WARNING: Due to network limitations, commands that do not have regular Navy/Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) email accounts (e.g., overseas, sea duty or joint commands), should email the RA Program Manager at Altn_navy_religious_accommodations@navy.mil without attachments first to establish contact.
Introduction
The United States Navy supports freedom of expression, to include religious expression, and recognizes that through these values we are a better military and stronger nation. Accommodation of sincerely held religious beliefs are a pillar of the Navy’s commitment to treating all Sailors with dignity and respect. The Navy works to support each Sailor’s religious practices to the broadest extent possible within the bounds of military readiness, unit cohesion, good order, discipline, health and safety. Discrimination on the basis of religion is contrary to the Navy’s core values of honor, courage, and commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Religious Accommodation (RA) in the U.S. Navy?
Pursuant to the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), as implemented via DoD and Navy policies, Service members have the right to observe the tenets of their religion or to observe no religion at all. In accordance with RFRA and implementing DoD/Navy guidance, the Navy will normally accommodate practices of a Service Member based on sincerely-held religious beliefs. If a Navy policy burdens a Service member’s exercise of their sincerely-held religious beliefs, the member may request accommodation of their beliefs in accordance with processes outlined in BUPERSINST 1730.11A. Such accommodation will only be denied if the Navy policy, practice, or duty in question is in furtherance of a compelling government interest and maintaining the policy, practice, or duty is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling government interest.
Service members shall not be discriminated against based on their submission of a religious accommodation request or approval to maintain a religious accommodation in deviation from Navy policy. Additionally, upon receipt of a request, commanders will explore the full range of alternative options to accommodate the Service member’s sincerely-held beliefs, as the existence of alternative accommodations directly informs a determination whether the policy in question is the least restrictive means of achieving the compelling government interests at issue.
Additional information on how to submit a religious accommodation request, as well as frequently asked questions, are contained on this page. Additionally, there is contact information for the office that processes religious accommodation requests (OPNAV N131RA).
Religious Accommodation applications are considered using the following factors on a case-by-case basis:
- Impact on military readiness, unit cohesion, good order and discipline, and health and safety.
- Religious importance of the request to the requestor.
- Cumulative impact of repeatedly granting similar requests.
- Whether there is alternative means available to meet the requested accommodation.
- How other such requests have been treated.
Common types of Religious Accommodation Requests
- Religious Head Coverings
- Unshorn / Long Hair
- Immunizations
- Beards
- Uniform and Grooming
- Religious Items and Accessories*
- Observances of Worship or Holy Days*
- Dietary Practices*
*Dietary Practices and Observances of Worship or Holy Days are adjudicated at CO level when a command recommends approval. Denial recommendations are routed to DCNO (N1) for adjudication.
Note: For a Religious Accommodation request not listed above, outline the request in plain language, and submit using the standard Religious Accommodation application process and templates provided.
What is the Religious Accommodation application process?
1. Timelines:
Pursuant to DoDI 1300.17, requests for religious accommodation that do not require a waiver of applicable Service regulations or policies must be reviewed and acted upon within 30 days of active duty members stationed within the United States, or within 60 days for active-duty members stationed outside the United States or for Reserve Component members not on active duty. For instance, a dietary practice, which can be approved at CO level, is an an example of an accommodation that is outlined within current policy.
For requests requiring waiver of applicable Service regulations or policies, the written request must be received by the appropriate office (OPNAV N1) no later than 30 days from Service member submission to their commander or supervisor for active-duty members stationed in the United States, and no later than 60 days from Service member submission to their commander or supervisor for active-duty members stationed outside the United States or for Reserve Component members not on activity duty. Upon receipt, the appropriate office must review and complete final action within 60 days. For instance, a religious beard, which is adjudicated by DCNO (N1), is an example of an accommodation that is not outlined by applicable Service regulations or policies.
Pursuant to SECNAVINST 1730.8B, exceptions to these timelines will be limited to unusual circumstances to include changes in policy.
2. Adjudication: Applicants will receive a decision letter from DCNO (N1). The decision letter will be sent to the applicant’s Chain of Command noted in the application.
3. Approval/Disapproval: If approved, decision letters will detail how the Navy plans to accommodate the Religious Accommodation throughout the Navy career of the applicant, while still meeting the Navy's mission requirements. In the event of a disapproved application, applicants may submit an appeal.
