FAQs: Confidential Communications to Navy Chaplains 

Confidential Communications FAQs May 2013

Q1. Is this a new policy?

A1. No. Rooted in the sacred trust between you and your chaplain, confidentiality has been a 

standard practice for the Navy Chaplain Corps since 1775. In order to better communicate this 

benefit and better protect everyone involved, the Navy made it official policy on February 7, 

2008 under SECNAVINST 1730.9. All Navy chaplains have a professional obligation to keep all 

information disclosed to them, which is not intended for a third party, private.

Q2. Do confidential communications apply only to discussions of religious matters?

A2. No. All communications that are intended to be private between Navy chaplains and those 

who confide in them are covered by the policy. 

Q3. Does the confidentiality policy apply only to certain settings?

A3. No. Confidential communications to chaplains are afforded 

complete protection under this policy in all places. The 

conversation should take place in complete privacy to guarantee 

the confidential nature of the conversation. 

Q4. Will the chaplain tell my commanding officer or 

someone in my chain of command?

A4. No. The unique role of Navy chaplains includes a sacred trust of maintaining 

confidentiality. Therefore, chaplains are bound by this unbreakable trust. Commanders are 

required to honor the confidential relationship between service personnel and chaplains and 

therefore cannot compel a chaplain to break confidentiality.

You hold the key.

In times of crisis, chaplains will always assist in guiding an individual to the appropriate 

resources. If the individual needs the chaplain to help with something beyond the chaplain’s 

capabilities or expertise, then it is up to the individual, alone, to waive confidentiality in order 

for the chaplain to share any information with another provider. During couples counseling, 

both parties need to agree to waive confidentiality in order for the chaplain to share any 

information with another provider. Chaplains will not leave an individual alone when the

individual or others are at risk.
 

FAQs: Confidential Communications to Navy Chaplains 

Confidential Communications FAQs May 2013

Q5. Does this policy apply to Religious Program Specialists?

A5. Yes. Religious Program Specialists (RP) and others who assist the chaplain may become 

aware of confidential communications in the course of their support duties. In that event, they 

are obligated to immediately refer the matter to the chaplain and keep that information 

confidential.

Q6. What if I confide in a lay leader or religious education support personnel?

A6. Confidential communications do not extend to lay leaders, directors of religious education 

or other support personnel. Lay leaders, directors of religious education or other support

personnel who inadvertently become aware of confidential communications must immediately 

refer the matter to a chaplain and must keep such matters confidential.

Q7. Do I have to be religious to seek support from a Navy chaplain?

A7. No. Chaplains are committed to supporting you and your families with dignity, respect and 

compassion, regardless of your individual faith beliefs, if any. One of the unique ways we do 

this is through the Navy’s policy on confidential communications to chaplains.

Navy chaplains are available to provide you with a safe place to talk without fear or judgment

and to serve as your advocate to help you get the support needed to overcome the challenges 

you face. Contact your command chaplain today!

Don’t know who your nearest chaplain is? 

Call Navy 311 to request chaplain support in your area: 1-855-NAVY-311 or text to:

Navy311@navy.mil

To learn more about the Navy’s policy on confidential communications to chaplains, refer to 

SECNAV Instruction 1730.9: http://doni.daps.dla.mil/allinstructions.aspx or scan here:

Still have questions? 

Visit www.chaplain.navy.mil, and click on the Confidentiality tab.