Army Regulation 25-11
Army Regulation 25-11 Information Management: Telecommunications Record Communications and the Privacy Communications System _________________________________ _________________________________ Headquarters Department of the Army Washington, DC 4 September 1990 For Official Use Only SUMMARY of CHANGE AR 25-11 Record Communications and the Privacy Communications System Headquarters *Army Regulation 25-11 Department of the Army Washington, DC 4 September 1990 Effective 3 October 1990 Information Management: Telecommunications Record Communications and the Privacy Communications System ______________________________________________________________________ SIGNATURE BLOCK GRAPHIC WILL APPEAR ABOVE ______________________________________________________________________ History. This UPDATE printing publishes a new Army regulation. Summary. This regulation consolidates AR 105-31 and AR 380-38 and prescribes policy on record communications, which includes narrative and data messages, facsimile transmissions, and electronic mail. It assigns responsibilities and describes procedures for preparing and processing record communications. Applicability. This regulation applies to all elements of the Active Army, Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve that use Army- operated telecommunications centers or equivalent telecommunications services during peacetime or mobilization. Internal Control Systems. This regulation is not subject to the requirements of AR 11-2. It does not contain internal control provisions. Supplementation. Supplementation of this regulation and establishment of command and local forms are prohibited without prior approval from HQDA (SAIS-PSP), WASH DC 20310-0107. Interim Changes. Interim changes to this regulation are not official unless they are authenticated by the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. Users will destroy interim changes on their expiration dates unless sooner superseded or rescinded. Suggested Improvements. The proponent agency of this regulation, except chapter 8, is the Director of Information Systems for Command, Control, Communications, and Computers. Users are invited to send comments and suggested improvements on DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) directly to the Chief, U.S. Army C-E Services Office, ATTN: SFIS-FAC-M, Room 9S65, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332-2200. The proponent agency of chapter 8 is the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence. Suggested improvements to chapter 8 should be sent to HQDA (DAMI-CIS), WASH DC 20310-1051. Distribution. Distribution of this publication is made in accordance with the requirements on DA Form 12-09-E, block number 5070, intended for command levels A, B, C, D, and E for Active Army, Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution restriction statement Destruction notice ______________________________________________________________________ TABLE OF CONTENTS WILL APPEAR HERE ______________________________________________________________________ *This regulation supersedes AR 105-31, 8 August 1977, and AR 380-38, 15 November 1985. Chapter 1 General 1-1. Purpose a. This regulation prescribes the policies, responsibilities, and procedures for the preparation, approval, and processing of record communications within the Department of the Army (DA). Record communications include narrative, electronic mail (E-Mail), data (card and magnetic tape) messages, and facsimile transmissions. b. If this regulation conflicts with Department of State or other military department directives pertaining to record communications, such conflicts will be brought promptly to the attention of the Chief, U.S. Army C-E Services Office, ATTN: SFIS-FAC-M, Room 9S65, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332-2200. Pending resolution, the Department of State or other military department directives will apply. 1-2. References Required and related publications and prescribed and referenced forms are listed in appendix A. 1-3. Explanation of abbreviations and terms Abbreviations and special terms used in this regulation are explained in the glossary. 1-4. Responsibilities a. The Director of Information Systems for Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (DISC4) will-- (1) Supervise Army electronic mail (E-Mail) systems worldwide. This responsibility includes approval of policies, procedures, programs, plans, architecture, standards, and resources. (2) Consolidate, integrate, and assign priorities to E-Mail initiatives in the Information Management Master Plan (IMMP), based on The Army Plan priorities. b. The HQDA Information Manager will conduct mission analysis to determine the information transmission and E-Mail requirements to include in the Army Requirements Statement (RS) submissions. c. The Commanding General, United States Army Information Systems Command (USAISC), will-- (1) Allocate intra-Army content indicator codes (CICs) and keep a master list of CIC assignments (see chap 4). (2) Develop and recommend Army E-Mail standards, technical specifications, policies, architectures, plans, and procedures (see chap 7). (3) Enforce compliance with E-Mail standards. (4) Manage the development, selection, implementation, operation, and maintenance of Army E-Mail systems. (5) Ensure accreditation of Army-operated E-Mail systems in accordance with AR 380-380. (6) Direct software development and maintenance in accordance with AR 70-37 and the AR 25-series regulations. (7) Provide support (through the Software Development Center- Huachuca U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command) to all mail servers running Multichannel Memorandum Distribution Facility II (MMDF II) as the Mail Transfer Agent software. d. The Director of the Army Staff (DAS), Office of the Chief of Staff, Army, will establish policies and procedures for the Privacy Communications System (PCOMS) and will exercise control and Army Staff supervision of the operation of the PCOMS (see chap 8). e. The Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (DCSINT) will, after reviewing requests for exceptions and waivers to the PCOMS, forward recommendations to the DAS (see chap 8). f. The Commander, U.S. Army Special Security Group (USASSG), is the PCOMS executive agent and will promulgate and implement appropriate special security officer (SSO) directives necessary to maintain a responsive and effective PCOMS. g. The heads of Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) agencies and commanders of major Army commands (MACOMs) will-- (1) Disseminate a CIC's specific meaning to all concerned agencies, offices, installations, data communication terminals, and telecommunications centers (TCCs). (2) Provide copies of CIC assignments to the Commander, U.S. Army Information Systems Command, ATTN: AS-OPS-OC, Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613- 5000. (3) Update agency point of contact information when required. h. MACOM commanders will-- (1) Develop command E-Mail hardware and software requirements following approved Army standards (see chap 13). (2) Develop a plan for the most efficient use of E-Mail within the MACOM and ensure compliance with the Army Automation Security Program in accordance with AR 380-380. (3) Incorporate the command's E-Mail requirements, including those of subordinate elements, in the MACOM RS; program and budget resources; and execute the MACOM-assigned portion of the approved IMMP. (4) Conduct surveys to ensure that Army records are preserved in the approved media for the required retention period. (5) Ensure that the MACOM's Automation Security Program Manager includes E-Mail within the scope of the MACOM's Automation Security Program in accordance with AR 380-380. i. Installation commanders, through their Directors of Information Management, will-- (1) Plan, budget, acquire, install, operate, and maintain computer hardware, communications, and network systems for E-Mail. These systems will be used to satisfy E-Mail requirements for all activities, organizations, and tenants assigned to the installation. (2) Appoint an E-Mail system administrator to maintain mailboxes for individuals and offices on local computers, manage the users' identification (login) and password system in accordance with AR 380- 380, register the Defense data network (DDN) E-Mail system users with the DDN National Information Center (NIC), and disseminate local procedures for using the E-Mail system. (3) Implement the installation processing and information transfer architecture in accordance with established standards and the Army Information Architecture. (4) Train users on the E-Mail system. (5) Implement local procedures for electronic filing and storage of E-Mail. In general, these should provide a level of control and security equal to that provided by manual systems. Specifically, these procedures must provide for file backup and recovery and the retention and disposition of files in accordance with DA Pam 25-51 and AR 25- 400-2. (6) Provide for the protection of passwords and files and for the establishment of control over the office accounts. j. Originators are responsible for the functions of the drafter and releasing officer. Originators will-- (1) Ensure that classified information is not entered, stored, or transmitted through the E-Mail system. (2) Maintain organizational E-Mail messages for 30 days after the original transmission date. (3) Ensure that organizational E-Mail correspondence is released in accordance with AR 25-50 and the local commander's delegation of signature authority. (4) Periodically review the message base and delete unnecessary messages. (5) Notify the system administrator of any changes in users' registration information. k. Drafters or writers have primary responsibility for-- (1) Being well trained in this regulation, telecommunications economy and discipline, MINIMIZE procedures, and supplementary command directives on message preparation. (2) Using message addresses per DA Pam 25-11. (3) Ensuring that the message is clear, concise, and as short as possible. (4) Assigning the proper security classification, date or event for downgrading, automatic declassification, or "Originating Agency's Determination Required," in accordance with AR 380-5. (5) Applying For Official Use Only (FOUO) markings per AR 25-55 and ensuring that the date or event for removing protective markings is included. (6) Determining whether delivery should be by electrical or nonelectrical means and assigning the proper precedence. Where mail or courier is indicated, the writer must ensure that the selected means are used for delivery. (7) Obtaining needed staff coordination. (8) Hand-carrying priority and higher precedence messages during the staff action, review, and approval process. l. Releasing officers are responsible for final administrative review and approval and will ensure that-- (1) The message conforms with policies of the commander or head of the organization and has been fully staffed. (2) The writer has complied with the provisions of this regulation and other pertinent directives. (3) Proper classification was assigned. (4) The date or event for downgrading, automatic declassification, or "Originating Agency's Determination Required" is included as the last element of classified messages, text, or as the event/date for removing FOUO protective markings. (5) Authorized abbreviations are used. (6) Message addresses are assigned per DA Pam 25-11. See paragraph 6-2 for exceptions. (7) Office symbols (if known) are included for each Army addressee. (8) Where possible, nonelectrical delivery is used for addressees served by commercial means. (9) The precedence for all addressees is properly assigned. (10) A message is not delayed for minor improvements such as subjective word changes, punctuation, or grammar. (11) Messages are not allowed to accumulate and be delayed. They will be signed and released with date-time group (DTG) throughout the day and delivered promptly to the TCC or serving remote terminal (RT). m. Addressees or readers will-- (1) Ensure that prompt action is taken on incoming messages. (2) Promptly check the distribution to determine adequacy, initiate action or primary information changes, and/or determine additional distribution. (3) Monitor electronic mailboxes as frequently as possible (see chap 13). (4) Periodically review the E-Mail message base and delete unnecessary messages. (5) Notify the E-Mail administrator of any changes in user registration information. n. Authorized users of PCOMS will comply with guidance in chapter 8 for preparing, handling, disseminating, and storing PCOMS messages. 1-5. Functions a. The TCC sends, receives, accepts, processes, and distributes incoming and outgoing messages (AR 105-17). b. Automated multimedia exchange (AMME) facilities-- (1) Offer automated functions/capabilities for message preparation and processing, and varying degrees of automation to RT message-processing personnel. (2) Process messages between the RTs and the Automatic Digital Network (AUTODIN). The AMME receives, sends, safeguards, and maintains accountability of narrative and data pattern messages. Its personnel also provide traffic management. c. AMME RTs, in various configurations and capabilities, may be installed at the communications user's location and operated by user personnel. The functions of an RT are basically the same as those of a TCC: accepting and sending outgoing messages and receiving, processing, and distributing incoming messages. 