records. Barber and beauty shops employ personnel trained and qualified to serve all Navy members and their dependents. HOUSING REFERRAL OFFICE The Department of Defense (DoD) has established housing  referral  offices  at  locations  with  large concentrations  of  military  families.  DoD  has  also established housing referral offices at locations where housing discrimination may exist because of race, color, creed, or national origin. The Navy requires that all personnel offices include the  following  statement  in  orders  for  detachment  and TAD of more than 30 days in any one place: “You are directed to report to the appropriate Housing  Referral  Office  prior  to  negotiating  any agreement for off-base housing.” The HRO provides information about government housing and the type, cost, and availability of private housing.  The  HRO  also  maintains  a  list  of  facilities banned  as  housing  for  military  personnel  because  of discriminatory practices. Department of the Navy (DoN) policy supports the Federal Fair Housing legislation through its efforts to ensure equal opportunity for available housing. It makes every   effort   to   eliminate   off-base   housing discrimination toward DoD personnel because of sex, race, color, religion, or national origin. It tries to ensure DoD  personnel  who  meet  ordinary  standards  of character  and  financial  responsibility  can  obtain off-base housing as easily as any other person. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFF BASE Discrimination  in  the  civilian  community  has  an adverse  effect  on  the  welfare  and  morale  of  military personnel  and  their  dependents.  Consequently, discrimination  off  base  is  harmful  to  the  military effectiveness   of   a   command.   Dealing   with discrimination  in  the  civilian  community  is  more difficult  than  within  a  command.  However,  the  Navy deals affirmatively with such problems to ensure equal treatment for service members and their dependents in nearby communities. Commands can take a number of actions to promote equal  opportunity  for  its  members  in  the  civilian community. At some installations, problems of mutual concern to the base and the community are discussed on an informal but regular basis. The Navy has established command-community relations committees as another approach.  Whatever  approach  they  use,  commands make every effort to eliminate off-base discrimination for military personnel and their dependents. Military  personnel  moving  into  or  changing  their place of residence may not enter into rental, purchase, or lease  arrangements  with  facilities  under  restrictive sanctions.  However,  such  sanctions  do  not  apply  to personnel who may be residing in the facility at the time the  sanction  is  imposed.  Personnel  who  intentionally, and contrary to instructions, take residence in restricted facilities are subject to disciplinary action and loss of basic allowance for quarters (BAQ). Equal opportunity also applies to public facilities, such  as  schools,  parks,  playgrounds,  libraries,  and hotels.  Any  person  who  receives  discriminatory treatment in such places can seek relief through military or civilian channels. Normally, you should go through military channels (your chain of command). That gives your command the opportunity to try to get the facility to comply with the law. The   First   Amendment   of   the   Constitution guarantees  you  the  rights  of  freedom  of  speech  and assembly.  That  means  you  can  attend  civil  rights demonstrations  and  similar  gatherings.  However, service  members  have  several  conditions  attached  to their participation in such demonstrations. Navy personnel cannot take part in civil rights demonstrations while wearing their uniform or during duty hours. Navy personnel cannot take part in a civil rights demonstration held on a military reservation or in a foreign country. Navy    personnel    cannot    take    part    in demonstrations that violate law and order or that could  reasonably  be  expected  to  result  in violence. 1-16 Student Notes: