Cognizance symbols are two-character, alphanumeric codes prefixed to national stock numbers. Cognizance symbols are listed in Table 7-4. The first character of the cognizance symbol identifies the stores account. The following information refers to the first character of the cognizance symbol:   Cognizance symbols 0 (zero), 2A and 8A is not carried   in   the   stores   account   and   is   issued without charge to the requisitioner.   Even  numbers  2,  4,  6,  and  8  are  carried  in  the Appropriation Stores Account (APA).   Odd  numbers  1,  3,  5,  and  7  are  carried  in  the Navy Stock Account (NSA).   Number  9  is  Navy-owned  material  carried  in NSA   and   managed-by   the   Naval   Inventory Control Point Mechanicsburg. The   second   position   of   the   cognizance   symbol identifies    the    item    manager.    The    item    manager exercises supply management over specified categories of material. Material Control Codes A   Material   Control   Code   (MCC)   is   a   single alphabetic character assigned by the inventory manager. It is used to segregate items into manageable groupings (fast, medium, or slow movers) or to relate to field activities special reporting and control requirements.   Table   7-5   contains   a   list   of   MCCs commonly encountered. NAVY ITEM CONTROL NUMBER (NICN) As  we  have  discussed  in  a  previous  paragraph, NSNs  are  required  for  all  items  centrally  managed  or bought   for   supply   system   stock.   With   changes   of equipment and products, the Navy buys new items from the  suppliers.  New  items  entering  the  Navy  supply system  are  identified  in  time  to  permit  assignment  of NSNs  before  shipment.  In  numerous  instances,  the Navy Item Control Number (NICN) is used to identify the items before an NSN can be assigned. Some items are permanently identified by the NICN because of the nature of the items. The NICN designation includes the following:   Inventory Control Point ICP control numbers   Kit numbers   Publications and forms ordering numbers   Local Navy Activity Control (NAC) numbers   Other locally assigned numbers The  NICN  is  a  13-digit  number  that  identifies  an item of supply. It is composed of the following parts:   Federal   Supply   Classification   (FSC)   code (numbers that occupy the first four digits of the NICN) 7-33 CODE DEFINITION D Field level repairable. E (1) Depot-level repairables. (2) Material (expendable ordnance) requiring lot and serial number control, but is reported by serial number only. H Depot-level repairables. L Items of local stock or items pending NSN assignment. M Medium demand velocity items (consumables). S Slow demand velocity items. T Terminal items. W Ground support equipment. X Special program repairables. Z Special program consumables. Table 7-5.—Material Control Codes