DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170
NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION:
COMDTINST 1000.15
30 AUG 2021
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 1000.15
Subj: MILITARY RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS
Ref: (a) Coast Guard Medical Manual, COMDTINST M6000.1 (series)
(b) Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis (Joint Publication), COMDTINST M6230.4
(series)
(c) Uniform Regulations, COMDTINST M1020.6 (series)
(d) Religious Ministries within the Coast Guard, COMDTINST 1730.4 (series)
(e) U.S. Coast Guard Civil Rights Manual, COMDTINST M5350.4 (series)
(f) Religious Liberty in the Military Services, Department of Defense Instruction 1300.17
1. PURPOSE. To promulgate policy and guidance for the accommodation of religious
practices within the United States Coast Guard.
2. ACTION. All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge,
deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of Headquarters staff elements must comply with
the provisions of this Commandant Instruction. Internet release is authorized.
3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None.
4. DISCUSSION. The Coast Guard values the rights of its personnel to practice their religion
of choice, or none at all, when it does not interfere with the ability to safely and effectively
accomplish our missions. This Instruction provides the processes for consideration and
resolution of requests for religious accommodation. It strives to strike a balance between
consideration for the exercise of religion and ensuring military readiness, unit cohesion, good
order, discipline, health and safety. This Instruction applies to all Coast Guard active duty
and reserve personnel, Coast Guard Academy cadets, and applicants for accession programs.
It also applies to other uniformed service members while serving within the Coast Guard.
The policies and procedures in this Instruction apply solely to the accommodation of
religious practices within the Coast Guard and no other context. Conscientious objectors are
not covered by this Instruction and should refer to Conscientious Objectors and the
Requirement to Bear Arms, COMDTINST 1900.8 (series).
Commandant
US Coast Guard Stop 7801
United States Coast Guard
2703 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
Washington, DC 20593-7801
Staff Symbol: CG-1331
Phone: (202) 475-5382
Fax: (202) 475-5927
Email: HQS-PolicyandStandards@uscg.mil