1-6. Privacy of messages All messages (classified and unclassified) will be treated with the utmost privacy. No message, or its parts, will be discussed with any unauthorized person, nor will its contents be revealed except by the originator or addressee, or as directed by competent or higher authority. For example, DA may release specific numbers of messages to a commercial organization for official use in support of a Government contract. Chapter 2 Official and Unofficial Messages 2-1. Official messages Official messages are those that specifically pertain to the official functions of the military establishment. Official messages requiring electrical transmission normally will be sent by military facilities. Where such facilities are not available, official messages may be sent over commercial facilities. In addition, messages containing the following types of information are considered official: a. Leaves of absence or extensions thereto. b. Instructions about shipping privately owned household goods or vehicles. c. Payment of salary or expense vouchers. d. Transportation reservations needed for official travel. e. Inquiries relating to absence without leave. 2-2. Other types of messages a. Quasi-official messages.The American National Red Cross is allowed to use military telecommunications facilities to send and receive administrative and emergency welfare messages within its mission area, subject to military expediency. This service will be given without charge, except for commercial costs that will be paid by the sender. b. Media traffic.Communications originated by media representatives may be sent without charge over Army facilities when commercial means are not available. AR 25-1 prescribes conditions under which media traffic will be processed. Media traffic will not contain coded or classified information. c. Unauthorized messages. (1) No soldier or DA employee will knowingly send or cause to be sent, deliver or cause to be delivered, a forged message. (Additional information is available in ACP 122.) (2) Messages of a personal nature are forbidden. Chapter 3 Use of Telecommunications 3-1. General a. Telecommunications consist of the transmission, emission, or reception of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, or information of any nature by wire, radio, visual, or other electromagnetic system. b. The use of telecommunications will be limited to transacting official business that cannot be handled effectively by other means. c. Consistent with mission requirements, only messages that require delivery within speed-of-service timeframes (para 4-3) and that cannot be accommodated by other means will be sent via telecommunications. d. Information received by telecommunications does not necessarily require a reply by telecommunications. Mail or courier service will be used when its use would not seriously impair the addressee's ability to complete the desired action. 3-2. Use of Defense Communications System The Defense Communications System (DCS) worldwide communications network, AUTODIN, is available to all agencies of the Department of Defense (DOD) and to other Government agencies. The DCS may be used by friendly foreign nation activities or regional defense organization elements, provided proper agreements have been effected per ACP 121 US SUPP-1. a. Appropriated fund activities.When an agency, activity, or program, such as the Department of Justice, is supported by specifically allocated appropriated funds, an accounting symbol and program designator code (PDC) is assigned to the message. This code fixes accountability for any commercial charges incurred in message handling. A list of accounting symbols/PDCs is published in JANAP 128, Appendix 1 to Annex C. b. Nonappropriated fund activities.The Army and Air Force Motion Picture Service and Stars and Stripes (Europe and Pacific) are nonappropriated fund activities authorized to use the DCS. Messages originated by these activities are assigned an accounting symbol ending with the letter "X." If these messages are directed to civilian recipients and thus require delivery via commercial refile in the continental United States (CONUS), they are refiled "COLLECT" by the refile station. c. Accounting symbol NIX.The accounting symbol "NIX" is used on messages when the nonappropriated fund originator has not been assigned a specific accounting symbol but has been allowed to use the DCS. d. United States-operated TCCs.Army field activities, agents, or representatives will, to the maximum extent possible, use United States-operated TCCs to send and receive messages. Telecommunications service arrangements must be made with the operating activity before the TCC accepts messages. The customer must complete DD Form 577 (Signature Card) to pick up traffic from the TCC. Arrangements should include, but not be limited to-- (1) Customer copy requirements. (2) Telephone contact for delivery of high-precedence messages. (3) Delivery after duty hours. 3-3. Use of commercial communications facilities a. When representatives of the Army file unclassified messages directly with a commercial company, they will select the least costly transmission method consistent with the message's urgency. Messages will be prepared on the commercial company message form, which will be clearly marked US GOVERNMENT MESSAGE. The originator will certify to the commercial clerk that the message is official business. The name of the sending organization and office symbol, when assigned, will be included as part of the signature. b. If at all possible, messages requiring delivery via commercial means should be single address or book messages (para 6-1). When a multiple address message is refiled with a commercial carrier, the text includes all addressees, which increases the cost of the message. c. Commercial refile will normally be authorized only for life- threatening or death-related traffic or as authorized by the originating command funding the commercial charges. 3-4. Use of mail or courier service a. Each addressee served by mail or courier will be given a separate copy of a message showing the signature of the releasing official. The writer is responsible for forwarding the message by mail or courier. All plain-language copies of classified messages will be prepared, marked, and forwarded per AR 380-5. Envelopes or pouches containing messages forwarded by mail or courier will be addressed in accordance with mail addressing procedures and to the attention of the addressee's office symbol, if known. b. Messages to be delivered entirely by mail or courier will not be processed by the serving TCC or RT. The releasing office will assign a DTG before delivery by mail or courier. c. Enclosures to messages delivered by mail or courier are prohibited. d. Routine messages that qualify for electrical delivery normally will be sent by mail when released on Friday afternoon or on afternoons preceding national holidays. Messages should be mailed only to those addressees reasonably assured of delivery on the next working day. 3-5. Address indicating groups An address indicating group (AIG) is a numerical address designator that represents specific and frequently used combinations of action and information addressees. Its purpose is to reduce the length of message headings, thus decreasing administrative and communications processing time. The AIG address designator is always the TO line on the message form. a. Procedures for the use of AIGs and specific listings are in ACP 100 US SUPP-1 ( ). Activities assigned AIGs should have a copy of that publication. b. AIGs are useful for messages such as the following: (1) Alerts or exercises. (2) Emergency storm warnings. (3) Logistical reports. (4) Intelligence summaries. (5) Operation instructions. (6) Movement reports. (7) Situation reports. c. Requests for assignment of AIGs must be forwarded through command channels to the Chief, U.S. Army C-E Services Office, Attn: SFIS-FAC- M, Room 9S65, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332-2200. The request must include the following: (1) A list of the message addressees the AIG will comprise. An AIG must have 16 or more addressees. The proposed address composition should be reviewed to ensure that message addressees are authorized by DA Pam 25-11. (2) The purpose and subject of the AIG. (3) Whether the message addressees are classified. (4) The cognizant authority of the AIG (h below). (5) A point of contact for the AIG. Include a commercial and automatic voice network (AUTOVON) number. (6) An estimate of how often the AIG will be used each month. (7) Whether anyone besides the cognizant authority will be allowed to use the AIG (m below). (8) If applicable, a statement that coordination has been obtained with non-DOD telecommunications activities (d below). d. Message addressees of other nations, international treaty organizations, non-DOD activities, or DOD activities served by non-DOD telecommunications activities normally will not be part of an AIG. The cognizant authority must get prior coordination with the intended addressee. e. Addressees served by commercial means should not be included in an AIG. If you must include such an addressee, the commercial refile station involved will be informed of its delivery responsibility. The serving TCC will assist in identifying the commercial refile station serving the addressee. f. Use only arabic numerals to show AIGs on the addressee line or when cited in the message text (for example, AIG 1234). g. An AIG must have 16 or more addressees. Avoid using office symbols; they limit the use of AIGs. Do not include geographical locations in the message address for the following: (1) Emergency relocation site (ERS). (2) Alternate headquarters (ALT HQ). (3) Navy afloat or mobile units. (4) Task force organization addressees. h. The cognizant authority is the command or agency assigned an AIG. The TCC serving the cognizant authority may agree to assume administrative management of an AIG. i. The cognizant authority will notify addressees that an AIG has been established and will state its purpose. This may be accomplished by mail or routine precedence electrical transmission. However, promulgation of an AIG will never be electrically transmitted during MINIMIZE. j. Members of an AIG will-- (1) Notify the cognizant authority when their message address changes. (2) Ask the cognizant authority to delete them from an AIG if they no longer want to receive its messages. k. The first modification to an AIG in each calendar year will be a recapitulation. The recapitulation will always have a subject line consisting of the AIG number followed by slant 1 (for example, SUBJ: AIG 8071/1 RECAPITULATION). Any modifications through the year will be numbered sequentially (for example, SUBJ: AIG 8071/2 MODIFICATION). If an additional recapitulation is required during a calendar year due to numerous modifications, the subject will again be AIG 8071/1 RECAPITULATION. l. Addressees will give a copy of AIG composition correspondence to the serving TCC. Both the AIG's addressees and the serving TCC must maintain a current address composition record. m. An AIG may be used only by designated originators. The cognizant authority usually specifies the originators. An originator may list the cognizant authority as an additional action or information addressee (p below). n. Two or more AIGs may be used together to form the desired message address element. If action addressees are changed to information addressees, or vice versa, appropriate instructions must be included in the message text (para 6-4). o. An AIG may not be used in conjunction with a general message title such as all army activities (ALARACT). p. If an AIG does not include all desired addressees, others may be added. Addressees also may be exempted from an individual message. Figure 3-1 shows an addressee added and another deleted by exemption. q. When adding addressees or readdressing messages originally addressed to an AIG, originators must be aware that recipients normally will not know the AIG's composition unless this information is specifically provided. If the originator determines that the recipients need not know the complete composition of the AIGs involved, then the letters ZZC will be included in the Message Handling Instructions block of the DD Form 173 (Joint Messageform) or in the Request block of DA Form 2655 (Message Action Request). All recipients need not know the addressees of all AIGs listed on the original or readdressal headings; they may, however, obtain the address composition from the originator or readdressal authority if essential. r. The initial promulgation, annual recapitulation, or cancellation of any AIG that includes Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard afloat or mobile units as addressees must include CSRF LANT NORFOLK VA and CSRF EASTPAC HONOLULU HI as information addressees only. Include CCRC ALBANY GA only when a commercial refile facility services an AIG addressee. This procedure is in accordance with ACP 100 US SUPP-1, section 7, paragraph 109e. s. The first paragraph of all AIG promulgations and recapitulations will contain the following statement: "Effective upon receipt (or effective date designated by the cognizant authority), the address composition reflected above, less CSRF LANT NORFOLK VA, CSRF EASTPAC HONOLULU HI, CCRC ALBANY, GA, constitutes the composition of AIG XXXXX." NOTE: Include CCRC ALBANY GA only when a commercial refile facility services the AIG's addressees. t. The C-E Services Office is the Army issuing authority for AIG numbers, and as such has the authority to withdraw the use of an AIG from an assigned cognizant authority when abuse, noncompliance, or administrative error occurs. All withdrawal notifications would be preceded by a request to the cognizant authority to comply with the C- E Services request. If this request is ignored, the withdrawal notification to Army TCCs would be issued. 3-6. Immediate delivery required a. When a message is assigned an IMMEDIATE precedence, the writer must determine whether any of its addressees are served by telecommunications facilities of the Department of State Diplomatic Telecommunications Service (DTS), which may operate on less than a 24- hour schedule. If any of the addressees are served by such facilities, the writer must determine whether these addressees require immediate delivery or whether delivery could be delayed until the station's normal operating hours. b. If immediate delivery is required (IMMDELREQ), the Special Instructions block of DD Form 173 is annotated accordingly--for example, "IMMDELREQ-USDAO ROME ITALY" or "IMMDELREQ-ALL ACTION ADDRESSEES." (A specific list of affected addressees in an AIG must be shown in the Special Instructions block, following the abbreviation "IMMDELREQ.") The servicing TCC will include the appropriate operating signal and related data before transmission. c. An immediate message that does not require immediate delivery and is destined for a closed DTS terminal will automatically be held by the serving DTS relay facility until the terminal reopens. DTS terminals normally serve United States Defense Attache Offices (USDAOs), Military Assistance Advisory Groups (MAAGs), military groups, and missions. Message writers should contact the serving TCC to determine whether a DTS facility serves any unfamiliar addressee of an immediate message. 3-7. State Department no distribution, exclusive distribution, and limited official use messages a. State Department no distribution (NODIS) and exclusive distribution (EXDIS) messages processed in DOD telecommunications facilities receive the same protection as special category (SPECAT) EXCLUSIVE messages. Army readdressals of messages marked NODIS and EXDIS will be processed in the same manner as SPECAT EXCLUSIVE, except that the text will be marked NODIS or EXDIS instead of SPECAT EXCLUSIVE. b. State Department limited official use (LOU) messages are processed in DOD telecommunications facilities as CONFIDENTIAL. If an LOU message is quoted, the message must be classified at least CONFIDENTIAL. Readdressal requests of LOU messages will be classified CONFIDENTIAL; however, the textual markings of the original message will not be changed. ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 3-1. Example of a message addressed to an AIG with one addressee added and another exempted FIGURE FILE NAME: N307001A ______________________________________________________________________ Chapter 4 Precedence 4-1. Use of precedence Precedence categories indicate the relative order in which a message is processed in the telecommunications system, and the speed with which the message must be handled during internal headquarters processing. Precedence categories indicate to-- a. The originator, the required speed of delivery to the addressee. b. TCC personnel, the relative order of processing and delivery. c. The addressee, the relative order in which the message should be noted. Precedence has no direct effect on when a reply must be sent or on the precedence to be assigned to that reply. The lowest possible precedence should be used. 4-2. Determination of precedence The writer is responsible for assigning precedence to a message. Messages sent to both action and information addressees may be processed as dual precedence messages, in which one precedence is assigned for the action addressees and a lower precedence for the information addressees. 4-3. Speed of service Although varying and sometimes conflicting factors may affect the speed of serving a given message, time objectives are established as a general guide in determining precedence assignments. Table 4-1 shows the time objectives. These objectives include overall handling time from the time of filing at the originator's TCC to the time the message is available for delivery at the addressee's TCC. They do not include the time required for internal headquarters processing. ______________________________________________________________________________ Table 4-1 Time objectives ______________________________________________________________________________ Precedence Time objective ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Routine 6 hours Priority 3 hours Immediate 30 minutes Flash As fast as possible with an objective of less than 10 minutes Emergency command precedence As fast as possible with an objective of less than 3 minutes ______________________________________________________________________________ 4-4. Routine precedence This precedence will be used for all messages that are not urgent or important enough to require a higher precedence. Messages filed too late for delivery the same day will be delivered at the start of business the following day. Examples of Routine messages include-- a. Messages concerning normal peacetime military operations, programs, and projects. b. Messages concerning stabilized tactical operations. c. Operational plans concerning projected operations. d. Periodic or consolidated intelligence reports. e. Troop movement messages, except when time factors dictate use of a higher precedence. f. Supply and equipment requisition and movement messages, except when time factors dictate use of a higher precedence. g. Administrative, logistic, and personnel matters. 4-5. Priority precedence This precedence is reserved for messages that require expeditious action by the addressees and/or furnish essential information for conducting operations in progress. Priority is the highest precedence normally authorized for administrative messages. Examples of Priority messages include-- a. Situation reports on front positions where an attack is impending or where fire or air support will soon be placed. b. Orders to aircraft formations or units to coincide with ground or naval operations. c. Messages concerning immediate movement of ground, naval, and air forces. d. Important intelligence and diplomatic messages. 4-6. Immediate precedence This precedence is reserved for messages relating to situations that affect the security of national and allied forces or populations and for messages that require immediate delivery to the addressees. Examples of Immediate messages include-- a. Amplifying reports of initial enemy contact. b. Reports of unusual major movements of foreign powers' military forces in times of peace or strained relations. c. Aircraft movement reports, such as requests for news of aircraft in flight, flight plans, or cancellation messages to prevent unnecessary search/rescue action. d. Messages that report enemy counterattack or request or cancel additional support. e. Attack orders to commit a force in reserve without delay. f. Messages concerning logistical support of special weapons essential to sustain operations. g. Reports of widespread civil disturbances. h. Reports or warning of grave natural disaster (for example, earthquake, flood, or storm). i. Requests or directions for distress assistance. j. Urgent intelligence and diplomatic messages. k. Civil defense actions concerning the population and its survival. l. Messages pertaining to safety and protection of special chemicals, weapons, and ammunition. 4-7. Flash precedence This precedence is reserved for initial enemy contact messages or operational combat messages of extreme urgency. Brevity is mandatory. Examples of Flash messages include-- a. Initial enemy contact reports. b. Messages recalling or diverting friendly aircraft about to bomb targets unexpectedly occupied by friendly forces. c. Messages of emergency action taken to prevent conflict between friendly forces. d. Messages warning of imminent large-scale attacks. e. Extremely urgent or critical intelligence messages. 4-8. Emergency command precedence a. In addition to the four basic precedences listed above, a Flash preempt capability known as Emergency Command Precedence (ECP) exists in the AUTODIN system only for certain designated time-sensitive command and control messages (Emergency Action Messages). (1) ECP messages are identified by the letter "Y" in place of the normal precedence character. (2) ECP messages are sent ahead of all other messages and interrupt lower precedence messages already in processing. b. Only the national command authority and certain designated commanders of unified and specified commands are allowed to use the ECP capability, and then only for certain selected emergency action command and control messages. 4-9. Authority to release messages Commanders will ensure that authority to release record communications is held to the minimum required for mission accomplishment. The servicing TCC will not validate or authenticate signatures. Releaser control is the responsibility of major Army commanders, major subordinate commanders, and heads of field operating activities or separate organizations and activities. By promulgating command administrative and regulatory directives, commanders will designate, by rank and position, the authority to release messages per precedence guidelines listed below. Requests to deviate from the provisions of this paragraph will be sent to Chief, U.S. Army C-E Services Office, ATTN: SFIS-FAC-M, Room 9S65, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332-2200, for approval. Waivers will be implemented only after written approval has been received, except as required or authorized by Army regulation for specific actions. a. Headquarters, Department of the Army. (1) Flash and Immediate messages will be released at no lower than directorate level. (2) Priority messages will be released at no lower than division level. (3) Routine messages about specific subjects may be released at a lower level, provided adequate instructions and constraints are established. b. Commands in CONUS. (1) Flash messages will be released only by commanders, deputy commanders, and chiefs of staff of MACOMs, their major subordinate commands, and personnel they have authorized in writing to hold Flash precedence release authority. The authority to release any information at Flash precedence will be based on the purpose for which such precedence is established per paragraph 4-7. (2) Immediate messages will be released by commanders, deputy commanders, and chiefs of staff of MACOMs, and by commanders of major subordinate commands, field operating activities, and separate organizations and activities. Commanders of these organizations may delegate this authority in writing to the minimum number of additional positions required for mission accomplishment. (3) Priority messages will be released by commanders, deputy commanders, chiefs of staff, chiefs and deputies of general and special staff elements, and by the heads of the first organizational divisions within these elements at MACOMs, major subordinate commands, field operating activities, and separate organizations and activities. Comparable organizations that do not have general and special staff elements will be guided accordingly in establishing policies and procedures for releasing Priority messages. Commanders may delegate this authority in writing to additional positions as required for mission accomplishment. (4) Routine messages will be released by officials specified in (3) above. Commanders may delegate the authority in writing to a lower level, provided constraints are imposed on the subject matters that may be released at the lower level. In addition, commanders will ensure that a post-transmittal review of originated messages is conducted concurrently with the Information Management Support Council's review of traffic per AR 25-7 to ensure compliance with established policies. c. Overseas commands.Variations in commands and their missions make it difficult to establish uniform policy on message release authority. All commanders will, however, issue specific instructions restricting message releasing authority to the minimum required for mission accomplishment. The instructions in a and b above will be used as a guide in determining delegation of release authority. 4-10. Limitations on length The text of Flash and Immediate messages should be limited to the minimum number of words possible and should not exceed 200 words. Chapter 5 General Messages 5-1. Scope This section provides the policy and procedures for using general messages within the DA and provides information about the distribution of joint general messages. 