which case they are used in combination with a
conjunctive address group. Except where a
geographical address group is required to complete the
conjunctive address group, geographical address
groups should not be used with the name of naval or
merchant ships or the title of commands afloat.
Address Indicating Groups
An address indicating group (AIG) is a form of
military address designator representing a
predetermined list of specific and frequently recurring
combinations of action and/or information addressees.
The identity of the originator may also be included if
the AIG is used frequently by any one originator. Each
AIG is numbered so it will be easy to identify. An
address group is assigned to each AIG for use as an
address designator. AIG numbers may also be used as
plain language address designators when appropriate.
The purpose of AIGs is to increase the speed of
traffic handling and to reduce the length of the address
component. Address indicating groups can be used
whenever suitable, regardless of whether the message
concerned is unclassified or classified, unencrypted or
encrypted, or in plaindress or codress form.
Special Operating Groups
Special operating groups comprised of four letters
and identical in appearance with address groups are
provided for use in the headings of messages to give
special instructions. They are not to be used until a
nation or service has promulgated instructions
authorizing their use. They must always be encrypted.
They may be used singly, or with encrypted or
unencrypted call signs or address groups.
PLAIN LANGUAGE STATION AND
Plain language address designators are the official
abbreviated, or short titles, of commands or activities.
They are used in message headings in place of call
signs or address groups. Some abbreviated titles are
written as single words, such as NAVSEA. Others
have conjunctive titles and geographical locations,
such as NAVCOMMSTA PUERTO RICO.
Plain language designators normally are confined
to the abbreviated title of commands and activities
listed in the Standard Navy Distribution List. They
may be used in communication with the U.S. Army,
Air Force, and the armed forces of our Allies. They
may not be used when addressing a message to a
nonmilitary activity, in the heading of a codress
message, or in radiotelegraph messages originated by
naval forces afloat.
INCOMING MESSAGE PROCEDURE
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Discuss the
procedure for handling and distributing
incoming and outgoing messages.
The manner in which incoming messages are
handled and distributed aboard ship is in accordance
with stipulated shipboard communication doctrine or
as determined otherwise by the OOD. Messages
bearing a higher precedence than Routine receive
particular attention, whether they are administrative or
tactical in nature. There may be special procedures for
Flash and Immediate visual traffic.
In general, incoming nontactical messages are
recorded on a message blank, shown to and initialed
by the OOD, and delivered promptly to the
communications center for distribution. In the case of
a high-precedence message, however, the OOD
usually orders the signal supervisor to have it shown
immediately to the captain.
If you are the signal supervisor, relay all tactical
signals to both the OOD and CIC (the latter by
intercom, usually the 21MC circuit). The OOD or
JOOD refers to the appropriate signal book to
interpret the signal's meaning. The signal is also
interpreted in CIC. The CIC watch officer informs
the OOD of its meaning. If both interpretations
agree, the OOD will order you to indicate receipt for
There are excellent reasons for requiring two
interpretations of each tactical signal. For one thing,
the practice keeps CIC informed of the ship's possible
movements. For another, there are many signals,
particularly for maneuvering, and there must be no
error on the part of message addressees, because of the
danger of collision. When OOD and CIC agree to the
meaning of a signal, the OOD orders the signal
acknowledged. On the rare occasion when there is
disagreement, the OOD uses his or her judgment as to
the better interpretation.
In this chapter you learned how to originate
messages, and you became familiar with the many