https://declassified.library.utoronto.ca/files/original/bcf745be049ddc9ef5f99d9f9413f510.pdf 1c71f5b736e5458cbb10d9188c573989 PDF Text Text Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act \ Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information / y CAN-UK RESTRICTED US CONPIDENTIAL-Modifi_j&, Handling Authorized • - • • • • i . . — ! . - — , , . . ii i m i m i .in i — — i • i i • h - i - W n y i . — .11 - • w i i . l w . - . i i - i i i i i - B . i . , - . i I H H H W I I • • • _ , • • — • c/MP 375A9/D (Agenda Item No. C-121/8) 10 January 1963 CAN-UK JCECS - US MCEB METHODS AND PROCEDURES PANELS DIRECTIVE ACP. 121( ) - COMMUNICATION INSTRUCTIONS - GENERAL MESSAGE PRECEDENCE CATEGORIES (U) Note by the Secretaries 1. The CAN-UK JCECS and US MCEB refer the attached US proposal, as agreed in MCEB 1084/29, dated 10 January 1963 to the Methods and Procedures Panels for the preparation of comments and recommendations for consideration by the CAN-UK JCECS and US MCEB. 2. The Chairman of the Methods and Procedures Panels, in coordination with the US Principal Panel Members and the Secretaries, CAN-UK JCECS, will appoint a Working Group immediately upon receipt of this directive, and notify the US Panel Secretary, extension 79980, of the appointment, to include the Steering Member and the US Spokesman. M. C. BOWERS J. A. BUCHANAN-WOLLASTON P. E. PALMER Secretaries DISTRIBUTION: A, J/MP plus CAN-UK JCECS CAN-UK RESTRICTED US CONPIDENTIAL-Modified Handling Authorized C/MP 3 7 5 / W D 000135 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acies a I'information CONPIDENTIAL-Modified Handling Authorized REPORT BY THE US MCEB METHODS AND PROCEDURES PANELS to the MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS BOARD on ACP 121(C) - COMMUNICATION INSTRUCTIONS, GENERAL PROPOSED CHANGE) TO (TQ THE PROBLEM 1. To examine the message precedence system as contained in ACP 121(C), Communication Instructions General, and determine appropriate changes thereto. FACTS BEARING ON THE PROBLEM 2. The message precedence system prescribed in paragraph 329> ACP 121(C), Communication Instructions General, was developed for use during World War II. It provides six levels of priority with designations as follows: FLASH, EMERGENCY, OPERATIONAL IMMEDIATE, PRIORITY, ROUTINE, and DEFERRED. 3. Technological developments and the resultant increase in reliability, speed, and capacity, of military communications systems coupled with the technical (cost) limitations of new generation automatic switching equipment dictates the immediate need to review the message precedence system in light of current capabilities and requirements. 4. Technical requirements of new United States switching systems, scheduled for implementation in 1965, have necessitated that the present United States Joint Uniform Telephone Communication Priority System be reduced from 11 to 4 precedence categories. In this regard, agreement has been reached to limit the precedence categories to 4 and designate those categories as FLASH, IMMEDIATE, PRIORITY and ROUTINE. DISCUSSION 5. Assignment of precedence is the responsibility of the message originator. The integrity of the system is dependent upon its judicious use, and one of the principal problems of communicators CONFIDENTIAL-Modified Handling Authorized & , 000136 i �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information 4 CONFIDENTIAL-Modified Handling Authorized has been that of an educational program for message originators. A less complex system, accompanied by concise but clearly defined instructions for use, would be of obvious advantage in this connectioni 6. Economic factors in engineering and production of fully automatic message and circuit switching systems are a major consideration. The requirement to recognize and/or act on six levels of precedence is hardly justifiable in a system that processes messages in terms of minutes. While it is recognized that the requirement for precedence segregation is greater in less sophisticated system, present over-all capabilities are such that some reduction should be considered. 7. Recently, the United States solicited comments from appropriate military commands in reference to reducing message precedence categories from six to four by combining the existing two highest and two lowest precedence categories. The response to this inquiry was almost universal concurrence in the reduction to four precedence categories. 8. Special handling procedures accorded both flash and emergency precedences, coupled with relatively low usage, indicates consolidation of both into one category is entirely feasible. Routine and deferred precedence categories can also be combined since the present programs providing for on-line encryption and full automation of relay facilities will continue to expand with a resultant decline in handling times for all categories of messages. The extremely expensive cost of engineering automatic switching equipment to handle the present six precedence levels would be scaled down to an acceptable level by reduction of the six precedences to four. 9. It is known that this matter has been under consideration for some time in NATO forums, most recently at the European Naval Communications Agency (ENCA) meeting held in London in July 1962. A concrete United States proposal would be a welcome aid in international consideration of a reduction in message precedence categories that would offer a uniform approach to the problem. CONFIDENTIAL-Modified Handling