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The Navy is a complex organization that is
constantly changing. There are numerous publications
and instructions that the petty officer third class must
consult to keep current. OPNAVINST 5400 series and
the United States Government Manual printed by the
Office of the Federal Register National Archives and
Records Administration covers missions and functions
of Navy commands. Additionally there are many
government and Navy sites on the Internet which give
general information regarding naval organization.
THE SECTION LEADER
Each division has a duty section leader, also called
a duty representative (duty rep), who is the senior petty
officer. On a small ship, you as a petty officer third class
may be assigned the duties of a section leader. However,
depending on the size or class of ship, you may not be
assigned as a section leader until you become a second
class petty officer. Aboard larger ships with large
sections, you may have to wait until you make first class
to become a section leader. Therefore, being assigned as
a section leader depends upon the size of the command
and the number of personnel in your duty section.
As a section leader, you will have information to
report. Always use the chain of command. During
normal working hours you should report to your leading
petty officer (LPO). If the LPO is a petty officer first
class, he or she will, in turn, report to the leading chief
petty officer (LCPO) or to the division officer. After
normal working hours you report to your department
duty officer, who reports to the command duty officer
(CDO).
When you are assigned as a section leader, you
assume additional responsibilities for the work, conduct,
appearance, and welfare of the personnel in your section.
Along with these additional responsibilities, you are
granted additional authority to carry out your duties
properly.
The section leader is the first step up the ladder of
naval authority. You may be the supervisor for all the
routine and special activities of the people in your
section. These activities include reveille, quarters for
muster, observance of the proper uniform of the day, and
of items posted in the Plan of the Day or Plan of the
Week. In addition, you will be responsible for the
damage control functions of your duty section after
normal working hours.
When your duty section is being relieved, you should
pass on to your relief any pertinent information
regarding the section. This information could involve
new safety hazards or cleanliness of the ship.
POLICE PETTY OFFICER
Your command may have a division police petty
officer (PPO). This position may be called another name
such as compartment petty officer, barracks petty
officer, and so forth, but the duties and responsibilities
are the same. The PPO is usually a junior petty officer
and is not part of the master-at-arms force. The PPO’s
duties encompass areas such as cleanliness of divisional
berthing and stowage areas, holding reveille, maintaining
silence after taps, and maintaining order. In addition to
these duties, PPOs stand their regular watches and
perform their normal duties. Sometimes they may be
required to augment the MAA force in details such as
searching the ship and provisioning for new personnel.
MASTER-AT-ARMS
The chief master-at-arms (CMAA), often called the
sheriff, is responsible to the executive officer for
maintaining good order and discipline. Personnel of the
Master-at-Arms (MA) rating usually fill this billet on
larger ships. On ships not having a CMAA, a chief petty
officer from another rating usually will be appointed by
the commanding officer and will be assigned CMAA as
a collateral duty. If you are not part of the MA rating and
are assigned to the MAA force, your tour of duty usually
will be 6 months.
If you are assigned as an MAA, your job will require
tact, a lot of common sense, and thorough knowledge of
Navy and command regulations. Remember, an MAA is
much like a police officer and, as such, must be
courteous and friendly and must enforce regulations
without favor to anyone.
