If a DoD Component uses a standard letterhead or origination indicator, which element of the designation indicator may be omitted?

If a DoD Component uses a standard letterhead or origination indicator, which element of the designation indicator may be omitted?

• A. The minimum 'Controlled by' information.
• B. The second line 'office making the determination'.
• C. The third line 'types of CUI'.
• D. The distribution statement.

Answer: (A)

In DoD CUI marking, the designation indicator is used to convey who controls the information and how it should be handled. If a standard letterhead or origination indicator already makes clear who controls the material, you can omit the specific line that would normally state the controlling authority. The reason this line is removable is that the letterhead itself communicates the control, so repeating it would be redundant without adding new handling instructions. Other parts of the designation indicator—such as who made the determination, what types of CUI are involved, and the distribution statement—convey distinct handling and dissemination details that aren’t guaranteed by the letterhead, so they remain necessary.

In DoD CUI marking, the designation indicator is used to convey who controls the information and how it should be handled. If a standard letterhead or origination indicator already makes clear who controls the material, you can omit the specific line that would normally state the controlling authority. The reason this line is removable is that the letterhead itself communicates the control, so repeating it would be redundant without adding new handling instructions. Other parts of the designation indicator—such as who made the determination, what types of CUI are involved, and the distribution statement—convey distinct handling and dissemination details that aren’t guaranteed by the letterhead, so they remain necessary.