Q1. Q2. Q3. REVIEW  QUESTIONS Which publication governs security procedures for the United States Navy? What   does   the   special-handling   marking "FOUO" indicate? What   does   the   special-handling   marking "NOFORN"  indicate? The area of telecommunications is the most rapidly changing  aspect  of  environmental  support.  Since  many changes  will  continue  to  occur  in  the  future,  the remainder  of  this  chapter  will  only  summarize  the  basic components of the most widely used communications systems. TELECOMMUNICATIONS  SYSTEMS LEARNING  OBJECTIVES:  Identify  the various  telecommunications  equipment  and systems   used   to   transfer   environmental information.  Discuss  general  procedures  used to transfer data on these systems. Navy and Marine Corps weather personnel will use many   different   telecommunications   systems   to exchange environmental information. These systems make  use  of  dedicated  landline,  radio  wave,  and satellite  communications  technology.  The  following telecommunications  systems  are  discussed  in  this section: Telephone  systems Computer  networks Dedicated   meteorological   communications systems Digital  facsimile  systems TELEPHONE  COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS Commercial  telephone  systems  and  the  Defense Switched Network (DSN) in military communications, especially  in  the  field  of  meteorology  and oceanography,  are  the  most  common  forms  of communication for official business ashore. Navy and Marine Corps activities may provide environmental  information  to  any  Department  of Defense activity. However, there are restrictions on the type of information that may be provided to other government agencies, private companies, and to the public. Usually, a written request for information must be  approved  by  the  commanding  officer  before  any information  may  be  transferred.  All  non-routine requests for weather forecasts should be referred to the duty  forecaster. When answering the telephone, always speak clearly. In a standard military telephone greeting, first identify your command, then your rank and last name. Then ask, "May I help you, Sir/or Madam?" Your activity may use a slight modification to this greeting. The caller should identify him/herself by name, rank, and command before proceeding with the conversation. Never discuss, or allow the caller to discuss, classified information  on  a  standard  telephone.  Use  telephone conversation memo pads or record sheets to document the details of a telephone conversation. When placing a telephone call, think about what you want to say before you dial the phone. Organize your thoughts to allow your phone call to be as brief as possible. Unless you are transmitting data, your call should be limited to 10 minutes or less. Telephone System Access Normally,  you  can  access  the  local  commercial network, a commercial long-distance network, and the Defense Switched Network (DSN) from the telephone instrument provided with the local base telephone system.  Many  Navy  and  Marine  Corps  stations  are supported by a customized telephone system that allows on-base calls to be made by dialing only four- or five- digit  numbers. Other networks are accessed by dialing a one- or two-digit access code. Complete instructions on the use of your local telephone system and how to access other available systems is normally provided in your base telephone book. Your command will also provide additional guidance on the use of the telephone. This guidance is usually  found  in  a  station  instruction  or  in  your command’s  standard  operating  procedures  (SOPs). COMMERCIAL  LONG-DISTANCE  SERV- ICE.—Commercial long-distance telephone service is available on all government telephone networks. Your command must pay for all commercial long-distance services. Virtually all military activities require that a long-distance  phone  call  record  slip  or  log  entry  be completed  by  the  person  placing  the  call.  Some commands  require  specific  authorization  for  each  long- distance call before the call can be placed. 1-3