The purpose of marking classified material is to inform the holder of the classification level and the degree of protection required of the material and to assist in extracting, paraphrasing, downgrading, and declassifying actions. Therefore, all classified material must be marked in a manner that leaves no doubt about the level of classification assigned to the material, which parts contain or reveal classified information, how long the material must remain classified, and any additional measures necessary to protect the material.

Basic Markings

The basic markings are placed on the first page of classified correspondence. The overall classification is typed at the upper left of the first page. It is stamped at both top and bottom centers of the page. The classification authority, downgrading, and declassification instructions are placed at the lower left of the page.

On the second and succeeding pages, the classification is stamped at both top and bottom

Table 1-4.-Classification Parameters

centers of the page. The classification may be the overall classification of the document or the highest classification of the information on the page. Examples of correspondence marking are shown in i ure -

Portion Marking

Each portion of a classified document (section, part, paragraph, or subparagraph) is marked to show its level of classification or nonclassification. This requirement eliminates any doubt as to which portions of a document contain or reveal information requiring protection. The appropriate symbol is placed immediately following the portion letter or number, or in the absence of letters or numbers, immediately before the beginning of the portion. The symbols are (TS) for Top Secret, (S) for Secret, (C) for Confidential, and (U) for Unclassified. The handling marking (FOLIO) is used to denote information that is For Official Use Only. Examples of portion marking are shown in figure 1-12

Subjects and Titles

Subjects and titles of documents are unclassified whenever possible to simplify referencing them in unclassified documents or indexes. A subject or a title is marked with the appropriate symbol immediately following the subject or the title. An example of marking a subject is shown in i r 1-12 Upgrading, Downgrading, or Declassifying

Upon notification that information has been upgraded or that downgrading or declassification instructions have been changed, the holder must promptly and conspicuously mark the material containing the information. This annotation must indicate the change, the authority for the action, the date of the action, and the identity of the person making the change. Old markings should be canceled, if practicable; however, as a minimum, the new classification, including Unclassified, is placed on the cover and on the first page.

The standard classification, downgrading, and declassification markings that are placed on all classified material are as follows:

U.S. documents containing foreign government information are marked as follows:

Classified by (Note 4)

Declassify on (Note 5) NOTE 1. If it is the original classification, the identification of the original classification authority is inserted. If more than one source is applicable, the words Multiple Sources are inserted.

NOTE 2. The specific date or event certain to occur is inserted. If a specific date or event cannot be determined, the notation Originating Agency's Determination Required or OADR is used.

NOTE 3. This marking is used only when downgrading is applicable. For example, a particular Secret document should be downgraded to Confidential on 31 December 1993. Therefore, this block will state Downgrade to Confidential on 31 Dee 1993.

NOTE 4. The identity of the foreign government or the international organization, the source document, the memorandum of understanding, or the classification guide is inserted.

NOTE 5. The notation Originating Agency's Determination Required or OADRis inserted.

For further instructions on classified information procedures, refer to OPNAVINST 5510.1.