COMDTINST 5216.4E governs Coast Guard policy for electronic and paper correspondence, writing standards, and related topics.
View COMDTINST 5216.4E on armypubs.army.mil
The publication covers correspondence formats, memoranda, business letters, coordination, signatures, stationery, templates, and records. It requires specific standards for subjects, dates, SSICs, signatures, formats, and SOP reviews.
Applies to: All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements must comply with the provisions of this Instruction.
The use of DoD SSIC codes must be discontinued, as the Coast Guard has its own code structure, as published by Commandant (CG-611). (paragraph 3)
Use 12 font point size “Times New Roman” for official correspondence, unless authorized by another authority. (paragraph 1-5)
All delegations of signature authority must be made in writing, to position and title rather than in name alone, and include a description of the types of documents authorized. (paragraph 1)
A commanding officer may not delegate signature authority for documents that establish policy, make changes to the activities, missions, or efficiency, and are addressed to higher authority, deal with matters under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), or are required by law or regulation (e.g., ship’s logs). (paragraph 2)
The content of the SOP may be customized and expiration date not exceeding 10 years of issuance must be placed within the SOP with a mandatory review to be conducted at 5 years using form CG-5215A, Directives, Publications, and Forms Validation. (paragraph 2)