UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 132050Z OCT 21 MID600051034536U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 225/21 MSGID/NAVADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/CNO/OCT// SUBJ/COVID-19 CONSOLIDATED DISPOSITION AUTHORITY (CCDA)// REF/A/DOC/SD/24AUG21/ REF/B/MSG/SECNAV/302126ZAUG21/ REF/C/MSG/CNO/311913ZAUG21/ REF/D/DOC/BUMED/7OCT13// REF/E/DOC/BUPERS/16MAR20// REF/F/DOC/OPNAV/15AUG20// NARR/REF A IS THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MEMO MANDATING CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 VACCINATION FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SERVICE MEMBERS. REF B IS ALNAV 062/21, 2021-2022 DEPARTMENT OF NAVY MANDATORY COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY. REF C IS NAVADMIN 190/21, 2021-2022 NAVY MANDATORY COVID-19 VACCINATION AND REPORTING POLICY. REF D IS BUMEDINST 6230.15B, IMMUNIZATIONS AND CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS FOR THE PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE. REF E IS BUPERSINST 1730.11A, STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING THE ACCOMMODATION OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICES. REF F IS MILPERSMAN 1730-020, IMMUNIZATION EXEMPTIONS FOR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.// POC/OPNAV/CAPT STEVEN TARR III, (703) 614-9250//EMAIL: STEVEN.TARR1.MIL(AT)US.NAVY.MIL RMKS/1. Purpose. This NAVADMIN announces the assignment of the Chief of Naval Personnel as the COVID Consolidated Disposition Authority (CCDA), and provides procedural guidance and reporting requirements for administrative disposition of individual Navy service members, active duty and Selected Reserve, who are not fully vaccinated per references (a) through (c). 2. Policy. In order to maximize readiness, it is the policy goal of the U.S. Navy to achieve a fully vaccinated force against the persistent and lethal threat of COVID-19. 2.a. In support of the above stated policy, and as directed by the Secretary of the Navys lawful order, the Navy has commenced a mandatory vaccination campaign per references (a) through (c). Navy service members refusing the COVID-19 vaccination, absent a pending or approved exemption, shall be processed for administrative separation per this NAVADMIN and supporting references. To ensure a fair and consistent process, separation determinations will be centralized under the CCDA as outlined in the paragraphs below. 2.b. To date, over 98 percent of active duty U.S. Navy service members have met their readiness responsibility by completing or initiating a COVID-19 vaccination series. We applaud your commitment to ensuring the continued readiness of our worldwide deployable Navy. Tragically, there have been 164 deaths within the Navy family due to COVID-19, far exceeding the combined total of all other health or mishap related injuries and deaths over the same time period. 144 of these were not immunized and 20 had an undisclosed immunization status. 3. Definitions. For the purposes of this NAVADMIN, the following terms are defined. 3.a. Navy Service Members. Active-duty service members and service members in the Selected Reserve only. Service members in the Individual Ready Reserve and U.S. Naval Academy and Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps midshipmen remain subject to the vaccine mandates in references (a) and (b), but will be adjudicated per their governing instructions rather than this NAVADMIN. 3.b. Active-Duty Navy Service Members. Active-duty Navy service members includes members of the Active Component and members of the Reserve Component on active duty in full time support (FTS). 3.c. Refusing the Vaccine. A Navy service member refusing the vaccine is one who has: (1) received a lawful order to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19; (2) is not or will not be fully vaccinated on the date required by the order; and (3) does not have a pending or approved exemption request per references (d) through (f). 3.d. Fully Vaccinated. Service members are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing an approved COVID-19 vaccination series per reference (c). 3.e. Senior Leader. A Navy senior leader is a flag officer or flag officer select, regardless of assignment; an officer serving as a commander, deputy commander, commanding officer, executive officer, chief of staff, chief staff officer, or officer in charge; or an enlisted member serving as a command master chief, chief of the boat, senior enlisted advisor, or command senior enlisted leader. 4. Deadlines. Per references (a) through (c), active duty Navy service members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 NLT 28 November 2021, and Ready Reserve Navy service members NLT 28 December 2021. New accessions must be vaccinated as soon as practicable following service entry. 4.a. For requested exemptions that are denied, specific instructions regarding the follow-on vaccination timeline or separation adjudication process will be included in the denial letter. 4.b. Administrative actions per this NAVADMIN may begin as soon as a Navy service member meets the definition of refusing the vaccine in paragraph 3.c. 5. Disposition Authority 5.a. Designation of the CCDA. The Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) is the CCDA. The Chief of Navy Reserve (CNR) will provide support to the CCDA for cases involving Navy service members in the Selected Reserve. 