may  be  individually  identified  in  the  address  or addressed    as    a    group.    The    format    of    the multiple-address letters is the same as the naval letter. The only exception is in the handling of addressees. When there are four or fewer addressees, the title of the first addressee is typed on the “To” line, with the other addressees listed on succeeding lines, each title flush with  the  first.  For  more  than  four  addressees,  a “Distribution” line is used. When a “Distribution” line is  used,  the  short  title,  collective  titles,  or  both collective and short titles of addressees are listed individually at the end of the letter. JOINT LETTERS A joint letter is a naval letter that is signed by officials of two or more activities to establish an agreement or for matters of mutual concern. A joint letter has much the same format as a standard or multiple-address letter. Prepare a joint letter on plain bond paper. In a joint letter, type the command titles of each official who will sign the letter at the top of the page. Ensure that the command title of the most senior official is listed on top. Include the identification symbols (SSIC, originator’s code, and date) along with the short title of both commands on the joint letter. When the joint letter is ready for signature, arrange the signature blocks so that the most senior official is on the right.  Type  the  junior  official’s  signature  flush  with  the left margin. Place a third cosigner, if any, in the middle of the page. ENDORSEMENTS An endorsement is a brief form of naval letter that is used to approve, disapprove, forward, or comment on the contents of a letter that is transmitted through one or more addressees before it reaches its destination. The contents of a prior endorsement may also be the subject of comment. An endorsement should not be used to reply to the basic communication. Endorsements may be added by one or more of the activities through which an original letter is channeled before it reaches its final destination. An example of a same page endorsement is shown in figure 2-2. The length of an endorsement, the amount of space that remains on the basic letter, and whether or not changes will be made to the endorsement will dictate whether a same page or new page endorsement should be used. If an endorsement will completely fit on the signature   page   of   the   basic   letter   or   previous endorsement   and   will   not   be   revised,   then   an endorsement  may  be  added  to  that  page.  If  an endorsement will not completely fit on the signature page or on a previous endorsement page or, if there is a possibility that the endorsement will be revised, then the endorsement should begin on a new page. An endorsement should remain with the basic letter. Plain bond paper is used for the original of an endorsement, but manifold paper may be used for copies. When an endorsement is typed below the preceding basic letter or endorsement, a horizontal dash line is placed two lines below the last line in the preceding communication. Same page endorsements may omit the SSIC, subject, and the basic letter’s identification symbols. The general style of an endorsement is as follows: Endorsements  should  be  numbered  in  the sequence that they are added to the basic letter. Identify the number of the endorsement by using FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, and so forth. After the number, type “ENDORSEMENT on” and then identity the basic letter by using the same format as a reference line. References that appear in the basic letter should not  be  repeated  in  an  endorsement.  List  only new references that are added. Enclosures that are listed in the basic letter should not be included in an endorsement. Send any enclosures that are added to the action addressee.  Omit  enclosures  that  the  action addressee  already  has,  enclosures  that  are impertinent to the original correspondence, or enclosures that are impractical to send. Send one copy of your endorsement to the originator of the basic letter. A single copy of your endorsement should also be sent to each prior   endorser   if   your   endorsement   is significant.  Significant  endorsements  include correspondence  “forwarded  recommending disapproval”   and   correspondence   that   is “readdressed   and   forwarded.”   Routine endorsements  include  correspondence  that  is “forwarded,”  “forwarded  for  consideration,” and “forwarded recommending approval.” MEMORANDUMS Memorandums provide an informal means to communicate  within  an  activity  or  between Department of the Navy (DON) activities. Of the types of memorandum formats that the DON uses, we will discuss four here. Other types of memorandums, such 2-12