5-2. Policy a. A general message is designed to meet the recurring requirements for disseminating information or instructions to a predetermined wide standard distribution. b. The origination of general messages within DA is limited to HQDA. 5-3. Types of general message titles A general message title consists of a combination of letters or abbreviations representing a predetermined wide standard distribution. This title serves as the message address in the TO line of a message heading (for example, TO ALARACT) in lieu of listing individual message addresses. The types of general message titles are described below. a. ALARACT (all Army activities).Originated by HQDA for issuing instructions or information having worldwide Army use. b. ALFOODACT (all U.S. military, U.S. Coast Guard, and Army and Air Force Exchange Service activities).Originated by the Defense Logistics Agency for promulgating information concerning recalls and alerts of hazardous food, nonprescription drugs, medical devices, and health and beauty aids. c. ALMILACT (all U.S. military activities). Originated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to impose MINIMIZE or to issue unclassified instructions or information having worldwide use. d. ALSVCACT (all Service activities).Originated by the JCS to impose MINIMIZE or to issue classified instructions having worldwide use. e. EURCOMACT (European Command activities). Originated by the United States Commander in Chief Europe (USCINCEUR) to impose MINIMIZE or to issue instructions or information having USCINCEUR command use. f. JAFPUB (Joint Armed Forces Publications holders). Originated by the U.S. Military Communications-Electronics Board (USMCEB) to issue corrections and supplements to Joint Army-Navy-Air Force/Allied Communications Publications (JANAP/ACPs) requiring wide joint distribution. g. JANAFPAC (Joint Army-Navy-Air Force Commands Pacific).Originated by the United States Commander in Chief Pacific (USCINCPAC) and addressed to U.S. major commands within the Pacific command on matters of joint interest. h. LANTCOMACT (Atlantic Command activities).Originated by the United States Commander in Chief Atlantic (USCINCLANT) to impose MINIMIZE or to issue information or instructions requiring wide dissemination to forces and activities in the Atlantic Command geographical area. i. PACOMACT (Pacific Command activities).Originated by USCINCPAC to impose MINIMIZE or to issue instructions or information having Pacific Command application. j. USSOCOMACT (U.S. Southern Command activities).Originated by the United States Commander in Chief Southern Command (USCINCSO) to impose MINIMIZE or to issue instructions or information having Southern Command application. k. ALDODACT (all DOD activities).Originated by the Secretary of Defense for disseminating unclassified information to all DOD activities. 5-4. All Army activities messages a. Administrative control. (1) Any HQDA agency may draft and release ALARACT general messages. These messages must be released by the agency executive officer or higher level authority. (2) The USAISC Pentagon Telecommunications Center (PTC) maintains administrative control for release of ALARACT general messages. b. Classification.ALARACT messages are unclassified. A message will not be processed as an ALARACT if its subject matter requires FOUO markings. c. Preparation. (1) An ALARACT message will be prepared in the same manner as a regular message, except that "ALARACT" will always be entered in the message address portion as an action addressee. (2) An ALARACT message will not be used unless the message is for all the addressees represented by the title. Deletion or exemption of addressees is not permitted. As an expedient, non-Army addressees (for example, USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI, USCINCLANT NORFOLK VA, CNO WASHINGTON DC, or JCS WASHINGTON DC) may be added by entering the authorized message address beneath the general message title in the address portion of the message form. (3) Each ALARACT message is numbered consecutively, starting with 1 at the beginning of each calendar year. The PTC assigns the number, which consists of the message number, a slant sign, and the last two digits of the calendar year (for example, 1/88). "ALARACT" and the serial number are included in the message text following the word "UNCLAS" (for example, UNCLAS ALARACT 12/88). This number is used for reference and to ensure that addressees receive all messages. (4) Instructions governing the assignment of message precedence, security requirements, and brevity of text for regular messages are also applicable to ALARACT messages. d. Supersession or cancellation. (1) An ALARACT will remain effective and be retained by all recipients until superseded or cancelled. Each ALARACT writer is responsible for supersession or cancellation using one of the methods described below. (a) By including a specific terminating date as the final paragraph of each ALARACT message. (b) By followup with a superseding or cancelling message. (2) To ensure that ALARACT general message records are verified for accuracy, the USAISC PTC will prepare a message containing a list of the effective general messages at the beginning of each calendar year and send it as the first general message of the year. Messages cancelling ALARACT messages that were addressed to non-Army addressees in accordance with c(2) above must also be addressed to the non-Army addressees. e. TCC (including Communications Center) responsibilities. (1) Army TCCs serving addressees represented in the ALARACT message title will maintain a file to ensure that each message is received and accounted for in correct numerical sequence. (2) When an omission (open number) of an ALARACT general message is detected, a copy of the missing message will be obtained from another nearby Army activity. If a copy cannot be obtained from a nearby station, the originating or reintroducing station (distribution authority), as appropriate, will provide a copy. (3) Requests for correction or retransmission will be limited to the garbled parts of the transmission, that is, groups, lines, pages, or sections. Avoid complete retransmission, especially of long messages. f. Distribution. (1) ALARACT general messages are distributed to MACOMs and subordinate Army commands, Army component commands, Army elements of regional defense organizations, USDAOs, MAAGs, military groups, missions, HQDA agencies, and all other activities listed in the Directory and Station List of the U.S. Army, except Army National Guard (ARNG) and U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) units. While all ALARACT general messages are sent as action addresses, it is the recipients' responsibility to determine what action, if any, needs to be taken. Addressees not under the originator's jurisdiction, for example, USCINCEUR or USCINCSO, receive copies purely for information. Delivery normally will be by mail to activities not served by DOD, any U.S. Government agency, or allied communications facilities. If delivery by rapid means to these addressees is authorized, a message will not contain the operating signal ZEO in its transmission instruction portion. (2) The originating TCC will make initial distribution by collective routing indicator direct to all Army AUTODIN tributaries and others as indicated by the writer. The PTC automatically includes the operating signals ZOC and ZEO in the transmission instructions. ZEO is omitted when the writer specifies in the Special Instructions block of DD Form 173 that delivery by rapid means is required. (a) ZOC instructs stations called to relay the message to addressees for whom they are responsible. (b) ZEO instructs stations to transmit the message by rapid means when no charges are involved and to all others by mail. (3) Distribution authorities (para 5-7) are responsible for further distribution of ALARACT general messages, as necessary, to ensure receipt by all Army activities within assigned areas of responsibility, as shown below. These authorities will maintain a fixed routing guide for ALARACT general messages. (a) Reroute and reintroduce general messages into AUTODIN for Navy and/or Air Force terminals, U.S. Government agency networks, or appropriate allied networks. (b) Reroute general messages to appropriate joint commercial refile station(s) in accordance with ACP 117 CAN-US SUPP-1, appendix, chart 6, for delivery by commercial means when authorized. (c) Mail to addressees not served by one of the networks listed in (b) above. (4) Transmission instructions will be used on reroute actions listed in (3)(b) and (c) above. (5) USDAOs, MAAGs, missions, and military groups will normally receive copies by mail from DA. When the writer determines that delivery by rapid means is absolutely essential, the writer will so specify in the Special Instructions block of DD Form 173. The writer will also indicate this in the message text's internal instructions. (6) ALARACT messages may require delivery to ARNG and USAR units. The Chief, National Guard Bureau, and Chief, Army Reserve, will determine whether an ALARACT message requires delivery and will deliver it by mail or rapid means as appropriate. (7) Heads of HQDA agencies and their field operating activities and major Army commanders are responsible for providing appropriate updates (additions, deletions, and changes) concerning subordinate organizations to the area distribution authorities and to Chief, U.S. Army C-E Services Office, ATTN: SFIS-FAC-M, Room 9S65, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332-2200. (8) Army organizations at locations not listed in paragraph 5-7 will arrange to receive ALARACT messages with their parent command or with the area distribution authority. 5-5. Telecommunications Center (including Communications Center) responsibilities for joint general message series The provisions pertaining to ALARACT messages for accountability, obtaining missing sequentially numbered messages within a given series, requests for correction, and retransmissions are applicable. Requests for corrections, retransmissions, or notification of open numbers, however, will be forwarded to the connected AUTODIN switching center. 5-6. Distribution of joint general messages Joint general messages will be distributed as shown below. a. ALFOODACT.Distributed to Army activities per ALARACT instructions and procedures. Rerouting to DTS, U.S. Navy (USN), or Air Force (AF) terminals for delivery to Army over-the-counter subscribers is not required. b. ALMILACT.Distributed to all Army activities worldwide per ALARACT instructions and procedures. Rerouting to USN, AF, or DTS terminals is not required. Army area distribution authorities normally will protect delivery by mail for addressees served by commercial means, which may be used when authorized. c. ALSVCACT.Distributed to all Army activities worldwide per ALARACT instructions and procedures. Rerouting to USN, AF, or DTS terminals is not required. Army area distribution authorities normally will protect delivery by mail for addressees not served by secure means. d. EURCOMACT.Distributed to all Army activities in USCINCEUR's general geographical area of control (ACP 121 US SUPP-1). Rerouting to USN or AF terminals is not required. The appropriate distribution authority normally will protect delivery by mail for addressees not served by secure means. Commercial means may be used when authorized. e. JAFPUB.Distributed to all Army holders of JANAP/ACPs. Rerouting to USN, AF, or DTS terminals is not required. Army area distribution authorities normally will protect delivery by mail for addressees not served by secure means. f. JANAFPAC.Distributed to specific action and information addressees. Redistribution is at the discretion of the receiving U.S. major commands. g. LANTCOMACT.Distributed to the headquarters of USCINCLANT subordinates for action. Commander in Chief, Army Forces, Atlantic, is responsible for redistributing to subordinate activities and others as required. The Army Chief of Staff is included as an information addressee. h. PACOMACT.Distributed to all Army activities in USCINCPAC's general geographical area of control. Rerouting to USN or AF terminals is not required. The appropriate Army area distribution authority normally will protect delivery by mail for addressees not served by secure means. Commercial means may be used when authorized. i. USSOCOMACT.Distributed to all Army activities located within USCINCSO's general geographical area of control. Rerouting to USN or AF terminals is not required. The appropriate Army area distribution authority normally will protect delivery by mail for addressees not served by secure means. Commercial means may be used when authorized. j. ALDODACT.Distributed to all Army activities worldwide per ALARACT instructions and procedures. Rerouting to USN, AF, or DTS terminals is not required. Army area distribution authorities normally will protect delivery by mail for addressees not served by secure means. Commercial means may be used when authorized. 5-7. Area distribution authorities Table 5-1 lists area distribution authorities and their assigned areas of responsibility. ______________________________________________________________________ Table 5-1 Area distribution authorities and their assigned areas of responsibility ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDR5THSIGCOMD WORMS GE Area of responsibility: Belgium, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Liberia, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Zaire. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC HI FT SHAFTER HI Area of responsibility: Australia, Guam, Hawaii, Japan, Johnston Atoll, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC PAN COROZAL PM Area of responsibility: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC AK FT RICHARDSON AK Area of responsibility: Alaska. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: DIRUSAISC FT MCCOY WI Area of responsibility: Iowa, Michigan (all counties in upper peninsula), Minnesota, Wisconsin. