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ch3 MESSAGES
ch3 MESSAGES
MESSAGES
DRAFTER General
The drafter is a person who actually composes a
message for release. General messages are messages that have a wide
standard distribution. They are assigned an identifying
RELEASING OFFICER title and usually a sequential serial number; example,
The releasing officer is a person who authorizes ALCONCEN 50.
the transmission of a message for and in the name of Book and general messages are normally received
the originator. by radio.
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ADDRESS OF MESSAGE
PROSIGNS
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Figure 3-2.—Plaindress visual message.
basic message format as designed for visual and prefix. These components provide operating
communications. Lines 5 through 13 are the personnel with necessary information for
nonchangeable elements of the basic message format. transmitting, identifying, delivering, and accounting
All format lines do not necessarily appear in every for each message.
message; however, when used, they will be in the order
indicated. Procedure Component
Of the three parts of a message, the most complex
(as fig. 3-3 indicates) is the heading. Based on heading In visual messages, the procedure component
content, messages may be drawn up in one of three consists of three elements: call, transmission
forms: plaindress, as in figure 3-2; abbreviated identification, and transmission instructions. The call
plaindress, featuring a shortened heading; and contains call signs of the station(s) called and the
codress, used for encrypted messages. We will point calling station. Transmission identification is not
out the differences following the discussion of the normally used in visual communications except in
plaindress message. messages being relayed. Transmission instructions are
concerned with routing, relaying, and delivering a
PLAINDRESS MESSAGES message.
The heading of a plaindress message is made up The beginning procedure component of the
of four components: procedure, preamble, address, message in figure 3-2 is OHWZ DE NQHS T. Of this
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Figure 3-3.—Parts of a naval message.
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portion, OHWZ DE NQHS constitutes the entire call message has been relayed. The elements of the
element. procedure component are assigned by
communications personnel to effectively deliver the
The call sign of the station called is OHWZ. For message or signal. The elements of the preamble,
illustrative purposes, OHWZ is assumed to be the call address, and prefix component, which follow, are
sign for Commander Amphibious Squadron Three. released by the originator and are not altered by
Call signs in Navy messages reduce the length of communications personnel.
transmission. Each ship, station, and command of the
Navy (and of the other services) has one or more call Preamble
signs, that are listed in various communication
publications. Call signs are discussed in mote detail
The preamble of a plaindress message shows its
later in this chapter.
relative importance; contains the date-time group, by
The prosign DE in the message stands for "from." which most messages are identified; and provides
It is used only in the call. Its complete meaning is information relating to the message. The preamble in
"This transmission is from the station whose figure 3-2 is P 061933Z MAR 95. P is a precedence
designation follows." It indicates the station actually prosign, and the remainder is the date-time group,
transmitting the message or signal and only indicates including month and year, of transmission.
the originator when the call is serving as the address.
The precedence assigned by an originator reflects
In the example, the calling station is NQHS, the a judgment as to the speed required to deliver the
international call sign of USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). message to the addressee. By misusing the precedence
International call signs for U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast system, you defeat its purpose, which is to assure rapid
Guard ships begin with the letter N. handling of message traffic over available facilities
with a minimum of backlog and delay resulting from
In figure 3-2, transmission instructions consist of competing messages. The importance of a message
prosign T, meaning “Station called transmit this does not necessarily imply urgency. Figure 3-4 shows
message to all addressees appearing in the address the precedence categories, their speed-of-service
component.” OHWZ, therefore, is responsible for objectives, and examples of their assignments.
delivering the message to XGHL. If the T were
immediately followed by call signs or address Messages having both action and information
designations, it would assume the meaning of “‘Station addressees may be assigned a single or dual
called transmit this message to the addressees whose precedence. If a single precedence is assigned to a
address designations follow.” Similarly, if the T were multiple-address message, the precedence indicates
preceded and followed by call signs, it would mean the relative importance to all addressees. If assigned
‘Station preceding T transmit this message to those two precedences, one for action addressees and a
addressees whose address designations follow T.” lower precedence for information addressees, the
message is of greater importance to the action
Other prosigns that may appear in transmission addressees.
