Where can you find the list of the chain of command on a ship?

Answer 1

Chain of Command is very simple, that is until you get into the upper echelons. It begins with the lowest link in the chain, the common seaman. At the top is the President of the US (Currently Barrack H. Obama). In between is every rank and pay grade through the DOD and Defense Secretary. Specific questions regarding COC should be put into context of unit and command.

Answer 2

The chain of command by the United States Navy varies by national, fleet, and unit level authority. At the ship or unit level there is a commanding officer (CO), and an executive officer (XO). Below them are division officers with division chiefs or senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) leading the junior enlisted personnel.

Answer 3

On an Aircraft Carrier the top three people in the Chain of Command or CoC for short is as follows; Command Officer(CO) is a Captain(CAPT), Executive Officer(XO) 99% of the time will also be a CAPT. Then you have the tricky one which is third in the CoC. Much like the Presidential cabinet people often do not know that the Speaker of the House is next after the Vice President. With that being said the third in the CoC of Aircraft Carrier(s) is the Carrier Air Wing Commander also known as the CAG. Reason being is because he is ultimately in charge of every plane that touches the deck of the carrier. In fact a War Room conversation aboard the carrier can not exist if the CAG is not present because he is the only one that can tell the Squadron Commanders what to do. In part the CO is only responsible for the ship and her crew. The CAG is responsible for the Air Wing(planes). Therefore if the CO and XO dies the responsibility of command falls on the CAG, and then someone else assumes the position of CAG. That Marvel Hydra saying "If you chop off one head, two more takes its place!" Very prevalent for the military organization.

Answer 4

In order of authority:

POTUS (President)

Secretary of Defense

Secretary of the Navy

Chief of Naval Operations / Unified Combatant Commanders

Shore Establishments / Operational Forces (Fleets)