DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 2880.1A
N2N6
17 Dec 2018
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 2880.1A
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: U.S. NAVY POLICY FOR ASSIGNMENT, MANAGEMENT, AND OPERATIONAL
USE OF THE VARIABLE MESSAGE FORMAT UNIT REFERENCE NUMBERS
Ref: (a) MIL-STD-6017C, DoD Interface Standard, Variable Message Format, 31 May 2012
(b) MIL-STD-2525D, Common Warfighting Symbology, 10 June 2014
(c) CJCSI 3156.01A
1. Purpose. To provide the U.S. Navy policy regarding the assignment, management, and
operational use of unit reference numbers (URN). This instruction has been revised due to the
change in responsibility from Navy Cyber Forces to Navy Information Forces.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 2880.1.
3. Applicability. This policy applies to all U.S. Navy organizations responsible for the use or
input of URN as defined by the variable message format standard. Other agencies that utilize
U.S. Navy systems or interface with U.S. Navy systems or applications and that may employ
URNs, are required to formalize a memorandum of agreement with the U.S. Navy to assign
sponsorship and accept this policy for URN management.
4. Background. Per reference (a), URNs are used by units in a variable message format
interface to uniquely identify friendly military units, broadcast networks, and multicast groups.
URNs facilitate the exchange of messaging and situational awareness information, particularly in
low bandwidth tactical environments. URN information provides the foundation for address
book information used in systems such as command and control personal computer, blue force
tracker, and the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS). Use of URNs in
variable message format messaging enhances command and control, digitally aided close air
support, the common tactical picture, and the common operational picture.
5. Policy. This policy complements the provisions of the variable message format message
standard and is not intended to interfere with development and or maintenance of that standard.
This policy addresses assignment and management of URNs for U.S. Navy assets.
