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List of Z-grams

Upon assuming duties as the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. was determined to improve the retention of Navy sailors. To assist in this effort he implemented a series of Z-NavOps, naval messages sent direct to the fleet, affectionately known as "Z-grams." The first Z-gram was released on 14 July 1970, the day he assumed duties as CNO. Throughout his tenure, Zumwalt disseminated 121 Z-grams. All Z-grams were canceled in name only on the day Zumwalt left his post as CNO, though 87 were subsequently incorporated into the regular Navy directives system.

Admiral Zumwalt knew the primary force-multiplier of the United States Navy was its Sailors and, as a social reformer, began quality of life improvements throughout the fleet. Zumwalt wrote each Z-gram personally, and they became the visible indicator that emphasized the importance he placed on Sailors' quality of life.

 For more information about Zumwalt's Navy service, visit The Legacy of Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr.

1. Relieving Admiral Moorer (Zumwalt assumes duties as CNO)
2. Retention Study Groups
3. Cryptographic procedures and Policy
4. 30 days leave authorization for officers receiving Permanent Change of Station orders
5. Civilian clothes aboard ship for First Class Petty Officers on certain ships in Sixth and First fleets
6. Dependent Air Charter Program
7. Navy Sponsor Program
8. Officer Assignment
9. Meritorious advancement in rate of superior performing career Petty Officers
10. Services to crews of transient aircraft
11. Enlisted requests to remain on sea duty
12. Civilian clothing on shore establishments
13. Post-deployment leave policy
14. Collateral duties
15. Statement of earnings (to all Navy members)
16. Swaps (established a centralized and automated exchange of duty program at Bureau of Naval Personnel)
17. Personal check cashing ceilings (increased to $50 per person per day)
18. Navy Finance Center 24-hour service
19. Below-zone percentage limitation suspension (concerning % of officers who could be recommended for promotion)
20. Lockers and washing facilities (for personnel who had to work in dungarees ashore)
21. Compensatory time off
22. Improving shore establishment habitability
23. CPO [Chief Petty Officer] advisory board to CNO
24. Wives ombudsman
25. Forces afloat liberty policy
26. Shore patrol staffing and training
27. Forces afloat operating tempo
28. Retention study group progress report
29. Leave policy for deployed units
30. Commissioned officers open mess
31. TyCom [Type Command] ship handling competition
32. Reenlistment ceremonies
33. Navy exchange and commissary advisory boards
34. Uniform changes
35. BOQ/BEQ conveniences (encouraged installation of beer vending machines in Bachelor Officers Quarters and senior Bachelor Enlisted Quarters)
36. Standards of service
37. Aviation squadron command
38. Holiday routine at sea
39. Extended commissary hours
40. Cash/check option at payday
41. Command excellence forum
42. Junior officer request for sea duty
43. Disbursing claims processing
44. Quarterdeck watches
45. Assistance to POW/MIA [Prisoner of War/Missing in Action] families
46. Refinement of 3-M [Maintenance Material Management] system
47. Responsibility for inactivating ships
48. People programs
49. Medals and awards
50. Cold iron status (to encourage liberal leave and liberty following return of ships from extended assignments)
51. Small craft insignia (new breast insignia)
52. Dissemination of CNO policy
53. Officer billet summary
54. CNO discussions with Navy personnel
55. Human Resource Management
56. Exchange duty for officers
57. Elimination of demeaning or abrasive regulations
58. Acceptance of checks in ships' stores
59. Professional development program
60. Action Line telephone
61. Reassignment of CWO [Communication Watch Officer] and RPS [Registered Publication System] duties
62. CNO senior officer forum
63. ComTac publications aboard ship (reduction of operational publications on board ships, thus reducing administrative workload to make changes to them)
64. Ship conning indication
65. Vietnamization challenge
66. Equal opportunity
67. Command inspection program
68. Civilian clothes aboard ship
69. Command in the grade of captain
70. Grooming and uniform policy
71. Battle streamers for Navy flag
72. Quarterdeck watches
73. Enlisted Vietnam volunteers
74. Preferential housing considerations
75. Sea/shore rotation
76. Outstanding recruiter awards
77. Enlisted blue working uniform
78. Inspection scheduling policy
79. Augmentation into Regular Navy
80. MCPOs on E-8/E-9 selection boards
81. Regular Navy warrant officer program
82. Boards, committees and guidance programs
83. Motor vehicle transportation for forces afloat
84. Copies of fitness reports
85. Legislation status reports
86. CNO scholars program
87. Navy uniform
88. Advances of pay
89. SecNav/CNO fellowship program
90. Responsibility pay for senior Naval advisors in Vietnam
91. Limited duty officer program
92. Civilian clothing aboard ship for nonrated personnel
93. People programs
94. Navy drug exemption/rehabilitation program
95. Master CPO of the command
96. Retention study group schedule
97. ComRats for hospital patients
98. Advance information about new duty stations
99. Officer swords
100. Personnel exchange program
101. Six-day sales operation at designated Navy commissary stores
102. Responsibility for standards of smartness
103. Sailor of the Year award
104. Challenge of 1972
105. Navy drug exemption and rehabilitation program
106. Quarterdeck watch officers
107. CNO Sailor of the Year
108. Continuation beyond 30 years of active service
109. Recruiting
110. Human resources development
111. Southeast Asia build up
112. Collateral duties
113. Career counseling program
114. Ecology spot reports
115. Alcohol and alcoholism among Naval personnel
116. Equal rights and opportunities for women in the Navy
117. Good order and discipline
118. Sea/shore rotation
119. Minority affairs assistance
120. Revised master chief petty officer of the fleet/force/command program
121. CNO change of command remarks

[END]

Published: Fri Aug 11 13:03:18 EDT 2017