains are the primary advisors to commanders regarding the organization and execution of religious ministry and those who deliver it. Chaplains advise commanders and the chain of command on human factors within the command. Further, Chaplains advise commanders on:
(1) The discharge of the commander’s responsibility to support the free exercise of religion pursuant to reference (e);
(2) Matters of morale, morals, ethics, and overall well- being within the command;
(3) The operation and administration of chapels, programs, and groups or entities dedicated to religious ministry; and
(4) The religious aspects of humanitarian assistance missions and community outreach as governed by reference (f), as applicable.
SECNAVINST 1730.10A 28 AUG 2018
3 e. Command Liaison. An effective CRP offers Chaplains the opportunity to collaborate with local religious leaders in order to advise commanders on the use of contract religious service providers, local resources available to the command, and civic or humanitarian needs the command may encounter. Chaplains may interact with key leaders outside the command when the commander intends to engage in humanitarian assistance or community relations projects.
f. External Advice. Chaplains advise commanders on the religious and humanitarian aspects of command operations. The scope, content, and delivery of this advice are shaped, in part, by the assignment, grade, experience, and expertise of the Chaplain. Consistent with references (g) through (i), the Chaplain’s activities in this category are directed toward the amelioration of suffering and the pursuit of humanitarian goals. The Chaplain’s advice on the military mission’s impact on the indigenous population or adversary will be governed as follows:
(1) Pursuant to reference (j), all members of the Department of Defense are required to “comply with the law of war during all armed conflicts, however such conflicts are characterized, and in all other military operations.” Pursuant to article 1063 of reference (k), Chaplains will be permitted to perform only duties that will not jeopardize the non-combatant status ascribed to them by references (g) through (i), to include advice and liaison. Chaplain activities during conflicts or operations are strictly limited to those authorized by references (g) through (i).
(2) Chaplains may advise the commander on religious considerations in building and maintaining coalitions, humanitarian assistance support, and the benevolent expression of religion.
(3) Chaplains may not advise the commander on the identification of military targets for military operations.
(4) Chaplains are prohibited from advising the commander on the use of religion as a weapon by the command or the use of religion for psychological operations, information operations, or military intelligence purposes.
SECNAVINST 1730.10A 28 AUG 2018
4 (5) Chaplains, Religious Program Specialists, and Chaplain’s assistants may not be used for intelligence collection or intelligence operations.
g. External Liaison. When assigned to a combat area, Chaplains may perform only such duties as are related to religious ministry and the administration of religious units or establishments, consistent with article 1063 of reference (k). Chaplains must not undertake any action or duty that would jeopardize their non-combatant status. Where the Law of Armed Conflict permits, Chaplains may serve as external liaisons with local leaders as follows:
(1) When authorized and directed by the commander, Chaplains may serve as a point of contact and liaison for local civilian and military leaders, institutions, and organizations to the extent that those contacts relate to religious or humanitarian purposes approved by the commander.
(2) Chaplains may convey religious and humanitarian information to and from key leaders, subject to the approval of the commander. The exchange of such information must be pursuant to the Chaplain’s religious or humanitarian mission and must preserve the Chaplain’s non-combatant status.
h. Commanders will safeguard the Chaplain’s ability to offer confidential communication pursuant to reference (d).
i. Commanders will not require Chaplains to remove, replace, or conceal their staff corps insignia or their Geneva Conventions insignia.
5. Responsibilities
a. The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) will exercise oversight to ensure compliance with this instruction throughout the Navy. The CNO will initiate action with the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Administrator of the Maritime Administration to implement this policy when Navy Chaplains provide religious ministry to those agencies.
b. The Commandant of the Marine Corps will exercise oversight to ensure compliance with this instruction throughout the Marine Corps.
SECNAVINST 1730.10A 28 AUG 2018
5 c. Commanders will give their requirements for Chaplain advisement and liaison at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. Commanders will not assign duties to Chaplains that might compromise their roles as set forth above or that are inconsistent with their non-combatant status.
d. The Chief of Navy Chaplains will coordinate the training of Chaplains for advisement and liaison.
6. Records Management
a. Records created as a result of this instruction, regardless of format or media, must be maintained and dispositioned according to the records disposition schedules found on the Directives and Records Management Division (DRMD) portal page: https://portal.secnav.navy.mil/orgs/DUSNM/DONAA/DRM/SitePages/Ho me.aspx.
b. For questions concerning the management of records related to this instruction or the records disposition schedules, please contact your local Records Manager or the DRMD program office.
THOMAS B. MODLY Under Secretary of the Navy
Distribution: Electronic only, via Department of the Navy Issuances website http://doni.documentservices.dla.mil /.