User:Ajaverett0/sandbox
The structure of the United States Navy consists of a complex command framework that governs approximately 332,300 active-duty personnel with a fiscal year 2025 budget of $257.6 billion.[1] The Navy's organizational structure balances centralized strategic control with distributed operational execution across global maritime domains, operating through overlapping administrative and operational command relationships that have evolved significantly since the early 2000s. The current structure operates through three primary command frameworks: civilian leadership under the Secretary of the Navy, military leadership through the Chief of Naval Operations and OPNAV staff, and operational commands including Fleet Commands, Type Commanders (TYCOMs), and Systems Commands (SYSCOMs). This matrix organization enables the Navy to simultaneously generate ready forces through administrative chains while executing global operations through geographic and functional commands.
Leadership Structure
[edit]Office of the Secretary of the Navy
[edit]The Office of the Secretary of the Navy is the civilian leadership office responsible for the overall administration and oversight of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) is a statutory officer (10 U.S.C. § 8013) and serves as the head of the Department of the Navy, a military department within the United States Department of Defense. The Secretary reports directly to the Secretary of Defense and is responsible for policies and affairs of the Department of the Navy, including recruitment, organization, logistics, construction, and research.
The Office of the Secretary of the Navy, also known within the DoD as the Navy Secretariat or simply the Secretariat in a Department of the Navy context, serves as the immediate headquarters staff supporting the Secretary in discharging their duties.
The principal officials of the Secretariat include
- The Under Secretary of the Navy (the Secretary's principal civilian deputy)
- The Assistant Secretaries of the Navy (ASN)
- The General Counsel of the Department of the Navy
- The Judge Advocate General of the Navy (JAG)
- The Naval Inspector General (NIG)
- The Chief of Legislative Affairs
- The Chief of Naval Research.
The Office of the Secretary of the Navy has sole responsibility within the Department of the Navy for acquisition, auditing, financial and information management, legislative affairs, and public affairs.[2]
The Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marine Corps maintain their own separate staffs: the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) and Headquarters Marine Corps, respectively.
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
[edit]
The Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) is the headquarters staff of the United States Navy responsible for assisting the Secretary of the Navy in carrying out naval responsibilities. Established under 10 U.S.C. § 8031, OPNAV serves as the principal military staff organization within the Department of the Navy, operating under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Navy.
The Chief of Naval Operations, who presides over OPNAV, serves as both the senior uniformed naval officer and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The CNO is appointed by the President with Senate confirmation for a four-year term and holds the grade of admiral while serving in the position.[3][4]
The Office of the Chief of Naval Operations is composed of the following principal officials:
- The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)
- The Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO)
- The Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations (DCNOs)
- The Assistant Chiefs of Naval Operations (ACNOs)
- The Surgeon General of the Navy
- The Chief of Naval Personnel
- The Chief of Chaplains of the Navy
- Other members of the Navy and Marine Corps assigned or detailed to OPNAV and civilian employees assigned or detailed to OPNAV
Under the Secretary of the Navy's authority, OPNAV is responsible for preparing the Navy for employment in military operations, including recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping, training, and maintaining naval forces. The office investigates and reports on Navy efficiency and readiness, prepares detailed instructions for approved plans, coordinates actions among Navy organizations, and provides professional assistance to the Secretary and other senior civilian officials.
OPNAV Staff Structure
[edit]The OPNAV staff is organized into a series of directorates, each headed by a Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) and designated by a numerical code (N-codes).[5] These directorates support the planning, management, and execution of Navy functions[6]
- N0 - Chief of Naval Operations
- N1 - Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education
- N2/N6 - Information Dominance
- N3/N5 - Operations, Plans, and Strategy
- N4 - Readiness and Logistics
- N7 - Warfighting Development[7]
- N8 - Integration of Capabilities and Resources
- N9 - Warfare Systems
Operating Forces
[edit]Component Commands
[edit]The Navy provides forces to unified combatant commands through both geographic and functional component commands:
Geographic Component Commands
[edit]| Navy Component Command | Unified Combatant Command | Location |
|---|---|---|
| United States Fleet Forces Command (USFF) | United States Northern Command | Norfolk, Virginia |
| United States Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) | United States Indo-Pacific Command | Pearl Harbor, Hawaii |
| United States Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) | United States Africa Command and United States European Command |
Naples, Italy |
| United States Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSOUTH) | United States Southern Command | Mayport, Florida |
| United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) | United States Central Command | Manama, Bahrain |
Functional Component Commands
[edit]| Navy Component Command | Unified Combatant Command | Location |
|---|---|---|
| United States Fleet Cyber Command | United States Cyber Command | Fort George G. Meade, Maryland |
| United States Naval Special Warfare Command | United States Special Operations Command | Coronado, California |
| Strategic Systems Programs | United States Strategic Command | Washington, D.C. |
| Military Sealift Command | United States Transportation Command | Norfolk, Virginia |
Administrative Commands
[edit]The Navy operates major administrative commands for force generation and training:
Fleet Commands
[edit]- U.S. Fleet Forces Command - Atlantic Ocean operations and force generation, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia
- U.S. Pacific Fleet - Pacific Ocean operations across 100 million square miles, headquartered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
These fleet commands operate under a hybrid administrative-operational structure established through reforms beginning in 2001, where fleet commands generate and prepare forces that transfer to operational control of numbered fleet commanders for specific missions and geographic responsibilities.
