Classification and Access Markings
Controlled material carries two separate designators. They are not interchangeable and are recorded in different fields.
Classification banner
Printed at the head and foot of every page of a document.
<TIER>//<CONTROL SYSTEM>//<SAR CODEWORD>//<DISSEMINATION>
Example: TOP SECRET//HCS-P//SAR-GREEN DOVE//NOFORN
Tiers
TOP SECRET · SECRET · CLASSIFIED · RESTRICTED · CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED · UNCLASSIFIED
Control system
HCS-P on all Departmental material. Dissemination is NOFORN except where a liaison agreement provides otherwise.
Special Access Required codewords
Departmental SAR nicknames are drawn without exception from birds.
| Codeword | Tier | Compartment |
|---|---|---|
SAR-WHITE DOVE |
TOP SECRET | Office of the Director-General. Founding instruments and directorate-level record. |
SAR-GREEN DOVE |
TOP SECRET | HICOM. Class-A material. |
SAR-RED DOVE |
SECRET | DISC. |
SAR-WHITE LINNET |
SECRET | DRA. |
SAR-GREY DOVE |
SECRET | OTA. Holy See liaison. |
Routing channel
Recorded separately from the banner. It states which command the record moves through, not how secret it is.
| Channel | Body |
|---|---|
TS//DIRCOM |
Directorate Command, and everything not otherwise assigned |
TS//DIRCOM-ODG |
Office of the Director-General |
TS//DIRCOM-SC |
Security Council |
TS//STRATCOM |
Strategic Command |
TS//STRATCOM-FSC |
U.S. Federal Special Court |
Dating a document by its banner
The SAR system was instituted in 1965 with the raising of the Special Projects Staff and survived the 1983 spin-off unchanged.
Material dated before 1965 carries inherited Agency, NATO and Soviet markings: TOP SECRET / NOFORN, MK-NAOMI, EYES ONLY, GATEBLACK, СОВЕРШЕННО СЕКРЕТНО.
Soviet material never carries SAR. GRU Division P files under 043 / BLACK MIRROR.