official records or correspondence from the files, or  destroy  them,  or  withhold  them  from  those persons authorized to have access to them.” This article does not allow indiscriminate destruction or  removal  of  Navy  records. DISPOSITION RESPONSIBILITY An officer is normally assigned the collateral duty of coordinating the disposal of Government records aboard ship or at a shore command. This officer   takes   responsibility   for   the   physical disposition of all records designated for transfer to a Federal Records Center or for those records which  are  identified  for  local  destruction. The  command  chaplain  and  RP  assist  the records  disposition  officer  by  ensuring  that  the CRP   records   maintained   in   the   office   of   the chaplain   are   marked   properly   for   transfer   or destruction. DISPOSITION  METHODS The  two  official  methods  that  are  used  for disposal are: Local   destruction.   Transfer to a Federal Records Center for later destruction, or for eventual preservation at the  National  Archives  located  in  Washington, DC. Preservation  is  defined  as  the  indefinite  or permanent  retention  of  records.  This  term  does not apply to records which are retained by a local command. It includes those official records which are  retained  at  an  authorized  Federal  Records Center. Destruction of Records Most  unclassified  records  are  destroyed  locally at the end of their retention periods. These records should be destroyed by burning when at sea. At shore  installations,  unclassified  records  may  be scrapped   or   sold   as   wastepaper   provided   the records  are  shredded.  Records  may  also  be  sold if a written contract has been made between the Navy and the buyer stating, “the resale or use of the  records  or  documents  is  prohibited.” Transfer  of  Records Very  few  Government  records  are  actually transferred  to  a  Federal  Records  Center  for preservation. Those records that are transferred are sent to the nearest Federal Records Center. An up-to-date listing of Federal Records Centers is  contained  in  SECNAVINST  5212.5.  The  RP should seek the advice of the command chaplain and the officer who has been given responsibility for  records  disposal  at  the  command  whenever questions  arise  concerning  proper  disposal procedures. This is especially important in deter- mining   which   Command   Religious   Program records  should  be  transferred  for  preservation. FILE  REVIEW  PROCEDURES The  Disposal  of  Navy  and  Marine  Corps Records Manual  specifies whether files are to be destroyed,  retained,  or  retired  to  a  Federal Records  Center.  It  is  important  for  the  RP  to check the office of the chaplain files on a regular basis to see what material should be removed for destruction,  retention,  or  transfer  to  a  Federal Records  Center  as  indicated  in  SECNAVINST 5212.5. NOTE: Even though the disposition date has  passed  on  certain  records,  the  RP  should  NOT dispose   of   any   material   on   which   action   is pending. Office  of  the  chaplain  records  which  are identified  in  local  command  instructions  for transfer  to  a  Federal  Records  Center  should  be forwarded   as   scheduled.   Records   which   are designated for permanent or indefinite retention and  those  without  a  disposal  authorization  are transferred when they are of no further value to the activity. SHIPPING  REQUIREMENTS Records  are  packed  for  shipping  in  their original   file   arrangement   in   standard-size 15"  X  10"  X  12"  containers.  These  containers may  be  obtained  from  Federal  Records  Centers. Each  of  these  cartons  will  hold  1  cubic  foot  of material.  Letter-size  material  is  packed  on  the 12-inch side of the carton and legal-size material is  packed  on  the  15-inch  side.  Odd-size  records may  be  shipped  in  the  most  practical  container that is available. The RP should exercise caution when placing files in containers for shipping to ensure that the 3-17