what is the allowed language(s) in navy uniform?

Question

Im looking to find the actuall instruction regarding spoken language in the US navy while on base in uniform.

Answer 1

When you are on base, in uniform and executing your duty, the language you should be using is ENGLISH!

There is no regulation per se that I have ever been able to find, but the reasoning behind it is common sense; you need to be able to communicate effectively in time of stress, and the language most of the people on the ship will speak is English.

That doesn't mean that you can't find sailors that speak Spanish, Filipino, etc. onboard, but it does mean that when they are working, they will speak English.

The quickest way to piss off a chief or LPO is to start jabbering away with a buddy in a language that he/she does not understand. For one they will tell you that they think you are doing it to talk bad about them in front of them, and for two it is disrespectful to those who don't understand the language.

Answer 2

I have answered this question before for Army...I'm sure that Navy is similar...

According to AR 600-20, Army Command Policy:


"English is the operational language of the Army. Soldiers must maintain sufficient proficiency in English to perform
their military duties. Their operational communications must be understood by everyone who has an official need to
know their content, and, therefore, must normally be in English. However, commanders may not require Soldiers to use English unless such use is clearly necessary and proper for the performance of military functions. Accordingly,
commanders may not require the use of English for personal communications that are unrelated to military functions."


Yes, I know you said Navy, but I don't do well researching Navy regs, as it's out of my lane. I would imagine, however, that the regulation in the Navy is similar.

Good luck.

Answer 3

each base will set it's own policy, but frankly, every one I have been on, OCONUS and CONUS, have specified American English is the ONLY language to be used while on duty. if you are in the workspace, you should be speaking English. It is policy at the Exganges and Commissaries, and people have gotten in trouble for speaking tagalog or whatever inthe presence of customers.