How Do I Write a Navy Memo?

Writing the perfect memo can be important to your career in the Navy. Written communication affects how you are perceived by your peers and superiors. Remember to follow these instructions precisely and spell-check everything.

Header

• The first thing on the memorandum should be the date, on the top right corner. The date should be phrased in order of date, month, year, as follows: 4 November 10. Next, switch to the left side of the page and write "MEMORANDUM" in all capital letters.

Address

• Leave one space under the word "MEMORANDUM" and address the letter. Begin with "To:" and write the person's name and rank. Leave another space and write "Via:" on the line under that. The "Via" line is optional, to use if someone else in the Navy is delivering the memo.

Subject

• Begin the letter with a subject line. The line should say "Subj.:" then have the subject of the letter in all capital letters. Skip a line and begin the memo.

Body

• The body of the memo should be in numbered paragraphs. Paragraphs should begin with a number and not be indented. There are two spaces after the period in each sentence of the memo.

Signature

• If you are writing to a peer or to an inferior, leave three spaces between the last paragraph of the memo and your name, then write the first two letters of your name in abbreviation and your last name. For example, "S.J. Lambert." If you are writing to a superior, you must skip one line then sign the letter "Very Respectfully," then type your name the same way.