How to Use the COSAL Once you become familiar with the indexes, you will find the COSAL easy to use. The best way to gain this  familiarity  is  by  studying  the  COSAL  for  your command. Read the entries in both the Part I, Section A and B indexes, then see how they provide across-index by using the same entries but in a different sequence. As you study the entries, refer to the introduction for the meanings  of  abbreviations  that  you  do  not  understand. Chapter 4 of the  COSAL  Use  and  Maintenance Manual provides instructions for using the COSAL. After you have become familiar with the terminology (chapters 1 through 3), refer to chapter 4 for further instructions  and  sample  problems. To be of maximum use to you, the COSAL must be kept  up-to-date  at  all  times.  Anytime  you  use  the COSAL,  check  to  be  sure  it  is  up-to-date.  In  the following paragraphs we will discuss the use of the COSAL according to SPCCINST 4441.170, the  COSAL Use and Maintenance Manual. METHODS  OF  ENTRY.-  You  may  enter  the COSAL  by  any  of  the  following  methods: By the name of the equipment/component or equipage–use Part I, Section A of the Index By  the  shipboard  service  application,  location,  or end  use  of  the  equipment/component  or equipage–use Part I, Section B of the Index By  the  circuit  symbol  number  (CSN)  of  the part-use Part II, Section B (microfiche only) to cross-reference the CSN to the NINN/PNICN/ TNICN/FSCM/REF.  NO.  Then  use  Part  II, Section  A,  to  cross-reference  the  above  number to  the  NSN/PNICN/TNICN By the NIIN/part number-use Part III, Section A or B By an alternate part number–use Part III, Section D  to  cross  reference  alternate  numbers  to NIIN/PNICN/TNICNs ORDERING PARTS, TOOLS, AND SUPPLIES There  are  numerous  supply  publications  that  you should be familiar with to use the supply system to its full capability when you requisition parts and tools. These  publications  are  discussed  in  Military Requirements  for  Petty  Officer  Third  Class, NAVEDTRA  12044. Although the supply department is responsible for supplies,  you,  the  technician,  need  to  know  how  to identify what is needed, how to write out the request, and  how  to  report  on  the  use  of  the  supplies.  The publications containing the stock numbers are kept in the  supply  department;  therefore,  to  perform  your assigned  duties,  you  must  cooperate   with   supply personnel. SUPPLY REQUISITION FORMS Documenting  material  usage  and  cost  data  on maintenance transactions requires a joint effort of the ship’s supply and maintenance personnel. NAVSUP Form 1250 and DD Form 1348 (discussed in  Military Requirements   for   Petty   Officer   Third   Class   and OPNAVINST  4790.4)  are  the  primary  supply documents  used  by  maintenance  personnel.  They  are used  to  requisition  parts  and  materials  and  to  record material usage and cost data in support of maintenance actions.   Normally,   maintenance   personnel   are responsible for filling out and forwarding the supply forms for materials that they need to do their jobs. However,  supply  personnel  will  provide  assistance whenever difficult or unusual documentation problems arise. Some  ships  have  automated  supply  systems;  others have  manual  supply  systems. On a nonautomated ship, when a repair part is needed before a specific maintenance action can be completed, maintenance personnel use NAVSUP Form 1250 to request the issue of the part from the ship’s supply department. Supply personnel issue the part if it is in stock aboard ship. If the part is not in stock supply uses the information on the form to order the part from an off-ship source. Nonautomated ships also use the NAVSUP Form 1250 to request chargeable services. On an automated ship, when a repair part is required to  complete  a  specific  maintenance  action,  maintenance personnel use DD Form 1348. Chargeable services are also requisitioned on the DD Form 1348. All   submarine   forces,   automated   and   non- automated,   use   NAVSUP   Form   1250-1   as   a consumption document. Nonautomated ships of the submarine  force  use  it  as  a  Military  Standard 3-10