COMMAND HISTORIES

Command histories provide the only overall account of the activities and achievements of U.S. Navy commands. Housed at the Naval Historical Center in Washington, D.C., command histories serve as the eventual basis for published naval histories.

All command histories are indexed and accessible to authorized users (within security limitations). They are used by staff officers who need information on the recent past, as well as by official study groups, authorities responsible for verifying unit combat and overseas awards and service, and often the command itself when a need arises for background information. Furthermore, numerous queries from other government officials, Congress, former naval members and the public at large are answered using command histories.

Normally the PAO is tasked by the CO or XO to write a complete annual history of the command. However, this assignment may someday be your responsibility, especially if you work for a collateralduty PAO.

The typical command history is not intended to be a work of literary art, but you must write it in clear and concise English with a minimal amount of technical jargon and acronyms. It should contain a basic historical narrative written in chronological order or broken down by department or subject. It also should include significant statistical data that should be part of the Navy's permanent records, such as ammunition expenditure, number of underway replenishments, ships and aircraft overhauled and repaired, and other facts important to fulfill the mission.

Follow the narrative with a brief discussion of any special topics that merit further coverage, such as major events, developments and operations; changes in missions and functions since the submission of the last command history; and changes (if any) in home port, group, squadron or headquarters. Include any appropriate supporting documents, such as change of command booklets, "personal-for" messages and biographies.

Some References you can use to compile the command history include deck and engineering logs and the ship's diary. You also may ask each department head to submit a monthly input (if not already ordered by the CO or XO). Another method is for you to maintain an annual file and put notices, memos and ideas in it. Use whatever method works for you, but make sure you gather the material you need well in advance to meet the submission deadline. With few exceptions, the Naval Historical Center must receive all command histories by March 1 of the following year.

For more detailed information, refer to Command Histories, OPNAVINST 5750.12 series.