NAVY DEPARTMENT

Pers=5<MD
P1O-1(C)

7 September 1945

From: Secretary of the Navy.

To: Commandants of all Naval Districts and River Commands within Continental
United States, and
Commanding Officers of Major and Minor Shore Stations in Continental
United States.
Commandant U. S. Marine Corps.
Commandant U. S. Coast Guard.

Subj: Participation in Athletic Contests.

Ref: (a) See Nav ltr. Pers-52-RI Pl0-1(c) of 29 July 1943.
(b) Articles E-7201, B-7202 and E-7203, BuPers Manual.

1. Reference (a) is hereby cancelled.

Ze Athletics in the Navy are organized for the primary purpose of enabling
Naval personnel to receive the maximum benefit, either as participants or as
spectators. There is no objection to any station or ship participating in athle-
tic games and contests with whatever talent may be available on that station or
ship, provided such participation does not interfere with primary Naval duty.

3. Reference (b) sets forth the Navy Department's policy regarding athletic
competition in general. Only to the extent that this directive my affect refer-
ence (b), the articles contained therein are hereby modified, Naval personnel
may compete as members of Navy teams or as representatives of the Naval service
in athletic contests under the following conditions:

(a) As a general rule, contests should be scheduled with other service
teams or individuals and played on the home field of one of the
participating commands in order that the maximum number of service
personnel may witness the contests. Home field is interpreted as
that which is found on a Naval reservation or an outside field which
has been authorized as a home field by the District Commandant.

(b) Absence of teams or individuals from the duty station shall not
exceed 48 hours.

(c) When other service teams are not available for scheduling games,
contests with high school, college, or other bonafie amateau teams
are permitted providing the contest is played on a Naval reservation
or the opponent's home court or field. When such games or contests
are played on the opponent's home court or field only such re-
imbursement may be accepted by the Navy teams as to cover actual
travel and other expenses incurred. Every possible arrangement
should be made to permit Naval personnel attached to the competing
Naval station to attend without cost games or contests played on |
the opponent's court or field.