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CHAPTER 6
MORALE SERVICES, CONFERENCES, AND
CEREMONIES
This chapter identifies social service agencies and
other agencies that contribute to the morale and welfare
of service members and their families. They include the
Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, American Red
Cross, United Services Organizations (USO), Navy
Wives Organizations, and Armed Forces Hostess
Association. Other agencies that assist are the Armed
Services Young Men’s Christian Association
( A S / Y M C A ) ,
Non-Commissioned Officers
Association, Navy Mutual Aid Association, Fleet
Reserve Association, National Military Family
Association, Navy League of the United States, and
federal credit unions.
This chapter also discusses Navy-related facilities
that contribute to members’ morale such as the family
service center (FSC), Navy legal service office (NLSO),
Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) in the Navy,
and the United States Naval Home. Furthermore, this
chapter discusses conferences and ceremonies and
provides information on how to conduct them and who
is responsible.
CIVIL AGENCIES
The Chief of Naval Personnel (CHNAVPERS) is
responsible for maintaining a relationship with civil
agencies, both government and private, whose functions
relate to services other than medical for personnel as a
result of their naval service and to their family members.
Some of the agencies are discussed in this chapter as
indicated in the previous paragraphs.
NAVY AND MARINE CORPS
RELIEF SOCIETY
The Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society,
although closely affiliated with the Navy and Marine
Corps and working exclusively with naval and Marine
Corps service personnel and their families, is a private
charitable organization. All society services are
available in times of need to both officer and enlisted
personnel of the naval and Marine Corps service, active
and retired, their family members, and the families of
deceased personnel.
Members of the Coast Guard, Air Force, and Army
can also seek assistance through the Navy and Marine
Corps Relief Society. The Relief Society contacts the
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance in Washington, DC, in
case of Coast Guard personnel; the Air Force Aid
Society in Arlington, Virginia, in case of Air Force
personnel; and the Army Emergency Relief in
Alexandria, Virginia, in case of Army personnel. These
agencies either approve or disapprove a member’s
request for assistance and the Navy and Marine Corps
Relief Society is reimbursed if assistance is actually
provided.
Navy and Marine Corps Relief
Society Membership
Active duty personnel, including the Master Chief
Petty Officer of the Navy and the Sergeant Major of the
Marine Corps, make up nearly half of the membership
of the Board of Managers, for the direction of the Relief
Society.
Active duty personnel serve as officers of all Navy
and Marine Corps relief field activities. They are aided
by an advisory board comprised of an active duty officer
and senior enlisted leadership and volunteer leaders.
Services Available Through the Navy
and Marine Corps Relief Society
The Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society
provides such services as gratuities, interest-free loans
or a combination of gratuities and loans, counseling,
layettes, and visiting nurse services. The Relief Society
also operates thrift shops in some field activities and
provides children’s waiting rooms at some Navy and
Marine Corps bases. Contact the nearest Navy and
Marine Corps Relief Society for more information on
services available at your duty station.
Restrictions on Assistance Provided
to Certain Persons
The Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society does not
provide assistance to deserters, unauthorized absentees,
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