5.b. Authorities for Vaccination Refusal. The CCDA is the officer show cause authority and enlisted separation authority for Navy service members who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine, except Entry Level Separation (ELS). For ELS, commanders and commanding officers are separation authorities per paragraph 6.b. Commanders and commanding officers will initiate administrative separation processing per paragraphs 7.a. and 7.b. The Vice Chief of Naval Operations retains authority for non- judicial punishment and courts-martial. Involuntary extension of enlistments is not authorized on the basis of administrative or disciplinary action for vaccination refusal. The CCDA may seek recoupment of applicable bonuses, special and incentive pays, and the cost of training and education for service members refusing the vaccine. 5.c. Other Misconduct. The withholding of disposition authority in reference (c) and this NAVADMIN does not extend to other misconduct, which may include misconduct related to vaccine refusal such as failing to wear a mask when required, falsifying vaccination records, or not complying with COVID testing requirements. If in doubt, commanders, commanding officers, and officers in charge should consult with their servicing staff judge advocate in determining disposition authority. 5.d. Separation Authority for Vaccine Refusal That Includes Other Misconduct. If a Navy service member is processed for administrative separation because of vaccine refusal that includes other misconduct, the CCDA will serve as the officer show cause authority or enlisted separation authority in accordance with paragraph 5.b. 5.e. Professional Qualifications. For Navy service members refusing the vaccine, the CCDA retains the authority for administrative processes regarding removal of warfare qualifications, additional qualification designations (AQD), Navy Enlisted Classifications (NEC), or sub-specialties, except in cases where removal authority is otherwise authorized by law or Executive Order (e.g. Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program regarding nuclear qualifications). 5.f. Other Armed Forces Members Assigned to Navy Commands. For vaccine refusal cases involving Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians, Marines, or Coast Guardsmen assigned to Navy commands, the Navy commander, commanding officer, or officer-in-charge will report the case to the CCDA. 5.g. Navy Service Members in Non-Navy Billets. The CCDA will be responsible for identifying, coordinating, and adjudicating Navy service members refusing the vaccine while serving in non-Navy billets (e.g., Joint, NATO). 6. Administrative Disposition Guidance; Immediate Actions. 6.a. Unvaccinated Senior Leaders. An unvaccinated senior leader without a pending or approved exemption calls into question the Navy’s trust and confidence regarding their ability to ensure unit readiness or to maintain good order and discipline. These senior leaders must begin vaccination immediately. This constitutes a lawful order. The immediate superior in command (ISIC), commander, or commanding officer, as applicable, will notify in writing senior leaders refusing the vaccine that they have five (5) calendar days to initiate corrective action. If the senior leader does not begin a vaccination series or request an exemption within that five-day period, the ISIC, commander, or commanding officer will relieve the senior leader and initiate detachment for cause (DFC) per MILPERSMAN 1611-010, MILPERSMAN 1611-020, and MILPERSMAN 1616-010, as applicable. 6.a.(1). A sample report of misconduct is available at: https://www.mnp.navy.mil/group/navy-covid-19-reporting. The report will note that authority for disciplinary action is withheld by reference (c) and this NAVADMIN, and as such no disciplinary action was taken. 6.a.(2). Established notification procedures for relief of command triad members apply. The relief of any flag officer or officer selected for promotion to O-7 under this paragraph will be reported to the Naval Inspector General for review per DoDI 1320.04 and SECNAVINST 5800.12C. 6.b. Entry Level Separation (ELS). ELS processing is authorized per paragraph 5.b above per MILPERSMAN 1910-154 for Navy service members in an entry level status refusing the vaccine. ELS shall be reported per paragraph 9. 6.c. Because COVID-19 vaccination is now mandatory, commanders, commanding officers, or officers in charge, with the concurrence of the first flag officer in the chain of command, are authorized to temporarily reassign Navy service members who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of exemption status, based on operational readiness or mission requirements. 6.d. Promotion, Transfer and Reenlistment. Commands shall not allow those refusing the vaccine to promote/advance, reenlist, or execute orders, with the exception of separation orders, until the CCDA has completed disposition of their case. Transfer orders may be cancelled by Navy Personnel Command. 7. Administrative Disposition Guidance; Future Actions. The actions in this paragraph shall be executed per paragraph 4. 