• 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
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