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. 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. Each addressee is informed whether the message is for action or information. The station sending a book message divides addressees into groups according tot he relay stations serving them, and a separate message is prepared and transmitted to each relay station. A general message has a wide standard dis- tribution to all commands in an area under one command or to types of commands and activities. 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, U.S. Pacific Fleet (ALCOMPAC). All messages of a given general message title are numbered serially throughout the calendar year; for example, a message numbered ALNAV 12-91 signifies it is the 12th message sent to all Navy activities (ALNAV) during 1991. Normally you will come in contact only with single-address, multiple-address, and general messages. When you are drafting messages, you will be writing either a single- or multiple- addressee type of message. Preparing the Message Your specific responsibilities concerning messages will depend on your involvement with each message. You may be the releaser, drafter, or the addressee (receiver) of the message. Any command or activity may be an originator. ORIGINATOR. —The originator of a message is the authority (command or activity) in whose name the message is sent. The originator is responsible for the functions of the message drafter and message releaser. RELEASER. —The message releaser is a designated person authorized to release a message for transmission in the name of the originator. The releaser is responsible for validating the contents of the message, for affirming the message is  in  compliance  with  message-drafting instructions, and for determining whether the draft of the message should be released as a mes- sage or as a NAVGRAM. Usually the commanding officer  is  the  releasing  officer,  but  the commanding officer may delegate releasing authority. DRAFTER. —The drafter is the person who composes the message. Among all personnel involved with message management, the drafter is the key to an effective program. The drafter necessarily must have the most detailed knowl- edge and understanding of basic message procedures. The drafter is responsible for the following: 1. Proper addressing 2. Proper application of security classifica- tion,    special handling,    and declassification markings required by Department of the Navy Information and Personnel Security Program Regulation, OPNAVINST 5510.1H 3. Selection of appropriate precedence 4. Correct formatting and accuracy of typing 5. Clear, concise composition ADDRESSEE. —The addressee’s responsi- bilities depend on the type of action required of the addressee in response to the message. An action addressee may be required take immediate action in response to the message. An information addressee normally is not required to take any action based on the message. In either case, the message may have to be readdressed to another activity, which will be discussed later. Message Precedence The precedence has different meanings. To the drafter, it indicates the desired speed of delivery to the addressees. To the telecommunications center, it indicates the relative order of processing and delivery. To the addressees, it indicates the relative order in which they should determine the import ante of the message. The precedence assigned to a message is determined by the relative importance of the subject matter of the text and the desired writer-to-reader delivery time. Although the assignment of the precedence is the drafter’s responsibility, the releaser of the message may  change  the  precedence  or  mode  of transmission. CATEGORIES. —Messages are divided into four common precedence categories: Routine, 2-31