WORK-RELATED PROBLEMS
Work-related problems are situations that affect a
person’s job performance. A work-related problem
might be a situation in which a person feels mistreated
by a senior. It could also be a situation in which a person
needs leave or liberty because of an illness in the family.
The chain of command is responsible to each Navy
member for solving work-related problems. When a
person’s immediate senior is unable to resolve a
problem, the next senior in the chain of command tries
to solve the problem. If the senior at that level of
command is unable to resolve the problem, it then goes
to the next level in the chain of command. The problem
continues to be referred to each level in the chain of
command until it is resolved. You must always use the
chain of command when seeking solutions to
work-related problems.
TYPICAL CHAIN OF COMMAND
Figure 6-8 shows a typical shipboard, straight-line
chain of command from the nonrated level to the
commanding officer. An aircraft squadron’s chain of
command includes a branch officer.
For watch-standing assignments, the chain of
command includes a section leader (not shown). The
section leader may be from your division but often is a
petty officer from another division. The section leader
makes watch assignments for all personnel assigned to
the section. Inform the section leader of situations, such
as leave or special liberty, that affect your availability
for watch assignments.
In most cases, the chain of command shown in
figure 6-8 is complete. However, the chain of command
does not stop with the commanding officer. Remember,
all people in the military are responsible to their
seniors!
The chain of command extends from nonrated
personnel all the way to the President of the United
States. Figure 6-8 shows the shipboard chain of
command from the nonrated person to the commanding
officer. Figure 6-9 shows a typical chain of command
from the President to the commanding officer of a ship.
To learn your chain of command, ask someone in the
administrative (Admin) office to show you the
command’s organizational chart.
6-15
Student Notes:
Figure 6-8.—Typical shipboard chain of command.
Figure 6-9.—Typical chain of command from the CO of a ship
to the President.
