Q4. List the four divisions of the maintenance
department.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Q5. The branch officer is responsible to what officer?
CHAIN OF COMMAND
Learning Objectives: When you finish this chapter,
you will be able to—
Identify the purpose of the chain of command to
include
responsibilities,
direction,
communications, and solving work-related
problems.
Recognize a typical chain of command.
The chain of command is the relationship of juniors
and seniors within an organization. The organizational
charts you have seen in this chapter represent chains of
command.
An effective chain of command is essential for the
Navy to carry out its assigned mission. Good leadership
is also essential for the Navy’s mission. Good
leadership supports an effective chain of command and
vice versa; neither works well without the other.
The chain of command serves several purposes in
the accomplishment of the Navy’s mission. It defines
responsibilities and identifies accountability. Properly
used, it provides direction and smooth communications
and ensures efficiency.
RESPONSIBILITY
Responsibility requires that an individual be
accountable for the performance of assigned tasks
within an organization. By defining responsibilities, the
chain of command lets its personnel know what their
responsibilities are and what they are expected to do.
The Navy expects its personnel to set good
examples for their shipmates by doing their jobs
quickly, correctly, and neatly. The Navy expects its
members to instill a sense of pride in others to improve
the efficiency of the command.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Every person in a chain of command is accountable
to someone for professional performance and personal
actions. Accountability is the ability of personnel to
report, explain, or justify every action taken. They do
this through two types of accountability—job
accountability and military accountability.
1. Job accountability means you must answer to
seniors in the chain of command for the way in
which you carry out an assigned task.
2. Military accountability means you must answer
to senior military personnel for your personal
behavior and military appearance.
DIRECTION
The chain of command provides direction in the
assignment of duties. All members of the chain of
command know their specific duties. Seniors assign
these duties, and juniors should carry them out to the
best of their ability.
COMMUNICATION
The chain of command provides for smooth, rapid,
and effective communication. Each person in the chain
of command needs to clearly understand his/her status
within that chain. Seniors should pass information
down the chain of command about matters that may
affect juniors. Juniors should pass information up the
chain of command about problems that exist. In this
way, communication flows in both directions.
6-14
Student Notes:
