AEROGRAPHER'S MATE 3 & 2 



The selection of the proper communication 

 for use in transmitting information is of spe- 

 cial importance in Navy operations. Listed be- 

 low are some of the types of correspondence 

 and their uses: 



1. Naval Letter. The naval letter is used by 

 all activities of the Department of the Navy as 

 a formal means of intranaval communication. 

 It may be used also in addressing other agen- 

 cies, either governmental or nongovernmental, 

 which are familiar with the style. (See fig. 

 17-1.) 



2. Joint Letter. When officials of two or 

 more activities need to issue a letter concern- 

 ing a particular subject of common interest to 

 the activities, a joint letter is prepared. It 

 may be directed to one addressee, or to two 

 or more addressees identified separately or 

 as a group. 



3. Speedletter. A speedletter is a form of 

 naval correspondence used for urgent commu- 

 nication which does not require electrical trans- 

 mission. It is not used for directives. The 

 primary purpose of the speedletter is to call 

 attention to the communication, so that it will 

 be handled as promptly as possible by the 

 recipient. 



4. Memorandum. A memorandum is a form 

 of naval correspondence used for informal com- 

 munications within and between headquarters 

 components of the Navy Department, between 

 fleet and force commanders and units of com- 

 mand under their jurisdiction, and within a 

 field activity. It may be directed to one or 

 more addressees. 



Figure 17-1 illustrates in detail the format 

 of naval letters. Because this format may change 

 slightly from time to time, the latest Navy 

 Correspondence Manual should be consulted. 



The naval letter is perhaps the most formal 

 type of correspondence used by the Navy, but 

 this does not mean that its content cannot be 

 simple. Avoid long sentences and long words 

 where short sentences and short words convey 

 the same meaning. Each paragraph should con- 

 tain one complete thought expressed in logi- 

 cal sequence. Tables, diagrams, and sketches 

 should be included as enclosures if necessary 

 to add to the clarity of the letter. 



If the letter is in reply to another letter, 

 it should answer all expressed and implied 

 questions. 



A rough draft of any letter should ordinarily 

 be typed double space for the responsible officer 

 to look over and revise according to his wishes. 



SECURITY 



It has been said, "There is no such thing as 

 peace. It is only the interim between wars." 

 A study of history indicates that most wars are 

 carefully planned long before the first shot is 

 fired. During this so called peaceful period, 

 nations are engaged in the collection and eval- 

 uation of all formis of intelligence material from 

 potential enemies. 



In peacetime, people tend to relax; security 

 is sometimes ignored. This tendency makes it 

 easier for a potential enemy to gather informa- 

 tion concerning our capabilities and intentions. 



PURPOSE OF THE 

 SECURITY PROGRAM 



Basically, the purpose of the security pro- 

 gram is to protect classified material from un- 

 authorized disclosure. 



It is the responsibility of every person in 

 the Navy to safeguard classified information. 

 The AG must be especially vigilant since he 

 frequently comes in contact with classified ma- 

 terial. 



SECURITY MANUAL 



The Department of the Navy Information Se- 

 curity Program Regulation, OPNAVINST 

 5510. 1( ), is designed to furnish standards for 

 handling classified matters. The manual itself 

 does not guarantee security but makes security 

 more readily attainable. Detailed instructions 

 pertaining to the handling of classified matter 

 can be found in this manual. 



It must be remembered, however, that there 

 is no adequate substitute for continuous day-to- 

 day practice in the proper methods of handling 

 classified material. 



SECURITY PRINCIPLE 



The Department of Defense employs a secu- 

 rity formula which is simple in principle. It is 

 based on the theory of circulation control — the 



416 