instructions are G (“Repeat back”), F (“Do not
answer”), and L (“Relay”). Prosign G is used by a If the message in figure 3-2 were assigned dual
transmitting station to ensure that the receiving station precedence, the preamble would read P R 061933Z
has received the message as transmitted, particularly MAR 95. This would show that the message should be
if the message is of great importance or of a type treated as a priority message for delivery to OHWZ
difficult to send or receive. If G appears alone in the and as a routine message when delivered to XGHL.
transmission instructions, all stations called repeat Dual-precedence messages, in visual signaling,
back the message; if G is preceded by call signs, it normally are handled as single-precedence messages
means that stations whose call signs precede G repeat because of the proximity of ships and signaling
back the message. Prosign F means “Do not answer.” stations. If, however, the action addressee of a
It is used in a method of visual signaling that will be dual-precedence (for example, P R) message were in
discussed in chapter 4. Prosign L is the relay sign. Its company but one or more information addressees were
meaning is similar to T, but is not as specific. In not, relay would be required. In that instance, the
transmission instructions, L means “Relay to those message would be sent immediately to the action
addressees for whom you are responsible.” Its use also addressee, but might be transmitted to a different
requires that the station called report to you that the station for relay to the information addressees, using
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Figure 3-4.—The precedence of a message indicates its relative importance. Note time standards for handling.
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Routine precedence. Transmission for relay, of course, If the call element gives all the addressees, the
would be delayed until all higher precedence traffic is address component of a message may be omitted. In
cleared. the example message, if there were no information
addressees, the call would serve as the address. The
The date-time group (DTG) indicates the
address component could then be omitted.
approximate time a message was readied for
transmission. Normally, the DTG is assigned by the Prefix
communications watch officer or signal officer. The
DTG in figure 3-2 indicates the message was ready for The prefix of a plaindress message contains
transmission at about 1933 Greenwich mean time (is the accounting symbols and the group count.
zone suffix) on the 6th day of March. Accounting symbols are included in Navy messages
Because the DTG serves as a positive means of when a possibility exists that they may be transmitted
identification, no DTG should be assigned by any over commercial facilities. Instructions for the use of
station to more than one outgoing message. If for some accounting symbols are found in JANAP 128.
reason you have to assign a DTG, be sure to inform The group count of a message is the number of
the communications center of the DTG you used. groups in the text. In a message, GR followed by
Figure 3-2 has no message instruction element. numeral(s) means "This message contains the number
The use of operating signals and the prosign IX will of groups indicated." In a message containing a text of
be discussed in chapter 4. 26 words, the group count is written GR26. If the
message were encrypted, the group count would indicate
Address Component the number of code groups in the text. The group count
The address component of figure 3-2 is FM NQHS normally appears in the message prefix, but in certain
TO OHWZ INFO XGHL XMT NFZV. This component cases may appear in the final instructions. When a
shows who originated the message, the addressee for message is transmitted before the group count is
action, the addressee for information, and the exempt determined, the prosign GRNC may be used in lieu of
addressee. Provision is also made to show which, if any, the group count. The actual group count will then be
addressees included in a collective call sign need not transmitted in the final instructions and inserted in the
receive the message. (A collective call sign represents message prefix by the receiving operator.
two or more ships, stations, or commands.) Rules to follow when counting groups are the
The address component of the message is following:
determined by the drafter and originator. Communica- Count groups in the text only.
tions personnel are authorized to convert the
plain-language addressees to call signs or address Each sequence of characters uninterrupted by a
groups when processing messages for transmission. space is counted as one group.
All four prosigns that can be included in the Punctuation is not counted unless abbreviated or
address component appear in the example message. spelled out.
The originator's sign, FM, means “The originator of Count every word and every continuous
this message is indicated by the designation combination of letters, figures, and/or symbols as one
immediately following.” The prosign for action group.
addressee, TO, means “Addressees indicated by the
designation immediately following are addressed for Hyphenated words and hyphenated names, when
action.” The information addressee sign, INFO, transmitted as one word, count as one group.
followed by call signs, shows that the message is for A numerical group count always must be used in
information only. encrypted messages. The group count element may be
The exempted addressee sign, prosign XMT, omitted in messages where the text consists of plain
means that addressees following XMT are exempted language.
from the collective address. If a collective call is also
Long Break
used, the prosign XMT must also appear in the call
element. It appears as the last element in the address The long-break prosign, BT, marks the separation
component, following the action and information between the text and other parts of a message. It
addressees’ designations. immediately precedes and follows the text. In
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abbreviated service messages, the BT is not used example message in figure 3-2 conforms to the
except when a date-time/time group is employed. standard format for plain-language messages. When
processed by the communications center, the text is
Text placed in the form shown in figure 3-5.
