Overview
- The Department of the Navy issued an administrative message on Monday that stops treating anonymous allegations as formal Military Equal Opportunity complaints and directs sailors and Marines to use a confidential reporting option.
- Under the confidential pathway reporters are asked to provide their name, have their report documented, and receive support services without being forced to convert the report into an informal or formal complaint.
- Anonymous reporting will remain available for allegations of sexual assault, hazing and bullying pending further guidance, and commanders retain the authority to act on anonymous information they receive.
- The message makes clear confidentiality can be broken for specific, imminent threats of serious harm or when a report reveals intent to commit a future crime or fraud, and warns false statements may trigger action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
- The change implements Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Sept. 30, 2025 direction and mirrors recent Army and Air Force moves, but the Pentagon has not released full implementation details and the guidance also restates MEO complaint filing windows and dismissal rules.