What is the yeomanizer?

A free, unofficial web tool that drafts U.S. Navy correspondence — standard letters, memoranda, memoranda for the record, business letters, endorsements, and NATO travel orders — in the exact format prescribed by SECNAV M-5216.5, with a live preview and one-click PDF and Word (.docx) export. It runs entirely in your browser.

Is it free, and does it save or send my data?

Yes, it is free, with no account. It is private by design: your draft lives only in the browser tab and is erased when you close it. Nothing you type is stored or transmitted — the only data that ever leaves the browser is two anonymous, content-free counters (page loads and download clicks).

An SSIC, or Standard Subject Identification Code, is the numeric subject code that classifies the topic of a piece of naval correspondence (for example, 5216 is Correspondence Management). The full catalog is in SECNAV M-5210.2; the yeomanizer includes a searchable lookup of the common codes.

How do I mark CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information) on a naval letter?

CUI is marked with a banner at the top and bottom of every page, a designation indicator block, and optional per-paragraph (CUI)/(U) portion marks, per DoDI 5200.48. The yeomanizer adds these automatically, including a separate banner for each enclosure. You decide what is CUI; the tool only formats — it makes no classification determination, and CUI belongs only on authorized equipment.

Can I export to Microsoft Word and PDF?

Yes. Every document exports as an editable Microsoft Word (.docx) file and as a pixel-accurate, searchable PDF with a built-in CAC-signable signature field. Both are generated in your browser and contain no hidden data.

What is a 'by direction' signature or an endorsement?

A 'by direction' signature shows that a subordinate signed on the commanding officer's authority. An endorsement is a forwarding action appended after a letter when it is routed through a Via addressee; the yeomanizer creates the endorsement page automatically when you add a Via.

What is the difference between a naval letter and a memorandum?

A standard naval letter uses command letterhead, an SSIC identification block, and a From/To heading, and is generally used for correspondence leaving the command. A memorandum is a more informal format — often plain paper with a date-only identification block — used within a command or to document something for the record.

What is a Via addressee in a naval letter?

A Via addressee is an intermediate command a naval letter is routed through on its way to the action addressee. Each Via normally adds an endorsement; in the yeomanizer, adding a Via automatically creates its endorsement page.

Naval Correspondence Generator (SECNAV M-5216.5)

Q: What is SECNAV M-5216.5?

SECNAV M-5216.5 is the Department of the Navy Correspondence Manual — the official standard for formatting Navy and Marine Corps letters, memoranda, and other correspondence. The yeomanizer follows it automatically.

Q: What is a memorandum for the record (MFR)?

A memorandum for the record (MFR) documents a meeting, phone call, decision, or oral agreement for the file. It is on plain paper with a date-only identification block, the title 'MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD', no From/To addressee, body paragraphs, and a signature with the writer's office code.

Q: What font is used for naval letters?

Per SECNAV M-5216.5, official naval correspondence uses a 10- to 12-point font, with Times New Roman 12-point preferred; Courier New may be used for informal correspondence. The yeomanizer renders the standard typeface automatically.

Q: Is there a free tool to write naval letters?

Yes. The yeomanizer (https://yeomanizer.com) is a free naval correspondence generator that drafts standard letters, memos, business letters, endorsements, and NATO travel orders in SECNAV M-5216.5 format, with live preview and PDF and Word export. It runs in your browser and needs no account.

the yeomanizer is a free, unofficial tool that drafts U.S. Navy correspondence in the exact format prescribed by SECNAV M-5216.5, with a live preview and one-click PDF and Word (.docx) export — including a CAC-signable PDF. It runs entirely in your browser: nothing you type is saved or sent.

What you can create

Standard naval letter — the full letterhead, identification block, From/To/Via/Subject heading, numbered paragraphs, and signature block.
Memorandum (From-To) and Memorandum for the Record (MFR) — for routine memos and to capture a meeting, call, or oral agreement.
Business letter (Chapter 11) — for correspondents outside the Department of Defense: inside address, salutation, civilian date, and a centered “Sincerely,”.
Endorsements — appended automatically when you add a Via addressee.
NATO travel order — the bilingual two-page form, with U.S.-to-NATO rank translation.

How to write a standard naval letter

Begin with the letterhead (Department of the Navy, command, address) — or plain / pre-printed paper.
Add the identification block: SSIC, originator’s code, serial, and date.
Write the heading: From, To, optional Via, Subject (all capitals), References, and Enclosures.
Write the body in numbered paragraphs (1, 2…), with subparagraphs lettered a, b, c….
Close with the signature block — last name in capitals — and “By direction” or “Acting” if applicable.
List any Copy-to addressees and apply CUI markings if required, then export to PDF or Word.

Common questions

Is there a free tool to write naval letters?

Yes — the yeomanizer is a free naval correspondence generator that drafts standard letters, memos, business letters, endorsements, and NATO travel orders in SECNAV M-5216.5 format, with live preview and PDF and Word export. It runs in your browser and needs no account.

Is it private?

Yes. Your draft never leaves the browser tab — nothing is stored or transmitted; the documents you download are clean, with no hidden data.

What is SECNAV M-5216.5?

The Department of the Navy Correspondence Manual — the official standard for formatting Navy and Marine Corps correspondence. The yeomanizer follows it automatically.

What is an SSIC?

A Standard Subject Identification Code — the numeric subject code for a piece of correspondence (for example, 5216 is Correspondence Management). The tool includes a searchable lookup.

What is a memorandum for the record (MFR)?

An MFR documents a meeting, phone call, decision, or oral agreement for the file. It is on plain paper, titled “MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD,” with no From/To addressee and a date-only identification block.

What font is used for naval letters?

Per SECNAV M-5216.5, a 10- to 12-point font, with Times New Roman 12-point preferred; Courier New may be used for informal correspondence.

How do I mark CUI on a naval letter?

Controlled Unclassified Information is marked with a banner at the top and bottom of every page, a designation block, and optional per-paragraph marks, per DoDI 5200.48. You decide what is CUI; the tool only formats it.

This tool requires JavaScript. Please enable JavaScript to use the live editor and export.

Unofficial — not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Navy or the Department of Defense.