• High command and strike coordination • Tactical communications “ADMIN” is typed in the MESSAGE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS  block  on  messages  that  are administrative in nature. Administrative messages pertain to matters of such a nature or urgency to warrant electronic transmission. Subjects might include the following  information: • • • • Various reports Perishable information Matters associated with operations and readiness Urgent  matters  requiring  considerable coordination The highest precedence that may be assigned to administrative messages is PRIORITY, except for those messages reporting death or serious illness, which will be assigned IMMEDIATE precedence. Minimize  is  a  condition  imposed  by  proper authority to reduce and control electrical messages and telephone traffic. The purpose of minimize is to clear the telecommunications network of message or voice traffic in which urgency does not justify electrical transmission during an actuator simulated crisis. During periods of minimize, message drafters and releasers must review all  messages  to  ensure  the  need  for  electrical transmission and the use of the lowest precedence consistent with the speed of service needed. They also ensure the words “MINIMIZE CONSIDERED” are typed in the SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS block of the DD-173 MESSAGEFORM (see fig. 8-1). When MINIMIZE is in effect, the releaser’s name and rank is typed in the RELEASER block at the end of the message. TYPES OF MESSAGES Messages may be divided into types based on the way they are addressed: Single address. A single-address message is sent to one addressee only. It may be either for action or information. Multiple address. A multiple-address message is sent to two or more addressees, each of whom is aware of the other addressee(s). Each addressee is designated either as action or information. Book. A book message is sent to two or more addressees and is of such a nature that no addressee needs to know who the others are. The BOOK block on the DD-173 MESSAGEFORM will have the word “YES” typed in it for a book message. Each addressee is informed whether the message is for action or information. General message. General messages are used to “pass the word” or provide information to a wide, predetermined, standard distribution. General messages are of many types, each of which carries an identifying title and is intended for a standard set of addressees, such as All Commands Pacific (ALCOMPAC). Pro forma message. A message that reports data in a set format, such as a casualty report (CASREP), unit report (UNITREP), and movement report (MOVREP), is a pro forma message. Drafters preparing a pro forma message must adhere precisely to instruction provided by other Naval Warfare Publications (NWPs) for textual construction and addressees (addressees must be verified by the current Message Address Directory). NAVY MAILED MESSAGE PROGRAM (NAVGRAM) The NAVGRAM was established as a means to reduce  the  number  of  electronically  transmitted messages. The message releaser is responsible for determining  whether  the  message  qualifies  for electronic transmission or should be sent as a NAVGRAM. A releaser who decides to send a message as a NAVGRAM will write the word "NAVGRAM" below the SIGNATURE block on the DD-173 after his or her signature. The NAVGRAM will be assigned a letter  serial  number  and  a  date  in  the DATE-TIME-GROUP block and mailed according to local  administrative  procedures.  NAVGRAMs  are processed  through  administrative  versus communications channels. All Navy commands should use light red ink to stamp the word “NAVGRAM” in large letters across all NAVGRAMs to clearly identify them. A DD-173 being sent as a NAVGRAM should be stamped in the center of the page for ease of identification. (See fig. 8-2.) COMPUTER PROCESSED MESSAGES Personal computers (PCs) are becoming more and more common in the Navy work environment. Using PCs in preparing and processing naval messages has 8-11