DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 1650.25C
N96
3 May 2018
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 1650.25C
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: OLD SALT AWARD
1. Purpose. The issuance of the Old Salt Award is a tribute to the Navy’s customs and
traditions. It is customary to designate the respected, experienced, knowledgeable, and senior
surface warfare officer with the designation as “old salt.” This instruction is being reissued with
a new date, updated version and signature authority to meet the Chief of Naval Operations’ age
requirement for Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) instructions.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 1650.25B.
3. Scope and Applicability. The Old Salt Award is presented by the Surface Navy Association
to the active duty surface warfare officer (SWO) with the earliest date of qualification as a SWO
who meets the criteria described herein. Surface Navy Association is a professional organization
composed of both military and civilian members dedicated to enhance awareness and support of
the United States Navy and the surface forces.
4. Selection. The Director, Surface Warfare (OPNAV N96) is responsible for determining
which officers meet the award criteria and for establishing the official precedence list of
prospective Old Salts in liaison with Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Manpower,
Personnel, Education and Training (CNO N1), Flag Matters (CNO N00F). Criteria for
selection are outlined in subparagraphs 4a through 4c.
a. Must be active duty.
b. Time on active duty must be continuous.
c. The sole means of determining eligibility will be surface warfare qualification letters.
5. Presentation. OPNAV N96 will approve selection of the Old Salt Award recipient and
designate a command to arrange for appropriate ceremony, considering the personal desires of
the principals involved. The Old Salt trophy may be kept in possession of the recipient or
displayed by the command to which the Old Salt is assigned.
6. Records Management. Records created as a result of this instruction regardless of media and
format, must be managed per Secretary of the Navy Manual 5210.1 of January 2012.
