enough in the future to allow all necessary use of the
This information is given a classification that
notice.
determines how much protection it needs.
A change transmittal is the medium used to
RESPONSIBILITIES
t r a n s m i t c h a n g e s t o a n i n s t r u c t i o n o r, u n d e r
extenuating circumstances, a notice. Each transmittal
T h e C h i e f o f N ava l O p e r a t i o n s ( C N O ) i s
describes the nature of the change and gives directions
responsible to the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) for
for making them. Directives are identified by
all policies related to the maintenance of the security of
designation information. Using "SECNAVINST
a l l c l a s s i fi e d i n f o r m a t i o n w i t h i n t h e N ava l
5215.1" as an example, "SECNAV" is the issuing
Establishment. The Information and Personnel
authority, "INST" is the type of directive, "5215" is the
Security Program Regulation, SECNAVINST 5510.36,
subject identification number, "1" is the consecutive
known as the Security Manual, is the source of the
numbering for instructions by the directive control
Navy's security program.
p o i n t . T h e c o n s e c u t ive n u m b e r s a s s i g n e d t o
instructions, which are later canceled, are not reused.
From SECNAV, to the CNO, to your commanding
The period (.) is used to separate the subject
officer, to your command security manager, and to you,
identification and consecutive numbering. When a
responsibilities and procedures are laid down and
change is made, the change transmittal number and its
specified to protect classified information.
date are shown on the page(s) that contain(s) the
Do not let information fall into the wrong hands
change; for example, "SECNAVINST 5215.1, Change
through careless talk or improper handling and
Transmittal 1, 26 Jan 1993." A revised instruction will
safeguarding of written information.
retain all the designation information with the addition
of a suffix capital letter (the first revision "A," the
CATEGORIES OF CLASSIFIED
s e c o n d " B ," e t c . ) i m m e d i a t e l y f o l l ow i n g t h e
INFORMATION
consecutive number. Each change transmittal is
identified in the designation line of the transmittal by
Information is classified in three categories, each
the same number as the directive it changes (in the case
category requiring its own level of protection. These
of notices, the date), plus an assigned change
categories are Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential.
transmittal number added to the identification; for
example, "SECNAVINST 5215.2, Change Transmittal
Top Secret
1."
Top Secret is the designation applied only to
You will use different instructions and notices
information or material the unauthorized disclosure of
when performing your daily tasks. They are issued by
w h i c h c o u l d r e a s o n a b l y b e ex p e c t e d t o c a u s e
various commands, bureaus, ships, stations, and
exceptionally grave damage to the national security.
operating forces. Headquarters, Naval Air Systems
Command, issues many of the directives used in
Examples of exceptionally grave damage include
aircraft maintenance. They are known as NAVAIR
armed hostilities against the United States or its allies;
instructions or notices. The directives issued by Chief
disruption of foreign relations vitally affecting the
of Naval Operations are known as OPNAV instructions
national security; the compromise of vital national
or notices. Refer to Department of the Navy Directives
defense plans or complex cryptologic and
Issuance System, SECNAVINST 5215.1, for more
communication intelligence' systems; and the
information.
disclosure of scientific or technological developments
vital to national security.
CLASSIFIED MATERIAL CONTROL
Secret
Learning Objective: Describe the categories
Secret is the designation applied only to
of classified information; describe the types of
information or material the unauthorized disclosure of
security clearances, and, describe the
which could reasonably be expected to cause serious
procedures for handling various classes of
damage to national security. Examples of serious
classified information.
damage include disruption of foreign relations
s i g n i fi c a n t l y a ff e c t i n g t h e n a t i o n a l s e c u r i t y ;
To protect the interests of the United States, certain
significant impairment of a program or policy directly
information cannot be available to other countries.
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