(Appendix B is a list of standard abbreviations)
Use abbreviations
1. General Rule
In most cases, an abbreviation follows the upper- and/or lowercase format of words abbreviated.
2. Acronyms
Use all capitals for acronyms (except common acronyms now accepted as words, such as laser and radar).
When spelling out an acronym in text, do not use initial caps with words that will form an acronym unless the letters are normally capitalized.
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3. In Figures
When all capital letters are used for callouts and labels of coordinates and curves, use capital letters for abbreviations. Exception: letter symbols in most units of measurement remain lowercase.
4. Navy Commands, Stations, and Offices
Capitalize the abbreviations of Navy commands, stations, and offices.
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5. Navy Rank
Capitalize abbreviations for Navy rank.
When rank is spelled out and followed by a name, capitalize the initial letter only.
Rank referred to in a general sense without reference to a specific person is lowercased.
6. First Use
Introduce abbreviations and acronyms that may be new or unfamiliar to the reader. Always spell out the term the first time it is used.
Spell out the term when first used in the body of the report even if it is already spelled out in the summary or in the administrative information. Use the abbreviated form thereafter except in a long report; spell out unfamiliar terms at the beginning of each section.
7. Administrative Information Page
Treat the administrative information page as text. Spell out new or unfamiliar terms when first used. Spell out NRaD and names of sponsors. Do not use NAVSEASYSCOM or similar abbreviations for commands.
8. Abstracts and Summaries
Treat the abbreviations in abstracts and summaries as you would in text. Spell out new or unfamiliar terms.
9. Consistency Within Report
Be consistent in the system of abbreviations and the exact form used throughout the text (not psi in one place and lb/in in another).
10. Simple Units of Measurement
In text, spell out simple units of measurement (e.g., pounds, inches, grams, seconds, and feet) unless the units are used so frequently that the abbreviations are of value in saving space.
11. Multiple/Submultiple Units of Measurement
Abbreviate multiple/submultiple units of measurement when preceded by a number.
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12. Periods
Do not use periods with units of measurement unless the abbreviation might be confused with a regular word. Write out small words such as inch.
13. Singular and Plural Forms
Always use the singular form when abbreviating units of measurement.
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14. Parenthetical and Reference Material
Use abbreviations if necessary to save space in parenthetical material and footnotes. Write out the words for example and that is in text; you may use e.g. and i.e. for parenthetical material.
15. Units of Measurement
Abbreviate units of measurement in tables and figures. Certain short words (e.g., ohm and day) should be spelled out.
16. Table Titles and Figure Captions
Use abbreviations in table titles and figure captions to save space. Such abbreviations must be consistent with any used in the table or figure callouts or listed in the table of contents. However, do not abbreviate the words table or figure in the text reference, in the figure caption, or in the table title.
17. General Terms
Abbreviate other terms when necessary to gain space. For abbreviations that may be unfamiliar to the reader, define the abbreviations in a footnote to the table or on the figure page.
18. Abbreviations in Titles and Headings
Avoid abbreviations in titles and headings. Use only if the term is abbreviated by convention or if the complete term would be too long or awkward.
19. Acronyms in Titles and Headings
Spell out unfamiliar acronyms if first used in a title or heading unless the complete definition is too long or awkward. In this case, spell out the acronym in the text immediately following the heading or use an asterisk and spell out the acronym under the title.
20. Abbreviations with Periods
Set abbreviations containing periods without spaces.
21. Initials of Personal Names
Retain space in initials of a personal name.
22. Compound Terms
Space the parts of a lowercase abbreviation of a compound term if no period is between them.
23. Abbreviations with Numerals
Leave one space between numerals and the abbreviation.
24. Symbols with Numerals
Set the following symbols close up to numerals:
The percent sign (%) may be used in text (as well as in tables and figures) rather than spelling out the word percent. Be consistent.
25. Refer to both men and women in generic terms, such as economist, doctor, or lawyer. Use pronouns to identify a person's sex: the lawyer made her final summation.
26. Avoid the use of stereotyped terms or expressions such as mansized job; use workhours and workyears not manhours and manyears.
27. Use artwork that depicts both men and women and shows them in a variety of roles.
28. Avoid the generic he (which is usually used after terms such as reader, employee) by pluralizing the antecedent, using both he and she, or recasting the sentence.