Mental Health Awareness Month Message
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 101606Z MAY 23 MID600053003653U FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 040/23 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/MAY/ SUBJ/MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH// RMKS/1. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to help each other recognize the many ways that behavioral health conditions impact our lives, as well as our individual and team readiness. It is also an opportune time to remind ourselves to advocate for those experiencing life stressors, as well as an opportunity to highlight existing resources and services available to the Navy and Marine Corps team to ensure the delivery of the most appropriate service to meet Service Member needs. Military service can be complex, presenting stressors that are wide-reaching and have readiness impacts to our Sailors, Marines, their families, and our civilian workforce. As you stand the watch on behalf of the American people, I ask you to take time to look out for yourself and those who serve alongside you. I encourage you to reach out to others and focus on fostering social connectedness, particularly those connections that may have been weakened during the pandemic. Social connectedness is integral to our readiness as it not only improves our mental health and well-being but strengthens our immunity and can even increase our longevity. You are never alone and there is no wrong door to get help. We have a full range of mental health resources that include mental health and medical professionals, family counselors, chaplains, and other support services to help you get the right care, at the right level, when you need it. Mental health services are available across the globe at military medical treatment facilities, above, on, and below the sea, and embedded within operational units. We have non-medical mental health resources available through our Fleet and Family Support Centers, Marine Corps Community Services, Military and Family Life Counseling, Deployment Resiliency Counselors, the Psychological Help Outreach Program, Veterans Affairs Vet Centers, and Military OneSource. Our chaplains provide confidential counseling and foster spiritual readiness. Our civilian teammates can access a wide range of services through the Civilian Employee Assistance Program. Share with others when you have positive experiences seeking and receiving counseling. I especially encourage leaders to set this example. We have a duty to remove stigma, and encourage others to make time for their mental health. Your actions can encourage a shipmate to get the help they need. Check in often with your fellow Sailors and Marines. Help them feel more socially connected. Do not wait until you see them struggling. When they need additional support, help them get connected to services that can provide assistance. You can be the difference. Together, we must fight stigma, promote mental health education, and normalize taking care of our mental health. 2. Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy. BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//
Warning to Avoid Ingestion of Poppy Seeds
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ROUTINE
R 281906Z APR 23 MID600052988941U
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INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
CNO WASHINGTON DC
CMC WASHINGTON DC
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ALNAV 035/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/APR//
SUBJ/WARNING TO AVOID INGESTION OF POPPY SEEDS//
REF/A/DOC/SECNAVINST 5300.28F/23APR19//
REF/B/USD-PR MEMORANDUM "WARNING REGARDING POPPY SEED CONSUMPTION AND
MILITARY DRUG TESTING"/17FEB23//
NARR/REF A IS SECNAVINST 5300.28F MILITARY SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND
CONTROL. REF B IS OFFICE OF UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND
READINESS MEMORANDUM ENTITLED "WARNING REGARDING POPPY SEED CONSUMPTION AND
MILITARY DRUG TESTING."//
RMKS/1. The Department of the Navy (DON) is committed to deterring the
illicit use of drugs and misuse of prescription medications. Consequently,
all Sailors and Marines are subject to random, frequent urinalysis testing in
accordance with reference (a). Additionally, the DON remains vigilant in
identifying products and sources that can adversely impact the drug testing
program.
2. Poppy seeds may be contaminated with morphine and codeine during the
harvesting process. Accordingly, the Department of Defense utilizes drug
testing cutoff concentrations to distinguish codeine and morphine use from
poppy seed ingestion.
3. Reference (b) highlights recent data indicating that certain varieties of
poppy seeds may have higher codeine contamination than previously
reported. Consumption of poppy seed products could cause a positive codeine
urinalysis result and undermine the DON's ability to identify illicit codeine
use.
4. To protect Service Members and preserve the integrity of the drug testing
program, it is necessary to issue a non-punitive warning to avoid consumption
of poppy seeds. This policy may be revised as additional information becomes
available.
5. Effective immediately:
a. Sailors and Marines are warned to avoid consumption of poppy seeds as
well as food products and baked goods containing poppy seeds, poppy seed
paste, or poppy seed oil. Ingestion of certain poppy seeds may result in a
positive urinalysis that will, at a minimum, trigger administrative actions
to adjudicate the positive result.
b. Sailors and Marines are directed to coordinate with their local
Defense Services Office for any related concerns with urinalysis results.
6. The primary point of contact for this message is the Assistant Secretary
of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Drug Demand Reduction Program.
a. For Marine Corps commands: Ms. Carrie Knox, e-mail at carrie.knox
@usmc.mil or (703) 432-1359.
b. For Navy commands: Ms. LaNorfeia Parker, e-mail at
lanorfeia.parker.civ@us.navy.mil or (901) 874-4249.