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC ST LOUIS MO Area of responsibility: Illinois (St. Clair, Madison, and Monroe Counties), Missouri (City of St. Louis; St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson, and Franklin Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT BELVOIR VA Area of responsibility: National Capital Region, Maryland (Charles and St. Mary's Counties), Virginia (Rockingham, Shenandoah, Page, Warren, Fauquier, Rappahannock, Madison, Greene, Culpeper, Stafford, Orange, Spotsylvania, Prince William, Fairfax, Arlington, Westmoreland, Richmond, Lancaster, Northumberland, and Albemarle Counties), West Virginia (Pendleton, Hardy, and Grant Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT BENJAMIN HARRISON IN Area of responsibility: Illinois (Fulton, Tazewell, McLean, Ford, Iroquois, Vermilion, Champaign, Piatt, DeWitt, Macon, Logan, Mason, Menard, Sangamon, Christian, Shelby, Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, Edgar, Clark, Cumberland, Effingham, Jasper, Crawford, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, and Edwards Counties), Indiana (all counties except those listed under Ft Sheridan, IL). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT BENNING GA Area of responsibility: Alabama (Coosa, Elmore, Montgomery, Bullock, Macon, Tallapoosa, Chambers, Lee, and Russell Counties), Florida (Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Columbia, Gilchrist, Dixie, Lafayette, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla, Liberty, and Franklin Counties), Georgia (Troup, Meriwether, Pike, Lamar, Monroe, Jones, Twiggs, Bibb, Crawford, Upson, Taylor, Talbot, Harris, Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Marion, Schley, Macon, Peach, Houston, Bleckley, Dodge, Pulaski, Wilcox, Crisp, Dooly, Sumter, Webster, Stewart, Quitman, Randolph, Terrell, Lee, Worth, Turner, Ben Hill, Irwin, Tift, Berrien, Cook, Colquitt, Mitchell, Baker, Early, Miller, Calhoun, Dougherty, Clay, Seminole, Decatur, Grady, Thomas, Brooks, Lowndes, Echols, and Clinch Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT BLISS TX Area of responsibility: New Mexico, Texas (El Paso, Hudspeth, Loving, Winkler, Ward, Reeves, Pecos, Jeff Davis, Terrell, Brewster, and Presidio Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT BRAGG NC Area of responsibility: North Carolina. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT BUCHANAN PR Area of responsibility: Puerto Rico. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT CAMPBELL KY Area of responsibility: Kentucky (Daviess, Ohio, Butler, Simpson, Logan, Muhlenburg, McLean, Hopkins, Henderson, Union, Webster, Crittenden, Trigg, Lyon, Livingston, Marshall, Calloway, Graves, McCracken, Ballard, Carlisle, Hickman, and Fulton Counties), Tennessee. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT CARSON CO Area of responsibility: Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT DEVENS MA Area of responsibility: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT DIX NJ Area of responsibility: New Jersey, New York (New York City, Delaware, Greene, Columbia, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Putnam, Westchester, Bronx, Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Kings, and Richmond Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT DRUM NY Area of responsibility: New York (all counties except those listed under Ft Dix, NJ). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT EUSTIS VA Area of responsibility: Virginia (Gloucester, James City, York; Closed City Counties of Hampton, Newport News, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach; Middlesex, Mathews, Nansemond, Southampton, and Isle of Wight Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT GORDON GA Area of responsibility: Georgia (Stephens, Franklin, Banks, Hart, Madison, Jackson, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Elbert, Lincoln, Wilkes, Greene, Taliaferro, Putnam, Morgan, Baldwin, Hancock, Warren, McDuffie, Columbia, Richmond, Burke, Emanuel, Jenkins, Screven, Jefferson, Glascock, Wilkinson, Washington, Johnson, and Laurens Counties), South Carolina (Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood, McCormick, Edgefield, Saluda, Aiken, Barnwell, Allendale, and Hampton Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT HOOD TX Area of responsibility: Texas (all counties east of Winkler, Ward, Pecos, and the northern half of Terrell; north of Val Verde, Edwards, Kerr, Gillespie, Blanco, Travis, Lee, Fayette, Austin, Waller; and east of Harris, Galveston, and New Mexico state border). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC AGENCY FT HUACHUCA AZ Area of responsibility: Arizona. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT INDIANTOWN GAP PA Area of responsibility: Pennsylvania, West Virginia (all counties except those listed under Ft Belvoir, VA, and Ft Meade, MD). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT JACKSON SC Area of responsibility: South Carolina (Cherokee, York, Union, Chester, Lancaster, Chesterfield, Marlboro, Dillon, Darlington, Kershaw, Fairfield, Newberry, Lexington, Richland, Sumter, Lee, Florence, Marion, Horry, Georgetown, Williamsburg, Clarendon, Calhoun, Orangeburg, Bamberg, Colleton, Dorchester, Charleston, and Berkeley Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT KNOX KY Area of responsibility: Kentucky (all counties except those listed under Ft Campbell, KY), Ohio. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT LEAVENWORTH KS Area of responsibility: Kansas (Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Doniphan, Atchison, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Douglas, and Jackson Counties), Missouri (Atchison, Nodaway, Worth, Harrison, Mercer, Putnam, Sullivan, Grundy, Daviess, Gentry, DeKalb, Andrew, Holt, Buchanan, Clinton, Caldwell, Livingston, Linn, Chariton, Carrol, Ray, Clay, Platte, Jackson, Lafayette, and Saline Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT LEE VA Area of responsibility: Virginia (all counties except those listed under Ft Belvoir, VA; Ft Eustis, VA; and Ft Meade, MD). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT LEONARD WOOD MO Area of responsibility: Illinois (Hancock, McDonough, Schuyler, Adams, Brown, Morgan, Scott, Pike, Calhoun, Green, Jersey, Macoupin, Montgomery, Fayette, Bond, Clinton, Marion, Clay, Washington, Jefferson, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Franklin, Perry, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Hardin, Pope, Massac, Pulaski, Union, Alexander, and Johnson Counties), Missouri (all counties except those listed under Ft Leavenworth, KS). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT LEWIS WA Area of responsibility: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT MCPHERSON GA Area of responsibility: Georgia (Dade, Walker, Catsosa, Whitfield, Murray, Fannin, Union, Rabun, Habersham, White, Lumpkin, Gilmer, Gordon, Chattooga, Floyd, Bartow, Pickens, Dawson, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Barrow, Gwinnett, Walton, Rockdale, De Kalb, Fulton, Cobb, Paulding, Polk, Haralson, Carroll, Douglas, Heard, Coweta, Fayette, Spalding, Butts, Clayton, Henry, Newton, and Jasper Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT MCCLELLAN AL Area of responsibility: Alabama (Landerdale, Limestone, Madison, Jackson, DeKalb, Cherokee, Etowah, Marshall, Morgan, Lawrence, Colbert, Franklin, Marion, Winston, Cullman, Blount, Calhoun, Cleburne, Randolph, Clay, Talladega, St. Clair, Shelby, Jefferson, Walker, Fayette, Lamar, Pickens, and Tuscaloosa Counties), Mississippi (Issaquena, Sharkey, Humphreys, Holmes, Attala, Winston, Noxubee, Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Choctaw, Montgomery, Carrol, Leflore, Sunflower, Washington, Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Grenada, Webster, Clay, Monroe, Chickasaw, Calhoun, Yalobusha, Tunica, Tate, DeSoto, Marshall, Benton, Tippah, Alcorn, Tishomingo, Itawamba, Lee, Prentiss, Union, Panola, Lafayette, and Pontotoc Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT GEORGE G MEADE MD Area of responsibility: Delaware. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDR FT MEADE MD Area of responsibility: Maryland (all counties except St. Mary's and Charles), Virginia (Accomack, Northampton, Frederick, Clarke, and Loudoun Counties), West Virginia (Mineral, Hampshire, Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT MONROE VA Area of responsibility: Virginia (Ft Monroe). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT ORD CA Area of responsibility: California (Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Mariposa, Madera, Merced, Fresno, San Benito, Monterey, Tulare, Kings, San Luis Obispo, and Kern Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC PSF SAN FRANCISCO CA Area of responsibility: California (all counties except those listed under Fort Ord, CA), Nevada. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: DIRUSAISC FT RILEY KS Area of responsibility: Kansas (all counties except those listed under Ft Leavenworth, KS), Nebraska. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDR FT RITCHIE MD Area of responsibility: Maryland (Ft Ritchie). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT RUCKER AL Area of responsibility: Alabama (Sumter, Greene, Hale, Bibb, Chilton, Autuga, Dallas, Perry, Marengo, Choctaw, Clarke, Wilcox, Lowndes, Butler, Monroe, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Pike, Barbour, Henry, Houston, Geneva, Dale, Coffee, Covington, Escambia, Baldwin, Mobile, and Washington Counties), Florida (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Jackson, Bay, Calhoun, and Gulf Counties), Mississippi (Yazoo, Madison, Leake, Neshoba, Kemper, Lauderdale, Newton, Scott, Rankin, Hinds, Warren, Claiborne, Jefferson, Copiah, Simpson, Jasper, Clarke, Wayne, Jones, Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln, Franklin, Adams, Wilkinson, Amite, Pike, Walthall, Marion, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, George, Stone, Pearl River, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT SAM HOUSTON TX Area of responsibility: Texas (all counties of Crockett, Sutton, Kimble, Mason, Llano, Burnet, Williamson, Burleson, Washington, Grimes, and Montgomery; west of Liberty and Chambers Counties; and boundary on the west at south half of Terrell County and the Mexican border). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT SHERIDAN IL Area of responsibility: Illinois (Lake, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle, DeKalb, Kane, Du Page, Cook, Will, Kendall, La Salle, Lee, Whiteside, Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, Bureau, Putnam, Kankakee, Livingston, Woodford, Peoria, Marshall, Stark, Knox, Warren, and Henderson Counties), Indiana (Lake, Porter, La Porte, St Joseph, and Elkhart Counties), Michigan (all counties in lower peninsula). ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT SILL OK Area of responsibility: Arkansas, Oklahoma. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT POLK LA Area of responsibility: Louisiana. ______________________________________________________________________ Distribution authority: CDRUSAISC FT STEWART GA Area of responsibility: Florida (all counties except those listed under Ft Benning, GA), Georgia (Effingham, Chatham, Bulloch, Bryan, Liberty, Evans, Candler, Treutlen, Montgomery, Toombs, Tattnall, Long, McIntosh, Glynn, Wayne, Appling, Jeff Davis, Wheeler, Telfair, Coffee, Bacon, Pierce, Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Ware, and Atkinson Counties). ______________________________________________________________________ Chapter 6 Drafting Messages 6-1. Types of messages Classified and unclassified narrative messages are prepared on DD Form 173 or on plain bond paper in single address, multiple address, book, or general message form as described below. They are typed in upper case letters. A sample outgoing message is at figure 7-1. a. Single address.A single address message has only one message address. b. Multiple address.A multiple address message has two or more message addresses, and the writer is aware that each addressee must know of all other recipients. c. Book.A book message is used when it is not mandatory that each addressee know who the other recipients are. d. General.A general message is designed to meet the need to issue information or instructions to a wide standard distribution. For detailed information about general messages, see chapter 5. e. Deliver as a single address message.The "single address" delivery procedure was set up to prevent multiple address messages involving contractor bids or negotiations from being received by each commercial addressee, as this would reveal the identity of the other commercial addressees. Message writers will indicate this special handling requirement by inserting the phrase "Deliver as a single address message" in the Special Instructions block of DD Form 173 (para 7-5k). 