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Chain of Command

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The chain of command is the hierarchy of persons to which a crewmember is directly responsible to or directly responsible for. Technically, each sailor is indirectly responsible to every more senior person in the command and indirectly responsible for every more junior person in the command, but these responsibilities are limited in their scope.

Navy chain of command from the President down to the deck plate sailor

  • President of the United States (POTUS). The President is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces as mandated by the Constitution. The President is responsible for initiating military action in support of our national interests and may submit to Congress the intent to declare war which Congress must approve it to actually wage war.
  • Secretary of Defense (SECDEF). The SECDEF is a principal defense advisor to President that formulates general defense policy and policy related to the Department of Defense (DOD).
  • Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV). The SECNAV formulates policies for the Department of the Navy (DON) and controls DON organization, administration, operation, and efficiency.
  • Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). The CNO represents the Navy as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The CNO keeps the SECNAV informed of JCS activities and is responsible to the POTUS and the SECDEF for external DON duties.
    • Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON). The MCPON is the Navy's senior enlisted member who serves as the senior enlisted adviser to the CNO in all matters pertaining to enlisted personnel and their families.
  • Fleet Commander In Charge (CINC). Commanders of each of the fleet operating forces, such as the Atlantic Fleet and the Pacific Fleet, that are composed of ships and crafts that are classified and organized into command by type.
    • Fleet Master Chief. The principal enlisted advisor to a Fleet CINC.
  • Type Commander (TYCOM). Commanders who are responsible for the ships that make up the operational numbered fleets, such as Cruiser-Destroyer Group Three.
    • Force Master Chief. The principal enlisted advisor to a Force TYCOM.
  • Commanding Officer (CO). The responsibilities of the CO are absolute until relieved by competent authority. Although the CO may delegate authority to subordinates, such delegation does not relieve him or her of continued responsibility for the safety and efficiency of the entire command. The CO must exert every effort to maintain his command in a state of maximum effectiveness for war service. The CO's position is quasi-judicial. It is legislative, judicial, and executive. A CO's power is authoritarian and complete. He has the ultimate responsibility for the ship, the crew, and everything pertaining to the ship. Power is vested to the CO by the UCMJ to impose limited punishment and this power may not be delegated.
  • Executive Officer (XO). The officer responsible to the CO for maintaining good order and discipline, the performance of duty, safety, morale, and welfare of the crew, and the military and general efficiency of the ship. All department heads, other officers, and enlisted personnel are under the XO's orders in all matters pertaining to operation and maintenance of the ship and to the preservation of good order and discipline. The XO arranges and coordinates all ship's work, drills and exercises, the personnel organization, policing of the ship, and inspections. The XO sits as head of the planning board for training.
    • Command Master Chief (CMC). The principal enlisted adviser to the commanding officer. The CMC keeps the CO up to date on situations, procedures, and practices that affect the welfare, morale, and well-being of the enlisted crew and their families.
  • Department Head (DH). The officer head of a ship’s department. The DH is the representative of the CO in all matters pertaining to the department and conforms to the policies and complies with orders of the CO. The DH reports to the CO for the operational readiness of the department and reports to the XO for administrative matters and keeps the XO informed of reports made to the CO.
    • Department Master Chief. The senior enlisted adviser to the DH.
  • Division Officer (DIVO). The officer head of a division of a department. The DIVO is responsible under the DH for the proper performance of the duties of the division and performance of its subordinates. The DIVO is the enlisted person's first major link in the chain of command.
    • Division Chief/Senior Chief. The senior enlisted chief of a division.
  • Leading Petty Officer (LPO). The senior enlisted petty officer of a division.
  • Work Center Supervisor (WCS). The enlisted supervisor of a division work center or maintenance group. The WCS is responsible to the DH via the DIVO for 3-M System operation within the work center.
  • Supervisor. The sailor in charge (usually a petty officer) of a small group of sailors, such as a work detail or a watch section.
  • Sailor. A sailor is only responsible for his or her own actions and behaviors, except when the sailor’s watch or job assignment charges the sailor with added responsibilities. However, these added responsibilities only apply while the sailor is carrying out these specific duties.