Editing Message precedence (section)

== CCEB military precedence ==
The [[Combined Communications Electronics Board]] (CCEB), a five-nation joint military communications-electronics organization (consisting of [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[New Zealand]], the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]]), uses the following message precedence designators, in descending order of importance:

* '''FLASH (Z)''' is reserved for initial enemy contact messages or operational combat messages of extreme urgency.  Brevity is mandatory.  FLASH messages are to be handled as fast as humanly possible, ahead of all other messages, with in-station handling time not to exceed 10 minutes.  Messages of lower precedence are interrupted on all circuits involved until the handling of the FLASH message is completed.
* '''IMMEDIATE (O)''' is reserved for messages relating to situations gravely affecting the security of the nation. It requires immediate delivery. Examples include reports of widespread civil disturbance, reports or warning of grave natural disaster, and requests for or directions  concerning search and rescue operations. IMMEDIATE messages are processed, transmitted, and delivered in the order received and ahead of all  messages of lower precedence. They are to be handled as quickly as possible, with in-station handling time not to exceed 30 minutes. Messages  of lower precedence should be interrupted on all circuits involved until the handling of the IMMEDIATE message is completed. The use of the letter "O" comes from the original name for this level, "operational immediate".
* '''PRIORITY (P)''' is reserved for all traffic requiring expeditious action by the addressee or for conducting operations in progress when  ROUTINE precedence will not suffice. PRIORITY precedence messages are processed, transmitted, and delivered in the order received and ahead of  all messages of ROUTINE precedence. Examples include requests for supplies or equipment during the conduct of an operation, time-critical items  requiring quick response, and situation reports. They are to be handled as quickly as possible, with in-station handling time not to exceed 3 hours.
* '''ROUTINE (R)''' is used for all types of message traffic justifying transmission by rapid means, but not of sufficient urgency to require higher precedence. ROUTINE precedence messages are delivered in the order received and after all messages of higher precedence. Examples include any message that requires the documentation of its transmission or delivery; messages concerning normal operations, programs, or projects; and periodic or consolidated reports. They should be handled as soon as traffic flow allows, but no later than the beginning of the next duty day.
* '''Flash Override (Y)''': The [[National Command Authority (United States)|National Command Authority]] (usually the [[President of the United States]]) has access to a FLASH OVERRIDE (FO) capability. FO is not a precedence, but instead represents the authority and means to override all other traffic, including FLASH precedence messages. In written message traffic, the proword 'Y' is used to indicate a message having the authority to override all other traffic and is usually assigned to [[Emergency Action Message|Emergency Action Messages (EAM)]].