A naval message is an official communication transmitted by rapid means, such as radio or telegraph. It is used for urgent communications where speed is of primary importance. A message should not be used when the necessary information can reach its destination by letter in time for proper action.

As a drafter of messages, you must prepare messages in the proper format and follow basic procdures. As a reader of messages, you must understand message format and content.

This section discusses message types, message responsibilities, message format, message readdressal, and MINIMIZE condition.

MESSAGE TYPES

There are four types of narrative messages: single address, multiple address, book, and general. These may be either classified or unclassified. Table 1-1 shows how these messages are used.

As a Mineman, you normally come in contact only with single-address, multiple-address, and

Table 1-1.-Message Types

general messages. When you draft messages, they will usually be in single- or multiple-address form.

MESSAGE RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Mineman, your specific responsibilities concerning messages will depend on your involvement with each message. You may be the originator, the drafter, the releaser, or the addressee (receiver) of the message. These responsibilities are described in the following paragraphs.

Originator

The message originator is the authority (command or activity) in whose name a message is sent. The originator is responsible for the functions of the drafter and the releaser.

Drafter

The drafter composes the message. Among all personnel involved with message management, the drafter is the key to an effective program. Required to have the most detailed knowledge and understanding of basic message procedures, the drafter is responsible for the following message elements:

Ensuring the proper addressees.

Composing a clear and concise text. Applying the proper security classification, special-handling, and declassification markings required by OPNAVINST 5510.1.

Selecting the appropriate precedence. Coordinating message staffing.

Ensuring that the message is correctly formatted and is error free.

0 Ensuring the proper use and selection of appropriate message-handling instructions.

Releaser

The message releaser is authorized to release a message for transmission in the name of the originator. In addition to validating the contents of the message, the releaser's signature affirms compliance with message-drafting instructions contained in Telecommunications Users Manual, NTP 3, and related publications. It is the releaser's signature that authorizes transmission of the message.

Addressee

The addressee's responsibilities depend on whether the addressee is an action or information addressee. For an action addressee, the message may require an immediate response or action. For an information addressee, the message will not normally require any action. In either case, the message may need to be readdressed to another activity, which is discussed later.