Commandant
2100 Second Street, S.W.
United States Coast Guard
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Staff Symbol: G-CQM
Phone: 202-267-2299
COMDTINST 5216.6
JUN 13 2000
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 5216.6
Subj:
WRITING IN PLAIN LANGUAGE TO INCREASE EFFECTIVENESS
Ref:
(a)
Presidential Memorandum of 1 June 1998, Plain Language in Government Writing
(b)
Vice Presidential Memorandum of 28 July 1998, Implementing the Presidential
Memorandum on Plain Language
(c)
DOT Secretary's Memorandum of 5 April 1999, Plain Language
1.
PURPOSE: This Instruction announces Coast Guard's implementation of a government-
wide requirement to use Plain Language writing standards. This Instruction also provides
sources of information to help Coast Guard people learn and use those standards.
2.
ACTION: Area commanders and districts commanders, commanders of maintenance and
logistics commands, commanding officers of headquarters units, assistant commandants for
directorates, Chief Counsel, and heads of special staffs at Headquarters must ensure that all
personnel within their area of responsibility are aware of this Instruction and use Plain
Language in their writing.
3.
BACKGROUND: To improve efficiency at all organizational levels, the Coast Guard is
aggressively seeking innovative means to better manage workload. Plain Language writing
reduces administrative effort created by rework due to misunderstandings and enhances
communication with our customers.
a.
The intent of references (a) and (b) is to make it easier for Federal agencies to conduct
business with their customers, both internal and external. In reference (c), the
Secretary expanded the scope of "Plain Language" to all Department of Transportation
documents. This includes regulations, correspondence, forms, manuals and