Support Commands
[edit]- United States Navy Reserve - Reserve force training and readiness
- Military Sealift Command - Global logistics and transportation services (also serves USTRANSCOM)===Numbered Fleets===
Seven numbered fleets currently execute global naval operations:
Numbered Fleets
[edit]The United States Navy operates seven active numbered fleets with distinct geographic and functional responsibilities:
| Fleet | Parent Command | Headquarters | Area of Responsibility | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States Second Fleet | United States Fleet Forces Command | Norfolk, Virginia | North Atlantic Ocean, East Coast | Active (2018) | 6.7 million square miles; dual-hatted as Commander, Joint Force Command Norfolk for NATO[8] |
| United States Third Fleet | United States Pacific Fleet | Naval Base Point Loma, San Diego | Eastern Pacific Ocean | Active | Training and operations for Indo-Pacific naval forces[9] |
| United States Fourth Fleet | United States Southern Command | Naval Station Mayport, Florida | Caribbean, Central and South America | Active (2008) | Counter-illicit trafficking and humanitarian missions; reactivated after 58 years |
| United States Fifth Fleet | United States Central Command | Naval Support Activity Bahrain | Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea | Active | 2.5 million square miles; currently in leadership transition[10] |
| United States Sixth Fleet | United States European Command | Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy | Mediterranean Sea, Europe, Africa | Active | Flagship: USS Mount Whitney[11] |
| United States Seventh Fleet | United States Pacific Fleet | Yokosuka, Japan | Western Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean | Active | Flagship: USS Blue Ridge; 18 forward-deployed ships in Japan and Guam[12] |
| United States Tenth Fleet | United States Fleet Cyber Command | Fort George G. Meade, Maryland | Global (Cyber/Information) | Active (2010) | 16,000+ personnel across 26 commands; cyber warfare, space operations, information warfare[13] |
The Second Fleet was reactivated in 2018 after being deactivated in 2011, reflecting renewed focus on North Atlantic operations. The Fourth Fleet was reactivated in 2008 after nearly six decades of deactivation to address Latin American maritime security challenges. The Tenth Fleet was reestablished in 2010 as part of the Navy's recognition of cyberspace as a warfare domain.
Type Commanders (TYCOMs)
[edit]Type Commanders (TYCOMs) are the Navy's warfare community leaders responsible for organizing, training, and equipping forces within their respective domains. TYCOMs serve as the force providers, generating combat-ready units that are then assigned to operational commanders for missions. Each TYCOM maintains expertise in their specific warfare area and standardizes training, tactics, and equipment across the fleet.
Lead-Follow System
[edit]The Navy operates under a lead-follow relationship established in 2001, designating senior leads for each warfare community across both Atlantic and Pacific fleets. This system eliminates duplication while maintaining geographic presence and expertise on both coasts.
| Warfare Community | Warfare Domain | Lead TYCOM | Follow TYCOM | Headquarters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Air Forces (AIRFOR) | Aviation | Naval Air Force Pacific (AIRPAC) | Naval Air Force Atlantic (AIRLANT) | NAS North Island, Coronado | Known as the "Air Boss" - unifies naval aviation training, doctrine development, and force generation |
| Naval Surface Forces (SURFOR) | Surface Warfare | Naval Surface Force Pacific (SURFPAC) | Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT) | Pacific Fleet | Coordinates surface warfare capabilities across destroyer, cruiser, and amphibious forces |
| Naval Submarine Forces (SUBFOR) | Submarine Warfare | Submarine Force Atlantic (SUBLANT) | Submarine Force Pacific (SUBPAC) | Atlantic Fleet | Unique Atlantic lead reflects concentration of submarine construction and maintenance capabilities along Atlantic seaboard |
| Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) | Expeditionary Forces | Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) | Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Pacific (NECC PAC) | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Manages 21,000 expeditionary forces including Maritime Expeditionary Security Forces, Seabees, EOD, and Coastal Riverine Forces |
| Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) | Information Warfare | Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) | (Single command) | Suffolk, Virginia | Established October 2014 - Navy's newest warfare community covering cyber warfare, intelligence, cryptology, meteorology, oceanography, electronic warfare, and space operations |
This TYCOM structure ensures that each warfare community maintains consistent standards, training, and readiness across both coasts while providing specialized expertise to fleet commanders worldwide.