The textual format of Navy messages is designed Exempt from the standard format are messages
to make the messages easily readable yet keep them with very short texts. Examples are tactical messages
concise to conserve time and facilities so that all and pro form messages using a firmly established
necessary messages can be sent. The text of the format, such as standard “reporting-type” messages
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that use letters of the alphabet to indicate a A. ADD “LOGISTICS OF PROJECT.”
prearranged subject matter. If all elements are B. DELETE “POSSIBLE LOCATION
required, they appear in the following order: FACILITIES.”
1. Classification or the abbreviation UNCLAS. 3. CNO ITINERARY, 19 AUG, TIMES UNIFORM
The highest classification authorized for visual means,
regardless of method, is Confidential. ETA ETD LOCATION
2. Special category marking (EXCLUSIVE, ORIG 1300 NAS SEATTLE
COSMIC, and the like). 1515 1800 NAS ALAMEDA
3. Special handling security markings (NOFORN, 2300 TERM CHICAGO-OHARE
RESDAT, and so on).
If a message does not require all elements, the
4. Exercise identification (EXERCISE MAIN format is adjusted accordingly by omitting
BRACE). nonessentials. Certain other exceptions are allowed
5. Code name or nickname of special projects or when using the standard format.
operations.
The subject line may be omitted if it requires
6. Flag word (EXPRESS, REDLINE, and so on.) that an otherwise unclassified message be classified;
7. Passing instructions and other indications of if it noticeably increases the length of what would
message distribution (FOR ) . be a brief message; or if it increases commercial
charges when the message is addressed to
8. Subject line, concise and untitled. activities served by commercial communications
9. References, identified by letter(s). facilities.
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Standing alone, prosign C means “Correct.” Because normally will be assigned a precedence equal to that
it is followed by other information in our example, it of the message to which they refer.
means ‘This is a correct version of the portion of the
Examples of plain-language service messages:
message indicated.” Another prosign, WA, meaning
“word after,” follows certain prosigns (including C) to 1. Plaindress format: P 031500Z MAR 95 GR10
identify a portion of the text of a plain language BT UNCLAS SVC BRIDGE TO BRIDGE INOP
message. In figure 3-2, the portion of the text COME UP ON TGO BT K
identified is the word after DEBARK, which appears 2. Abbreviated plaindress format: BT UNCLAS
in the text as GROUPS. Accordingly, the final SVC BRIDGE TO BRIDGE INOP COME UP ON
instructions of the message mean “Correct word after TGO BT 1500Z
DEBARK to TROOPS.”
Other prosigns may appear in the final ABBREVIATED SERVICE MESSAGE
instructions. Prosign C may be followed by AB, AA,
or WB, instructing the receiving station to correct The text of an abbreviated service message
portions of the text. Prosign B used alone in the final contains only prosigns, operating signals, address
instructions means “More to follow to all stations designations, identification of messages, parts of
called." When B is followed by call signs, it means messages, and amplifying data as necessary. It may be
“More to follow to stations indicated.” originated by operators and may contain any of the
components shown in the basic format except that
Prosign G, for repeat back, may be used in the final
instructions if, during transmission, its use is deemed 1. The long break is used only if the date-time
necessary. Used alone, G directs all stations to repeat group/time group is used; and
back the message. When G is preceded by a call sign 2. The date time group/time group is to be employed
(or signs), its meaning is “Stations whose call sign (or only when it is necessary to indicate the time at which the
signs) precede G are to repeat back.” In addition to its message was originated or when it is considered that
use in the transmission instructions and final further reference may be made to the message.
instructions, G may be used in the text of a flashing
light message to indicate the addee is to repeat back Examples of abbreviated service messages:
the previous group sent by the transmitter. 1. INT ZDK NKZO 062222Z MAR 95 K
Visual transmissions are completed by ending 2. Abbreviated plaindress format: BT INT ZDK
prosigns K or AR. The K means "This is the end of my NKZO 062222Z MAR 95 BT 2300Z K
transmission to you, and a response is necessary.”
