program, including design and weapons system
integration. The Assistant Secretary’s responsibility
includes business and contractual policy and logistic
support of all DoN acquisition programs. It includes
the maintenance, alteration, supply, distribution, and
disposal of material; the Mutual Defense Assistance
Program; all transportation matters; printing and
publications; and industrial security. It also includes
labor relations of contractors with the DoN. The
Assistant Secretary supervises the acquisition,
construction, use, improvement, alteration,
maintenance, and disposal of DoN real estate and
facilities.
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL OF
THE NAVY.—The Office of the General Counsel of
the Navy provides legal advice, counsel, and guidance
to SECNAV, SECNAV’s civilian executive assistants,
and their staffs. These legal services concern matters of
business and commercial law.
CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS.—The
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), under the direction
of SECNAV, takes precedence above all other officers
of the naval service. The CNO is the Navy member of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The CNO, under the Secretary
of the Navy, exercises command over certain central
executive organizations, assigned shore activities, and
the Operating Forces of the Navy. The CNO plans for
and provides the manpower, material, weapons,
facilities, and services to support the needs of the Navy,
with the exception of the Fleet Marine Forces;
maintains water transportation services, including sea
transportation services for the DoD; directs the Naval
Reserve; and exercises authority for matters of naval
administration, including matters related to customs
and traditions of the naval service, security,
intelligence, discipline, naval communications, and
naval operations. The CNO exercises area
coordination authority over all shore activities of the
DoN to ensure that total efforts afford adequate support
to the combatant forces and are coordinated among
them to assure economy and efficiency of operation. In
addition, the CNO has the following specific
responsibilities:
To organize, train, equip, prepare, and maintain
the readiness of Navy operational forces
To determine and direct the efforts needed to
fulfill current and future Navy requirements for
manpower, material, weapons, facilities, and
services.
To exercise leadership in maintaining a high
degree of competence among Navy officers and
enlisted and civilian personnel
To maintain the morale and motivation of Navy
personnel and the prestige of a Navy career
To plan and provide health care for personnel of
the naval service and their dependents
To direct the organization, administration,
training, and support of the Naval Reserve
To monitor the DoN to determine and maintain
efficiency, discipline, and readiness
To determine the need for and to provide for the
conduct of research, development, test, and
evaluation that meet long-range goals,
immediate requirements, and fiscal limitations
To devise Navy strategic plans and policies and
help devise joint and combined strategic plans
and policies
To budget for commands, bureaus, and offices
assigned to the CNO’s command and for other
activities and programs as assigned
The Vice CNO and the Vice CNO’s Assistant,
Directors of Major Staff Offices (DMSOs), and
Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations help the CNO
carry out these responsibilities. Of particular interest
to the enlisted community is the master chief petty
officer of the Navy (MCPON).
MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE
NAVY.—In 1966 the SECNAV’s Task Force on
Navy/Marine
Corps
Personnel
Retention
recommended the creation of the office of the master
chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON). The function
of the office is to provide a direct, unofficial channel of
communication between enlisted personnel and the
senior policy level of DoN. The office was formally set
up on 1 March 1967 with a tour length of 4 years.
The MCPON performs the following duties:
The MCPON’s assignment is to the immediate
office of the CNO. The MCPON serves as the senior
enlisted representative of the Navy and acts as the
primary enlisted advisor to the CNO. The MCPON
advises the Chief of Naval Personnel (CHNAVPERS) in
all matters regarding active-duty and retired enlisted
members and their dependents.
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