6-2. FROM, TO, INFO, and XMT lines The same message address will not appear more than once as the originator and/or an addressee in the message heading. Geographical locations are required on all U.S. message addresses except for Navy afloat or mobile units, Army tactical message addresses, ALT HQs, and ERSs. Army, Air, or Navy post office numbers or coded distribution lists will not be used as part of the originator or addressee message address. a. Office symbols.Office symbols, when known, are required for each Army message addressee. Office symbols will be used with the message address of both the originating and receiving Army activities. Office symbols will be separated from the message address, without a space, by a double slant (//). When a message is intended for more than one office symbol at a specific message address, the message address will be listed once, followed by all appropriate office symbols. Each office symbol will be separated, without a space, by a single slant (/). The first office symbol will be the action office or the office that has primary interest in the message. The use of office symbols is mandatory for those addressees served by special purpose computers, for example, AMME/RT. (See DA Pam 25-11, table 3.) b. FROM line. (1) When the message is to a noncommercial addressee, the FROM line will consist of the command title, location as shown in DA Pam 25-11, and one office symbol. Examples are as follows: (a) FROM DA WASHINGTON DC//SAIS-PS//. (b) FROM CDRAMC ALEXANDRIA VA//AMCEE-C//. (c) FROM CDRUSAONE FT MEADE MD//AFKA-OI-PC//. (2) When the message is to a commercial addressee, the FROM line should be spelled out completely. Commercial addressees are not familiar with Army abbreviations. Examples are as follows: (a) FROM COMMANDER UNITED STATES ARMY MATERIEL COMMAND ALEXANDRIA VA. (b) FROM COMMANDER UNITED STATES ARMY INFORMATION SYSTEMS COMMAND FORT HUACHUCA AZ. (c) FROM CHIEF OF LEGISLATIVE LIAISON DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY WASHINGTON DC. c. TO line. (1) In most cases, Army message addresses will be to the commander of the command, installation, or agency for whom the message is intended. Commandant, director, or chief may be used as listed in DA Pam 25-11. The only abbreviations that may be used in the message address are those authorized by DA Pam 25-11. The activity/unit portion of the message address normally will not contain spaces. Spaces will be used only when necessary for clarity. The office symbol, if known, will follow the message address. All messages for personnel of a command will be addressed to the commander, commandant, director, or chief, and will contain proper internal delivery instructions (para 6-4e). (2) Message addresses are listed in DA Pam 25-11. The message address for any Army addressee not listed in DA Pam 25-11 will be spelled out completely to assist in routing. (3) When a message requires delivery via a commercial company, names of cities will be spelled out in full and States abbreviated as shown in DA Pam 25-11. For example: TO SMITH BROS. INC. DODGE BLDG 1125 N. STATE ST CHICAGO IL 60610-0000. (4) Information such as "ATTN MAJ BROWN," "FOR COL SMITH," or personal names in lieu of office symbols will not be added to the message address portion of the message form. When such information is required, it will be included in the internal instructions of the text. (5) When a message is to be sent to some or all addressees by nontelecommunications, the letters ZEN will precede those message addresses. For example: TO ZEN CDRUSASCH FT SHAFTER HI//HCCE-SB//. (6) Messages may be sent to all addressees for action, information, or a combination of both. All action addressees are listed first, followed by information addressees. d. INFO line.This line is prepared in the same manner as the TO line. e. XMT line.This line is prepared in the same manner as the TO and INFO lines, except that office symbols need not be included. "XMT" must precede the first message address exempted from the AIG. 6-3. DATE-TIME group a. The DTG shows the time the message was processed by the releaser. It will be expressed in date/time (ZULU)/month/year. b. The DTG is placed in the DATE/TIME, MONTH, and YR spaces of DD Form 173 (fig 7-1, item 3, 4, and 5) at the time of release. c. The DTG will be assigned by the message releaser. The same DTG will not be assigned to more than one message with the same office symbol in the FROM line. 6-4. Text The message text consists of internal message instructions and the body. The correct sequence for the text is as follows: a. Security classification or the word UNCLAS (para 6-5). b. Special handling designations, if used to indicate requirements for controlled handling by individuals who have been either specially cleared or authorized access to the message contents. Limited distribution (LIMDIS), NODIS, and EXDIS messages are included in this sequence of text (paras 6-7 through 6-12). c. Releasability statements or appropriate regional defense organization security classification statement, if required (paras 6- 14 and 6-15). d. Subject indicator code (SIC) assigned for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Subject Indicator System (NASIS) or Delivery Distribution Indicator (DDI), if used (para 6-19). e. Special delivery instructions, if used; for example, FROM, PASS TO , PERSONAL FOR (paras 6-2, 6-12, and 6-20). f. Exercise name, if used (para 6-47). g. Subject (para 6-23). h. References, if used (para 6-25). i. Body of text. 6-5. Classification The writer is responsible for determining the proper security classification for each message per AR 380-5. A message should be unclassified if its text is unclassified. A security classification will have a space between each letter (fig 7-1). Examples are as follows: a. T O P S E C R E T. b. C O N F I D E N T I A L. 6-6. For Official Use Only FOUO messages contain unclassified information requiring protection under the provisions of AR 25-55. FOUO messages marked as such may be filed or refiled with a domestic commercial carrier if the addressee is in the United States. Commercial file or refile of FOUO messages with an international or foreign carrier is prohibited. Instructions for removing the FOUO protective markings are in AR 25-55. 6-7. Special handling designations a. Certain types of messages require special handling in addition to that provided by the security classification. Also, messages associated with certain projects or subjects require limited distribution. TCC personnel are authorized to handle these messages in accordance with the message security classification. Care should be taken when assigning special handling designations. The limitations imposed on distribution could hinder proper staffing for implementing operational actions. b. Special handling designations fall under two general descriptions: (1) SPECAT and LIMDIS. (2) Messages that require special handling but are not solely U.S. designations, for example, US/ EYES ONLY, ATOMAL, CRYPTOSECURITY, OR EXCLUSIVE. 6-8. Special Category messages SPECAT messages are classified messages about specific projects or subjects that require special handling procedures in addition to those required by the security classification. The special handling procedures ensure that the message is handled and viewed only by properly cleared and authorized personnel. ACP 121 US SUPP-1 (C), paragraph 350, applies. a. SPECAT is applied to the following types of messages: (1) Single Integrated Operational Plan-Extremely Sensitive Information (SIOP-ESI). (2) Messages associated with a code word or short title acronym that has been approved for the SPECAT designation. (3) EXCLUSIVE messages that are not addressed to a NATO or Allied addressee. b. Other types of messages may be approved for the SPECAT designation if they meet the general criterion and the following conditions. (1) Special handling is a continuing requirement and is associated with a long-term project (6 months or more). (2) The project or subject has worldwide application. c. Submit recommendations for changes to the types of messages that require the SPECAT designation, listed in a above, through command channels to Chief, U.S. Army C-E Services Office, SFIS-FAC-M, Room 9S65, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332-2200. d. When classified messages not listed in a above require special handling, the command responsible for the subject or project must inform all activities involved of the special handling requirement. The activities are then responsible for informing the servicing TCCs. e. SPECAT messages will have the designation "SPECAT" and code word, acronym, or EXCLUSIVE inserted after the security classification on the first line of text as shown in figure 6-1. 6-9. Single Integrated Operational Plan--Extremely Sensitive Information messages SIOP-ESI messages must be prepared per the implementing directives of the interested community. 6-10. Limited distribution LIMDIS messages are classified messages about specific projects or subjects that must receive limited distribution. A LIMDIS message may be handled by TCC personnel in accordance with the message's security classification. a. The designation "LIMDIS" will be inserted immediately after the security classification and will be followed by the project or subject name as shown in figure 6-2. b. Since SPECAT messages include LIMDIS special handling procedures, the designation "LIMDIS" will not be used on SPECAT messages. 6-11. SPECAT EXCLUSIVE messages a. When it is important that a message not be distributed until after it has been seen by the individuals to whom it is addressed by name, the writer will use the designation SPECAT EXCLUSIVE. Copies of SPECAT EXCLUSIVE messages will be furnished only to the persons named by the originator or allowed by the addressee to receive them. The originator and recipient of a SPECAT EXCLUSIVE message may prescribe further distribution. EXCLUSIVE messages addressed only to U.S. message addresses will be designated SPECAT and must be classified. SPECAT EXCLUSIVE messages will be handled only by personnel specifically named by the commander. SPECAT EXCLUSIVE will be included in the first line of text after the security classification as shown in figure 6-3. b. The designation "SPECAT EXCLUSIVE FOR" will not be used to issue information about operational matters. A message including "SPECAT EXCLUSIVE FOR" will not be readdressed. 6-12. PERSONAL FOR messages a. PERSONAL FOR messages are those the originator believes require restricted distribution. b. PERSONAL FOR messages may be classified or unclassified. The message will be marked "PERSONAL FOR" a person by name, for example: UNCLAS PERSONAL FOR MG WILLIAMS. The name of the originator may also be included. c. PERSONAL FOR messages enable users to send private messages to or from locations without SSO facilities. d. General officers and DA civilians of equivalent rank are allowed to send PERSONAL FOR messages. Those below general officer rank or civilian equal may do so only when empowered by the Chief of Staff, Army, or the Director of the Army Staff (DAS). e. PERSONAL FOR messages are processed in the same manner as SPECAT EXCLUSIVE messages. Distribution is solely to the designated recipient or person authorized by the recipient to receive such messages. Additional distribution may be made only as directed by the recipient. f. PERSONAL FOR messages will not be used for operational matters. g. PERSONAL FOR messages will not be readdressed unless the originator provides specific readdressal instructions in the text of the message. 6-13. EYES ONLY messages See chapter 14 for specific guidance. 6-14. Intelligence community designations a. The control markings in (1) through (5) below may be used, together or separately, on messages containing classified intelligence information. Do not use the not releasable to foreign nationals (NOFORN) and releasable to (REL) control markings together at the beginning of the message text; the two terms are mutually exclusive. If any portion of a message can be released to one or more countries, put the REL (country) control marking at the beginning of the text, and mark the releasable paragraphs in the body of the message. If the entire message cannot be released to any foreign country, put the NOFORN control marking at the beginning of the text. (1) Warning Notice--Intelligence Sources or Methods Involved (WNINTEL).Classified intelligence so marked shall not be disseminated in any manner outside authorized channels without the permission of the originator and an assessment by the disseminating agency's senior intelligence officer of the potential risk to intelligence sources or methods. The WNINTEL control marking will appear at the beginning of the message text after the security classification. WNINTEL or its abbreviation, WN, will be used to mark paragraphs. (2) Dissemination and Extraction of Information Controlled by Originator (ORCON).Information so marked may not be disseminated beyond headquarters elements of the recipient organizations. This information may not be incorporated, in whole or in part, into other reports or briefings without the advance permission of, and under conditions specified by, the originator. The ORCON control marking will appear at the beginning of the message text after the security classification. ORCON or its abbreviation, OC, will be used to mark paragraphs. (3) Not Releasable to Contractors/Consultants (NO CONTRACT).Information so marked shall not be disseminated in any form to an individual, organization, or foreign government that has actual or potential interests in competition with the source of the information without permission of the originator. The NO CONTRACT control marking will appear at the beginning of the message text after the security classification. NO CONTRACT or its abbreviation, NC, will be used to mark paragraphs. (4) Caution--Proprietary Information Involved (PROPIN).Information so marked shall not be disseminated in any form to an individual, organization, or foreign government that has actual or potential interests in competition with the source of information without permission of the originator. PROPIN may also be used on unclassified intelligence information. The PROPIN control marking will appear at the beginning of the message text after the security classification. PROPIN or its abbreviation, PR, will be used to mark paragraphs. (5) Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals (NOFORN).Information so marked is not releasable to foreign governments, foreign nationals, or non-U.S. citizens without permission of the originator. The NOFORN control marking will appear at the beginning of the message text after the security classification. NOFORN or its abbreviation, NF, will be used to mark paragraphs. b. These markings may not be used except to control the dissemination of intelligence information. 