ROUTINE
R 061945Z MAR 26 MID180038611585U
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV
INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
CNO WASHINGTON DC
CMC WASHINGTON DC
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UNCLAS
ALNAV 011/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/MAR//
SUBJ/IMPLEMENTING POLICY ON PRIORITIZING MILITARY EXCELLENCE
AND READINESS FOR INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION GUIDANCE//
REF/A/PTDO USD-PR MEMORANDUM/26FEB25//
REF/B/PTDO ASD-MRA MEMORANDUM/04MAR25//
REF/C/PTDO USD-PR MEMORANDUM/21MAR25//
REF/D/PTDO USD-PR MEMORANDUM/15MAY25//
REF/E/USW-PR MEMORANDUM/08OCT25//
REF/F/SECNAV MEMORANDUM/03JUL25//
REF/G/ALNAV/12MAY25//
REF/H/DOC/SECWAR/DOWI 6025.19 CH-1/21JAN26//
REF/I/DOC/SECNAV/6120.3A/14JUN19//
REF/J/SECNAVINST 1920.6D/24JUL19//
NARR/REF A IS PERFORMING THE DUTIES OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF
DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS MEMORANDUM, "ADDITIONAL
GUIDANCE ON PRIORITIZING MILITARY EXCELLENCE AND READINESS."
REF B IS PERFORMING THE DUTIES OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS MEMORANDUM, "CLARIFYING
GUIDANCE ON PRIORITIZING MILITARY EXCELLENCE AND READINESS:
RETENTION AND ACCESSION WAIVERS."
REF C IS PERFORMING THE DUTIES OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF
DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS MEMORANDUM, "PRIORITIZING
MILITARY EXCELLENCE AND READINESS: MILITARY DEPARTMENT
IDENTIFICATION."
REF D IS PERFORMING THE DUTIES OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF
DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS MEMORANDUM, "PRIORITIZING
MILITARY EXCELLENCE AND READINESS: IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE."
REF E IS UNDER SECRETARY OF WAR FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS
MEMORANDUM, "PRIORITIZING MILITARY EXCELLENCE AND READINESS:
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE ON ADMINISTRATIVE
SEPARATIONS."
REF F IS SECRETARY OF THE NAVY MEMORANDUM, "DIRECTION
CONCERNING INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION UNDER DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
POLICY ON PRIORITIZING MILITARY EXCELLENCE AND READINESS."
REF G IS ALNAV 038/25, "IMPLEMENTING POLICY ON PRIORITIZING
MILITARY EXCELLENCE AND READINESS."
REF H IS DEPARTMENT OF WAR INSTRUCTION 6025.19, "INDIVIDUAL
MEDICAL READINESS PROGRAM."
REF I IS SECNAVINST 6120.3A, "PERIODIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT FOR
INDIVIUAL MEDICAL READINESS."
REF J IS SECRETARY OF THE NAVY INSTRUCTION 1920.6D,
"ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATION OF OFFICERS."//
RMKS/1. This ALNAV establishes policy pursuant to references
(a) through (j) to implement processes and procedures for
involuntary separation of individuals who have a current
diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with,
gender dysphoria. Where this ALNAV conflicts with any
Department of the Navy (DON) issuances, the Navy and Marine
Corps will apply the processes and procedures in this ALNAV.
2. All Service Members must adhere to standards associated
with their biological sex. Per references (a) through (e),
Service Members who have a current diagnosis or history of,
or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria are no
longer eligible for military service and will be processed
for separation. The procedures below will apply to those
Service Members not processed for voluntary discharge
pursuant to reference (g).
3. Identification of Service Members. Commanders will
identify Service Members subject to involuntary separation as
outlined below and will ensure all levels of command treat
impacted Service Members with dignity and respect.
a. The primary method of identifying Service Members
subject to involuntary separation is the Individual Medical
Readiness program. A member who attests on the Periodic
Health Assessment (PHA) self-assessment questionnaire that
they have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit
symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria will be evaluated
for compliance with medical standards as the Bureau of
Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) directs. No Service Member will
be directed to complete a PHA beyond the periodicity directed
in references (h) and (i).
b. Commanders who are aware of Service Members who have
a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms
consistent with, gender dysphoria will direct individualized
medical record reviews of such members to assess compliance
with medical standards, if medical verification has not
otherwise been completed during the member's service (e.g.,
in support of an exception to policy request). Commander's
awareness is defined as, and limited to, knowledge of any of
the following:
(1) A member's prior request for an exception to
policy to adhere to sex-based military standards (e.g.,
uniform, grooming, and fitness) different from their sex.
(2) A member's prior request for a change to the sex-
marker in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, as
a means of sex transition.
(3) A member's medical treatment plan, placement in a
medically restricted duty status (e.g., limited duty, not
medically suitable for overseas or operational assignment),
or applicable deployment or special duty waiver, associated
with a documented diagnosis of gender dysphoria.
(4) A member's voluntary self-identification via
written administrative remarks to their chain of command that
they have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit
symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria pursuant to
reference (c). This self-identification will acknowledge the
member is subject to review for compliance with medical
standards and possible involuntary separation.
(5) Facts or circumstances not falling under
paragraphs 1 through 4 above that are determined on a case-
by-case basis by the first Flag or General Officer in the
Service Member's chain of command as demonstrating a current
diagnosis or history of, or exhibiting symptoms consistent
with, gender dysphoria. This determination will be made in
consultation with an assigned military judge advocate and the
BUMED Deployability and Action Cell (BUMED DAC) based on
medical record review as permitted by law and, if necessary,
medical evaluation.
c. In all cases identified in paragraphs 3.a and 3.b
above, commands will contact BUMED DAC via e-mail at
usn.ncr.bumedfchva.mbx.bumed-deployability-action-
cell@health.mil for individualized medical record review.
d. A Service Member confirmed by BUMED DAC as non-
compliant with medical standards will be documented as non-
deployable and not medically ready, and BUMED DAC will
initiate command and service notification in accordance with
existing procedures.
e. Upon notification, the command will refer Navy
personnel to the Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) or Marine
Corps personnel to the Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps
for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC M&RA) for separation
procedures.
f. Commanders will protect the privacy of protected
health information they receive under this policy in the same
manner as they would any other protected health information.
Such health information will be restricted to personnel with
a specific need to know for the conduct of official duties.
g. CNP will promulgate guidance for command-to-CNP
referral procedures. DC M&RA will promulgate guidance for
command-to-DC M&RA referral procedures. CNP and DC M&RA will
ensure Service Members medically verified as having a current
diagnosis or history of, or exhibiting symptoms consistent
with, gender dysphoria are referred to the Consolidated
Disposition Authority (CDA).
4. Involuntary Separation Proceedings. The process for the
involuntary separation of Service Members subject to this
ALNAV is outlined below.
a. Commander, Navy Installations Command is designated
as the CDA with exclusive authority to initiate involuntary
separation procedures for all Navy and Marine Corps personnel
and is the sole show-cause authority for all officer boards
of inquiry convened pursuant to this policy. Consistent with
this ALNAV, the CDA may promulgate necessary involuntary
separations guidance governing board procedures, as well as
referral of cases from CNP and DC M&RA to the CDA.
b. The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) is the separation
authority for all separations, both officer and enlisted,
pursuant to this ALNAV.
c. Officers will be processed for separation on the
basis that their continued service is not consistent with
interests of national security using the Military Personnel
Security Program separation program designator (SPD) code.
The requirement in reference (h) for a determination under
the provisions of SECNAV-M 5510.30 is not applicable and
waived. No personnel security actions will be pursued under
this separation basis solely for meeting gender dysphoria
separation criteria.
d. Enlisted members will be processed for separation on
the basis that separation is in the best interest of the
military service, using Secretarial authority SPD code.
Enlisted members processed under this ALNAV will be entitled
to an administrative separation board.
e. The CDA has exclusive authority to notify for
separation all personnel subject to involuntary separation
under references (a) through (f) and this ALNAV. The CDA
will ensure that all Service Members identified and referred
for separation proceedings are notified within 30 days of
referral and are afforded the right to elect an
administrative separation board or board of inquiry, as
applicable. Service Members may elect to waive this right.
Failure to respond to notifications by the CDA within 10
calendar days will be considered as a waiver of such rights.
f. Pursuant to reference (e), all notifications will
remind Service Members that their appearance in uniform
should not be used to imply official approval or support for
any particular viewpoint, and that they are prohibited from
participating in activities such as unofficial public
speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies, or
public demonstrations while in uniform.
g. Administrative separation boards and boards of
inquiry will be conducted in a closed setting and will not be
open to the public. To preserve the integrity of proceedings
and ensure privacy of all individuals involved, attendance
will be strictly limited to essential participants. The CDA
will determine essential participants per the guidance in
reference (e).
h. Per reference (e), all Service Members attending
proceedings must conform to the uniform and grooming
standards associated with their sex. Waivers to permit
civilian attire or a uniform not associated with a Service
Member's sex will not be authorized or considered. Should a
Service Member not conform to uniform and grooming standards,
board proceedings will continue with the Service Member in
absentia, pursuant to reference (e), and may take the Service
Member's failure to comply with standards into consideration
when determining whether the basis for separation has been
established.
i. While wear of the service dress uniform is preferred,
wear of the uniform of the day will not be adversely
considered in any board decision. The CDA will determine the
appropriate uniform for board proceedings per the guidance in
reference (e).