7. This ALNAV is effective immediately until superseded or cancelled,
whichever comes first.
8. Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.//
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Navy Spouse Employment Program Update
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ROUTINE
R 041914Z MAY 23 MID120000042206U
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PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/MAY//
SUBJ/NAVY SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM UPDATE//
REF/A/DOC/NDAA/7DEC22//
REF/B/DOC/USC/7JAN11//
REF/C/DOC/ASN/20DEC18//
REF/D/DOC/COMNAVPERSCOM/6MAR23//
REF/E/DOC/OSD/22MAR23//
NARR/REF A IS FY23 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT (NDAA), AUTHORIZING THE
INCLUSION OF SPOUSE BUSINESS COSTS INCURRED AS A RESULT OF A PERMANENT CHANGE
OF STATION (PCS) MOVE FROM ONE JURISDICTION TO ANOTHER.
REF B IS SECTION 453 (G) OF TITLE 37, U.S. CODE, REIMBURSEMENT OF QUALIFYING
SPOUSE RELICENSING COSTS INCIDENT TO A MEMBER'S PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION
OR ASSIGNMENT.
REF C IS ASN (M&RA) AUTHORIZATION MEMO, MILITARY SPOUSE LICENSURE
REIMBURSEMENT.
REF D IS MILPERSMAN ARTICLE 1754-040, MILITARY SPOUSE LICENSURE/BUSINESS
COSTS REIMBURSEMENT.
REF E IS SECDEF MEMO, STRENGTHENING OUR SUPPORT TO SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR
FAMILIES.//
RMKS/1. To further support Navy spouses facing unique employment
challenges while serving alongside military members, this NAVADMIN
announces the expansion of several spouse employment programs.
a. This program expands the reimbursement of relicensing costs
to include business costs for business-owning spouses, and extends
the eligibility reimbursement period from 31 December 2024 to 31
December 2029, in line with references (a) through (c).
b. This program will expand MyCareer Advancement Account
(MyCAA) eligibility to include pay grades E-6 and O-3.
c. This program enables portability for professional licenses
between states.
2. Expanded Spouse Relicensing/Business Cost Policy:
a. A Service Member may now be reimbursed up to $1,000 for
their spouse's qualified business costs incident to a permanent
change of station (PCS) move. The spouse must have owned a business
at the previous permanent duty station.
b. The term qualified business costs includes moving services
for equipment, equipment removal, new equipment purchases,
information technology expenses and inspection fees incurred by the
spouse.
c. Reimbursement for business costs is effective for PCS orders
issued on or after 23 December 2022.
d. For complete eligibility information and application
procedures, please see reference (d) located at
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Reference/MILPERSMAN/1000/1700Morale
/1754-040.pdf?ver=-k7PBbeIjPMEEtE9jxbwSQ%3d%3d.
e. For more information, including frequently asked questions,
visit https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Support-Services/Culture-
Resilience/Family-Readiness/Spouse-Licensure/.
3. MyCAA is a scholarship program providing up to $4,000 in
financial assistance for licenses, certifications, national tests,
or associate degrees to pursue an occupation or career field.
Eligibility includes military spouses of Active Duty Service Members
in pay grades E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-2. Reference
(e) expanded the eligibility to include pay grades E-6 and O-3.
4. Reference (e) also announced that the Service members' Civil
Relief Act (SCRA) now requires professional licenses to be portable
(except for legal practice) for Service Members and their spouses
who relocate between states due to military orders. This amendment
to the SCRA is designed to protect Service Members and their spouses
with professional licenses to retain the use of that license when
they move out of the jurisdiction covered by that license. As this
law is new, each state may have different procedures or
requirements. The Department of Defense states in reference (e)
that it is committed to working with states to promote the sharing
of licensure best practices and the approval of occupational
licensure compacts. This new law does not replace or diminish the
Spouse Licensure Reimbursement Program and spouses can still apply
for reimbursement for a new license.
5. Accessing spouse employment resources is easier with the MyNavy
Family (MNF) Mobile Application. It provides a single source of
authoritative information designed specifically for spouses and
family members. The mobile application includes information on all
available support services to assist family members navigate the
challenges of military life. Download the mobile app via the Navy
App Locker https://www.applocker.navy.mil/#!/apps/A3E45417-7665-4E93-B703-
659F6B34C404.
6. For questions or information on spouse employment resources,
visit your local Fleet and Family Support Center.
7. Released by Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman, Jr., N1.//
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