Chapter 6 covers the organizational element of administration. Organization establishes the working relationship within a unit. It promotes teamwork and identifies the responsibility, authority, and accountability of the individuals within the unit.
• The primary mission of the US Navy is to support US national interest.
• Page 6-2 (figure 6-1) shows a chart of the armed forces organization.
• Each military department has a secretary as the head of the department.
• By Law, these secretaries (Army, Navy, Air Force and SECDEF) are civilian appointees of the president.
• The Navy operating forces include the Marine Corps.
• Prior to 9-11 the Coast Guard was under the Department of Transportation. Shortly after 9-11 the Coast Guard became part of the Dept. of Homeland Security. In time of war the Coast Guard can become part of the Dept. of the Navy (DoN).
• The Navy's birthday is 13 Oct 1775.
• The Department of the Navy was established on 30 April 1798.
• Shore establishment provides support to the operating forces (the fleet).
- units admin organization, including watches.
• Administration organization makes sure the ship can fight or carry out its mission, training, maintenance, and routine operations.
• Each ship is organized into at least five departments.
• navigation is responsible for the safe navigation and piloting of the ship.
• operations department has several divisions to carry out tasks such as collecting and evaluating combat and operational information.
• The engineering department under the Chief engineer is responsible for the safe operation and care of all the propulsion and auxiliary machinery. It is also responsible for the control of damage. The damage control assistant (DCA) is an assistant to the chief engineer.
• The supply department operate the general mess, the ship's store, manage the clothing and small store, maintain pay records (disbursing), laundry, barber shop, they order and receive general stores, supplies and spare parts for the entire ship.
• Weapons maintain the ship's armament and the weapon fire control equipment. They handle and maintain ammunition, pyrotechnics, and magazines. They also are responsible for the external security of the ship.
• The Deck department (if the ship doesn't have a deck dept., the weapons dept. will take its place) is responsible for the preservation and cleanliness of the external areas of the ship. Also they operate paint, sail, and boatswain's locker, and inspect and maintain survival equipment. They are responsible for all decking seamanship operations and the care of deck equipment.
• The first lieutenant is the head of the deck dept.
• The division is the basic unit of a shipboard organization.
• Navy Regulations has an entire chapter covering commanding officer duties.
• The CO is ultimately responsible for the ship and everything pertaining to it.
• The CO's power to impose limited punishment may not be delegated.
• The executive officer (XO) is the aide or the "executive" to the commanding officer. The XO is second in command.
• If the XO cannot fulfill the duties of the commanding officer, normally the next senior line officer assigned to the ship will assume the duties of the commanding officer.
• The CO's and XO's battle stations are separated, to prevent disablement of both officers at the same time.
• The Command Master Chief (CM/C) is the senior enlisted member who acts as a liaison between the officer and enlisted community. The command chief can be a master chief, a senior chief, or a chief petty officer while serving as one of the XO's assistants. The CM/C has direct access to the CO and is the voice of all enlisted personnel.
• Educational Services Officer maintains and distributes educational courses and training aids.
• Drug and alcohol program advisor (DAPA) advises the CO and XO on all matters concerning the Drug and Alcohol Abuse program. The DAPA provides counseling, training, prevention, education, screening, after care, and referral services to the entire command.
• Department Head: represents the commanding officer. They report to the CO about all matters that effect the department.
• Division Officers head a division, which is the basic unit of the shipboard organization. The CO assigns division officers. They are responsible to and, in general, are assistants to the department heads.
• The chain of command is the relationship of juniors and seniors within an organization. An effective chain of command is essential for the Navy to carry out its assigned mission.
• Page 6-15 (fig. 6-8 and fig 6-9) shows the typical chain of command.
• Every service member in the Navy is part of the chain of command and every level is an integral part of the team.
• Review BMR chapter 6.