4. Life of the Accommodation: U.S. Navy religious accommodations are enduring. They will follow a member from command to command exceptions include cases where a commanding officer has determined a change in circumstance in furtherance of a compelling government interest.
Who can submit a Religious Accommodation application?
Pre-Accession Applicants
A pre-accession applicant may request an accommodation for religious practices prior to joining the U.S. Navy. Recruiters route via NTAG chain of command direct to DCNO (N1).
DoDI 1300.17 defines Pre-accession Applicants as individuals applying for:
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A commissioning program
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A warrant officer program
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Enlistment or entry in the Military Services
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Reenlistment (or reentry) in the Military Services
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Enrollment in a Military Service Academy or a Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program
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An award or scholarship or other benefit that requires a commitment to serve
Note: All immunization accommodations require a medical record review by Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED). Pre-accession applicants shall provide immunization records with their accommodation package. Recruiters shall ensure medical records are uploaded into MHS Genesis. Contact RA team distro if assistance is required with record submissions.
Recruit Training Command Applicants
A Servicemember attending Recruit Training Command (RTC) can request an accommodation for religious practices while they are at RTC.
By instruction, all Servicemembers must abide by military policy and instruction until their request is adjudicated.
Active Duty and Reserve Applicants
A Servicemember (Active Duty or Reserve) can request a religious accommodation at any point in their career.
By instruction, all Servicemembers must abide by military policy and instruction until their request is adjudicated, with the exception of immunization waiver requests, which will be stayed until adjudication of the application.
How to complete a Religious Accommodation Application
1. Review BUPERSINST 1730.11A
2. Use the checklist below to ensure your RA application is complete:
1) Is package a single pdf with all pages scanned and facing the same way?
2) Is the file labeled “RA Request ICO Last, First Rate/Rank”?
3) Are the following documents present, complete, signed and error free:
a. Command Endorsement(s) - Required for Initial and Appeal
1. If not an O-6, CO provides 1st endorsement on member’s letter and routes package to ISIC for 2nd endorsement on member’s letter.
2. If the via line is used, be sure it corresponds with endorsements.
3. Does the CO endorsement accurately describe the command's operating environment?
4. Endorsements need to be signed, dated, and serialized (wet signature is authorized).
b. Member's Request
1. Member’s enclosures, if provided and/or annotated, need to be included.
2. The member’s letter needs to be signed, dated, and outline the accommodation request.
c. Chaplain Memo
1. A Navy Chaplain is required absence special circumstances.
2. Sincerity needs to be clearly assessed in plain language.
d. Chaplain Checklist
1. Include applicant’s DoD ID number.
2. Do not include waiver of rights advisement (this is for your records).
e. Page 13 (Immunizations Only)
1. Located on RA website and MILPERSMAN 1730-020.
2. Do not provide member SSN.
Should the following be included in a Religious Accommodation application?
1. Social Security Numbers should not be included, use DoD ID Number instead.
2. Photographs of beards, religious bracelets, head coverings and other religious items are not necessary, but can be submitted with the application at the applicant’s request.
3. Endorsements from religious leaders or tribal (Native American/Indigenous) authorities to support applicant's membership to a religion or group are not necessary. However, applicants should feel welcome to gather and present such materials to their interviewing chaplain.
4. If an applicant has more than one Religious Accommodation request, e.g. a request for a beard and an immunization waiver, commands may consolidate those requests into one endorsed package to assist in timely processing.
Common Religious Accommodation Applications Errors
- Legal Name – Applicants must use their full legal name, not their preferred names. Not using the applicant’s legal name will increase processing times and hinder record-keeping efforts.
- Supporting documentation for a package that is not required shall not hold up the submission of a package. Additional documentation shall be provided in separate correspondence.
- PII - Do not put social security numbers in package.
- DoDID – Missing DoD ID
- Chaplain Checklist - Make sure every block is filled out to avoid confusion.
- Via line - If any "via" line is written on command endorsement, member request, or Chaplain memo, there must be an endorsement from that "via" line command in the application.
- Missing Enclosures – Make sure all enclosures noted in application are included in the pdf when emailed to the RA distro.
Incomplete packages will be returned without action.