As a message drafter or releaser, you must be familiar with the message precedence system. The precedence indicates to the drafter and releaser the desired speed of delivery to the addressees. It indicates to the Telecommunications Center the relative order of processing for transmission and delivery. It indicates to the addressees the order in which they should determine the importance of the message. The assignment of precedence is the drafter’s responsibility. However, the releaser confirms (or may change) the precedence. 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. Messages  are  divided  into  four  precedence categories: Routine, Priority, Immediate, and Flash. Routine Routine (prosign R) is the precedence assigned to all types of traffic that justify electrical transmission but are not urgent enough to require higher precedence. The following are examples of messages assigned this precedence: Messages concerning normal peacetime military operations, programs, and projects Messages  concerning  stabilized  tactical operations Periodic or consolidated intelligence reports Ship movement messages, except when time factors dictate use of higher precedence Messages concerning administrative, logistic, and personnel matters Supply and equipment requisitions, except when time factors dictate use of higher precedence Priority Priority (prosign P) is for messages that furnish essential information for conducting operations in progress. Priority is the highest precedence normally authorized for administrative messages. Messages containing the following types of information carry this precedence: • • • • • Situation reports on position of the battle front where an attack is impending or where fire or air support will soon be placed. Orders to aircraft formations or units to coincide with ground or naval operations. Imminent movement of naval, air, or ground forces. Administrative, logistical, and personnel matters of an urgent and time-sensitive nature. A precedence no higher than Priority can be assigned to administrative messages, except those reporting death, serious illness, or serious injury, which may be assigned Immediate precedence. Weather observations with surface wind speeds of  33  knots  or  less  and  all  oceanographic observations. Immediate Immediate (prosign O) is reserved for messages concerning situations that gravely affect the national forces or populace and that require immediate delivery to addressees. The following are examples of messages assigned this precedence: • • • • • • • • • Amplifying reports of initial enemy contact Reports of unusual major movements of military forces of foreign powers in times of peace or strained relations Messages that report enemy counterattack or messages that request or cancel additional support Attack orders to commit a force in reserve without delay Messages concerning logistical support of special  weapons  and  operational  systems essential to sustaining operations Reports of widespread civil disturbance Reports of warnings of grave natural disaster (earthquake, flood, storm, hurricane, and so forth) Requests for, or directions concerning, distress assistance Urgent intelligence messages 8-13 PRECEDENCE