6-15. Releasability statements Neither unclassified nor classified information will be given or released to foreign nationals or governments without proper authorization per the National Disclosure Policy as prescribed in AR 380-10. a. Releasability statements are-- (1) Not required for classified messages to a foreign addressee when the releasing official has been authorized to release the information to the addressed foreign organization. (2) Required in the internal instructions of a U.S. national classified message when the originator authorizes the U.S. addressee to release the information to a specific foreign organization. This authorization normally is given in a PASS TO instruction in the text. b. NATO member nations, except the United Kingdom and Canada, are connected with U.S. military communications networks only through circuits or facilities of the NATO communications networks. Only messages bearing special handling designations, such as EYES ONLY, are protected by off-line encryption prior to entry into the NATO network. Messages bearing the NATO special handling designations ATOMAL, CRYPTOSECURITY, and EXCLUSIVE are all subject to viewing by any member nation. c. Member nations served by the NATO network are as follows: (1) Belgium. (2) Denmark. (3) France. (4) Germany, Federal Republic of. (5) Greece. (6) Iceland. (7) Italy. (8) Luxembourg. (9) The Netherlands. (10) Norway. (11) Portugal. (12) Spain. (13) Turkey. 6-16. Restricted Data messages Messages containing Restricted Data (RESDAT) information, or information that was formerly RESDAT, will include the marking RESDAT or FORMERLY RESDAT after the security classification on line 1 of the text. See figure 6-4 for examples. 6-17. Encrypt For Transmission Only a. No Army regulation requires use of Encrypt For Transmission Only (EFTO) on Army-originated messages. When required by other directives, EFTO may be applied to messages addressed to DOD addressees, the National Security Agency, and the Federal Aviation Administration. EFTO will not be applied to messages addressed to non-DOD addressees except by prior agreement. Use of EFTO on unclassified messages addressed to foreign governments or regional defense organizations is prohibited. b. Messages to addressees served by commercial means should not be marked EFTO. If a commercial refile station receives an EFTO message, the EFTO marking will be removed before transmission to the commercial carrier. 6-18. Treaty organization markings COSMIC or NATO designations applied to a message mean that the message is the property of a treaty organization and is subject to the organization's security regulations and access controls. Copies of U.S. documents will not bear these designations until the documents are introduced into the treaty organization. The originating U.S. agency is responsible for determining whether U.S. classified information should be released to a treaty organization. a. U.S. classified messages will be addressed to the appropriate U.S. Liaison Officer, National Military Representative, or Document Office. These messages will contain specific internal passing instructions indicating the treaty organization addressee. In addition, the statement "RELEASABLE TO NATO AS NATO SECRET" (or other appropriate classification) must be included in the internal text instructions. (See fig 6-5 for an example of this statement.) Under no circumstances will messages originated by a U.S. agency contain the statement "This is a (COSMIC) (NATO) message." b. When a U.S. agency must transmit a message directly to a treaty organization, the message will include the statement "NATO SECRET (or other appropriate classification) FOR NATO ADDRESSEES" in the internal text instructions. See example in figure 6-6. c. Treaty organization markings required by a and b above will not be stamped or marked on the copies of any messages processed for distribution or retention by U.S. agencies. The U.S. classification is the correct one. d. Where approved channels are used for non-electrical transmission of U.S. classified information into a treaty organization, the last U.S. agency having custody of the message will apply the proper treaty organization markings. 6-19. NATO Subject Indicator System NASIS is designed to improve message distribution in NATO by standardizing the subject areas contained in NATO messages. NASIS uses a SIC, a three-letter code assigned from NATO APP-3 (Allied Procedural Publication 3), to represent the message's subject matter. (See fig 6- 7 for an example.) A Standard Distribution List based upon the SIC provides message delivery instructions to the serving TCC. a. U.S. Army forces assigned to NATO or who change operation (CHOP) to NATO are required to use the SIC on messages addressed to NATO. Originators, other than U.S. Army Forces assigned to NATO, are encouraged to assign a SIC to all messages. b. Any activity without APP-3 that exchanges traffic with NATO is authorized and encouraged to use the SIC assigned in a received message as the SIC in an outgoing response to NATO or a member nation. This practice will facilitate distribution of the message. 6-20. PASS TO instructions When it is necessary to send a message through one addressee to reach another, the words "PASS TO" will be used in the internal text instructions to indicate the intended recipients of the message. The PASS TO instructions will also indicate whether the addressee performing the PASS TO function is to retain the message for action or information. a. In multiple address messages, the addressee responsible for passing the message will be named. See figure 6-8 for an example. b. In single address messages, the external addressee will not be included in the PASS TO instructions. See example at figure 6-9. 6-21. Use of the word "FOR" The word "FOR" may be used in the internal instructions to indicate delivery to a specific individual. "FOR" is followed by the name of the intended recipient. This use is similar to the use of "Attention" in a letter. a. In a single address message, the addressee need not be repeated in the text. See example at figure 6-10. b. In a multiple address message, the address should be included in the internal text instructions for clarity. See example at figure 6- 11. 6-22. Office of origin line a. An office of origin line is used only when a message prepared by one staff element will be released by another. See example at figure 6-12. b. "Signed (SGD)," followed by an abbreviated title or office symbol, may be used to show authorization by an office other than the preparing office. Also, SGD followed by the last name, title, and office symbol may be used to show that an individual has personally prepared, or reviewed and approved, the message. This procedure will not be applied automatically to all messages. SGD appears only in the internal instructions at the beginning of the text, not at the end of the text. See examples at figure 6-13. 6-23. Subject a. A subject line will be inserted in the message text after the internal instructions and before any references to previous communications. Subject lines will not appear in tactical and fixed format messages (pro forma messages). b. The subject should be as brief as possible and limited to one line. c. The subject line may be omitted if its use would require an otherwise unclassified message to be classified; noticeably increase the length of a brief message; or increase commercial charges when the message is addressed to activities served by commercial communications facilities. d. The abbreviation SUBJ will precede the subject line. e. In classified messages, the symbol for the classification of the subject line follows the subject. For example: SUBJ: FREEDOM 1987 (C). 6-24. Suspense date a. A suspense date may be included in a message to Army addressees when a reply is required by a certain date. b. The following time factors will be considered in establishing deadlines or suspense dates to give commanders enough time to comply with any mandatory instructions therein: (1) Time required to process and transmit the message (para 4-6). (2) Time required for the addressee to obtain, consolidate, and transmit the information required. c. The suspense date, when used, will consist of the letter "S" and the abbreviated date and year in parentheses. It will be inserted following the message subject. For example, SUBJ: OPLAN 215 (U) (S 15 OCT 87). 6-25. References a. National, service, or command authorities may forbid reference to a classified message in an unclassified message. Authorities who forbid such references are responsible for notifying the concerned parties. b. When not otherwise forbidden, an unclassified reply may be made to a classified message provided the reply-- (1) Does not refer to a message that requires paraphrasing. (2) Does not refer to a message that has been paraphrased. (3) Does not refer to any element of a classified message (DTG and office symbol) when the classified message forbids such reference. (4) Does not cancel a classified message. c. When citing references to previous messages, memorandums, orders, telephone conversations, or other material, whether classified or unclassified, follow the guidance below. (1) References follow the subject line, if used, and precede the body of the text. When the reference contains classified information or is placed in a classified message, the classification symbol will precede the reference. The first element of a reference is the security classification or the word UNCLAS; the second element is the type of correspondence (for example, message or memorandum); the third element is the organization of origin (for example, HQ TRADOC); the fourth element is the office symbol, if any; and the fifth element is the date of the correspondence or DTG of a message. When necessary for clarity, references may also show the subject if it differs from that of the message. The subject's security classification will be indicated in parentheses after the subject; that is, Top Secret (TS), Secret (S), Confidential (C), Restricted (R), Unclassified (U), or For Official Use Only (FOUO). If only one reference is listed, it will be preceded by the letter "A" as shown in figure 6-14. (2) Each reference will be listed on a separate line and identified as A, B, C, and so forth. The security classification assigned to each reference in a classified message follows the reference identification; for example, A. (U). The word "mail" or "courier" follows a reference if the message was sent or received by mail or courier. See example at figure 6-15. (3) The example at figure 6-16 shows a classified message referring to memorandums, endorsements, reports, and telephone conversations. (4) When references are used, care must be taken to ensure that each reference is available to all addressees. d. For messages addressed to activities or persons outside the DA, the DTG will be quoted in addition to the originator's message reference number. Examples are as follows: (1) A. (U) CONF MSG STATE 185296 021819Z SEP 87. (2) A. (U) SECRET MSG AFRS 101 021345Z SEP 87. e. When a message being referred to does not include an office symbol, the subject of the message may be added for clarity. See example at figure 6-17. f. When reference is made to a message that has been readdressed, the DTG of the original message will be used. g. The command that readdresses a message is responsible for providing the new addressees with any needed references contained in the original message. 6-26. Use of NOTAL When the originator determines that addressees do not need a reference they do not have, NOTAL (meaning not to, or needed by, all addressees) will be included after the reference. For example: A. UNCLAS MSG CUSA CE SVC OFC SFIS-FAC-M 091300Z FEB 87 NOTAL. 6-27. Use of PASEP When the originator determines that an addressee needs a reference, the originator is responsible for forwarding the needed reference. The originator will indicate his or her intention to provide the reference by adding PASEP (passed separately) immediately after the pertinent reference. For example-- a. (U) CONF MSG DA DAAG-PA 130943Z SEP 87 PASEP b. (U) UNCLAS MSG CINCUSAREUR DCSC-E 141219Z SEP 87 6-28. Dividing a message into parts a. When a message has more than one message address and more than one subject, and some of the contents do not apply to all addressees, the message should be divided into as many parts as needed. Classified messages that are releasable only in part should be divided into releasable and nonreleasable parts. Paragraphs will be numbered consecutively regardless of the number of parts the message contains. b. The last element of the internal instructions will indicate that the message has been divided into parts. See example at figure 6-18. c. Each part will be named and assigned responsibility. See example at figure 6-19. 