j. The CDA will ensure board members, military legal
counsel, and legal advisors are prepared and detailed per the
requirements of reference (e). The Chief of Naval Operations
(CNO) and the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) will
resource the CDA as necessary to ensure the CDA can
adequately and expeditiously effectuate these involuntary
separation proceedings. The CDA will route requests for
resources direct to CNO and CMC, or their designees. The
Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve
Affairs (ASN (M&RA)) will resolve any conflicts with respect
to resourcing requests.
k. Pursuant to reference (e), boards will only make
findings on whether a respondent has a diagnosis or history
of, or exhibits symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria
and, if so, that the respondent should be separated per
reference (a). The CDA will ensure all boards use the
standardized findings and recommendations worksheet provided
in reference (e).
l. The least favorable characterization of service will
be Honorable, except where the member's record otherwise
warrants a lower characterization.
m. The CDA is responsible for consistent application of
standards for all separation boards pursuant to references
(e) and (f). The CDA will make determinations on production
of witnesses and continuances. The CDA may authorize
alternative means of testimony for any witness. Commands are
responsible for funding travel and other expenses associated
with execution of administrative boards.
n. At the conclusion of each board, the CDA will forward
a report of board proceedings to SECNAV via CNP or DC M&RA,
as appropriate.
o. Where a Service Member waives board proceedings, the
CDA will ensure the waiver of board proceedings is
appropriately documented and expeditiously returned to CNP or
DC M&RA, as applicable.
5. Post-Board Procedures. Post-board procedures will follow
established service processes except as outlined below.
a. The CDA will prepare the report of board proceedings
and make recommendations on any letters of deficiency
submitted by the respondent per service procedures. CDA will
forward reports of board proceedings to CNP or DC M&RA, as
appropriate. CNP and DC M&RA will prepare an administrative
separation package and forward to SECNAV with recommendations
via ASN (M&RA) in accordance with normal service procedures.
b. Service Members separated will receive a reentry code
of RE-3 to reflect that they will not be considered fully
qualified for re-entry unless an accession waiver is granted.
Service Members discharged under this policy are ineligible
to serve in the reserve component and any remaining service
obligation, including any obligation associated with a
transfer of education benefits under the Post-9/11 Government
Issue Bill and any inactive reserve obligation, will be
waived. Service Members separated under this policy are
eligible for full involuntary separation pay.
c. If the board recommends a retention waiver, then CNP
or DC M&RA will make a recommendation as to whether the
Service Member is eligible for waiver per the requirements of
references (b) and (g). CNP or DC M&RA will include an
assessment of whether there is a compelling government
interest that directly supports warfighting capabilities. A
compelling government interest that directly supports
warfighting capabilities includes special experience, special
training, and advanced education in a highly technical career
field designated as mission critical and hard to fill by
SECNAV, if such experience, training, and education is
directly related to the operational needs of the DON.
d. Upon receipt of an administrative separation package
from CNP or DC M&RA, ASN (M&RA) will review and make
recommendations to SECNAV in accordance with reference (e).
(1) If the board determines that the Service Member
does have a diagnosis or history of, or exhibits symptoms
consistent with, gender dysphoria, resulting in separation,
and ASN (M&RA) recommends approval of the board's
recommendation, then ASN (M&RA) will return the package to
CNP or DC M&RA, as appropriate, who will notify the Service
Member of the member's right to either accept the ASN (M&RA)
recommendation or submit a retention waiver request per
references (b) through (g). Service Members will have 15
calendar days from the date of notification to submit a
retention waiver. Retention waivers will be endorsed through
the chain of command to CNP or DC M&RA, as appropriate, and
must include an assessment of compelling government interest
as described in paragraph 5c. Failure to submit a waiver
within 15 calendar days will be deemed acceptance of the ASN
(M&RA) recommendation. Commanders are not authorized to
extend this deadline.
(2) If the board determines that the Service Member
does have a diagnosis or history of, or exhibits symptoms
consistent with, gender dysphoria, resulting in separation,
and ASN (M&RA) recommends disapproval of the board's
recommendation, then the Service Member will be retained.
(3) If the board determines that an enlisted Service
Member does not have a diagnosis or history of, or exhibit
symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria and ASN (M&RA)
recommends approval of the board's recommendation, then the
enlisted Service Member will be retained.
(4) If the board determines that an enlisted Service
Member does not have a diagnosis or history of, or exhibit
symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria and ASN (M&RA)
recommends disapproval of the board's recommendation, then
ASN (M&RA) will return the package to CNP or DC M&RA, as
appropriate, who will notify the Service Member of the
member's right to either accept the ASN (M&RA) recommendation
or submit a retention waiver request per references (b)
through (g). Enlisted Service Members will have 15 calendar
days from the date of notification to submit a retention
waiver. Retention waivers will be endorsed through the chain
of command to CNP or DC M&RA, as appropriate, and must
include an assessment of compelling government interest as
described in paragraph 5.c. Failure to submit a waiver
within 15 calendar days will be deemed acceptance of the ASN
(M&RA) recommendation. Commanders are not authorized to
extend this deadline.
