The time is now! Maybe not this very minute, but the time is fast approaching for commands to submit an annual Command Operations Report (COR), due each year by March 1.

Every ship, submarine, squadron, and Navy command listed in the Standard Navy Distribution List are all required by chief of naval operations (OPNAV) instruction to submit a COR to the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Archives. Remember every command has to submit their own report -- immediate superiors in command (ISICs) cannot submit on behalf of their subordinates.

These records, which are retained at NHHC, are a key source for responding to questions from veterans, Congress, scholars, media, and the public about general naval history, as well as historic details from specific ships and commands. Freedom of Information Act requests are common, as well. When there is no report to reference, there is a gaping hole in the Navy's historical narrative which also means the hard work and efforts of Navy commands and people go unrecorded in the history of the institution.

"CORs and deck logs are our most frequently requested records," said Suzanne Scott, an archivist at NHHC. "CORs are helpful for everything from assisting with medical claims made through the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs), budget increases for ships and bases, and R&D (research and development) for improving technology. Being thorough and straightforward is crucial. They are absolutely vital records and their importance really can't be overstated."

The task is simple enough. What did commands do over the last year? The CORs will record permanently all major operations they conducted and major accomplishments they achieved. Whether starting workups, deploying, earning an award -- anything of note, really -- should be included in CORs.

The NHHC website for CORs has all of the information needed: the governing instruction OPNAVINST 5750.12K CH-1, a fillable form, and examples of reports from different types of commands. The fillable form is already formatted and has guidance about the content and types of documents which must be included in each section. All this information, as well as contact information for the NHHC Archives branch (who can answer specific questions about your COR) can be found here: www.history.navy.mil/about-us/instructions-and-forms/submit-a-command-operations-report.html.

Examples of documents often missing or incomplete include:

* A commander's assessment which thoroughly discusses the command's performance, to include an honest discussion of the command's strengths, weaknesses, and plans for improvement.

* Detailed chronologies which show the dates of movements and major operations of a command, with a narrative elaborating on the chronology

* An accurate description of the command's mission

* Supporting reports, which can be submitted "as is"

* Operational and administrative chains of command listing at least commanding and executive officers and command master chiefs

* Official records such as medical logs, patrol reports, records about ship modifications, and message traffic

* Also, commands with rotational crews such as some submarines and patrol craft, need to submit complete reports for each crew

Once all the documents have been compiled and the fillable form completed, it's time to submit. The most updated submission instructions are included on the fillable form found on the NHHC website.

Remember, each command is telling the Navy's story through its actions. This is a record for future generations and should be complete and straightforward. Submit the report at the highest classification level necessary to completely describe activities performed during the year. NHHC can accept material up to and including top secret and sensitive compartmented information, so submitting personnel should keep this in mind while writing a report.

For more information, or for any questions, please contact the COR Program at NHHC_COR@navy.mil, NHHC_COR@navy.smil.mil, or 202-433-9873.

The Naval History and Heritage Command, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products which reflect the Navy's unique and enduring contributions through the nation's history, and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC is composed of many activities including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, nine museums, USS Constitution repair facility and historic ship Nautilus.

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