—The  first  lieutenant  (head  of  the  deck department) is responsible for deck functions. If the ship has a combat systems department but no deck department —The operations department is responsible for deck functions. COMMANDING OFFICER The commanding officer (CO) has many and varied duties.  The  CO  has  so  many  duties  that  one  entire chapter in   Navy Regulations, consisting of nearly 70 articles, applies to commanding officers. In general, the CO  is  responsible  for  the  safety,  well-being,  and efficiency of the command. The commanding officer’s responsibilities include the safe navigation of the ship and the condition and appearance of the material and personnel. The CO must  also  ensure  the  proper  stationing  of  trained lookouts and the preparation of the ship for battle. The CO may delegate authority in these matters, but such delegation does not relieve the CO of responsibility. The  officer  of  the  deck  (OOD),  for  example,  has authority to run the ship; but if a collision occurs, the CO is still responsible. The commanding officer must exert every effort to maintain the command in a state of maximum readiness for war. The commanding officer issues the necessary directions  to  the  executive  officer  (XO).  With  the assistance of the various department heads, the XO then prepares and conducts exercises and drills needed to prepare the ship for battle. During combat, the commanding officer directs the members of the crew in fighting to the best of their ability until action is complete. The CO’s battle station is where the CO can best direct the fighting. If the ship should sink, both custom and regulations require the commanding  officer  to  assure  the  completion  of abandon ship procedures. All personnel should be off the ship before the commanding officer leaves. The CO’s power is authoritative and complete. With ultimate  responsibility  for  the  ship  and  everything pertaining  to  it,  the  commanding  officer  must  have authority  equal  to  the  responsibility.  To  ensure efficiency,  responsibility,  and  discipline,  the commanding officer must have the power to enforce prompt obedience to orders. According to the  Uniform Code  of  Military  Justice  (UCMJ),  the  commanding officer has the power to impose limited punishment. This power is a part of a CO’s command responsibility and may not be delegated. Since the ship has only one CO but many crew members, a senior enlisted member gives advice on enlisted policies and informs the CO about the health, welfare, and general well-being of the crew. The senior enlisted member acts as a liaison between the officer and enlisted community. The senior enlisted member assigned to assist the CO is a master chief, a senior chief, or a chief petty officer (depending on the senior rate  within  the  command).  This  person  receives assignment  as  the  command  master  chief  (CM/C), command  senior  chief  (CS/C),  or  command  chief (CCh). This senior enlisted member transmits ideas and  recommendations  directly  to  the  commanding officer. If the CO is absent, disabled, relieved from duty, or detached without relief, another officer must assume the CO’s responsibilities. This person is the next senior line officer that is eligible for command at sea, and who is attached to and aboard the ship. In most cases, this person is the executive officer. EXECUTIVE OFFICER The  executive  officer  (XO)  is  the  aide  or “executive”  to  the  commanding  officer.  The  XO  is usually the next ranking line officer aboard ship. As such,  the  XO  is  the  direct  representative  of  the commanding  officer  in  maintaining  the  general efficiency of the ship. Some of the XO’s responsibilities include the following: The command’s assigned personnel. With the help of department heads, the XO arranges and coordinates all ship’s work, drills, exercises, and policing and inspecting the ship. Investigate matters affecting the discipline and conduct  of  the  crew  and  makes  recommen- dations  concerning  these  matters  to  the commanding officer. 6-9 Student Notes: