Signal operating instructions

{{Short description|U.S. military term}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}

Signal operating instructions (SOI) or Communications-Electronics Operation Instructions (CEOI) are U.S. military terms for a type of combat order issued for the technical control and coordination of communications within a command.http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/cgi-bin/virtcdlib/index.cgi/4240529/FID5/pdfdocs/jel/cjcs/6230_03.pdf{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} They include current and up-to-date information covering radio call signs and frequencies, a telephone directory, code-words (for rudimentary encryption), and visual and sound signals. A designated battalion signal officer prepares the battalion SOI in conformance with the SOI of higher headquarters.{{cite web | url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/55-30/apps.htm | title=Appendix S: Communications and communications security | publisher=globalsecurity.org | accessdate=28 September 2019 }} During operations, SOI are changed daily. Since the fielding of the SINCGARS system, however, the paper SOI has generally faded from Army use. Electronic SOI are now generated, distributed and loaded along with cryptographic keys.{{Cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0PAA/is_2_30/ai_n15674490 |title=AKMS update: army key management system|publisher=Army Communicator |date=2005|author= Al Walton |access-date=August 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217010202/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0PAA/is_2_30/ai_n15674490 |archive-date=2008-02-17 }}

The title SOI was used until the early 1970s and it was changed to CEOI and then changed back to SOI in the 1980s.