5 FAH-2 H-250
SPECIAL FORMAT REQUIREMENTS
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
(Office of Origin: DT/ES)
5 FAH-2 H-251 summary
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
This FAH outlines the various types of special formatting requirements available when drafting official cables and messages in the Department of State.
5 fah-2 h-252 SPECAT-MILITARY SPECIAL CATEGORY
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
(Uniform all Agencies)
SPECAT (special category) is a transmission method used by the military to restrict dissemination of sensitive information. It is the equivalent of the Department handling designator, exclusive distribution (EXDIS). Consult your Diplomatic Technology Office's (DTO) user’s manual for specific format requirements. If the user’s manual has no SPECAT format instructions, use guidance in this subchapter.
5 FAH-2 H-252.1 SPECAT EXCLUSIVE
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
(Uniform all Agencies)
SPECAT EXCLUSIVE further restricts the dissemination of sensitive information. It is the equivalent of the Department handling designator, no distribution (NODIS).
5 FAH-2 H-253 Automated Message Analysis and Dissemination System (AMADS) REQUIREMENTS
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
(Uniform State/USAID)
5 FAH-2 H-253.1 Handling Instructions
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
(Uniform State/USAID)
The Global Messaging Services (DT/ES/MCS/GMS) recommends the use of captions and attention indicators with individual office symbols followed by an individual’s name to route the cable to specific offices or officers. See 5 FAH-2 H-240 for more information on handling instructions.
5 FAH-2 H-253.1-1 Captions
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
(Uniform State/USAID)
a. Whenever possible, you should assign a single caption to route a cable most effectively. You may list a single special handling caption.
b. You may use STADIS (State distribution only) with EXDIS (exclusive distribution) or NODIS. The most restrictive caption must appear first. - See 5 FAH-1 H-232.15 and 5 FAH-2 H-440 for more information on how to use captions.
5 FAH-2 H-253.1-2 Official Informal
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
(Uniform State/USAID)
OFFICIAL INFORMAL must appear on the caption line and on the SUBJECT line followed by an attention indicator for a particular office or bureau. The State Messaging and Archive Retrieval Toolset (SMART) will then disseminate OFFICIAL INFORMAL cables to the indicated office and Executive Secretariat (S/ES-O). If a cable carries an additional caption, the dissemination profile for that caption may take precedence over the OFFICIAL INFORMAL dissemination profile.
5 FAH-2 H-253.1-3 Attention Indicators
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
(Uniform State/USAID)
a. Use attention indicators to narrow the distribution of a cable.
b. See 5 FAH-1 H-232.15 for information on use and format of attention indicators.
5 FAH-2 H-253.2 TAGS
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
(State Only)
a. The cable processor examines the Traffic Analysis by Geography and Subject (TAGS) line to use as one of the criteria for dissemination. TAGS are used in conjunction with captions, attention indicators, and subject keywords to match against pre-programmed criteria sets for different distribution patterns. When it gets a match, it assigns that distribution pattern to the cable.
b. Program TAGS (K TAGS) may be used only after an initial Subject TAGS entry.
c. You may use proper names and organizations on the TAGS line only after an initial Subject TAGS entry. The name(s) must be enclosed in parentheses: last name, first name, and then middle initial. For example:
TAGS: APER, (DOE, JOHN M), (DOE, JANE S).
d. Refer to the 5 FAH-3 TAGS/Terms Handbook, for more detailed information on TAGS and Terms.
5 FAH-2 H-253.3 Fax
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
(Uniform State/USAID)
a. You can send a cable to an addressee by fax. If a cable is delivered via fax, mark the cable with the correct classification level marking. Ensure the device used to transmit the cable is approved at the appropriate classification level.
b. You may send UNCLASSIFIED and SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED (SBU) cables via unclassified fax. Classified and SBU NOFORN cables must be transmitted via classified fax keyed to a level equal or greater to the classification of the cable. Ensure the device used to transmit the cable is approved at the appropriate classification level.
5 FAH-2 H-253.4 E-Mail
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
(Uniform State/USAID)
a. You can send a cable to an addressee by e-mail. If a cable is delivered via e-mail, mark the cable as outlined in 5 FAH-2 H-253.
b. You must e-mail a facsimile copy of the message either by scanning and sending it as an attachment. Do not e-mail the content in the body of an e-mail. See 5 FAM 440 for information on types of information that must be conveyed by cable.
c. You may send UNCLASSIFIED and SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED (SBU) cables via unclassified e-mail (see 12 FAM 540). Classified and SBU NOFORN cables must be transmitted via classified e-mail.
5 fah-2 h-254 references
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
5 FAH-2 H-254.1 Acronyms
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
EXDIS (Exclusive Distribution)
NODIS (No Distribution)
NOFORN (No Foreign Nationals)
SBU (Sensitive But Unclassified)
SMART (State Messaging and Archive Retrieval Toolset)
SPECAT (Special Category)
STADIS (State Distribution Only)
TAGS (Traffic Analysis by Geography and Subject)
5 FAH-2 H-254.2 Definitions
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
Captions are acronyms or phrases used to target or restrict distribution of and specify handling instructions for cables.
TAGS and Terms work together to identify subject matter topics and specific activities in cables and to disseminate those cables to a targeted audience.
ZEN is an operating signal indicating delivery of the record copy via other means.
5 FAH-2 H-254.3 Authorities
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
Executive Order 13526: Classifying and Declassifying National Security Information
5 FAH-2 H-254.4 Related FAM/FAH
(CT:TEL-105; 11-21-2024)
5 FAM 440 (Records Maintenance and Use)
12 FAM 540 (Sensitive But Unclassified Information (SBU))
5 FAH-1 H-232.15 (Passing Instructions)
5 FAH-1 H-232.12 (Captions)
5 FAH-2 H-440 (Captions and Handling Instructions Drafters and Administrators)
5 FAH-3 TAGS/Terms Handbook
5 FAH-2 H-255 THROUGH H-259 UNASSIGNED