3. Plaindress format: P 062323Z MAR 95 GR 6
Ending prosign AR means "This is the end of my BT INT ZDK NKZO 06222Z MAR 95 BT K
transmission to you, and no response is required or
expected." ABBREVIATED PLAINDRESS
MESSAGES
SERVICE MESSAGE
Operational requirements for speed of
A service message is one between communica- handling—contact reports, for example—may dictate
tions personnel and pertaining to any phase of traffic the abbreviation of plaindress message headings. At
handling, communication facilities, or circuit such times, any or all of the following may be omitted
conditions. It is prepared and transmitted in from the heading: precedence, date, DTG, and group
plaindress, abbreviated plaindress, or codress form. count. If the DTG is omitted, a time group must be in
The abbreviation SVC following any security the ending procedure components.
classification or UNCLAS in the beginning of the text,
identifies a plain-language service message. CODRESS MESSAGES
An encrypted service message will always carry a
A codress message is one in which the entire
numerical group and will only be identified as a
address, originator and all addressees except when the
service message within the encrypted text.
address indicating groups are used, is encrypted
Service messages generally concern messages within the text. The heading of such a message
originated at, destined for, or refiled by that station and contains only information necessary to enable
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communications personnel to handle it properly. It assigned to commercial and private stations, merchant
contains all the components shown in figure 3-3. ships, and others. The N block is for use by the Navy,
Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
STATION AND ADDRESS
DESIGNATORS Naval shore communication stations have
three-letter N calls. If necessary, these calls may be
expanded by adding numerical suffixes. Thus,
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Define station and additional call signs are provided for facilities located
address designators; explain procedures for remotely from the parent station. Examples are the
constructing call signs and address groups. List following:
procedures for establishing and maintaining
communications. NAM. . . . .NAVCOMMSTA, Norfolk
NAM1 . . . . Headquarters, CINCLANTFLT, Norfolk
Station and address designators are any
combinations of characters or pronounceable words NAM2 . . . . Naval Shipyard, Norfolk
designed for use in message headings to identify a International call signs assigned to U.S. naval
command, authority, unit, or communications facility, ships are four-letter N calls, which are used
or to assist in the transmission and delivery of unencrypted only. They have no security value; hence
messages. Station and address designators encompass they are authorized for use with Allied, civil, and
four categories: call signs, address groups, plain merchant stations. An example follows:
language, and routing indicators.
NJUL. . . . .USS BAINBRIDGE (CG(N) 25)
CALL SIGNS
International call signs for USN, USMC, and
Call signs are letters, letter-number combinations, USCG aircraft are composed of the service designator
or one or more pronounceable words used for N, NM, or NC, respectively, followed by the last four
establishing and maintaining communications. Call digits of the serial number of the aircraft.
signs may also be used as address designators when
the call sign indicates the addressee or originator. The Indefinite Call Signs
following list contains the different types of call signs:
1. International Indefinite call signs represent no specific facility,
2. Indefinite command, authority, or unit, but may represent any
one or any group of these. Examples:
3. Net
NERK
4. Tactical
NAthrough NZ . . . . . (From) any U.S. Navy ship
5. Voice Indefinite call signs are used in codress message
6. Visual headings to conceal the identity of originators and
addressees. In such instances, the address component
7. Signal letters of ships and signal letters or is placed in the encrypted text.
identification numbers of aircraft when used as
international call signs
Net Call Signs
International Call Signs
Net call signs represent all stations within a net.
