DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
INFORMATION PAPER
SERVICE/AGENCY: U.S. Navy
SUBJECT: USS Mount Whitney Civilian Mariners Congressional Action Tasker
DATE: 10 April 2020
BACKGROUND: An email was submitted on behalf of several of Senator Chris Van Hollen’s
(D-MD) constituents aboard Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) hybrid ship, USS Mount
Whitney (LCC-20) in Italy. The Civil Service Mariners (CIVMAR) onboard expressed concerns
regarding their current restrictions. They advised the Senator that they are restricted to the ship
while the U.S. Navy sailors who reside ashore are allowed to exit and return from the ship as
needed. They are concerned that the current orders may jeopardize the health and safety of those
who remain confined to the ship.
1. QUESTION/REQUEST: Please provide the current guidance permitting sailors to exit the
vessel and any additional insight driving this guidance.
RESPONSE: CIVMARs and Sailors who serve onboard the USS MOUNT WHITNEY are
administratively controlled by different Navy commands. The CIVMARs are administratively
controlled by the MSC. The Sailors are administratively controlled by the U.S. Navy’s Sixth
Fleet (C6F). On 21 March 2020, Commander, MSC, RADM Mike Wettlaufer issued an order to
limit movement of MSC crews in order to protect the force, execute effective counter-COVID-19
procedures, and preserve mission capability and capacity to respond to operational requirements.
On 9 April, 2020, that order was updated to allow limited numbers of USS MOUNT WHITNEY
CIVMARs to leave the ship to purchase essential food, hygiene, and comfort items not available
onboard, provided they follow command health requirements and local laws. Based on the
pandemic spread of the virus, this order remains in place until further notice and to the extent
possible, is in compliance with Civilian Marine Personnel Instruction (CMPI) 630, which was
subject to collective bargaining when promulgated. That Instruction, in relevant part, authorizes
restriction of the crew, when conditions in the affected port are deemed unsafe, such as the
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. The intent of the order is not to be overbearing, but rather to
protect personnel and preserve the critical capability the CIVMARs provide. Generally, with
few exceptions, CIVMARs live onboard USS MOUNT WHITNEY and do not have personal
residences in which they prepare food. U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the USS MOUNT
WHITNEY may have personal residences out in town and are not subject to MSC orders, but are
subject to the administrative control of C6F.
Current C6F direction was issued in MOD 01 to the CNE-CNA/C6F OPORD directing response
to outbreak of COVID-19 within the CNE-CNA/C6F AOR, DTG 292155Z MAR 20. The
OPORD does not call for a complete restriction of all personnel assigned to the ship but allows
them to continue to reside in their personal residences and to shop for groceries and other
necessities. All other movement for C6F is restricted by the OPORD, which is being
implemented to respect Italian government decrees in accordance with applicable international
agreements. The Commanding Officer of the USS MOUNT WHITNEY has taken steps to
alleviate the differences and minimize exposure to COVID-19, including restricting Sailor

 movement in accordance with C6F direction, ordering compliance with Department of Defense
Force Health Protection Guidance, and ensuring social distancing onboard. All Sailors are
required to self-screen for influenza-like symptoms and seek medical guidance via phone prior to
reporting to the ship, if they feel ill. Sailors with off-base privileges (grocery store and personal
residences) are also required to wear masks in public (a stricter requirement than the Italian
government decrees). Finally, since some Sailors do not live on MOUNT WHITNEY, this
allows the command to maintain social distancing in berthing space. CIVMARs have individual
sleeping units onboard MOUNT WHITNEY, but sailors are normally in communal multi-person
berthing, where it is not possible to maintain 6 feet of separation. If all sailors came back
onboard it would result in closely-spaced berthing for some sailors and increase the risk of
spreading COVID-19 throughout the command.

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