CHAPTER 3
MESSAGES
A message can be defined simply as a
communication sent from one person to another. The
Navy defines a message as "Any thought or idea briefly
expressed in plain or cryptic language, prepared in a
form suitable for transmission by established means of
rapid communication." The visual message, with which
you are most concerned, is prepared for transmission by
means of flashing light, flaghoist, or semaphore.
Incidentally, a message that contains the names of signal
flags in its text, regardless of the method by which it is
transmitted, is a signal.
ORIGINATING MESSAGES
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explain the
procedure for originating, drafting, and
releasing messages. List the types of messages
transmitted by communications means.
ORIGINATOR
The originator of a message is the authority in
whose name a message is sent, or agency under direct
control of the authority approving a message for
transmission. The originator is responsible for the
function of the drafter and releasing officer. Other
responsibilities of the originator include determining
whether the message is necessary (a message is not to
be used when a letter or other form of communication
will suffice), determining the addressees and type of
message, and determining the security classification
and precedence. The originator must make sure that
the prescribed message form is properly used, that the
text is drafted according to procedure, and that the
message is signed by the releasing officer. The
originator is also responsible for forwarding the
message to the appropriate agency for transmission.
DRAFTER
The drafter is a person who actually composes a
message for release.
RELEASING OFFICER
The releasing officer is a person who authorizes
the transmission of a message for and in the name of
the originator.
TYPES OF MESSAGES
The types of messages transmitted by communication
means are the following:
Single address
Multiple address
Book
General
Single Address
A single-address message is one destined for only
one addressee.
Multiple Address
A multiple-address message is one that is destined
for two or more addressees, each of whom must be
informed of the other addressees. Each addressee must
be indicated as ACTION or INFORMATION. The
number of multiple-address messages must be
reduced to the essential minimum, since processing
them is one of the major factors contributing to delay
in message handling. In addition, originators should
always consider specifically whether all addressees
must be informed of the other addressees of each
message, and if not, a BOOK message should be used.
Book
A book message is one that is destined for two or
more addressees and is of such a nature that the
originator considers that no addressee need be
informed of any other addressee. Each addressee must
be indicated as action or information.
General
General messages are messages that have a wide
standard distribution. They are assigned an identifying
title and usually a sequential serial number; example,
ALCONCEN 50.
Book and general messages are normally received
by radio.
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