AUTODIN system. This ECP is identified by the precedence prosign Y and is limited to designated emergency action command and control messages. MESSAGE  USER  RESPONSIBILITIES A message user is any individual authorized to draft, release, and/or process electronically transmitted messages. There are certain responsibilities associated with   the   origination   of   a   message. These responsibilities are separate and distinct and concern the following parties: Originator; Drafter; and Releaser. Occasionally,   the   responsibilities   may   overlap, especially if one person is serving a dual capacity. For example, communications officers may occasionally draft and release messages, thus making them both drafters and releasers. ORIGINATOR The  originator  is  the  authority  (command  or activity) in whose name the message is sent. The originator is presumed to be the commanding officer of the  command  or  activity.  Most  often,  the  originator  and the releaser are one and the same. In some cases, the drafter, releaser, and originator are  all  the  same  person.  For  example,  if  the commanding officer drafts a message for transmission, he or she is the drafter as well as the releasing authority for the activity in whose name the message is sent. DRAFTER The drafter is the person who actually composes the message. In accordance with NTP 3, the drafter is responsible for: a e l l l l Proper addressing and using plain language address (PLA) designators correctly; Clear, concise composition; Selecting the precedence; Ensuring the proper format; Assigning the proper classification; and Ensuring the application of proper downgrading and  declassification  instructions  to  classified messages,  except  those  containing  Restricted Data or Formerly Restricted Data. RELEASER The  releaser  is  a  properly  designated  individual authorized to release messages for transmission in the name  of  the  command  or  activity.  The  releasing individual ensures that the drafter has complied with the requirements  contained  in  NTP  3.  In  addition  to validating the contents of the message, the signature of the releaser affirms compliance with message-drafting instructions. The signature of the releaser authorizes the message for transmission. After a message has been properly released, it is delivered to the telecommunications center (TCC) for transmission. The DTG is normally assigned here. Proper transmission, receipting, and filing procedures are done by the communications personnel. An important point that you should remember about the DTG is that it is assigned for identification and file purposes only. It is not used to compute message processing time. MESSAGE  READDRESSALS If you receive or send a message and later determine that another activity may need to act on or know about the information in the message, you can readdress the original message to that activity. If you receive a copy of a message as an “information addressee,” you can only readdress the original for information purposes. Use a short form or long form, depending on how long ago the original message was sent. For both the short form and long form, you must: Fully  identify  the  message  you  are  readdressing. Enter the new addressee(s). Enter the original message originator. Include the original date-time group. Use the Process Sequence Number (PSN), if contained in the original message. If the original message was sent within the last 60 days, use the short form to readdress it. Messages are held in the message center file for up to 60 days. On the short form, enter the from, to, and information addressees in the fields provided. Send the short form to the message center where it will be combined with the text of the original and then sent. 2-22