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Virgule (or slant) /
Quotation
mark
“
Punctuation marks that may not be used in a naval
message are as follows:
Number symbol
#
“At” sign
@
Percent
%
Fractions
1/2, 1/4, 3/8, and so on
Asterisk
*
Underscore
—
Cent sign
@
MESSAGE FILES
Messages are filed numerically in the order of the
date-time-group (DTG). The DTG is expressed as six
digits with a zone suffix plus an abbreviated month and
a two-digit year. The first pair of digits denotes the date
of the month, the second pair the hours, and the third
pair the minutes, followed by a capitalized letter that
indicates the time zone. For standardization, all naval
communications use Greenwich (Z) time. The month
and year are abbreviated by using the first three letters
of the month and the last two digits of the year; for
example, 1721402 OCT 93.
Separate message tiles are usually maintained for
general messages such as ALNAV (All Navy) and
NAVOPS (Navy Operations). They are normally filed
in numerical order by calendar. Other forms of messages
that are maintained separately are CASREP (casualty
report), OPREPs (Operational reports), PERSONAL
FOR, and messages classified CONFIDENTIAL,
SECRET, and TOP SECRET.
Messages are usually destroyed 30 days after the
release date or earlier if they have served their purpose.
However, message directives are automatically
canceled 90 days following the release date except when
the message provides earlier cancellation, a subsequent
release specially extends the time, or if it is reissued in
a letter-type directive format.
AWARDS
An award is given to publicly recognize a member
whenever he or she does anything noteworthy or
commendable beyond the usual requirements of duty, or
displays exceptional energy, judgment, or initiative.
Awards are presented with appropriate formality.
Such ceremonies may range from presentation at formal
reviews to small office ceremonies at which the letter or
citation is read and the letter or decoration presented to
the member.
LETTERS OF APPRECIATION AND
COMMENDATION
Letters of appreciation (LOA) and letters of
commendation (LOC) are intended to promote morale.
These kinds of letters are difficult to write. In most
cases, LOA and LOC are tailored to the recipient and
cannot be reused. When writing letters of appreciation
or commendation, be creative so your letter won’t sound
like a form letter.
In an LOA, begin by expressing your thanks to the
individual. In an LOC, you should begin by
commending the individual for his or her support or
accomplishments as appropriate. Next, in both the LOA
and LOC, summarize the type of support or
accomplishments that the individual is being recognized
for. Then end by thanking or praising the individual once
again. A penned postscript on the letter gives it a special
warmth.
PERSONAL AWARD RECOMMENDATIONS
The policy on the considerations for personal award
recommendations is contained in the United States Navy
and Marine Corps Awards Manual, SECNAVINST
1650.1F. Awards are intended to recognize truly
exceptional performance and valor. The value of an
award is that it is given in cases only where it is clearly
deserved. The following are not considered as a basis
for military awards:
. A routine end-of-tour award
. A means of expressing appreciation to staff
personnel for the loyalty and support afforded to the
departing commanding officer (CO)
The most important element in writing a personal
award recommendation is the summary of action. Each
recommendation is evaluated on the merits of the
justification contained in the summary of action. When
drafting your summary of action, avoid the excessive
use of superlatives and the job description approach.
Noncombat award recommendations should be brief.
One page in an outline or bullet format is sufficient in
the majority of cases. Emphasis should be placed on
specific accomplishments of the individual that set him
or her apart from his or her peers. The amount of detail
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