scope:

Within the area of responsibility assigned in paragraph 7 below, each Civilian Executive Assistant is the principal civilian advisor and assistant to the SECNAV on the administration of the affairs of the DON. Each Staff Assistant is the principal advisor and assistant to the SECNAV, for their assigned duties, per paragraph 7 below. In carrying out these duties, the Civilian Executive Assistants and Staff Assistants support the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC), as prescribed in references (a) and (c) in the execution of their responsibilities.

a. CNO. The CNO is the principal Navy advisor and Navy executive to the SECNAV on the conduct of the Navy activities of the DON. The CNO performs duties under the authority, direction, and control of the SECNAV and is directly responsible to the SECNAV except as otherwise prescribed by law.

b. CMC. The CMC is the principal Marine Corps advisor and Marine Corps executive to the SECNAV on the conduct of Marine Corps activities of the DON. The CMC performs duties under the authority, direction, and control of the SECNAV and is directly responsible to the SECNAV except as otherwise prescribed by law.

c. Commandant of the Coast Guard. During times of war when the Coast Guard is operating as a part of the Navy, the Commandant of the Coast Guard reports to the CNO when reporting to the SECNAV.

Purpose.

To assign Department-wide responsibilities for administration of the Department of the Navy (DON) to and among the Civilian Executive Assistants and Staff Assistants to the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV). This instruction has been substantially revised and should be reviewed in its entirety.