Enclosure (1) to COMDTINST 5603.1
3 SEP 1987
OFFICIAL CEREMONIES
1.
SCOPE.
a.
Ceremonies for which the use of printed material may be printed at public expense are
those approved as official and necessary for conducting public business, such as: ship
christenings; commissionings and decommissionings of ships, activities, etc., cornerstone
ceremonies and building dedications, memorial services, changes of command, USCG
Academy and OCS graduations.
2.
RETIREMENT CEREMONIES. When coincident with a change of command, a retirement
ceremony is considered an official ceremony, and accountable public funds may be used for
printed materials.
3.
LUNCHEONS, DINNERS, AND RECEPTIONS.
a.
Where CG officials are required to entertain in the interests of the Coast Guard (e.g., to
foster good relationships with foreign nations, to promote good community relations
through public affairs-approved programs, or to honor dignitaries), the event is considered
official business. Accountable public funds are authorized for printed materials, and the
materials may be mailed under the "postage and fees paid" indicia.
b.
Luncheons, dinners, and receptions that are not of the character described in 3.a., above
are considered to be social functions, even when held in conjunction with official
ceremonies. Accountable public funds are not authorized for printed materials related to
these functions, nor are such materials eligible for indicia mailing. Furthermore, the
mention of a social function in an invitation to or announcement of an official ceremony
renders the latter ineligible for printing and indicia mailing.
DINING-IN CEREMONIES. The military dining-in is a social occasion, financed entirely by
those attending the function, either by direct payment or by the Mess Fund. The price charged for
the dining-in includes the cost of miscellaneous expenses such as decorations, printing, and
postage. Accountable public funds may not be used to produce printed materials for such
occasions.
Previous Page
