The default is approval, not refusal: a commander is to approve a religious accommodation request unless a compelling governmental interest exists, and any restriction must use the least restrictive means. The strongest argument in most packets is a comparison — a waiver denied for religious reasons is hard to defend when the same standard is waived for medical or other non-religious reasons. Keep complying with the standard until your request is approved, and carry a copy of an approval to every subsequent command.
| Branch | Controlling publication | Dated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoD-wide | DoDI 1300.17 Current The DoD-wide standard and the request process | 2020-09-01 | Official link |
| Army | ARMY DIR 2026-09 Current Current Army grooming and accommodation process | 2026-05-19 | Official link |
| Navy | SECNAVINST 1730.13 Current Department of the Navy religious liberty policy | 2026-06-30 | Official link |
| Marine Corps | MCO 1730.9 Current Covers conscience and moral principle too | 2021-07-12 | Official link |
| Air Force | DAFI 52-201 Current Air and Space Force; sets the approval default | 2021-06-23 | Official link |
Frame your request around the actual legal test rather than asking for a favor: the commander is to approve it unless a compelling governmental interest exists, and any restriction on a sincerely held religious belief must use the least restrictive means to achieve that interest.
“2.4. Commanders will approve the religious accommodation request unless a compelling governmental interest exists for the policy, practice, or duty from which the member is seeking religious accommodation. (T-0). Any restriction on the expression of sincerely held religious beliefs must use the least restrictive means with respect to the applicant to achieve the compelling governmental interest. (T-0). Using the least restrictive means necessary may include partial approval, approval with specified conditions, or other means that are less burdensome on the member's religious beliefs. With the advice of a chaplain, alternative ways (i.e., partial approval) to satisfy the requested accommodation can also be considered.”
This is the strongest line most packets miss — a waiver of a standard should not be denied for religious reasons if a waiver of the same standard is granted for non-religious reasons such as medical, all else being equal, so name those comparable waivers explicitly.
“An explanation of how the decision is no less restrictive than exemptions based on non-religious reasons (e.g., medical). This means, generally, that a waiver to a military standard, practice or duty for religious reasons should not be denied if a waiver to the same standard is granted for non-religious reasons, assuming all other circumstances are the same (e.g., similar duties, etc.). This section of a denial memo must explain why, if non-religious waivers have been granted, denial of the religious waiver is different. A1.5.6.1.5. Notification of appeal rights. A1.5.7. Outcome and Appeal: If approved, the religious accommodation is granted, and the requester is informed via the chain of command. If denied, a written notification is provided to the requester via the chain of command with guidance on the option to appeal to the appeal authority through the chain of command. An updated”… (paragraph continues in the PDF)
Do not act on the accommodation you have asked for: except for medical practice and immunization requests, you continue to comply with the order or standard you are seeking relief from until the request is actually approved.
“2.11. With the exception of medical practice or immunization accommodation requests, Airmen and Guardians will continue to comply with directives, instructions, and lawful orders for which the member seeks accommodation until their religious accommodation request has been approved. (T-0)”
The Marine Corps frames the duty around sincerely held beliefs of conscience and moral principle as well as religious belief, accommodated where they do not adversely affect the mission.
“2. Mission. 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. Religious accommodation includes excusing a service member from an otherwise applicable military policy, practice, or duty. 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. 12 JUL 2021”
An approval is not automatically visible to your next command — you must give a copy to current and subsequent commanders, so keep it with your records rather than assuming it follows you.
“d. Service Members with an approved religious accommodation must provide a copy of the approval to current and subsequent commanders. e. Commanders and other designated officials with a valid need to know shall maintain accountability of approved religious accommodations in their units.”
Requests that can be approved consistently with existing service regulations are decided at the lowest appropriate level of command, so an ordinary schedule or observance request usually does not need to travel up the chain.
“3.2. REVIEW OF AND ACTION ON REQUESTS FOR THE ACCOMMODATION OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICES. a. Adjudication Authority. Requests for the accommodation of religious practices that can be approved consistent with Military Department and Military Service regulations or policies, (e.g., current uniform and grooming standards) will be reviewed and acted on at the lowest appropriate level of command or supervision, as provided in the regulations and policies of the Military Department and Military Service concerned and in accordance with this issuance. Requests for the accommodation of religious practices that require the waiver of otherwise applicable Military Department and Military Service regulations and policies will be forwarded to the Secretary of the Military Department concerned. Records concerning requests for accommodations will be maintained in accordance with DoD Instruction 5400.11.”
Need this narrowed to your branch or a specific paragraph? Ask it here — free, and the answer quotes the regulation text where we have it indexed.
Updated 2026-08-03. CheckMyRegs is an unofficial index — always cite the official publication.