ECCLESIASTICAL ENDORSING AGENTS

In the field of religious program support, you should understand the role of the ecclesiastical endorsing agents. The military services acknowledge over 100 different faith groups. Each faith group establishes a unit known as an ecclesiastical endorsing agency. Each

0817. Observance of Sunday.

1. Except by reason of necessity or in the interest of the welfare and morale of the command, the performance of work shall not be required on Sunday. Except by reason of necessity, ships shall not be sailed nor units of aircraft or troops be deployed on Sunday. The provisions of this paragraph need not apply to commands engaged in training reserve components of the Navy and Marine Corps.

2. Divine services shall be conducted on Sunday if possible. All assistance and encouragement shall be given to chaplains in the conduct of these services, and music shall be made available, if practicable. Chaplains shall be permitted to conduct public worship according to the manner and forms of the church of which they are members. A suitable space shall be designated and properly rigged for the occasion, and quiet shall be maintained throughout the vicinity during divine services. The religious pReferences and the varying religious needs of individuals shall be recognized respected, encouraged and ministered to as practicable. Daily routine in ships and activities shall be modified on Sunday, as practicable, to achieve this end.

3. When there is no chaplain attached to the command, the commanding officer shall engage the services of any naval or military chaplain who may be available; or, failing in this, shall, when practicable, invite and may remunerate a civilian clergyman to conduct religious services. Services led by laypersons are encouraged. Provision shall be made for sending and receiving church parties as appropriate and practicable.

1063. Detail of Persons Performing Medical or Religious Services.

While assigned to combat area during a period of armed conflict, members of Medical, Dental, Chaplain, Medical Service, Nurse or Hospital Corps and Dental Technicians shall be detailed or permitted to perform only such duties as are related to medical, dental or religious service and the administration of medical, _{dental or religious units and establishments.} This restriction is necessary to protect the noncombatant

status of these personnel under the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949.

1136. Foreign Religious Institutions.

Persons in the Department of the Navy shall respect the religious institutions and customs of foreign countries which they visit.

Figure 1-1..S. Navy Regulations, 1990, Articles 087, 1063, and 1136.

agency endorses its own clerical requirements regarding the application and appointment of chaplains in the U.S. armed forces. The Armed Forces Chaplain Board recommends Department of Defense (DOD) recognition of these agencies.

An endorsing agency must be able to certify its clergy as qualified to accommodate the free exercise of religion by all members of the military services and their families. An endorsing agency will nominate for appointment the men and women who have met all its requirements. Although not required by Navy directive, chaplains will report periodically to their endorsing agents with statistical data and activity information. You, the RP, may be called upon to type or provide further details for these reports.

Figure 1-2 illustrates a variety of reports submitted to endorsing agencies. As an RP, you must remember that accuracy and clarity are essential. In dealing with agencies outside the naval community, you must remember either to avoid naval terminology or to explain it. Remember, what may be common to you will often seem baffling to someone outside the naval community.