—All decking seamanship operations and thecare and use of deck equipment.If the ship has a deck department but no weaponsor combat systems department—The first lieutenant (head of the deckdepartment) is responsible for deck functions.If the ship has a combat systems department butno deck department—The operations department is responsible fordeck functions.COMMANDING OFFICERThe commanding officer (CO) has many and variedduties. The CO has so many duties that one entirechapter in Navy Regulations, consisting of nearly 70articles, applies to commanding officers. In general, theCO is responsible for the safety, well-being, andefficiency of the command.The commanding officer’s responsibilities includethe safe navigation of the ship and the condition andappearance of the material and personnel. The COmust also ensure the proper stationing of trainedlookouts and the preparation of the ship for battle. TheCO may delegate authority in these matters, but suchdelegation does not relieve the CO of responsibility.The officer of the deck (OOD), for example, hasauthority to run the ship; but if a collision occurs, theCO is still responsible.The commanding officer must exert every effort tomaintain the command in a state of maximum readinessfor war. The commanding officer issues the necessarydirections to the executive officer (XO). With theassistance of the various department heads, the XO thenprepares and conducts exercises and drills needed toprepare the ship for battle.During combat, the commanding officer directs themembers of the crew in fighting to the best of theirability until action is complete. The CO’s battle stationis where the CO can best direct the fighting. If the shipshould sink, both custom and regulations require thecommanding officer to assure the completion ofabandon ship procedures. All personnel should be offthe ship before the commanding officer leaves.The CO’s power is authoritative and complete. Withultimate responsibility for the ship and everythingpertaining to it, the commanding officer must haveauthority equal to the responsibility. To ensureefficiency, responsibility, and discipline, thecommanding officer must have the power to enforceprompt obedience to orders. According to the UniformCode of Military Justice (UCMJ), the commandingofficer has the power to impose limited punishment.This power is a part of a CO’s command responsibilityand may not be delegated.Since the ship has only one CO but many crewmembers, a senior enlisted member gives advice onenlisted policies and informs the CO about the health,welfare, and general well-being of the crew. The seniorenlisted member acts as a liaison between the officerand enlisted community. The senior enlisted memberassigned to assist the CO is a master chief, a seniorchief, or a chief petty officer (depending on the seniorrate within the command). This person receivesassignment as the command master chief (CM/C),command senior chief (CS/C), or command chief(CCh). This senior enlisted member transmits ideas andrecommendations directly to the commanding officer.If the CO is absent, disabled, relieved from duty, ordetached without relief, another officer must assume theCO’s responsibilities. This person is the next senior lineofficer that is eligible for command at sea, and who isattached to and aboard the ship. In most cases, thisperson is the executive officer.EXECUTIVE OFFICERThe executive officer (XO) is the aide or“executive” to the commanding officer. The XO isusually the next ranking line officer aboard ship. Assuch, the XO is the direct representative of thecommanding officer in maintaining the generalefficiency of the ship. Some of the XO’s responsibilitiesinclude the following:The command’s assigned personnel. With thehelp of department heads, the XO arranges andcoordinates all ship’s work, drills, exercises, andpolicing and inspecting the ship.6-9Student Notes:
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