DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 3501.199D
N4L
4 Mar 2022
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 3501.199D
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: REQUIRED OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES AND PROJECTED OPERATIONAL
ENVIRONMENT FOR STRATEGIC SEALIFT SHIPS TO INCLUDE THE,
ROLL-ON AND ROLL-OFF SHIPS AND AUXILIARY CRANE SHIPS
Ref: (a) OPNAVINST C3501.2L (NOTAL)
Encl: (1) Projected Operational Environment for Strategic Sealift Ships
(2) Required Operational Capabilities for Strategic Sealift Ships
1. Purpose. To issue the required operational capabilities (ROC) and projected operational
environment (POE) for the strategic sealift ships to include the roll-on and roll-off ships (AKR)
and auxiliary crane ships (ACS).
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 3501.199C.
3. Scope and Applicability. Per reference (a), enclosures (1) and (2) define the ROC and POE
for the strategic sealift ships. Strategic sealift ships are U.S. Government-owned ships, manned
by civilian contract crews, under the operational control of the Commander, Military Sealift
Command (MSC) in their role as the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Naval
Sealift Functional Component Commander (NAVTRANS) when activated and under the
administrative control of the Maritime Administration (MARAD). As a result, subparagraphs 3a
and 3b annotate the differences applied to the format and interpretation of the ROC and POE:
a. This instruction provides generic requirements for strategic sealift ships. While each ship
type or class may have different configurations and capabilities, the operational capabilities and
environment are largely very similar. There is no requirement for a specific ROC and POE
tailored to each configuration. Where significant capabilities exist in a class of ships, specific
ROCs will be annotated as applying to that class.
b. The AKR and ACS are crewed by civilians per regulatory requirements and operating
contracts, as are commercial ships. The conditions and reporting symbols in this instruction are
to be interpreted as defining level of functional capability to be achieved, but will not determine
the manning levels for these vessels.
