Naval Organization

CHAPTER 6

NAVAL ORGANIZATION

Organization is the element of administration which entails the orderly arrangement of materials and personnel by functions in order to attain the objective of the unit. Organization establishes the working relationship among unit personnel; establishes the flow of work; promotes teamwork; and identifies the responsibility, authority and accountability of individuals within the unit.

—Standard Organization and Regulations of the U.S. Navy, OPNAVINST 3120.32C

The primary mission of the Navy is to support U.S. national interests. To do that, the Navy must be prepared to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea. Each Navy unit must be prepared to engage in battle and support other units and forces in battle. Meeting the objectives of this mission requires organization. This chapter introduces you to naval organization, including the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, a typical unit organization, and the chain of command. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Learning Objective: When you finish this chapter, you will be able to—

2. To ensure, by timely and effective military action, the security of the United States, its possessions, and areas vital to its interests 3. To uphold and advance the national policies and interests of the United States 4. To safeguard the internal security of the United States Figure 6-1 shows how the armed forces fit into the organization of the DoD to carry out these missions. The DoD is headed by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF). The military departments that come under the DoD are the Department of the Army, the Department of the Air Force, and the Department of the Navy. Each department has a secretary as the head of department. By law, these secretaries (Army, Navy, Air Force, and SECDEF) are civilian appointees of the President. The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) heads the department of which you are a part. DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train,...