Page 146 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

Shipboard Organization

The basic shipboard departments [lfe operations, combat systems istr<1tioll and training of the ship. The CO gives directions to the
(weapons), engineering. slIppl},. and, 011 ships having 1ll<lllllCd air- executive ofl1cer. That officer then works with the ship's depart-
craft, air. There mily be sOllle other departments ;]5 well, depending ment heads to conduct training. exercises, and drills to keep the
upon the type and size of the ship. crew ready.
Each type of ship has what is known as an nrf",illislmtil'c orgn- The main responsibility of the CO is the silfety of the ship.
lIizntioll for running the ship. The administrative organizntioll This means, alllong other things, proper hilndling and stowage of
described in this chapter is that of a typical naval fighting ship, or ammunition, making sure the ship is wiltertight, careful navig<1-
cOllli}(l tall t. tion, posting of proper lookouts, and safe maneuvering and navi-
gilt ion. Since the CO C<1!lIlO! handle nil these matters personally, he
or she depends on the assistance of good subordinate officers. For
eX<llllple, the navigator must know the ship's position at illl times,
but the CO is still responsible for the safe navigation of the ship.
During combat, the CO's bilttle station is thilt station from wruch
he or she can best fight the ship. In the el'ent of the loss of the ship,
the CO waits until <111 persollnel are off the ship before leaving.
The CO supervises everyone under his or her command.
He or she must direct the investigation of conduct offenses, and
assign punishments under the Uniform Code of tvlilitilry Justice.
The CO, in turn, is held responsible for his or her cOlllmand by
higher authority.
The welfare, morale, ilnd living conditions of the crew Me a CO's
COllstilnt concern. The executive officer and his or her assistants
m<lnage these affairs, but the CO must always be concerned also.

Executive Officer
The commanding officer of a guided missile destroyer (right) greets
visitors from the Chinese navy. (Matthew White) The CXCCllf;l'C officer. often called "the exec" or "XO," is the line offi-
cer next in mnk to the CO. He or she is the direct representative of
the Co. The XO is responsible for alll11ilttcrs relating to personnel,
Commanding Officer
ship's dilily routine, and discipline in the ship. All orders issued by
Ever)' cOlllmissioned ship in the Navy operates under the iluthorit)' the XO have the same force as if issued by the CO.
of an officer ordered to cOlllmand it. Rcg.trdless of rank, he or she The executive officer is responsible for:
is called "captain." The cotlllllallnillg officer (CO) is the line omcer
Coordination of <11J depilrtmcnts
in actual command of a ship.
Assignment of persollnel ilnd upkeep of their records
The CO is tot<1l1y responsible for the cOlllmand. His or
Preparation and maintenance of ship's organization bills and
her autllorit)' is also toti.ll, within the limits set by law and Nm'),
orders
Regllia/ions and the reporting senior. Subordinates in the chain
Supervision and coordination of work, exercises, tmining, and
of command may be delegated authority to manage the details of
education
running the ship, but delegation of 3uthority in no way relieves the
Supen,isioll of loading and berthing plans
CO of responsibility for the s<1fet)' and operation of the command.
Navigation (smaller ships onl}')
The CO strives to keep the cOlllmand re<1dy for war service. He
Supervision of ship's correspolldencc
or she is assisted by the executive officer, who has ch<1rge of admill-
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