DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000
NAVY PENTAGON
W
ASHINGTON, DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 5510.163A
N00N
1 May 2023
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 5510.163A
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: CONTROL OF NAVAL RESERVE PERSONNEL INVOLVEMENT IN NAVAL
NUCLEAR PROPULSION MATTERS
Ref: (a) 10 CFR 1016
(b) OPNAVINST N9210.3
(c) 50 USC
(d) NAVSEAINST 9210.4C
1. Purpose. To establish Navy policy and guidance concerning involvement in naval nuclear
propulsion matters by personnel in the Naval Reserve, other than those on active duty, and
access by such personnel to Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPI) and nuclear
propulsion plant requirement and spaces.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 5510.163.
3. Scope and Applicability. This instruction applies to all Navy commands and facilities
(including nuclear powered warships) that handle or process NNPI and have personnel in the
Selected Reserve and the Individual Ready Reserve performing their reserve duties.
4. Background. Access to NNPI or nuclear propulsion plant equipment and spaces is closely
controlled owing to military sensitivity and the need to ensure that those personnel who perform
work on nuclear propulsion matters have the requisite training, experience and knowledge.
Reference (a) establishes standards for the protection of Restricted Data (RD). Reference (b)
defines NNPI in detail and provides a detailed description of the principles that govern access to
NNPI. Reference (c) §2406 sets forth the basic responsibilities of the Director, Naval Nuclear
Propulsion including the selection and assignment of personnel who are to perform naval nuclear
propulsion work. Reference (d) discusses changes, repairs and modifications to the propulsion
plant of nuclear powered warships and categorizes propulsion plant systems and equipment as
reactor plant and non-reactor plant.
5. Policy. The policy identified in subparagraphs 5a through 5f will apply whenever naval
reserve personnel are involved in naval nuclear propulsion matters or have access to NNPI, to
nuclear propulsion plant equipment and spaces, or to facilities which provide access to nuclear
propulsion plant information and equipment:
