. Make sure your presentation is between 15 or 20 minutes in length. The longer the presentation, the more you risk losing your audience. Further  information  on  staging  a  presentation  can be found in Chapter 6 of the  JO 1 & C TRAMAN. COMMAND  HISTORIES Command   histories   provide   the   only  overall account of the activities and achievements of U.S. Navy commands.  Housed  at  the  Naval  Historical  Center  in Washington,  D.C.,  command  histories  serve  as  the eventual basis for published naval histories. All command histories are indexed and accessible to authorized users (within security limitations). They are used by staff officers who need information on the recent  past,  as  well  as  by  official  study  groups, authorities  responsible  for  verifying  unit  combat  and overseas  awards  and  service,  and  often  the  command itself when a need arises for background information. Furthermore, numerous queries from other government officials,  Congress,  former  naval  members  and  the public at large are answered using command histories. Normally  the  PAO  is  tasked  by  the  CO  or  XO  to write   a   complete   annual   history   of   the   command. However,  this  assignment  may  someday  be  your responsibility,  especially  if  you  work  for  a  collateral- duty PAO. The typical command history is not intended to be a work of literary art, but you must write it in clear and concise  English  with  a  minimal  amount  of  technical jargon and acronyms. It should contain a basic historical narrative  written  in  chronological  order  or  broken  down by  department  or  subject.  It  also  should  include significant  statistical  data  that  should  be  part  of  the Navy’s  permanent  records,  such  as  ammunition expenditure,  number  of  underway  replenishments,  ships and  aircraft  overhauled  and  repaired,  and  other  facts important to fulfill the mission. Follow the narrative with a brief discussion of any special  topics  that  merit  further  coverage,  such  as  major events,   developments   and   operations;   changes   in missions and functions since the submission of the last command history; and changes (if any) in home port, group,  squadron  or  headquarters.  Include  any appropriate  supporting  documents,  such  as  change  of command   booklets,   “personal-for”   messages   and biographies. Some  references  you  can  use  to  compile  the command history include deck and engineering logs and the ship’s diary. You also may ask each department head to submit a monthly input (if not already ordered by the CO or XO). Another method is for you to maintain an annual file and put notices, memos and ideas in it. Use whatever  method  works  for  you,  but  make  sure  you gather the material you need well in advance to meet the submission  deadline.  With  few  exceptions,  the  Naval Historical  Center  must  receive  all  command  histories  by March 1 of the following year. For more detailed information, refer to  Command Histories, OPNAVINST 5750.12 series. COMMAND  AND  FLAG OFFICER  BIOGRAPHIES Biographies  of  command  and  flag  officers  (and C/MCs)  are  an  important  part  of  your  public  affairs office files. You will use them in media kits, welcome aboard  booklets,  external  releases  and  other  media- related  products The  standard  biography  has  l-inch  margins  with either  blocked  or  indented  paragraphs.  There  are  two spaces between paragraphs. The first paragraph of a biography mentions where the subject is from and lists educational achievements beyond high school (do not include the birth date). Also mention when officers received commissions and from what source. For an enlisted person, mention when he joined the service and where he attended basic training. Subsequent paragraphs usually outline (in chrono- logical  order)  the  person’s  career,  listing  significant jobs,  accomplishments  and  educational  achievements. Devote  separate  paragraphs  to  the  person’s  current assignment and his medals and awards. The  last  paragraph  should  indicate  the  subject’s marital status, spouse’s name (including maiden name, if applicable) and place of birth. Names of children are included, and — if there is enough space — where they are attending college and serving in the military. Some  additional  points  to  remember  when  you write biographies are as follows: l l 16-10 Keep the civilian reader in mind. For example, Commander,  Operational  Test  and  Evaluation Force,  Atlantic  (COMOPTEVFORLANT)  may be the correct way to phrase a military title, but it is much easier to understand if you write it like this: “Rear Adm. Clauster is the commander of the  Operational  Test  and  Evaluation  Force, Atlantic.” Pay special attention to capitalization. If you are not  saying  “Commanding  Officer  Lemming,” then commanding officer is not capitalized. The same rule applies to any other billet titles listed throughout  the  biography,  such  as  executive officer,   training   officer   and   company