6-29. Body of text The body of the text will be prepared in upper case letters. Punctuation symbols and numbers will be used as described in paragraphs 6-32 and 6-34. The text must be clear and concise. Omit as many words as possible without making the meaning vague or misleading. Do not use conjunctions, prepositions, and articles unless they are needed to clarify the meaning. A line of text will not exceed 69 characters (including spaces). 6-30. United States Message Text Format United States Message Text Formats (USMTFs) are templates for standardizing the content and structure of common military reports. These messages are pro forma and must follow the appropriate template exactly. 6-31. Abbreviations, brevity codes, and acronyms Normally, abbreviations, brevity codes, and acronyms will be limited to those prescribed by AR 310-50. Use them to save time in message preparation and transmission or to save space. However, do not sacrifice clarity for brevity. Do not use abbreviations or acronyms if they will not be easily understood by all addressees. 6-32. Punctuation Punctuation will be kept to a minimum and used only when needed for clarity. a. Only the following punctuation symbols are allowed in messages to non-U.S. addressees: period (.), comma (,), colon (:), slant (/), dash or hyphen (-), question mark (?), and parentheses (()). b. In addition to the marks in a above, the following are allowed in intra-U.S. messages: semicolon (;), dollar sign ($), quotation marks (""), and apostrophe ('). 6-33. Paragraphing All paragraphs begin at the left margin and are numbered as in letter correspondence. The security classification of each paragraph, subparagraph, and further subdivision of classified messages is indicated by the appropriate classification or protective marking symbol in parentheses after the paragraph number. For example, 1. (C); 2. (FOUO); C. (U); D. (S). If the message is unclassified, protective paragraph marking symbols are not required. 6-34. Numbers Numbers will be written as numeric digits; for example: 1, 2, 3. Fractions, such as one-half, will be written as 1/2. 6-35. Writer identification When the recipients need to know who drafted the message, the writer's name and telephone number may be included at the end of the message text. See example at figure 6-20. 6-36. Isolated letters a. Where it is necessary to ensure correct receipt of an isolated letter, use only the following phonetic alphabet spellings: ALFA, BRAVO, CHARLIE, DELTA, ECHO, FOXTROT, GOLF, HOTEL, INDIA, JULIETT, KILO, LIMA, MIKE, NOVEMBER, OSCAR, PAPA, QUEBEC, ROMEO, SIERRA, TANGO, UNIFORM, VICTOR, WHISKEY, XRAY, YANKEE, ZULU. b. Reference names in the text of a message are not considered isolated letters; for example: "IAW REF A THE FOL IS SUBMITTED." 6-37. Repetition Repetition may be used to ensure correct receipt of a vital word or a series of unrelated letters or numbers. Do not use repetition solely for emphasis. 6-38. Communications economy a. It is uneconomical to include largely tabular material, repetitive words or phrases, and unnecessary punctuation in the text of narrative messages. Good message formatting methods can make using the telecommunications system more economical and efficient without sacrificing clarity. b. Removing repetition is a self-explanatory communications economy technique. Using slogans violates communications economy policy. (1) Inserting too many spaces between columns of tabular material, commonly done for appearance's sake, is wasteful; sending each space requires the same amount of time as sending an intelligence-bearing character. When tabular material must be included in the text of a narrative message, use good formatting methods to reduce preparation, transmission, and handling times. (2) Figure 6-21 shows the tabular part of a message before and after reformatting. c. Avoid sending separate messages with the same text to different individuals at the same message address. 6-39. Acknowledgments An acknowledgment is a message that the addressee has received and understood a specific message. Send an acknowledgment only when specifically requested. Avoid requests for acknowledgment or service requests for confirmation of delivery, repetition, and verification unless absolutely necessary. A prompt reply referring to the message may serve instead of an acknowledgment. The security provisions for references (para 6-25) also apply to acknowledgments. A request for acknowledgment applies only to action addressees unless otherwise stated in the text. a. To request an acknowledgment, insert "acknowledge" or "acknowledge immediately" as the last element of the text of an unclassified message. For classified messages, place the request for acknowledgment at the end of the text, followed by the declassification/downgrading instruction (para 6-45). b. Acknowledge a message by using the word "your," the originator's message identification, and the word "acknowledged." When requested, include the time of acknowledgment. Make an acknowledgment only to the originator of the message. For example: YOUR UNCLAS MSG DACE-CSD-C 291939Z JUL 87 ACKNOWLEDGED. c. Acknowledgment is not to be confused with confirmation of delivery. The TCC serving the addressee sends a confirmation of delivery as a service message to show that the TCC has delivered the message. 6-40. Cancellations A message that has been sent may be cancelled only by a new message. If the original message was classified, the cancellation message will be classified CONFIDENTIAL or higher. The cancellation may be included in a message that takes the place of the one cancelled or in a separate message. 6-41. Corrections a. Sometimes the text of a message must be changed after it has been sent. Minor changes can usually be made by a new message containing the specific corrections to be made to the original message. When the change is long, cancel the original message and originate a new one. b. Correct messages prepared for optical character reading equipment (OCRE) processing in accordance with local TCC instructions. 6-42. Readdressing messages The originator or recipient of a message may want to send it to authorities not originally included as addressees. Normally, only the receiving action or primary interest office may readdress a message. Users served by automated readdressal facilities use DA Form 2655 to readdress messages. (A sample of a readdressal request is at figure 6- 22.) Users not served by automated readdressal facilities readdress messages by preparing a new message that quotes the original. Local TCC instructions govern the proper method for readdressal. A message bearing the control marking ORCON cannot be readdressed without the originator's specific approval. 6-43. Retransmission request If a writer suspects that an addressee has not received a message, the message will be retransmitted to the addressee on DA Form 2655. The writer may also request the serving TCC to initiate tracer action using DA Form 4019-R (Non-Receipt Claim Record). TM 11-490-2, section X, contains general rules for initiating tracer action. 6-44. Time a. Use Greenwich Civil Time (GCT), followed by the time zone suffix "Z," to express time in the text of a message. GCT is a common reference used to standardize all local times. When necessary for clarity, GCT may be followed by the local time, for example: 0800Z (1300 local time) or 1400Z (0900 EST). b. When the writer believes the time of writing is of critical importance to the addressee, it may be included at the end of the message text; for example, WRITTEN 211515Z OCT 87. The time of writing appears as the last part of text in unclassified messages and before the declassification/downgrading instruction in a classified message. 6-45. Downgrading and declassification instructions a. The last line of a classified message will show the date or event for downgrading if appropriate, the date or event for automatic declassification, or Originating Agency's Determination Required according to AR 380-5. Message abbreviations are as follows: (1) DECL (DAY, MONTH, YR); for example: DECL 22 DEC 88. (2) DECL (AN EVENT CERTAIN TO OCCUR); for example: DECL UPON EXERCISE COMPLETION. (3) DECL OADR. (4) DNG/(DOWNGRADED CLASSIFICATION)/(DAY, MONTH, YR); for example: DNG/C/22 DEC 88. b. Messages that are identified as RESDAT or FORMERLY RESDAT immediately after the classification in the internal text instructions and in paragraph markings will not include a declassify (DECL) or downgrade (DNG) code as the last element of the text. 6-46. Perishable information Messages issuing perishable information will be pointed out on the message form as shown in paragraph 7-5f. These messages will not be delayed for service action en route to their destination. If service action is required, it will be initiated by the addressee. 6-47. Exercise messages a. Messages prepared during training exercises, command post exercises, tactical exercises, and maneuvers are exercise messages. They are prepared and handled in the same manner as normal messages. b. Exercise messages are identified by the word "EXERCISE" and the exercise term in the internal instructions at the beginning of the text; for example: UNCLAS EXERCISE OPEN WATER. 6-48. MINIMIZE When MIMIMIZE has been imposed, a writer who needs an important message sent by electrical means will include "MINIMIZE CONSIDERED" in the Special Instructions block of the message form. Messages of lesser urgency will be processed per AR 25-10. Messages will not be held for electrical delivery pending the end of MIMIMIZE. ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-1. Example of text beginning for a SPECAT message FIGURE FILE NAME: N307002A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-2. Example of text beginning for a LIMDIS message FIGURE FILE NAME: N307003A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-3. Example of text beginning for a SPECAT EXCLUSIVE message FIGURE FILE NAME: N307004A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-4. Example of text beginning for RESDAT and FORMERLY RESDAT messages FIGURE FILE NAME: N307005A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-5. Example of text beginning for releaseability statement FIGURE FILE NAME: N307006A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-6. Example of text beginning for a classified message sent directly to NATO addressee FIGURE FILE NAME: N307007A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-7. Example of a NATO-orginated message with a SIC FIGURE FILE NAME: N307008A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-8. Example of text beginning with PASS TO instructions FIGURE FILE NAME: N307009A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-9. Example of text beginning with keep action and PASS TO instructions FIGURE FILE NAME: N307010A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-10. Example of text beginning with a FOR instruction FIGURE FILE NAME: N307011A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-11. Example of text beginning with FOR instructions for multiple addressees FIGURE FILE NAME: N307012A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-12. Example of text beginning with office of origin line FIGURE FILE NAME: N307013A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-13. Examples of text beginning with a signed line FIGURE FILE NAME: N307014A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-14. Example of text beginning with one reference FIGURE FILE NAME: N307015A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-15. Example of mulitple references with security classifications assigned FIGURE FILE NAME: N307016A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-16. Example of mulitiple references in a classified message FIGURE FILE NAME: N307017A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-17. Example of references including the subject line in a classified message FIGURE FILE NAME: N307018A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-18. Example of text beginning for a message divided into parts FIGURE FILE NAME: N307019A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-19. Example of a message divided into parts FIGURE FILE NAME: N307020A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-20. Example of writer identification in a message FIGURE FILE NAME: N307021A ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-21. Example of the tabulated portion of a message before and after reformatting to reduce length B E F O R E 1. FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS FURNISHED ON WO"S RECOMMENDED BY YOUR HQ FOR DIRECT APPOINTMENT AS 2LT, USAR: A. CLEARED FOR APPOINTMENT AS 2LT IN BRANCH INDICATED THIS CONFIRMS INFORMATION PROVIDED BY REF B ABOVE. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Table ______________________________________________________________________________ NAME SSN BASIC BR BR TO BE APT ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ __________________ 239-96-3570 AVN WO FA PRESTON, SAM B. HARRIS, CHARLES A. 228-78-4521 AVN WO FA PETERSON, DENNIS A. 568-96-1280 AVN WO TC SAUNDERS, REGINALD 237-94-7441 AVN WO AR C. MITCHELL, ROBERT D. 226-38-2585 AVN WO TC ______________________________________________________________________________ A F T E R (USE THIS FORM IN TABULATION) 1. FOL INFO IS FURN ON BASIC BR AVN WO"S RECM BY YOUR HQ FOR DIR APT AS 2LT USAR WHICH CFM INFO PROV BY REF B: NAME/SSN/BR TO BE APT PRESTON, SAM B 239-96-3570 FA HARRIS, CHARLES A 228-78-4521 FA PETERSON, DENNIS A 568-96-1280 TC SAUNDERS, REGINALD C 237-94-7441 AR MITCHELL, ROBERT D 226-38-2585 TC Note: 1. In the reformatted message, the narrative portion has been shortened by