reader’s   mind   as   to   the   classification   of   a particular paragraph. Punctuation Punctuation  is  used  within  the  text  of  a message  when  essential  for  clarity. MINIMIZE  Considered During  an  actual  or  simulated  emergency, it  may  become  necessary  to  reduce  the  volume of   record   and/or   voice   communications ordinarily   transmitted   over   U.S.   military telecommunications    circuits. This   action, known   as   MINIMIZE,   is   designed   to   clear communications networks of messages that are not   considered   urgent.   Only   those   messages that   affect   the   accomplishment   of   a   mission or  safety  of  life  are  considered  essential  and, therefore,  require electronic    transmission during   MINIMIZE   periods. The   releasing   officer   must   review messages  that  have  not  been  released  during MINIMIZE   periods. The   releasing   officer must  determine  if  a  message  can  be  sent  via another means or if it must be sent electrically via   telecommunications   circuits. If   the releasing officer releases  a  message  for transmission, the words  M I N I M I Z E CONSIDERED  and  RELEASED  BY  must  be included. Downgrading Instructions All   classified   messages   must   contain   a downgrading   or   declassification   instruction with   the   exception   of   Restricted   Data   and Formerly  Restricted  Data  messages. GENERAL   MESSAGES General   messages   provide   a   standard distribution to a large group of addressees and are  identified  by  a  repetitive  short  title  (for example,   ALNAV,   NAVOP,   JAFPUB). All  commands  to  whom  general  messages are   distributed   are   action   addressees. However,  each  command  receiving  a  general message  is  responsible  for  determining  what action, if any, it needs to take on the message. Although   general   messages   have   a   wide, standardized  distribution,  all  addressees  may not  need  to  take  action.  However,  commands are  required  to  keep  a  continuous  numerical file  of  all  general  messages  for  which  they  are on   the   distribution   list   and   receive. Consequently, the   general   message   files should  contain  every  general  message  received during  the  calendar  year,  in  numerical  order. The  general  message  files  are  separate  from all  other  files  and  are  subdivided  according  to identifying  title  or  type. PRO   FORMA   MESSAGES Pro   forma   messages   are   messages   whose subject matter and sequence of textual content are  preset  and  cannot  be  changed  by  the originator. MINIMIZE   MESSAGES Minimize means, “It is now mandatory that normal   message   and   telephone   traffic   be reduced   drastically   so   that   vital   messages connected  with  the  situation  indicated  will  not be  delayed.” A  message  ordering  MINIMIZE  consists  of the  word   MINIMIZE,   followed  by  the  area affected  (scope),  reason,  and  duration  of  the MINIMIZE  condition  (when  known). COMMUNICATIONS    GUARD SHIFT   MESSAGES C o m m u n i c a t i o n s g u a rd s h i ft (COMMSHIFT)   messages   are   required   when a   command   shifts   its   guard   from   one broadcast  or  servicing  communications  center to   another.   When   possible,   the   shift   takes effect  at  0001Z  of  the  new  radio  day.  When broadcasts  are  shifted,  an  overlap  period before  and  after  the  effective  time  is  observed 3-26