and major distribution centers have high volumes of classified and Unclassified message traffic. These  centers  may  find  that  destroying  all messages and intermingled files as if all the information  were  classified  is  more  efficient. Some units, such as commands located in foreign countries or ships operating in foreign waters, need to take extra precautions in disposing of accumulated  message  traffic.  However,  the method of destruction is left to the discretion of the commanding officer. The commanding officer may authorize these messages to be torn into small pieces (as with For Official Use Only [FOUO] material), defaced before discarding, or destroyed by classified destruction methods. Emergency Destruction All  commands  located  outside  the  United States  and  its  territories,  those  capable  of deploying, and those holding COMSEC materials must address the destruction of classified information in their command emergency plan. They must conduct emergency destruction drills periodically to ensure personnel are familiar with the plan and associated equipment. Commands should take into account the following factors to develop practical, reasonable emergency destruction plans: Volume,  level,  and  sensitivity  of  the classified material held by the activity Proximity to hostile or potentially hostile countries with unstable governments and the degree of defense the command and readily  available  supporting  forces  can provide Flight schedule: or ship deployments in the proximity of hostile or potentially hostile environments Size and armament of land-based com- mands and ships Sensitivity  of  operational  assignment (Contingency planning should also be considered.) Potential for aggressive action by hostile forces The emergency destruction plan emphasizes the  procedures  and  methods  of  destruction personnel must use. It clearly identifies the exact location of all classified materials. It includes priorities for destruction, billet designations of personnel responsible for the destruction, and the prescribed place and method of the destruction. If more than one activity will use a particular destruction site or piece of equipment, the plan sets priorities for its use. The equipment used for routine destruction of classified material is a major factor in the development of the emergency destruction plan. The plan names the person who will make the decision to begin emergency destruction. It also specifies how this decision will be communicated to  all  other  elements  or  units  maintaining classified  information. The plan also assigns priorities for emergency evacuation and destruction of classified holdings. Priorities are based on the potential effect on the national security should holdings fall into hostile hands. The priorities for emergency destruction are as follows: Priority Priority Priority One—Top Secret material Two—Secret material Three—Confidential  material Reporting Emergency Destruction Accurate information about the extent of emergency destruction of classified material is second in importance only to the destruction of the material itself. Report the facts surrounding the destruction to the Chief of Naval Operations (OP-09N) and other interested commands by the quickest means available. Include the following information in the report: 1. The items of classified material that may not have been destroyed 2. The items presumed to have been destroyed 3. The items of classified material destroyed 4. The method of destruction Additionally, write a statement describing the character of the records and when and where the destruction was accomplished. Submit the state- ment to the Commander, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Command, within 6 months after destruction. 9-27