work request (AWR), and requests for repair parts The Department of the Navy Correspondence Manual, SECNAVINST 5216.5C, gives specific guidance on signature authority. Signature Block The term By direction will appear under the name of a subordinate who may sign official correspondence. Example: A. B. SEAMAN By direction The following will be added under the name of a person with by direction authority who signs orders affecting pay and allowances: the signer’s title, By direction of, and the commanding officer’s title. Example: PAUL T. BOAT Executive  Officer By direction of the Commanding Officer Facsimile Stamps A commanding officer may authorize others to use stamps that duplicate his or her signature where the personal signing of correspondence causes hardship or is impractical. If you are authorized to use a facsimile stamp of someone else’s signature, pen your initials next to each signature you stamp to authenticate the facsimile. Always safeguard such stamps from unauthorized use. ROUTINE NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE AND MESSAGES As a senior petty officer, you will be required to compose two types of naval communication: naval messages and routine naval correspondence. The manner in which you prepare or allow your subordinates to prepare written material reflects upon your capabilities and attention to duty. Likewise, the quality of that communication addressed to other commands reflects upon your command. Therefore, you must know the basic policies and procedures for preparing naval messages and routine naval correspon- dence. THE NAVAL MESSAGE A naval message is an official communication that qualifies for electrical transmission. A message is used for urgent communication where speed is of primary importance. Messages are not used when the necessary information can reach its destination in time for proper action by letter, Releasers of naval messages will determine whether a message will be released as a message (electrical transmission) or as a NAVGRAM (letter). You may be called upon to supply pertinent information for the text of a naval message, such as equipment status, personnel status, cause of equipment failure, and predicted time of repair. At other times, you may be called upon to write (draft) a message with all of its necessary components. If you must write a message, you need to know the proper format and how to follow basic message-drafting procedures. If you are given a message to read and interpret, you should know how a message is formatted and some of the communication terms and abbreviations used. Types of Messages Most messages have at least one addressee responsible for taking action on the contents and for originating any necessary reply. Other addressees who have an official concern in the subject of the message, but who do not have the primary responsibility for acting on it, receive the message for information. Do not be confused by the term information addressee. Even though an information addressee usually is concerned only indirectly with a message, that addressee frequently must take action of some nature within the command. Some messages have only infor- mation  addressees. Messages may be divided into types based on how they are addressed: Single-address Multiple-address Book General A single-address message is sent to one addressee only and may be either for action or information. 2-30