DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
O
FFICE
O
F THE
S
ECRETA
RY
1000
NA
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PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350·1000
SECNAVINST 1730.11
ASN (M&RA)
31 Oct 2022
SECNAV INSTRUCTION 1730.11
From: Secretary of the Navy
Subj: CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS TO CHAPLAINS
Encl: (1) References
(2) Authorization for Disclosure of Confidential
Communication
(3) Warning Advisement About Statements Made During a
Chaplain Interview Concerning a Request for Waiver of
Policy to Accommodate a Religious Practice
(4) Warning Advisement About Statements Made During a
Conscientious Objector Evaluation
(5) Responsibilities
1. Purpose. This instruction provides comprehensive Department
of the Navy (DON) policy on the protection of privileged and
confidential information communicated to Navy Chaplains in
accordance with references (a) through (j).
2. Cancellation. SECNAVINST 1730.9A.
3. Applicability. This instruction applies to the Office of
the Secretary of the Navy; the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO);
the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC); the Commandant of the
United States Coast Guard (COMDT COGARD), when the U.S. Coast
Guard operates as a Service in the Navy under reference (a); all
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps installations, commands,
activities, and field offices; and all organizational entities
within the DON. The protection afforded by this instruction
applies to all personnel authorized to receive services, as
described in reference (b), from Navy Chaplains wherever they
may receive them.
4. Policy. Chaplains, Religious Program Specialists (RP),
Chaplain Assistants (CA), and contracted clergy will protect
confidential communications as part of their professional duties
as outlined in references (b) through (d) and in accordance with
this instruction. References used to execute this policy are
listed in enclosure (1). Commanders will support chaplains,
