particular threat. While the primary responsibility for
winning wars lies with the Army, Navy, and Air Force,
the Marine Corps wins battles, ever ready to respond to
international “brush fires.” Marines train to be first on
the scene to respond to attacks on the United States or
its interests, acts of political violence against
Americans abroad, disaster relief, humanitarian
assistance, or evacuation of Americans from foreign
countries. Operating from Navy ships afloat, the
Navy-Marine team provides a unique range of options
for the country’s leadership. At sea, these units can
operate from a protected sea base, unencumbered by
political constraints often encountered by U.S. forces
based in foreign countries.
SUMMARY
Organization is not a new concept. In its simplest
form, organization is the orderly arrangement of
assets. As a person approaching middle management,
you must understand the organization of our Navy.
Our Constitution authorized the building and
supporting of our military forces. The Constitution
also stated that the President of the United States
would be the Commander in Chief of the military
forces. In this chapter you have read how presidential
actions to protect our national security affirm the
power of the Commander in Chief.
In 1949 an amendment to the National Security
Act (NSA) set up the Department of Defense as we
know it today. The NSA set up the position of Secretary
of Defense (SECDEF) and gave the position
presidential cabinet rank. The NSA also set up the Joint
Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The JCS consists of the top
individuals from each service who advise the SECDEF
and the President on all military matters. The naval
representative to the JCS is the Chief of Naval
Operations (CNO). The CNO is a member of the
Department of the Navy (DoN), and so are you.
Our military organization starting with the
President, includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Joint
Chiefs of Staff, and unified combatant commands. The
DoN is composed of three major parts—the Navy
Department, the shore establishment, and the
operating forces—in addition to other supporting
offices and agencies. This chapter presented these
major activities and supporting services.
REFERENCES
Basic Military Requirements, NAVEDTRA 14277,
Naval Education and Training Professional
Development and Technology Center, Pensacola,
FL, 1999.
Standard Organization and Regulations of the U.S.
Navy, OPNAVINST 3120.32C, Chief of Naval
Operations, Washington, DC, 1994.
The United States Government Manual — 1999/2000,
Office of the Federal Register National Archives
and Records Administration, Washington, DC,
Revised June 1, 1999.
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