DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 1541.5
N43
29 Jul 2011
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 1541.5
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: GENERAL POLICY FOR SINKING EXERCISE APPROVAL
Ref: (a) OPNAVINST 4770.5G
(b) 10 U.S.C. §2366
(c) OPNAVINST 5090.1C
Encl: (1) SINKEX Approval Process
(2) Example SINKEX Request Message
1. Purpose. To set forth the policy and procedures necessary
to obtain Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) approval for sinking
exercise (SINKEX) events.
2. Policy. Activities requesting use of inactive vessels
designated as SINKEX assets must follow the guidance established
in reference (a) as it pertains to fleet requests for vessels in
support of training or target exercises. Further, SINKEX events
shall be limited to those required to satisfy requirements for
ship survivability or weapons lethality evaluation, major joint
or multi-national exercises, or the evaluation of significant
new multi-unit tactics or tactics and weapons combinations.
3. Scope
. This instruction applies to all requests for SINKEX
assets.
4. Responsibilities
a. CNO shall approve or disapprove all valid SINKEX
requests contingent upon availability of funding to complete
environmental preparations.
b. The Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Fleet Readiness
and Logistics) (CNO (N4)) shall review all SINKEX requests and
forward to CNO with recommended action.
