1.
2.
CHAPTER 8
DIRECTIVES, REPORTS, AND
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
MESSAGES
Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to do the following:
Describe the procedures used to prepare point 3.
papers, instructions, directives, and reports.
Describe the procedures used to prepare staff
studies.
Describe the procedures used to coordinate steps to
carry out directives, instructions, regulations, and
bills.
Effective administration of any Navy unit is
accomplished by setting and adhering to policies and
following proper procedures. Policies in the Navy are
established based on the Department of the Navy’s
Directives Issuance System, SECNAVINST 5215.1C.
Senior and master chiefs often coordinate
procedures and prepare and carry out directives,
regulations, orders, and correspondence. As a senior
enlisted person, you may be appointed to conduct
administrative, material, or operational readiness
inspections. Make sure you become thoroughly familiar
with those directives that apply to the type of inspection
you perform. Also become familiar with those to which
units under inspection must adhere.
Directives communicate plans and policies to
subordinates and guide their decisions and actions.
Before we discuss the purpose of directives, let’s be sure
you understand the meaning of the terms policies,
procedures, orders. instructions, and regulations.
A military policy prescribes the course of action to
be followed in a given situation. Policies are best carried
out through written means since they are used to gauge
the action required in recurring situations. Policies
established at the top echelon must be broad and general.
Those policies established at lower echelons should be
specific and conform to policies established by higher
command.
A military procedure is a series of coordinated steps
for the performance of functions. In the Navy, sound
written policies and procedures are of particular
importance because of
personnel. Consistent
the high turnover rate of
orders, instructions, and
regulations ensure functions will be carried out in the
prescribed manner.
A military order is a formal oral or written
command establishing a rule or regulation or delegating
authority for the performance of a function.
An instruction provides information about the
methods of accomplishing a mission. It also specifies
the manner and conditions of performance in executing
projects and programs.
A miliary regulation is a rule that sets standards
governing or restraining the conduct of personnel.
A directive is an order, instruction, or notice that
prescribes policy, organization, conduct, procedures, or
methods.
DIRECTIVES ISSUANCE SYSTEM
The Directives Issuance System, SECNAVINST
5215.1C, establishes a directives system throughout the
Navy. It sets the rules for filing, maintaining, and issuing
directives under the system. In an organization as large
as the Navy, communication between the various parts
of the organization becomes complex. Therefore, many
written directives outlining responsibilities and
procedures are necessary.
As the scope and complexity of operations in
the Navy have increased over the years, the burden
of paperwork has also grown. The Directives
Issuance System was developed to ease this burden.
Its basic purpose is to establish a simple and
uniform plan for issuing, maintaining, and filing
directives.
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