UNCLASSIFIED//
ROUTINE
R 311303Z JAN 20 MID110000370519U
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV
INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
CNO WASHINGTON DC
CMC WASHINGTON DC
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UNCLAS

ALNAV 013/20

MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/JAN//

SUBJ/PROHIBITION OF PRIVATELY OWNED FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION BY INTERNATIONAL MILITARY 
STUDENTS AND THEIR ACCOMPANYING FAMILY MEMBERS//

REF/A/DOC/DEPSECDEF/19NOV16//
REF/B/DOC/SECDEF///16JAN20//
REF/C/DOC/SECNAV/20MAY19//
NARR/REF A IS DODD 5210.56/ARMING AND THE USE OF FORCE. 
REF B IS THE SECDEF MEMORANDUM/PROHIBITION ON THE TRANSPORT, POSSESSION, STORAGE, OR 
USE OF PRIVATELY OWNED FIREARMS AND NON-OFFICIAL AMMUNITION BY INTERNATIONAL MILITARY 
STUDENTS AND THEIR ACCOMPANYING FAMILY MEMBERS.  REF C IS SECNAVINST 5500.37/ARMING 
AND THE USE OF FORCE.//

RMKS/1. In response to the tragic event at Naval Air Station Pensacola, the Secretary of Defense 
directed a review of vetting and security policies and procedures related to International Military 
Students (IMS).  Following that review and as directed in reference (b), the Department of the Navy 
(DON) is taking steps to strengthen and clarify policy related to IMS and privately owned firearms (POF) 
and privately owned ammunition (POA).

2.  IMS and accompanying family members, admitted to the United States on a DoD-sponsored A-2 visa 
or DoD invitational travel orders, regardless of their country of origin, are prohibited from possessing, 
using, transporting, or storing POF and POA on DON installations or property in accordance with 
reference (b).  They must also agree, as a condition of acceptance into a DoD sponsored training 
program, that they will not bring a POF or POA with them to the United States, purchase a POF or POA 
while in the United States, or possess or use another individuals POF or POA on or off of DON 
installations or property in the United States except as may be authorized by paragraph

3.e.
     a.  IMS are authorized use of government furnished firearms and ammunition when specifically 
required for official training off of a DON installation but under the control of the DON, and aboard DON 
installations or property.
     b.  DON installation Commanders may not permit IMS or their accompanying family members to 
possess, use, transport, or store POF or POA on any DON installation or property.

3.  The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and Commandant of the Marine Corps
(CMC) will update appropriate policy in accordance with this ALNAV within
30 days of the date of this message.
     a.  Within 90 days or prior to transfer to their next training installation, whichever comes sooner, the 
Services will obtain written agreement from all IMS, and their accompanying family members over 18 
years of age, who are in the United States as of the date of reference (b), prohibiting their purchase and 
possession of POF and POA.
     b.  The Services will terminate the training and return the IMS and/or accompanying family 
member(s) to home country if they fail to sign an agreement to the conditions outlined in reference (b).
     c.  IMS currently possessing POF and/or POA residing off DON installations will upon submission of 
written agreement to reference (b) execute one of the remedial options for POF and/or POA outlined in 
paragraphs

4.a. through 4.c. of this message.
     d.  IMS with accompanying family members who reach the age of 18 are required to submit written 
agreement for the family member to reference (b) within 10 days of the family members 18th birthday.  
Accompanying family members that fail or refuse to submit the written agreement within 10 days of 
their 18th birthday are subject to return to home country per paragraph 3.b.
     e.  The CNO and CMC may approve one-time, short-term exceptions allowing an IMS or 
accompanying family member to possess and use, but not own, another individuals POF and POA off of 
a DON installation in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.  The CNO 
and CMC may delegate this approval no lower than the arming authorities specified in reference (c).

4.  Within 20 days of the date of this message, Commanders who have previously permitted IMS or their 
accompanying family members to possess, use, transport, or store POF and/or POA on a DON 
installation or property will direct those individuals to complete one of the following options.
     a.  Transfer the POF and/or POA to another individual not prohibited from possessing the POF or POA, 
in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
     b.  Surrender all POF and/or POA to appropriate DON installation Commanding Officer/Commander 
for safekeeping until the IMS completes their training and returns along with any accompanying family 
members to their home country.  Neither the IMS nor any accompanying family members will have 
access to the POF or POA until after returning to their home country.
     c.  Dispose of the POF and/or POA in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

5.  This ALNAV is effective immediately; it will be incorporated into the next revision of reference (c).

6.  The point of contact for this matter is Dr. Mark A. Livingston, Senior Director for Security and 
Intelligence in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy who can be reached at (703) 614-
4228 or e-mail at mark.a.livingston1@navy.mil.

7.  Released by the Honorable Thomas B. Modly, Acting Secretary of the Navy.//

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