(5) If the board determines that an officer does not
have a diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms
consistent with, gender dysphoria resulting in separation,
then CNP or DC M&RA will close the case, and the officer will
be retained.
e. Only SECNAV can approve a retention waiver or
separation. Upon receipt of the Service Member's acceptance
of ASN (M&RA)'s recommendation or retention waiver request
outlined above, CNP and DC M&RA will be responsible for
forwarding completed administrative separation packages,
including the report of board proceedings, ASN (M&RA)
recommendation, and any retention waiver requests to SECNAV
for final action.
f. Where a Service Member waives board proceedings, CNP
or DC M&RA will notify the Service Member of the member's
right to submit a retention waiver request per references (b)
through (g). Service Members will have 15 calendar days from
the date of notification to submit a retention waiver.
Retention waivers will be endorsed through the chain of
command to CNP or DC M&RA, as appropriate, and must include
an assessment of compelling government interest as described
in paragraph 5.c. CNP and DC M&RA will forward the
administrative separation package to SECNAV for final action
via ASN (M&RA).
6. Special Circumstances.
a. Service Members identified for separation pursuant to
this ALNAV should be placed in an administrative absence
status pending resolution of administrative separation
procedures. No administrative board or board of inquiry will
be delayed because of an administrative absence status.
Commands remain responsible for personnel placed in
administrative absence status.
b. Bonuses, incentive pay, or similar benefits to
Service Members subject to involuntary separation, where
payment is contingent upon the member's satisfaction of
certain service or eligibility requirements, will remain
unpaid from beginning of administrative absence status until
administrative separation proceedings are resolved. Pursuant
to reference (a) and 37 U.S.C. 373, the DON may recoup any
bonuses and/or special and incentive pay for Service Members
who fail to satisfy service eligibility requirements as a
result of their separation. Separation packages may include
a recommendation for waiving debt recoupment if in the
compelling interest of the military service.
c. Transition Support. All Service Members notified for
separation in accordance with this ALNAV will complete any
pre-separation requirements, including the Transition
Assistance Program, and be afforded maximum flexibility to
complete such requirements remotely or in civilian attire.
Participation in Skillbridge is not authorized per reference
(d). Impacted members are eligible for all separation and
transition benefits to which they are otherwise entitled
under law or Department of War policy. Completion of pre-
separation requirements should not be a basis to delay
referral to the CDA or referral to SECNAV for separation.
Commanders may excuse affected reservists from drill
execution and annual training for the duration of their
separation process.
d. Retirements.
(1) On the date of notification, if a Service Member
who desires to retire in lieu of board proceedings is within
six months of an approved retirement date, then
administrative separation proceedings will be held in
abeyance pending retirement. While in abeyance, requests to
defer the approved retirement date may only be approved by
ASN (M&RA).
(2) Service Members who desire to retire in lieu of
board proceedings, and are within six months of qualifying
for retirement or transfer to the Fleet Reserve (FR) or Fleet
Marine Corps Reserve (FMCR) on the date of notification, may
elect to retire or transfer in lieu of administrative
separation proceedings so long as the member requests a
retirement or transfer date within 30 days of qualifying for
retirement or transfer. Service Members who are eligible for
retirement or transfer to the FR or FMCR on the date of
notification may request retirement or transfer as long as
the requested date is no more than six months from the date
of notification.
(3) At any time prior to final action by the SECNAV,
Service Members with greater than 18 but less than 20 years
of active service may request early retirement per reference
(a). CNP or DC M&RA will ensure all final separation
packages routed to SECNAV that contain a retirement request
are appropriately annotated.
(4) Members with greater than 15 but less than 18
years of active service may request early retirement as an
exception to policy in reference (a). Pending requests will
not delay board proceedings.
7. Commanders should take care to support impacted Service
Members during the separation process, including regular
check-ins by the Commanding Officer or designee and advising
Service Members of mental health support, to ensure
accountability during the period of administrative absence.
Commanding Officers should refer to the Navy's Mental Health
Playbook or the Marine Corps Command Suicide Prevention and
Risk Mitigation Strategies for actionable ways to support all
Service Members.
8. ASN (M&RA) may provide additional directions for
execution of involuntary separations per the guidance in
reference (f) and this ALNAV. In addition, ASN (M&RA) is
delegated authority to grant individual waivers from the
requirements in reference (j) where waivers are necessary to
accomplish the guidance in reference (a) through (e).
9. Released by the Honorable John C. Phelan, Secretary of
the Navy.//
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