Department of Defense directives, instructions, manuals and directive-type memorandums establish and guide policy. Within the DoD, a distinct relationship exists between directives, instructions, manuals and memorandums. Review the intricacies of each below.
DoD directives
DoD directives, or DoDDs, exclusively establish policy, assign responsibilities and delegate authority to DoD components. DoDDs do not contain procedures. DoDDs consist of two types: direct oversight and chartering.
Direct oversight
Requires Secretary of Defense or Deputy Secretary of Defense direction and approval; may not exceed 12 pages; and contain only:
- Non-delegable SecDef or DepSecDef responsibilities
- Assignment of functions and resources between/among PSAs and/or DoD Component heads
- Designation of DoD Executive Agents and assignment of related responsibilities and authorities
- Matters of SecDef or DepSecDef special interest
Chartering
Establish OSD Component heads (i.e., PSAs, PAS officials, Defense Agencies, DoD Field Activities) or other major DoD or OSD Component’s official mission, responsibilities functions, relationships and delegated authorities.
- Approved by the SecDef or DepSecDef.
- Approved by the Under Secretaries delegated the authority in their charter for subordinate OSD PAS officials.
DoD instructions
DoD instructions, or DoDIs, establish or implement policy. DoDIs may contain overarching procedures. If they exceed 50 pages, they are separated into volumes. DoDIs consist of two types of instruction: policy and non-policy.
Policy instructions
- Establish policy and assign responsibilities within a functional area assigned in an OSD Component head’s charter.
- May provide general procedures for implementing the policy.
- Signed only by OSD Component heads or their Principal Deputies.
- Include OSD Component’s charter as a reference.
Non-policy instructions
- Implement policy established in a directive or policy instruction.
- Provide detailed procedures for carrying out the policy.
- Non-policy instructions are signed by OSD Component heads, Principal Deputies or other OSD PAS officials as authorized by their charters.
- Non-policy instructions include OSD Component’s charter as a reference (if the Principal Deputy or PAS official has a charter, that will be used).
DoD manuals
DoD manuals, or DoDMs, implement or supplement a directive or policy instruction. If DoDMs exceed 100 pages, they are separated into volumes.
- Signed by OSD Component heads, Principal Deputies, or other OSD PAS officials as authorized by their charters.
- Authorized by a directive or policy instruction. The authorizing issuance will be cited in the manual and included as a reference.
- Identify uniform procedures for managing or operating systems and provide administrative information.
- May contain a policy section summarizing policy established elsewhere.
All DoD publications excluding manuals (e.g., catalogs, compendiums, directories, guides, handbooks, indexes, inventories, lists, modules, pamphlets, plans, regulations, series, standards and supplements) are converted into manuals on their next reissuance.
Directive-type memorandums
Directive-type memorandums, or DTMs, may establish policies and assign responsibilities, or may implement policies and responsibilities established in existing directives. DTMs are issued only for the following reasons:
- Time-sensitive action that affects a current DoD issuance or that will become a DoD issuance
- Time constraints prevent publishing a new issuance or a change to an existing issuance
Signature authority:
- If the memo requires their direct oversight – SecDef or DepSecDef
- If the memo establishes policy – OSD Component heads or their Principal Deputies
- If the memo implements policy – OSD Component heads, Principal Deputies, or other OSD PAS officials as authorized by their charters
DTMs are effective for 12 months from signature. They must be incorporated into an existing DoD issuance, converted to a new DoD issuance, reissued or canceled.
You can stay up-to-date with DoD issuances by visiting the Official Department of Defense Website for DoD Issuances and reviewing their announcements.