DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 6520.1A
N17
14 Jun 2016
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 6520.1A
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: OPERATIONAL STRESS CONTROL PROGRAM
Ref: (a) DoD Instruction 6490.05 of 22 November 2011
(b) NTTP 1-15M
(c) OPNAVINST 1500.22H
(d) CNO memo 1000 Ser N1/127016 of 24 Feb 09
Encl: (1) Navy Operational Stress Control-Leader and Deckplate
Leader Operational Stress Control Training
(2) Operational Stress Control Resources
1. Purpose. To establish policy, guidelines, procedures, and
responsibilities, per reference (a), to standardize the
Operational Stress Control (OSC) Program across the Navy. Major
changes included in this revision are revised training
guidelines (i.e., non-traditional deployable units), waiver
guidance, and updated general military training (GMT)
requirements. This instruction is a complete revision and
should be reviewed in its entirety.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 6520.1 and NAVADMIN 262/13.
3. Scope. This instruction applies to all Navy activities,
commands and military personnel.
4. Discussion. The OSC Program is an element of force health
protection with three main goals: identification, prevention,
and treatment of stress problems per the combat and OSC doctrine
described in reference (b). The broad goal of OSC is to help
Navy leaders build resilience within units and individual
Sailors, through an integrated, evidence-based program aimed at
increasing the awareness and understanding of stress and
providing strategies to mitigate detrimental effects. The OSC
Program will help leaders to know when and how to use chaplains,
medical personnel, counselors, and community resources to build
a culture that is supportive of help-seeking behaviors. The OSC
Program will provide practical tools and make appropriate
