DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
O
FFICE
O
F THE
S
ECRETA
RY
1000
NA
VY
PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350·1000
SECNAVINST 5031.1D
ASN(RD&A)
29 Mar 2019
SECNAV INSTRUCTION 5031.1D
From: Secretary of the Navy
Subj: SHIP NAMING, SPONSOR SELECTION, CREST DEVELOPMENT, KEEL
LAYINGS, CHRISTENINGS, COMMISSIONINGS, AND DECOMMISSIONINGS
Ref: (a) NAVSO P-1000
(b) Joint Travel Regulations of October 2018
(c) OPNAVINST 1710.7A
(d) DoDD 5500.07-R, Standards of Conduct, November 2007
(e) SECNAVINST 4001.2K
(f) SECNAV M-5210.1
(g) NAVPERS 15665I
(h) SECNAVINST 5870.7
(i) NAVSUP Publication 486, Vol II, Revision of 8 August
2016, Chapter 3
(j) OPNAVINST 4770.5H
(k) 10 U.S.C. §8766
Encl: (1) Standard Operating Procedures Associated with Ship
Naming, Sponsor Selection, Crest Development, Keel
Layings, Christenings, Commissionings, and
Decommissionings.
1. Purpose. To define the processes and identify roles and
responsibilities for the planning and execution of major ship
milestones and ceremonies including ship naming, sponsor
selection, crest development, keel laying, christening,
commissioning, and decommissioning.
2. Cancellation. SECNAVINST 5031.1C.
3. Applicability. This instruction applies to the Office of
the Secretary Navy (SECNAV), the Chief of Naval Operations
(CNO), the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) and all United
States (U.S.) Navy and U.S. Marine Corps installations,
commands, activities, field offices, and all other
organizational entities within the Department of the Navy (DON).
This instruction applies only to ocean-going vessels on the
