What's your number? How we describe the Flotilla

The following comes from Bill Sorrentino one of my colleagues in the I-Department. The final takeaway is that we are Flotilla 76, not:

• Flotilla 130-07-06
• Flotilla 07-06
• Flotilla 7-6

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Because of computerization, members of the Auxiliary seem to be using Auxdata entry format and computer sorting as a formal way of identifying their flotilla, division and district. An inspection of various websites, plus the numerous e-mails I get with incorrect unit identification placed after a signature, confirms this.

Chapter 4, Section A.3 (“Flotilla Identification”) of the Auxiliary Manual states how to properly identify an Auxiliary unit.

These are the basics of Auxiliary Unit Identification for verbal, written and website posting (DO NOT CONFUSE THIS WITH AUXDATA ENTRY OR COMPUTER SORTING FORMATS WHICH REQUIRES THE USE OF ZEROS AND HYPHENS):

A flotilla’s numerical has two or three digits only.

There are no zeros in a flotilla number unless the number has a “10,” “20,” “30,” etc., in it.

There are no hyphens in a flotilla number unless the flotilla’s numerical has three digits, i.e. Flotilla 4-11, or 11-4.

The district number is never part of the flotilla number, nor is the division number separated from the flotilla number. A correct flotilla number consists of a division number and a flotilla number. Both are used together and never separated for routine verbal, written or website posting.

The only time a district number is added to a flotilla number would be in written correspondence to someone outside the writer’s district. In doing so, the correct district identification (i.e. 1S, 7, 9ER, 11SR, 17) should be inserted AFTER the flotilla number, not the data entry formats of 013, 054, 070, 170, etc. Example: Flotilla 44, (D7) or Flotilla 44, 7th CG District Aux. Do not write a flotilla number as: 070 0404.

There are no district numbers that contain a zero. We have sixteen districts, not one hundred seventy (170 for 17th District). The use of 013, 054, 140 and 170, for example, are computer sorting and input formats. They should not be used when spoken, written or posted. Example, I live in District 7, not District 070. I used to live in District 1S, not 014.


Signature:

Wrong Way:
Bill Sorrentino, IPFC
070 04-04


Wrong Way:
Bill Sorrentino, FSO-IS
Flotilla 4-4

Correct Way:
Bill Sorrentino, IPFC
Flotilla 44


Correct Way:
Bill Sorrentino, IPFC
Flotilla 44 (D7)


Correct Way:
Bill Sorrentino, SO-CS
Division 4, 7th CG District Aux.

Please assist me in getting the word out. Thank you.
Bill Sorrentino, BC-IAH