7.a. Officer Administrative Separation. In the case of any officer, including any officer senior leader, who is refusing the vaccine, the cognizant commander or commanding officer shall submit a report of misconduct to Commander, Navy Personnel Command (PERS-834) per MILPERSMAN 1611-010. A template report is available at: https://www.mnp.navy.mil/group/navy-covid- 19-reporting. Per SECNAVINST 1920.6D, the CCDA, as the show cause authority, has directed mandatory show cause processing for all officers on the bases of Misconduct, Moral or Professional Dereliction, and Substandard Performance, with the least favorable characterization of service as GENERAL (under honorable conditions), unless inclusion of another basis for separation warrants other than honorable. Additionally, report flag officers or officers selected for promotion to O-7 who are refusing the vaccine to the Naval Inspector General for review per DoDI 1320.04 and SECNAVINST 5800.12C. Officers separated under this subparagraph will not be eligible for involuntary separation pay and will be subject to recoupment of any unearned special or incentive pays. 7.b. Enlisted Administrative Separation. In the case of any enlisted service member, including any enlisted senior leader, who is refusing the vaccine, the cognizant commander or commanding officer shall initiate the process for administrative separation under MILPERSMAN 1910-142, Commission of a Serious Offense, plus any additional basis known at the time of processing. The provisions of MILPERSMAN 1910 (series) apply; treat vaccine refusal cases as though they were listed in MILPERSMAN 1910-233. The CCDA is the separation authority unless a higher separation authority is required by MILPERSMAN 1910-704. The least favorable characterization of service shall be GENERAL (under honorable conditions), unless inclusion of another basis for separation warrants other than honorable. Enlisted service members separated under this subparagraph will not be eligible for involuntary separation pay and will be subject to recoupment of any unearned special or incentive pays. 7.c. Officer Promotion Delay. Per SECNAVINST 1420.3 or SECNAVINST 1412.6M, commanders and commanding officers shall delay the promotion of any officer refusing the vaccine. Delays shall be based upon pending administrative action and physical qualification. PERS-833 will make formal written notice to the officer following written notice by the commanding officer. 7.d. Enlisted Advancement Withhold. Per BUPERSINST 1430.16G, commanding officers shall withhold the advancement of any enlisted member refusing the vaccine. Advancement withholds shall be based upon pending administrative action and physical qualification. 7.e. Documentation in Fitness Reports and Enlisted Evaluations. Per MILPERSMAN 1610-015, failure to comply with individual medical readiness responsibilities will be documented in fitness reports and evaluations. Failure to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is a medical readiness failure. 7.e.(1). Commanding officers shall identify those refusing the vaccine and verify that the members have an initial counseling NAVPERS 1070/13 per MILPERSMAN 1610-015 in their local file (Page 13). If necessary, the initial NAVPERS 1070/13 directed in MILPERSMAN 1610-015 shall be issued. The NAVPERS 1070/13 counseling and warning ordering vaccination per NAVADMIN 190/21 may serve as the subsequent formal counseling required in MILPERSMAN 1610-015. 7.e.(2). Within 30 days of a Navy service member refusing the vaccine, reporting seniors shall issue a Special Fitness Report/Evaluation per MILPERSMAN 1610-015 and BUPERSINST 1610.10E. In addition to documenting failure to comply with individual medical readiness responsibilities, the report shall document other facts as appropriate, including any misconduct related to UCMJ Art. 92. 7.f. Terminal Leave. Navy service members who commence terminal leave on or before the applicable deadline in paragraph 4 are administratively exempted from vaccine requirements per BUMEDNOTE 6150 of 21 Sep 21 and BUMEDINST 6230.15B. 7.g. The authority for commanding officers in MILPERSMAN 1730-020 to revoke an approved religious accommodation exemption from COVID-19 vaccination is withheld. 8. Reporting 8.a. Officers and E-6 through E-9. Per MILPERSMAN 1611-010 and MILPERSMAN 1616-040, commands are required to inform PERS-834 (officers) and PERS-832 (enlisted) of incidents that could result in adverse action. This applies to vaccine refusal. Reports should flag whether the service member is pending transfer or promotion/advancement. 8.b. E-5 and Below. Per MILPERSMAN 1616-050, misconduct not yet finally adjudicated need not be reported to Navy Personnel Command. 9. Data Collection and Record Retention 9.a. Navy echelon one and two commanders will forward information regarding those refusing the vaccine within their administrative chains of command to CNP for active duty Navy service members and CNR for Ready Reserve service members per CCDA guidance. 9.b. All commands must retain all records, materials and written communications, including emails, pertaining to vaccine refusals per SECNAV M-5210.1. 10. Points of contact. OPNAV POC: CAPT Steven Tarr III, comm (703) 614- 9250, e-mail: steven.tarr1.mil(at)us.navy.mil. BUMED POC: BUMED COVID-19 CRISIS ACTION TEAM / (703) 681-1125 /e-mail: USN.NCR.BUMEDFCHVA.MBX.BUMED--- 2019-NCOV-RESPONSE-CELL(AT)MAIL.MIL OJAG POC: CDR Justin Pilling, comm (703) 614-5757, e-mail: justin.d.pilling@navy.mil. 11. Released by ADM William Lescher, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and VADM John B. Nowell, Jr., Chief of Naval Personnel.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//