International call signs are assigned to radio (A net is a group of stations in direct communication
stations in all countries—civil and military, afloat and with each other on a common channel.) Normally, net
ashore—according to international agreement. The call signs are not used in visual transmissions.
first letter or first two letters of a call indicate the Following is an example of a net call sign:
nationality of the station. The United States has the
first half of the A block (through ALZ) and all of the NQN. . . . All U.S. Navy radio stations in the
K, W, and N blocks. The United States reserves A calls Pacific guarding the ship-shore high-frequency
for the Army and Air Force. The K and W blocks are calling series
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Voice Call Signs 5. Special task organization call signs
6. Signal stations
Voice call signs are letters, numbers, or a
combination of letters and numbers that identify 7. Ships' boats
commands and units of commands. These include 8. Convoys
ships, aircraft squadrons and wings, shore
establishments, type commanders, and task In constructing visual calls to be transmitted by
organization components. The voice call signs change flaghoist, numerals are expressed by numeral
daily using the system that is in effect at the time of pennants except when numeral flags are specifically
this writing. The Navy continues to strive to improve indicated. Numerals appearing in visual call signs
security and at the same time provide an efficient and transmitted by any visual means other than flaghoist
workable system of call sign identification. represent numeral pennants and are written as pl, p5,
p6, and so on, to distinguish them from numeral flags.
Also available is JANAP 119, which contains ship By any visual means other than flaghoist, call signs
and other joint armed forces voice call signs. Although are transmitted using the Morse code or semaphore
the publication is always kept up to date, normally it equivalents. All call signs (except radiotelephone) in
is not used. JANAP 119 provides an adequate backup the text of signals from an authorized signal book are
system, but lacks the security needed today. preceded by the special sign PT transmitted as a Morse
or semaphore equivalent meaning “call sign to
Visual Call Signs follow.” If more than one call sign appears in the text,
each will be preceded by PT. Call signs in the text may
Visual call signs are primarily used for visual be spelled out when conditions make this advisable,
signaling. They are shorter than the other call signs or spelled out call signs will also be preceded by PT.
address groups assigned to an organization. This
advantage is highly significant in determining the VISUAL CALLS FOR SHIPS.—Visual call
length of a flaghoist and reducing the transmission signs for ships are either assigned nationally or
time of messages by other visual means. constructed using the appropriate single-letter type
Visual call signs may be used (1) to establish indicator plus the hull number of the ship. A list of
communication between organizations, (2) in the single-letter type indicators follows:
transmission instructions and address of a message A Auxiliary (oiler, cargo, tender, floating drydock,
that will be transmitted solely by visual means, and (3) sloop, and so on.)
for transmitting groups from authorized signal books,
as follows: B Battleship
1. To address ships, units, or commands, in which C Cruiser
visual call signs precede the signals D Destroyer/destroyer escort
2. To complete, amplify, or vary the meaning of a F Frigate
signal, in which case visual call signs are used in
conjunction with the signal G Government station
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R Aircraft carrier subdivision of ships the unit indicator is followed by
the type indicator.
S Submarine
Example:
U Surface organization
W Coast Guard ship Squad D—Commander this destroyer squadron
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Figure 3-6.—Numeral pennant call sign for use in tactical organizations.
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Following is the table of special task organization Call sign Meaning
visual call signs listed in ACP 129.
Call sign Meaning HpØ Commander in chief
(Numeral flag) Hp1 Harbor entrance control post/port war
Ø Commander Task Force No. signal station (HECP/PWSS) (main
1 *Commander Task Group No. signal station)
2 *Commander Task Unit No. Hp2 HECP/PWSS (secondary auxiliary signal
3 *Commander Task Element No. station)
4 Commander Fleet Hp3 Port director
5 Senior officr present afloat (SOPA)
Hp4
6 Task Force No. (when ashore)
7 *Task Group No.
Hp5 SOPA administrative (when
8 *Task Unit No. ashore)
9 *Task Element No.
Hp6 Flag officer, second in command
* Within own task organization
Hp7 Commander naval district
Examples:
Hp8 Commander naval base
6p4p5 . . . Task Force 45
Hp9 Commander naval operating
8p3 . . . . . . Task Unit 3 (within own Task Group) base
9p2D . . . . Destroyers of Task Element 2 (within Hp1pØ Commander naval shipyard
own Task Unit) Hp1p1 Commander sea frontier
3p6. . . . . . Commander Task Element 6 (within Hp1p2 Commander air station
own Task Unit) Hp1p3 Commander amphibious base
The special task organization call signs in the Hp1p4 Commander section base
previous list have been extended to intra-USN Hp1p5 Commander submarine base
messages transmitted by flashing light.
