MCO 1730.9 governs Marine Corps requests to accommodate religious practices and the standards for evaluating those requests.
View MCO 1730.9 on armypubs.army.mil
It addresses sincerely held beliefs, the nature and basis of requests, alternate means, credibility, and sincerity. It requires accommodation when requests do not adversely affect a compelling government interest and establishes conditions for denial.
As required by references (a) – (d), the Marine Corps will accommodate individual expressions of sincerely held beliefs (conscience, moral principles, or religious beliefs) which do not have an adverse impact on a compelling government interest. (paragraph 2)
In accordance with reference (d), if such a military policy, practice, or duty substantially burdens a service member’s exercise of religion, the accommodation request can only be denied if the cognizant Adjudication Authority determines the following: (1) the military policy, practice, or duty is in furtherance of a compelling government interest; and (2) the military policy, practice, or duty is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest. (paragraph 2)
In applying the standard of paragraphs 3.a.(1)(a) and 3.a.(1)(b), the burden of proof is placed upon the Marine Corps, not the individual requesting the exemption. (paragraph 3)
Each request for religious accommodation must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, giving consideration to the full range of facts and circumstances relevant to the specific request. (paragraph 3)
The narrative summary should also identify the beliefs are derived from a matter of conscience, rooted in moral principles, or religious beliefs. (paragraph 2)