you should be acquainted and that you should consult for authoritative information.
Manuals and publication-type directives issued by Washington headquarters organizations such as the Naval Military Personnel Command (NMPC), COMNAVMEDCOM, and various Systems Commands contain administrative instructions relating to matters coming under cognizance of the issuing command. Most of these manuals are issued in looseleaf form for convenience in making corrections and bringing them up to date.
Although orders and instructions contained in these publications are binding for all persons throughout the Department of the Navy, they do not alter or amend any provisions of N a vy Regulations.
NAVAL MILITARY PERSONNEL MANUAL
The Naval Military Personnel Manual (MILPERSMAN), NAVPERS 15560, is issued in looseleaf form and contains articles governing the administration of Navy personnel.
When referring to articles in the manual, use one of the following three methods:
1. Naval Military Personnel Manual, Article 3860280.
2. MILPERSMAN 3860280.
3. Article 3860280 of the Naval Military Personnel Manual.
Each article is identified by a seven-digit number. The first two digits identify the chapter. The next two digits identify the section in the chapter. The last three digits identify the article in the section. Although written together (e.g., 3860280), the article number should be spoken as though it were three separate groups of numbers (e.g., 3860 280). Numbers are not always assigned consecutively, and once an article is dropped, the number is not used again.
In the manual, chapters and sections are not titled. Chapters begin at the top of a right-hand page.
You will find the alphabetical subject-matter index at the back of the manual more helpful than the table of contents in finding articles quickly. For example, assume that your commanding officer wants to know the course of action that should be taken to separate an enlisted service member for the convenience of the government. Unless you have memorized your table of contents, it will be hard for you to find this subject, since the table of contents is a sequential listing of article numbers. When you turn to your index, you find that its alphabetical layout makes finding that subject easy.
Changes to MILPERSMAN are issued quarterly by NMPC.
STANDARD ORGANIZATION AND REGULATIONS OF THE U.S. NAVY
This manual, issued as OPNAVINST 3120.32, by the Chief of Naval Operations, puts forth regulations governing all members of the U.S. Navy. Two styles of print are used in these regulations: The material in italicized type is regulatory. These regulations apply to each individual. Violation of any part of these regulations is punishable under UCMJ. The material printed in plain type is for the guidance of commanders, commanding officers, and officers in charge.
UNIFORM REGULATIONS
United States Navy Uniform Regulations is prepared by the Commander, NMPC and describes the many uniforms for Navy personnel. It lists the uniforms required and articles worn or used together. It gives occasions when the different uniforms should be worn, methods of wearing medals, decorations, ribbons, rating badges, and special markings, and notes on the care of uniforms. The current edition was published in 1985. Changes are issued by NMPC as changes in the uniform occur.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MILITARY PAY AND ALLOWANCE ENTITLEMENTS MANUAL (DODPM)
DODPM is issued by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and contains rules governing entitlements, deductions, and collections on military pay and allowances. This manual contains the pay and allowance entitlements for regular Navy active duty and Naval Reserves serving on active duty with pay. (This manual also includes the pay and allowance rules for other branches of the Armed Forces.)
Entitlements are the rules that govern military pay. Pay entitlements include basic pay and allowances, incentive pay, special pay, and lumpsum leave and other separation payments.
You should know how to figure the dates and times of beginning and end of this pay and