Standing alone, prosign C means Correct. Because
it is followed by other information in our example, it
means This is a correct version of the portion of the
message indicated. Another prosign, WA, meaning
word after, follows certain prosigns (including C) to
identify a portion of the text of a plain language
message. In figure 3-2, the portion of the text
identified is the word after DEBARK, which appears
in the text as GROUPS. Accordingly, the final
instructions of the message mean Correct word after
DEBARK to TROOPS.
Other prosigns may appear in the final
instructions. Prosign C may be followed by AB, AA,
or WB, instructing the receiving station to correct
portions of the text. Prosign B used alone in the final
instructions means More to follow to all stations
called." When B is followed by call signs, it means
More to follow to stations indicated.
Prosign G, for repeat back, may be used in the final
instructions if, during transmission, its use is deemed
necessary. Used alone, G directs all stations to repeat
back the message. When G is preceded by a call sign
(or signs), its meaning is Stations whose call sign (or
signs) precede G are to repeat back. In addition to its
use in the transmission instructions and final
instructions, G may be used in the text of a flashing
light message to indicate the addee is to repeat back
the previous group sent by the transmitter.
Visual transmissions are completed by ending
prosigns K or AR. The K means "This is the end of my
transmission to you, and a response is necessary.
Ending prosign AR means "This is the end of my
transmission to you, and no response is required or
expected."
SERVICE MESSAGE
A service message is one between communica-
tions personnel and pertaining to any phase of traffic
handling, communication facilities, or circuit
conditions. It is prepared and transmitted in
plaindress, abbreviated plaindress, or codress form.
The abbreviation SVC following any security
classification or UNCLAS in the beginning of the text,
identifies a plain-language service message.
An encrypted service message will always carry a
numerical group and will only be identified as a
service message within the encrypted text.
Service messages generally concern messages
originated at, destined for, or refiled by that station and
normally will be assigned a precedence equal to that
of the message to which they refer.
Examples of plain-language service messages:
1. Plaindress format: P 031500Z MAR 95 GR10
BT UNCLAS SVC BRIDGE TO BRIDGE INOP
COME UP ON TGO BT K
2. Abbreviated plaindress format: BT UNCLAS
SVC BRIDGE TO BRIDGE INOP COME UP ON
TGO BT 1500Z
ABBREVIATED SERVICE MESSAGE
The text of an abbreviated service message
contains only prosigns, operating signals, address
designations, identification of messages, parts of
messages, and amplifying data as necessary. It may be
originated by operators and may contain any of the
components shown in the basic format except that
1. The long break is used only if the date-time
group/time group is used; and
2. The date time group/time group is to be employed
only when it is necessary to indicate the time at which the
message was originated or when it is considered that
further reference may be made to the message.
Examples of abbreviated service messages:
1. INT ZDK NKZO 062222Z MAR 95 K
2. Abbreviated plaindress format: BT INT ZDK
NKZO 062222Z MAR 95 BT 2300Z K
3. Plaindress format: P 062323Z MAR 95 GR 6
BT INT ZDK NKZO 06222Z MAR 95 BT K
ABBREVIATED PLAINDRESS
MESSAGES
Operational requirements for speed of
handlingcontact reports, for examplemay dictate
the abbreviation of plaindress message headings. At
such times, any or all of the following may be omitted
from the heading: precedence, date, DTG, and group
count. If the DTG is omitted, a time group must be in
the ending procedure components.
CODRESS MESSAGES
A codress message is one in which the entire
address, originator and all addressees except when the
address indicating groups are used, is encrypted
within the text. The heading of such a message
contains only information necessary to enable
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