Authorized 2 0 000137 r-> �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information CONFIDENTIAL - MODIFIED.HANDLING AUTHORIZED •aMM"B*'MMa^MM««MwawMWH_l__«M-_-_M«_--M1__«_«-«^^^ CONCLUSIONS 10. It is concluded that: a. The present message precedence system should be revised to reduce the number of precedence categories from six to four. b. The reduction should be accomplished as shown in Enclosure A. RECOMMENDATIONS 11. It is recommended that: a. Enclosure A, a proposed change to ACP 121(C), Communi- cations Instructions, General, be approved. b. On approval of Enclosure A, a memorandum essentially as shown in Enclosure B, be forwarded to the US Member, CEC. COORDINATION 12. No further coordination is required. CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED 000138 f �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act"J Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information ' f * CONFIDENTIAL^MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED ENCLOSURE A #329. Determining Precedence #a. Responsibility. — The assignment of precedence to a message is the responsibility of the originator. The importance of judicious assignment (avoidance of use of a higher precedence than necessary) cannot be overemphasized. The precedence assigned to a message by the originator does not necessarily indicate the precedence designation which should be assigned to the reply. Misuse of the precedence system defeats its purpose: i.e. to assure rapid handling of message traffic over available facili- ties with a minimum of backlog and delay resulting from competing priorities. The factors to be considered in each instance are: %{1) The urgency of the subject matter, remembering that importance does not necessarily imply urgency. In this connection, the originator should consider the urgency of this matter to the addressee(s) in relation to his responsibilities. %{Z) The time element involved, to include consider- ation of the time difference between widely separated geographical areas, e.g. Eastern United States is six hours behind Central Europe. (The originator should be aware that all but the lowest precedence messages are delivered to the addressee immediately upon receipt by the communications center, regardless of the hour.) Significance. — %b. The four precedence categories are used to specify the relative.order in which messages are to be handled. These categories indicate: %{l) To the originator: The required speed of delivery of the message to the addressee. (See paragraph o a (1) and (2) above.) CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED Enclosure A 4 000139 < �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act - *• Document divulgue en vertu de la Ubi sur I'acces a I'information i C ONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED l • ,.•••.. j . , | | || | . #(2) To communication personnel: The relative•order of message processing, transmission, and delivery. $(3) To the addressee: The relative order in which to note and/or take necessary action on the message (See paragraph a(l), above.) #c. Time Standards. — Message originators do not normally select the means of communication to be used, leaving this to communications personnel who are familiar with details of availability and capabilities of facilities. Message originators should, nevertheless, be aware of the existence of varying, and sometimes conflicting, factors that affect communications handling time (speedof~service.) These are: types of facilities (automatic tape relay systems are obviously more rapid than manual telegraph systems); encryption/decryption requirements and types of cryptographic systems; message length; multiple address message processing; message traffic volume; relay requirements (when other than point-to-point circuits are used); circuit conditions, which affect alternative routing; communications personnel factors. Recognizing that these factors may affect the speed of service of any given message, the following general time objectives apply as a general guide only. These objectives include overall handling time from point of origin to delivery to addressee at point of destination: Precedence Category Time Standard IMMEDIATE Eot fixed. Handled as fast as humanly possible with an objective of less than 10 minutes. 30 MINS — 1 HR PRIORITY 1-6 HOURS ROUTINE 3 HRS — Start of business following day. FLASH 5 CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED Enclosure A �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act - V Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information CONEIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED " —UW*"^.1' "'P' #330' DUAL Precedence #a. Multiple address messages having both action and information addressees may either be assigned a single precedence, in which case it indicates the precedence for all addressees, or they may be assigned two precedences, one precedence for all action addressees and a lower precedence for all information addressees. It is most important that the assignment of dual precedence be considered on all messages with an information addressee(s) when other than the lowest precedence is assigned to the action addressee(s). $b. In communication channels, sufficient information is included in the external heading of each DUAL Precedence message to permit the relay stations having the capability, communication centers, or crypto center Involved to determine the precedence at which the message should be handled by each. #(1) DUAL Precedence is indicated in the headings of PLAINDRESS messages by including the two precedence prosigns in the preamble and indicating the status (action or information) of the addressees in the address component. f0(2) IN CODRESS messages the two precedence prosigns are included in the preamble except when a message is routed to a crypto guard which serves all the addressees. The address component of the message heading is not used. Hand- ling instructions, when necessary, are included in the transmission instructions by the use of an operating signal to indicate the station(s)/address designator(s) which is/are to handle the message at the.lower precedence. #(3) For procedural details, see appropriate ACPs. (NOTE: Automatic relay stations and semi-automatic or manual relay stations which process multiple call messages by 6 CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED Enclosure A 000141 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED means of an automatic or semi-automatic routing line segregator do not have the capability to substitue the lower precedence prosign for the higher.) #331. Assignment A message must not be assigned a precedence higher than that required to ensure that all addressees receive it within the time limit determined by the originator (See paragraph 329 above). Appropriate use of the various precedence categories is to be determined by careful consideration of the following table. CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED Enclosure A 7 000142 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information • • CONFIDENTIAL^MODIFIED HANDLflfe 'AtjftORiZED CATEGORYi ROUTINE PRECEDENCE PROSIGN: R DEFINITIONS, USE AND EXAMPLES HANDLING BY COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL ROUTINE is the precedence to be Processed, transmitted, and delivused for all types of messages ered in the order received and after which justify transmission by all messages of a higher precedence, rapid means unless of sufficonsistent with the following cient urgency to require a higher instructions. precedence. (1) When commercial/civil reflle is Examples: required, the lowest commercial precedence shall be used. (1) Messages concerning normal peace time military opera(2) ROUTINE messages received durtions, programs and projects. ing non-duty hours at the addressee destination may be held (2) Messages concerning stabifor morning delivery unless lized tactical operations. specifically prohibited by the command/formation concerned. (3) Operational Plans concerning projected operations. (4) Periodic or consolidated Intelligence reports. (5) Troop movement messages, except \tfien time factors dictate use of a higher precedence , (6) Supply and equipment requisition and movement messages, except when time factors dictate use of a higher precedence. (7) Administrative, logistic and personnel matters. CATEGORY: PRIORITY PRECEDENCE PROSIGN: P PRIORITY is the precedence re(l) served for messages which require expeditious action by the addressee^) and/or furnish essential information for the conduct of operations in progress when (2) ROUTINE precedence will not suffice. Examples: (1) Situation reports on position(3) of front where attack is impending or where fire or air support will soon be placed. (4) Processed, transmitted, and delivered in the order received and ahead of all messages of ROUTINE precedence. ROUTINE messages being transmitted should not be interrupted unless they are extra long and a very substantial portion remains to be transmitted. PRIORITY messages should be delivered immediately upon receipt at the addressee destination. When commercial/civil reflle is required, the commercial precedence that most nearly corresponds with PRIORITY shall be used. 8 CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED Enclosure A 000143 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED DEFINITIONS,'USE AND EXAMPLES HANDLING BY COMMUNICATION PERSONNEL (2) Orders to air-craft formations or units to coincide wr'.th ground or naval operations. (3) Aircraft movement reports (e,g. messages relating to requests for news of aircraft in flight,flight plans, cancellation messages to prevent unnecessary search/rescue action.) (4) Messages concerning immediate movement of naval, air, and ground forces. CATEGORY: | IMMEDIATE PRECEDENCE PROSIGN: 0 IMMEDIATE is the precedence reserved for messages relating to situations which gravely affect the security of national/ allied forces or populace, and which require immediate delivery to the addressee(s), Examples: (1) Amplifying reports of initial enemy contact. IMMEDIATE messages are processed, transmitted and delivered in the order received and ahead of all messages of lower precedence. If possible, messages of lower precedence will be interrupted on all circuits involved until the handling of the IFKEDIATE messages is completed, NOTE: (2) Reports of unusual major movements of military forces of foreign powers in times of peace or strained relations. In automatic systems where automatic interruption of lower precedence messages is not provided, adequate procedures are to be prescribed to ensure that IMMEDIATE messages are nob delayed. (3 ) Messages which report enemy counterattack or which request or cancel additional support. (4) Attack orders to commit a force in reserve without delay. (5) Messages concerning logistical support of special weapons when essential to sustain operations. (6) Reports of widespread civil