The   NTS   provides   electrical   and   optical communications from the commander in chief and naval commanders down to all naval forces under its command. You should remember that the NTS is used primarily to exercise command and control over the naval  operating  forces;  not  the  shore  establishment. Most shore establishments are served through the Defense  Communications  System  (DCS).  Naturally, there are overlapping portions of each system where necessary. Operational  direction  and  management  control  of the assigned elements of the NTS are the responsibility of   the   Commander,   Naval   Computer   and Telecommunications   Command   (COMNAVCOM- TELCOM). In   naval   communications,   COMNAVCOM- TELCOM  determines  the  responsibilities  of  each  of  the various  commanders,  whether  a  fleet  commander  or  the commanding officer of a ship. For example, direction and control of all naval fleet broadcasts, ship shore, air-ground,   and   other   direct   fleet-support telecommunications   are   assigned   to   the   fleet commanders in chief. That is to say, all Pacific Fleet naval  broadcasts  are  under  the  operational  direction  and control of the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT). The same applies to Atlantic Fleet navak broadcasts. These broadcasts are under the operational direction and control of the Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT). Fleet commanders in chief are responsible for the adequacy  of  communications  to  satisfy  the  needs  of their respective fleets. They, in turn, assign broad communications  responsibilities  in  the  form  of  fleet operation  orders  (OPORDs).  OPORDs  are  to  be complied with at every level down through individual commanding officers of operating ships. The commanding officers use only those portions of  the  fleet  commander’s  communications  OPORD  that affect them. In this simple, yet direct, manner, the NTS is administered at every operational level in the fleet, according to that ship’s mission and communication needs. We will talk more about OPORDs later in this chapter. The  Naval  Telecommunications  Command  is composed of the following elements: l l l l l l l Commander,  Naval  Computer  and  Telecom- munications  Command  (COMNAVCOMTEL- COM); Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Stations (NCTAMSs); Naval  Computer  and  Telecommunications Stations   (NAVCOMTELSTAs,   sometimes referred to as NCTSs); Naval    Communications    Detachments (NAVCOMTEL   DETs,   also   abbreviated NCTDs); Naval Data Automation Commands (NAV- DACs); Naval  Security  Group  Departments  (NAV- SECGRUDEPTs) of NAVCOMTELSTAs; and Navy-Marine  Corps  Military  Affiliate  Radio System (MARS). COMMANDER, NAVAL COMPUTER AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMAND With  the  merging  of  Automated  Information Systems (AIS) and telecommunications, the mission and responsibilities of COMNAVCONTELCOM have greatly  increased.  You  will  see  COMNAVCOM- TELCOM   continue   to   change   and   grow   as telecommunications technology advances into the 21st century. There have already been changes in the makeup of the   COMNAVCOMTELCOM   claimancy   as communications stations have merged with Naval Regional  Data  Automated  Centers  (NARDACs). Those communications stations that do not merge with an AIS activity will become Naval Computer and Telecommunications  Stations  (NCTSs)  or  Naval Computer  and  Telecommunications  Detachments (NCTDs). Although  not  all-inclusive,  COMNAVCOMTEL- COM’s responsibilities include the following: l  Integrates  and  consolidates  Navy  common-user ashore   communications   and   information resources  (IR)  (including  personnel)  into  the NAVCOMTELCOM    claimancy,    and implements Navy IR management policy within the  claimancy; 2-3