of  subordinate  unified  commands.  (A  unified commander  may  set  up  subordinate  unified commands.) In exercising operational command, a  unified  commander  takes  notice  of  the knowledge and responsibilities of assigned service component  commanders. The responsibilities of the commander of a unified command include the following: Maintaining the security of the command and protecting the United States, its possessions, and its bases against attack or a hostile outbreak Carrying out assigned missions, tasks, and responsibilities Assigning tasks to, and directing coordina- tion  among,  subordinate  commands  to ensure unity of effort in the accomplish- ment of assigned mission(s) Component Command A component command consists of the com- ponent commander and those people, units, detachments,  organizations,  or  installations assigned  to  the  operational  command  of  the unified  commander. A component commander advises the unified commander about the proper assignment of the component  to  achieve  the  unified  operational mission.  A  component  commander  may  have assignments to missions or tasks not within the scope or authority of the unified commander. However, these missions and tasks should not conflict with, but should contribute to, the overall mission of the unified command. SPECIFIED COMMAND A specified command is a command with a broad continuing mission. It is normally made up of forces from only one service but may include units and staff representation from other services. The authority that sets up a specified com- mand appoints the specified commander and the force structure. This authority also assigns the missions and defines the commander’s general geographic  area  of  responsibility.  Figure  1-1 shows the position of the commander in the chain of command. Units of other services assigned to a specified command  normally  know  the  purpose  and duration of the assignment. Such assignment, in itself, does not change the specified command to a unified command. If, however, the assignment is major and of long duration, a unified command is normally setup instead of a specified command. The commander of a specified command has the same responsibilities as the commander of a unified command; however, the specified com- mander cannot set up subordinate unified commands. The specified commands are the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and the U.S. Forces Command (USFORCOM). SUMMARY Organization is not a new concept. Initially, you learned that, in its simplest form, organiza- tion is the orderly arrangement of assets. As a master or senior chief petty officer, you should understand the organization of our Navy. The DOD is the largest United States govern- ment agency. It consists of the Office of the SECDEF; the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; the JCS; the unified and specified commands; and other agencies set up by the SECDEF. The heads of the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force are each responsible for preparing their forces for war. The members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are the principal military advisors to the President, the National Security Council, and the SECDEF. They are subject to the authority and direction of the President and the SECDEF. The United States Military Establishment must bean efficient team of land, naval, and air forces to defend and protect our nation. To this end, the President sets up unified commands to bring about unity of effort among the services. REFERENCES Functions of the Department of Defense and Its Major Components, Department of Defense Directive  5100.1,  Department  of  Defense, Washington,  D.C.,  1987. United States Government Manual, Office of the Federal  Register,    National  Archives  and Records  Administration,  Washington,  D.C., 1986. 1-9