disturbance. CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED Enclosure A �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED DEFINITIONS, USE AND EXAMPLES HANDLING BY COMMUNICATION PERSONNEL (8) Reports or warning of grave natural disaster (earthquake, flood, storm, etc.). (9) Requests for, or directions concerning, distress assistance. (10) Urgent intelligence messages. CATEGORY: FLASH PRECEDENCE PROSIGN: Z FLASH precedence is reserved for initial enemy contact messages or operational combat messages of extreme urgency. Brevity is mandatory. Examples: (1) Initial enemy contact reports. FLASH messages will be hand carried, processed, transmitted and delivered in the order received and ahead of all other messages. Messages of lower precedence will be interrupted on all circuits involved until handling of the FLASH message is completed. NOTE: (2) Messages recalling or divert ing friendly aircraft about to bomb targets unexpectedly occupied by friendly forces; or messages taking emergency action to prevent conflict between friendly forces. In automatic systems where automatic interruption of lower precedence messages is not provided, adequate procedures are to be prescribed to ensure that FLASH messages are not . delayed. (3) Warning of imminent large scale attacks. (4)'Extremely urgent intelligence messages. (5) Messages containing major strategic decisions of great urgency. a. Message originators sometimes use "Flag Words" to ensure instant recognition of traffic concerning special operations, situations, projects, etc. Communication personnel often are instructed that messages bearing a specific "Flag Word; must be given perferential handling within a precedence category. It is emphasized that this practice increases training requirements, results in confusion at the operating level, cannot be accommodated in automatic communications system, and often impedes rather than facilitates message handling. 10 CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED Enclosure A 000145 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED ENCLOSURE B DRAFT MEMORANDUM FOR: US Member, CEC Subject: ACP 121(C) - CommunicationsInstructions, General— Proposed Change To (U) Enclosure: ' Copy of Proposed Change 1. The message precedence system prescribed in paragraph 329, ACP 121(c), Communications Instructions, General, was developed for use during World War II. It provides six levels of priority with designations as follows: FLASH, EMERGENCY, OPERATIONAL IMMEDIATE, PRIORITY, ROUTINE, and DEFERRED. Technological developments and the resultant increase in reliability, speed, and capacity of military communications systems indicate the need to review the message precedence system in light of current capabilities and requirements. 2. Assignment of precedence is the responsibility of the message originator. The integrity of the system is dependent upon its judicious use, and one of the principal problems of communicators has been that of an educational program for message originators. A less complex system, accompanied by concise but < clearly defined instructions for use, would be of obvious advantage in this connection. 3. Economic factors in engineering and production of fully automatic message and circuit switching systems are a major consideration. The requirement to recognize and/or act on six levels of precedence is hardly justifiable in a system that processes messages in terms of seconds or micro-seconds. While it is recognized that the requirement for precedence segregation is greater in less sophisticated systems, present over-all capabilities are such that some reduction should be considered. 11 CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED Enclosure B 000146 .r s-~y <f| �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED Ii -•-.--• n ri ,-L-i_tw.^gy.iWi. , p—,.„..m,.fmm -», ., ml J. ,.,. -H..-.IW—••^i,i.i.i i_i.i_ i.*---i...._^.iii .ii.-i.-il .« _. „J i I ' m l. l. li 4. The CAN-UK JCECs and US MCEB have studied the message precedence system in light of the factors outlined above and have developed a proposed revision. It is requested that you introduce the enclosure in the CEC for consideration by the Standing Group and inform the US MCEB of the results. 12 CONFIDENTIAL-MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED Enclosure B rx 000147 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hydra Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context HY00180 Title A name given to the resource CAN-UK JCECS - US MCEB Methods and Procedures Panels Directive ACP 121 Communication Instructions - Message Precedence Categories Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01/10/1963 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Hydra Communications - Policy, RG24, 1250-36 Vol. 2, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Department of National Defence Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Canadian Crown Subject The topic of the resource ACP 121, communication standards Description An account of the resource Directive for the Canada-UK Joint Communications Electronics Committee and US Military Communications Electronic Board to refer to attached US proposal to make changes to existing precedent system. Proposal notes need for review of 6-level precedent system in light of changing technology, installation of new message-switching system in the U.S. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Canada Declassified Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource en