DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
O
FFICE
O
F THE
S
ECRETA
RY
1000
NA
VY
PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350·1000
SECNAVINST 1730.7E
ASN (M&RA)
11 Mar 2019
SECNAV INSTRUCTION 1730.7E
From: Secretary of the Navy
Subj: RELIGIOUS MINISTRY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Ref: See enclosure (1)
Encl: (1) References
(2) Definitions and Directives for Professional Naval
Chaplaincy
(3) Acronyms
1. Purpose. This instruction establishes policy and procedures
for Religious Ministry (RM) in the Department of the Navy (DON),
the role of chaplains as advisors to commands and individuals,
and the requirements and principles associated with Professional
Naval Chaplaincy (PNC) in accordance with references (a) through
(e) in enclosure (1).
2. Cancellation. SECNAVINST 1730.7D and SECNAVINST 5351.1.
3. Applicability. This instruction applies to the Office of
the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV); the Chief of Naval
Operations (CNO); the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC); U.S.
Navy and U.S. Marine Corps installations, commands, activities,
and field offices; and DON chaplains assigned to the U.S. Coast
Guard and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
4. Policy
a. PNC is the system by which RM is delivered by the
Chaplain Corps (CHC). PNC focuses on the capabilities and
capacities of the CHC while RM focuses on matching the
competencies of chaplains to the specific needs of authorized
users, as defined in enclosure (2).
b. PNC separates its two governing authorities, those of
the DON and of the Religious Organizations (ROs). This ensures
Chaplain Corps (CHC) officers are professionally qualified and
endorsed to perform all offices, functions, sacraments,
