Like everything in the military the numbering scheme for manuals follows a precise nomenclature. From the TM number you can determine what the manual is designed to provide and what equipment it is for.
For example:
| TM 11-5815-283-35
|
| TM
|
Technical Manual
|
| 11
|
Signal Equipment
|
| 5815
|
Teletype and Facsimile Equipment
|
| 283
|
AN/FGC-70X
|
| 35
|
Field and Depot Maintenance
|
| P
|
Repair Parts and Special Tools
|
The Chart below Explains the Designators
| Technical Manual Designations
|
| SEC
|
DEF
|
| TM
|
- Manual Type
- TB - Technical Bulletin
- TM - Technical Manual
- TO - Technical Order
|
| 11
|
- Equipment Designation
- 11 - Signal
|
| 5815
|
- Class of Equipment
- 5805 - Telephone and Telegraph Equipment
- 5815 - Teletype and Facsimile Equipment
- 5820 - Radio and Television Communications Equipment (except airborne)
- 5821 - Radio and Television Communications Equipment (Airborne)
- 5825 - Radio Navigation Equipment (except Airborne)
- 5826 - Radio Navigation Equipment (Airborne)
- 5830 - Intercommunications & Public Address Systems (except Airborne)
- 5831 - Intercommunications & Public Address Systems (Airborne)
- 5835 - Sound Recording and Reproducing Equipment
- 5840 - Radar Equipment (Except Airborne)
- 5841 - Radar Equipment (Airborne)
- 5845 - Underwater Sound Equipment
- 5895 - Miscellaneous Communications Equipment
|
| 283
|
- Specific Equipment Designator
|
| 35
|
- Indicator of Coverage
- 10 - Operators Manual
- 12 - Operator and Organizational Maintenance Manual
- 14 - Operator, Organizational Maintenance & Field Maintenance
- 15 - Operator, Organizational Direct Service, and General Service
- 20 - Organizational Maintenance (Second Echelon)
- 24 - Organizational, Direct Service, and General Service Maintenance
- 25 - Organizational, Field and Deport Maintenance
- 34 - Direct Service and General Service Maintenance Manual
- 35 - Field and Deport Maintenance
- 50 - Calibration Procedure
- P - Repair Parts & Special Tools
|