1020. Exercise of Authority
All persons in the naval service on active
service, and those on the retired list with pay,
and transferred members of the Fleet Reserve
and the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, are at all
times subject to naval authority. While on
active service they may, if not on leave of
absence…, on the sick list, taken into custody,
under arrest, suspended from duty, in
confinement or otherwise incapable of
discharging their duties, exercise authority over
all persons who are subordinate to them.
1021. Authority Over Subordinates
This article gives officers the authority necessary to
perform their duties.
1022. Delegation of Authority
Although you may delegate authority, that does not
relieve you of being responsible. You must make sure
the delegated authority is properly exercised and orders
and instructions are properly executed.
1023. Abuse of Authority
Persons in authority are forbidden to injure their
subordinates by tyrannical or capricious conduct, or by
abusive language.
1024. Contradictory and Conflicting Orders
If an enlisted person in the naval service
receives an order, which annuls, suspends or
modifies one received from another superior, he
or she shall immediately represent the facts to
the superior from whom the last order was
received. If, after such representation, the
superior from whom the last order was received
should insist upon the execution of that order, it
shall be obeyed. The person receiving and
exe c u t i n g s u c h o r d e r s h a l l r e p o r t t h e
circumstances as soon as practicable to the
superior from whom the original order was
received.
1025. Authority of an Officer in Command
An officer in command, either of the line or of a staff
corps, has authority over all officers and other persons
attached to the command, whatever their rank and
whether they are of the line or of a staff corps.
1033. Authority in a Boat
This article provides the senior line officer eligible
for command at sea the authority over all persons
embarked in a boat. It also delegates to the officer the
responsibility for the safety and management of the
boat.
1034. Authority and Responsibility of a Senior
Officer Under Certain Circumstances
This article gives the senior person present, whether
an officer or an enlisted person, the authority to take
necessary action during a riot, a quarrel between naval
service members, or circumstances not covered by these
regulations.
1037. Authority of Warrant Officers,
Noncommissioned Officers and Petty Officers
Chief warrant officers, warrant officers,
noncommissioned officers and petty officers
shall have, under their superiors, all necessary
authority for the proper performance of their
duties, and they shall be obeyed accordingly.
1038. Authority of a Sentry
A sentry, within the limits stated in his or
her orders, has authority over all persons on his
or her post.
1052. Orders to Active Service
You may not be ordered to active service without
permission of the Chief of Naval Personnel.
1064. Detail of Enlisted Persons for Certain
Duties
Petty officers will not be detailed to perform mess
duties, except when nonrated persons are unavailable.
2-9
Student Notes:
