THE UNDER SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON DC 20350-1000
MEMORANDUM FOR COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS
CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
SUBJECT: Clarification of Guidance Related to Attendance at Religious Services
References: (a) Secretary of Defense Memorandum, “Guidance for Commanders on Risk
Based Changing of Health Protection Condition Levels During Coronavirus
Disease 2019 Pandemic,” May 19, 2020 (b) Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) message,
“Religious Liberty and HPCON Guidance,” July 7, 2020
In reference (a), the Secretary of Defense reiterated his three priorities for the virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic response and provided guidance for commanders to consider when making decisions to change health protection condition (HPCON) level as COVID-19 pandemic conditions on and adjacent to Department of Defense installations change. Reference (a) included a table of measured activities that commanders should consider allowing at each HPCON level.
In reference (b), the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) advised that nothing in reference (a) should be construed to restrict attendance at places of worship where attendees are able to appropriately apply COVID-19 transmission mitigation measures, specifically social distancing and use of face covering. CDC has suggested precautions here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/faith-based.html.
Accordingly, I am directing you to ensure that all Service guidance reflects the reference (b) message and to inform Commanders to incorporate this clarification allowing attendance at religious services where COVID-19 transmission mitigation measures may be appropriately applied.
Gregory J. Slavonic Acting
[Editor's Comment: We praise God for this directive from the Acting Under Secretary of the Navy. Chaplain (Colonel) Jerry L. Jones, Director/Endorser of Chaplains Ministries, IPHC sent this letter to me. Let us rejoice and lift up our voices in thanksgiving for God's intervention for our men and women in the armed forces to protect their freedom of religion and worship attendance.]
WASHINGTON DC 20350-1000
MEMORANDUM FOR COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS
CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
SUBJECT: Clarification of Guidance Related to Attendance at Religious Services
References: (a) Secretary of Defense Memorandum, “Guidance for Commanders on Risk
Based Changing of Health Protection Condition Levels During Coronavirus
Disease 2019 Pandemic,” May 19, 2020 (b) Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) message,
“Religious Liberty and HPCON Guidance,” July 7, 2020
In reference (a), the Secretary of Defense reiterated his three priorities for the virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic response and provided guidance for commanders to consider when making decisions to change health protection condition (HPCON) level as COVID-19 pandemic conditions on and adjacent to Department of Defense installations change. Reference (a) included a table of measured activities that commanders should consider allowing at each HPCON level.
In reference (b), the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) advised that nothing in reference (a) should be construed to restrict attendance at places of worship where attendees are able to appropriately apply COVID-19 transmission mitigation measures, specifically social distancing and use of face covering. CDC has suggested precautions here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/faith-based.html.
Accordingly, I am directing you to ensure that all Service guidance reflects the reference (b) message and to inform Commanders to incorporate this clarification allowing attendance at religious services where COVID-19 transmission mitigation measures may be appropriately applied.
Gregory J. Slavonic Acting
[Editor's Comment: We praise God for this directive from the Acting Under Secretary of the Navy. Chaplain (Colonel) Jerry L. Jones, Director/Endorser of Chaplains Ministries, IPHC sent this letter to me. Let us rejoice and lift up our voices in thanksgiving for God's intervention for our men and women in the armed forces to protect their freedom of religion and worship attendance.]