Hp1p6 Degaussing station No. 1
Examples: Degaussing station No. 2
Hp1p7
CTF 50. . . . . Zero p5p0 Hp1p8 Degaussing station No. 3
CTG 50.3 . . . . . One p3 Hp1p9 Degaussing station No. 4
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SHIPS' BOATS.—The following visual call signs commandants; (2) fleet, type, or force commanders
are assigned for ships' boats. ashore; (3) elements of operating forces permanently
ashore who are in frequent communication with forces
QpØ All boats afloat; and (4) elements of the shore establishment
Qp1 Admiral's barge (such as weather centrals) having a need for direct
Qp2 Chief of staff barge or gig addressing and receipt of the messages.
Qp3 Staff gigs or motorboats Among other uses, address groups aid in the
Qp4 Captain's gig delivery of messages when a communications center
Boats under power serves so many activities that its own call sign is
Qp5
insufficient to identify the addressee.
Qp6 Boats under sail
Qp7 Boats under oars Address groups, like call signs, are divided into
types. They are individual activity, collective,
Qp8 )
conjunctive, and geographic address groups, and
) Reserved for local assignment by
address indicating groups.
commanding officers. Calls are
)
generated according to boat numbers.
Individual Activity Address Groups
Qp5pØ )
Individual activity address groups are repre-
Boat calls consist of QUEBEC hoisted above sentative of a single command or unit, either afloat or
numeral pennant(s). Together, they signify the type of ashore. Examples:
boat(s) called. Numeral flags following the call sign
indicates the individual number of the boat. Thus, DTCI . . . . . . COMPHIBLANT
Qp54 is the call sign a ship would use for its utility SSMW . . . . . CNO
boat number 4. To call another ship's boat, the call of
the ship is hoisted below the boat call. For example, Collective Address Groups
Qp4Rp1p4 is the captain's gig of carrier 14.
Collective address groups represent two or more
ADDRESS GROUPS commands, authorities, activities, units, or
combinations of these. Included in the group are the
Address groups are four-letter groups assigned to commander and subordinate commanders. Examples:
represent a command, activity, or unit. Although
DSWN.. . . . . DESRON 16
address groups are used mainly in the message
address, they can be used in military communications AMGK . . . . . . SIXTH FLT Conjunctive Address Groups
to establish and maintain communications in the same
manner as call signs. In general, call signs and address Conjunctive Address Groups
groups are used by the Navy in the same way.
You must remember that conjunctive address
Address groups never start with the letter N; groups have incomplete meanings. It is always
hence, they are easily distinguishable from naval radio necessary to complete the meaning by the addition of
call signs, Unlike international call signs, address other address groups denoting a specific command or
groups follow no distinctive pattern. For example, you location. For that reason, conjunctive address groups
learned the difference in call signs for naval ships and are used only with one or more other address groups.
shore stations. In address groups, however, the The conjunctive address group XZKW, for example,
arrangement of the four letters is not significant. means “All ships present at .” This particular
All commands afloat (except individual ships) are group must be followed by a geographic address group
assigned address groups. Address groups are assigned to complete the meaning.
also to shore-based commands, authorities, or
activities not served by their own communication Geographical Address Groups
facilities. More specifically, these are (1) senior
commands and commanders ashore, such as the Geographic address groups should be included as
Secretaries of Defense and of the Navy, bureaus and a part of an address designator only when necessary to
offices of the Navy Department, and district complete the titles of addressees or originators, in
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which case they are used in combination with a may not be used when addressing a message to a
conjunctive address group. Except where a nonmilitary activity, in the heading of a codress
geographical address group is required to complete the message, or in radiotelegraph messages originated by
conjunctive address group, geographical address naval forces afloat.
groups should not be used with the name of naval or
merchant ships or the title of commands afloat. INCOMING MESSAGE PROCEDURE
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types of messages that you will be in contact with while what prosigns are and how to use them. This chapter
performing your duties as a Signalman. You learned how is very important to the Signalman rating. Learn all
to prepare messages for transmission using the standard you can about messages, and apply the knowledge as
naval message format and how to construct call signs necessary. Take the initiative to schedule practice
and what type and unit indicators are. You also learned during your spare time.
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