DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
O
FFICE
O
F THE
S
ECRETA
RY
1000
NA
VY
PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350·1000
SECNAVINST 5430.25F
OGC
26 Mar 2019
SECNAV INSTRUCTION 5430.25F
From: Secretary of the Navy
Subj: THE GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE NAVY; ASSIGNMENT OF
RESPONSIBILITIES
Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C.
(b) SECNAVINST 5430.7R
(c) SECNAVINST 5430.27D
(d) SECNAVINST 5820.4G
Encl: (1) Responsibilities
(2) Organization
1. Purpose. Section 8019 of reference (a) establishes the
presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed position of the
General Counsel (GC) of the Department of the Navy (DON), and
provides that the GC shall perform such functions as the
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) may prescribe. This instruction,
in addition to reference (b), assigns and defines these
functions.
2. Cancellation. SECNAVINST 5430.25E.
3. Applicability. This instruction applies to the Office of
the SECNAV, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), the Commandant
of the Marine Corps (CMC), and all U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine
Corps installations, commands, activities, field offices, and
all other organizational entities within the DON.
4. Policy. The GC is the principal legal advisor to the SECNAV
and the chief legal officer of the DON.
a. As the principal legal advisor, the GC provides legal
advice and counsel to the SECNAV, the Under Secretary of the
Navy (UNSECNAV), the civilian executive assistants, the staff
assistants, and their respective staffs (see reference (b)) on
any matter or issue they may direct to the GC. Additionally,
