R 212033Z APR 08
MARADMIN 261/08
FM MOZART
BT
UNCLAS
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC/REL/-//
SUBJ/RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. OUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT, RECRUIT, AND RETAIN A
DIVERSE, QUALITY FORCE IS CRUCIAL TO OUR WARFIGHTING PRE-EMINENCE.
IN TODAY'S ERA WHEN OUR FLEXIBILITY, ADAPTABILITY, AND CRITICAL
THINKING ARE PARAMOUNT TO OUR READINESS, A WELL-MANAGED, HIGHLY
DIVERSE FORCE IS ESSENTIAL TO ACHIEVING OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE.
INCLUDED IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF DIVERSITY IS THE VARIETY OF
RELIGIOUS EXPRESSIONS FOUND WITHIN THE MARINE CORPS.
2. PER MCO 1730.6D, COMMANDERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING AND
MAINTAINING A COMMAND RELIGIOUS PROGRAM (CRP) WHICH SUPPORTS THE
FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION. AS PART OF THE CRP, COMMANDERS SHOULD
IDENTIFY THE SPECIFIC RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF ITS MEMBERS,
INCLUDING AN IDENTIFICATION OF WHICH DAYS OF THE YEAR ARE CONSIDERED
MOST SIGNIFICANT AND MIGHT REQUIRE SPECIAL OBSERVANCES. POLICY
GOVERNING LEAVE AND LIBERTY FOR RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES IS CONTAINED
IN MCO P1050.3H, REGULATIONS FOR LEAVE, LIBERTY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE
ABSENCE.
3. CHAPLAINS, AS THE NAVY'S PROFESSIONAL RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATORS,
ARE UNIQUELY PREPARED TO ADVISE COMMANDERS IN THESE MATTERS. AN
INTERFAITH CALENDAR WITH DEFINITIONS IS AVAILABLE AT
WWW.INTERFAITHCALENDAR.ORG.
4. RELEASED AUTHORIZED BY LTGEN R. S. KRAMLICH, DIRECTOR, MARINE
CORPS STAFF.//