MIL-STD-38784 Manuals, Technical: General Style And Format RequirementsThis standard covers the general style and format requirements for the preparation of standard Technical Manuals \(TM\) and changes thereto intended for military applications. This includes all technical documents assigned a TM identification number and controlled by a TM management information system, or subject to requisition from an inventory control point. This standard provides for Standard Generalized Markup Language \(SGML\) Document Type Definition \(DTD\) usage \(see Appendices B through E\) required for electronic data delivery, including PDF. This standard supplements the performance of detail specifications used for specific TM types and related publications, but does not deliver any technical data. Unless specified otherwise herein, the examples at the end of this standard are typical and may be adapted to fit the specific equipment or situation being covered. All appendices are intended for compliance when applicable.

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MIL-STD-38784A

4.1.6 Manual outline. When speciied by the acquiring activity (see 6.2.b.) or detail speciication, a

manual outline shall contain the following:

a. A text outline that shall be in accordance with the requirements of the detail speciication,

showing volume, part, chapter, section and paragraph titles to indicate the intended coverage of

the various aspects of the equipment or system. Each paragraph title or notation shall be followed

by a brief statement outlining the information to be presented. The text outline shall clearly show

the speciic equipment/system and related procedures/data planned for inclusion in the manual.

(F) Electronic presentation: References shall be linked to the data which they apply.

b. An illustration outline and a table outline that shall be keyed to the text outline. Each

illustration and table listed in the outlines shall be described. The illustration outline shall

contain igure numbers, title, information, intent, approximate size and nature of illustration

(exploded view, schematic, line drawing). The table outline shall describe the tables by

table number and information content.

(F) Electronic presentation: References shall be linked to the data which they apply.

c. Print presentation: An estimated page count for each chapter and a statement indicating the

scope, depth or coverage.

4.1.7 Preliminary Technical Manual. (See 3.2.36.) When speciied by the acquiring activity (see 6.2.c.),

PTM copies of the manual to be provided as interim editions, preliminary issues for training purposes or for

other early uses shall have the same style and format as the FRC.

4.1.8 Source data. The primary source data for TMs shall be engineering drawings. Sound engineering

principles and techniques, available engineering analyses, service experience, performance data on the

item and on similar items, and all other reliability and maintainability data available shall be used in

the preparation of speciic instructions.

4.1.9 Manual types. Three types of technical manuals (see 3.2.32) are addressed by this standard (see

6.2.d.): RDC (see 3.2.29); PTM (see 3.2.28); and FRC (see 3.2.13).

4.2 Format.

4.2.1 Preparation methods.

a. RDC (see 3.2.29). To be delivered in paper or digital format as authorized by the acquiring

activity. The RDC shall be technically edited and shall be computer generated. The RDC may be

issued initially in single column format, and may contain voids where information is not available.

Print presentation: the RDC shall be double spaced, on one side of the sheet only. The page size

and image area shall be in accordance with 4.2.1.2. The binding edge shall not be less than

1-inch and the outside edge not less than �-inch. The method of duplication, covering and

binding shall provide legible, collated copies.

(F) Electronic presentation: When the RDC is presented in computer or other form such that

the paragraphing or symbols cannot be readily understood it shall be annotated to make the

paragraphing and symbols clear to the reviewer, except for certain presentations authorized

by the acquiring activity.

b. PTM (see 3.2.28). To be delivered in paper or digital format as authorized by the acquiring

activity. The PTM shall be developed in accordance with the applicable detail speciications so

that the conversion effort from preliminary to FRC is minimal. The PTM shall contain all front

matter, text, illustrations and tables to be included in the manual as speciied in the detail

speciication. The PTM shall be technically edited, validated and shall be computer generated.

Print presentation: The PTM page size and image area shall be in accordance with 4.2.1.2. The

method of duplication, covering and binding shall provide legible, collated copies.

c. FRC (see 3.2.13). To be delivered in digital format. The FRC shall include all text information

(including tabular data and emergency page markings when applicable) and artwork. Appendix B

provides the DTD for electronic delivery of data. Unless otherwise speciied (see 6.2.e.), the FRC

shall have the following minimum acceptable features (print presentation):