In a similar manner, use of the Navy Directives System enables activities that issue directives to accomplish the following:

Reduce the number of directives in effect by consolidating instructions that cover the same subject, by eliminating instructions that duplicate, overlap, or conflict, and by promptly canceling obsolete directives.

Improve the adequacy and coverage of instructions and identify gaps in policy and procedures so that directives can be issued to cover necessary subjects.

Eliminate duplication.

Ensure that activities are sent only those directives that they need.

TYPES OF DIRECTIVES

The types of directives used in the directives issuance system are instructions and notices.

Instructions are directives that contain information of a continuing nature or require continuing action. An instruction has continuing reference value and is effective until the originator cancels or supersedes it.

Notices are directives of a one-time nature, or directives that contain information or action applicable for a brief period only (usually 6 months or less, but in no case more than 1 year). A notice has the same force and effect as an instruction, but does not have permanent reference value. Therefore, it contains provisions for its own cancellation by a cancellation paragraph. The cancellation date is always stated. When the exact length of time a notice is to remain in effect cannot be determined at the time of issuance, the specific date for record purposes is set far enough in the future to allow all necessary use of the notice.

The AZ uses many different instructions and notices in the performance of daily tasks. They are issued by the various systems commands, bureaus, type commands, ships, stations, and operating activities. Many of the directives used in aircraft maintenance activities are issued by Headquarters, Naval Air Systems Command, and are known as NAVAIR instructions and notices.

NOTE: Each issuing activity provides a catalog of issued directives. Each activity will issue a NOTICE 5215 that lists its current directives. The consolidated index, NAVPUBNOTE 5215, contains a list of major commands' directives; for example, OPNAV, SECNAV, BUMED, etc.

Preparation

The format of a directive follows, as closely as practicable, that of a naval letter; therefore, the discussion presented here is brief.

The first page of a directive is typed on the letterhead of the originator. The preferred minimum margins on the top, bottom, right, and left of the page are 1 inch. The sequence of paragraphs in directives is at the discretion of the originating office, with the following exceptions:

The purpose of each directive is stated in the first paragraph.

The second paragraph of a directive that cancels another directive contains the statement of cancellation. In a notice issued to cancel another directive, the statement of such cancellation may be made in the purpose paragraph.

If applicable, the last paragraph of each instruction or the next to last paragraph of each notice indicates any reports required. This paragraph also lists forms prescribed for use and states where the required forms may be obtained.

The last paragraph of each notice states when or under what conditions the notice is to be canceled. In all cases, a specific cancellation date is provided for record purposes.

Identifying and Numbering Directives

Each originating office identifies its directives by (1) the originator's abbreviation, (2) the type of directive, (3) the subject classification number, and (4) a consecutive number preceded by a decimal point (for instructions only). For example:

(1) (2) (3) (4)

SECNAV INSTRUCTION 5215 .1

Each directive is assigned a subject number from the Department of the Navy Standard Subject Identification Code System.

Consecutive numbers are assigned to instructions having the same subject classification number to show the order of issuance. For example, the subject number for contract financing is 7810. An originating office would assign numbers to the first, second, and third instruction that it issues on contract financing as follows: 7810.1, 7810.2, and 7810.3, respectively.