NAVY MAILED MESSAGE PROGRAM

Navy Mailed Message Program (NAVGRAMS) are prepared on the Joint Message Form, DD Form 173/2, but are processed through normal administrative channels after a determination has been made that the subject matter or urgency of action required does not qualify for electronic transmission. This determination is normally made by the releaser. NAVGRAMS may only be classified Secret and below.

Figure 1-5.-Joint Message Form, DD Form 173/2. 1-6

CLASSIFIED MATERIAL CONTROL

To protect the interests of the United States, certain information cannot be available to other countries. This information is given a classification that determines how much protection it needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is responsible to the Secretary of the Navy (SEC-NAV) for all policies related to the maintenance of the security of all classified information within the Naval Establishment. The Information and Personnel Security Program Regulation, OP-NAVINST 5510.1, known as the Security Manual, is the source of the Navy's security program.

From SECNAV, to the CNO, to your commanding officer, to your command security manager, and to you, responsibilities and procedures are laid down and specified to protect classified information.

Do not let information fall into the wrong hands through careless talk or improper handling and safeguarding of written information.

CATEGORIES OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Information is classified in three categories, each category requiring its own level of protection. These categories are Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential.

Top Secret

Top Secret is the designation applied only to information or material the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security. Examples of exceptionally grave damage include armed hostilities against the United States or its allies; disruption of foreign relations vitally affecting the national security; the compromise of vital national defense plans or complex cryptologic and communication intelligence' systems; and the disclosure of scientific or technological developments vital to national security.

Secret

Secret is the designation applied only to information or material the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to national security. Examples of serious damage include disruption of foreign relations significantly affecting the national security; significant impairment of a program or policy directly related to national security; revelation of significant military plans or intelligence operations; and the compromise of significant scientific or technological developments relating to national security.

Confidential

Confidential is the designation applied to information or material the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause identifiable damage to national security. Examples of identifiable damage include the compromise of information that indicates strength of ground, air, and naval forces in the United States and overseas areas; disclosure of technical information used for training, maintenance, and inspection of classified munitions of war; revelation of performance characteristics, test data, design, and production data of munitions of war.