COMDTINST 1000.15 governs Coast Guard processes for considering and resolving requests for accommodation of religious practices.
View COMDTINST 1000.15 on armypubs.army.mil
The publication addresses religious accommodation policy, definitions, approval authorities, request memoranda, interviews, and chaplain guidance. It requires written requests, consultation with a Coast Guard chaplain, and processing through designated approval authorities.
Applies to: This Instruction applies to all Coast Guard active duty and reserve personnel, Coast Guard Academy cadets, and applicants for accession programs.
Prior to submitting their request, members are required to consult with their unit’s Chaplain.
Members seeking religious accommodation must submit their request in writing to the proper approval authority in accordance with Enclosure (1).
The memorandum should, at a minimum, describe the specific request the member is seeking and the relation to the sincerely-held belief on which it is based.
Because this interview is done at the commander’s request, the Chaplain must advise the member that the interview is not confidential or privileged, as found in Enclosure (4).
Requests for religious accommodation from a military policy, practice, or duty that substantially burdens a service member’s exercise of religion may be denied only when the military policy, practice, or duty furthers a compelling government interest and it is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling government interest.