Shore Establishment
[edit]Systems Commands
[edit]| Command | Location | Personnel/Budget | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) | Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. | 80,200 personnel $30 billion budget (25% of Navy total) |
Largest SYSCOM managing naval systems |
| Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) | NAS Patuxent River, Maryland | 10,000+ employees globally $35 billion budget (estimated) |
|
| Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) | San Diego, California | 11,000+ professionals worldwide $3.1 billion economic impact |
C4ISR, business IT, and space systems; Evolved from SPAWAR (2019)[14] |
| Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) | Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. | 1,300+ at headquarters Billions in annual construction |
Engineering and facilities |
| Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | 25,000+ personnel globally $33+ billion inventory management |
Supply chain logistics |
Shore Commands
[edit]| Command | Location | Personnel/Capacity | Primary Function | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) | Millington, Tennessee | Serves 7,500+ personnel 30+ tenant commands |
Human resources department | Administrative leadership and policy planning[15] |
| Navy Personnel Command (NAVPERSCOM) | Millington, Tennessee | Career development and assignments | Known publicly as MyNavy HR | |
| Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) | Falls Church, Virginia | 41,930 medical personnel 1+ million beneficiaries |
Healthcare for Navy and Marine Corps | One of original five Navy bureaus (1842) |
| Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) | Washington Navy Yard | Sea-based strategic deterrent | Trident II D5 and Conventional Prompt Strike | |
| United States Naval Academy (USNA) | Annapolis, Maryland | 4,465 midshipmen 338-acre campus |
Officer education | Established 1845, Bachelor of Science degrees |
| Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) | NAS Pensacola, Florida | 24,000+ personnel 1,640+ activities |
Training and education | Navy's largest shore command, "street-to-fleet" pipeline |
| Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC) | Stennis Space Center, Mississippi | 2,500 personnel | Environmental information | Ocean depths to space, supports ASW and navigation |
| Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) | Suitland, Maryland | 3,000+ military and civilian personnel | Intelligence operations | Strategic and tactical intelligence support[16] |
| Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC) | NAS Fallon, Nevada | Advanced tactical air warfare training | Formerly Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center | |
| Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) | Fort George G. Meade, Maryland | 16,000+ Active and Reserve personnel | Information warfare and cybersecurity | Works with Fleet Cyber Command[17] |
| Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC) | Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. | 900+ professionals 8 regional offices |
Legal services | Military justice, legal assistance, compliance[18] |
| United States Naval Observatory (USNO) | Washington, D.C. | Official timekeeper | Also Vice President's official residence | |
| Naval Safety Center (NAVSAFECOM) | Norfolk, Virginia | Safety promotion | Formerly Naval Safety Command | |
| Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) | Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. | 53,000+ personnel 11 regions, 70 installations |
Shore integration | Base operations and quality of life services[19] |
| Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) | Norfolk, Virginia | Multiple technical divisions | Independent operational testing | Tests new systems before fleet service[20] |
Personnel and Budget Structure
[edit]Current Force Structure
[edit]The Navy maintains a fiscal year 2025 active-duty end strength target of 332,300 sailors, reduced from previous requests of 347,000, reflecting recruiting challenges and budget constraints.[21] The Department of Navy's FY2025 budget request totals $257.6 billion, representing a modest increase from FY2024.
Shipbuilding and Modernization
[edit]The Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan calls for 381 battle force ships plus 134 unmanned vehicles by the 2050s, growing from the current 295 manned vessels.[22][23] This expansion requires approximately $40.1 billion annually with significant investment in submarine industrial base expansion.
Relationships with Other Service Branches
[edit]United States Marine Corps
[edit]The United States Marine Corps operates as a separate service within the Department of the Navy, maintaining its own command structure while working closely with Navy forces in amphibious operations and sharing certain support services.
United States Coast Guard
[edit]The Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime but transfers to Navy control during wartime, providing law enforcement capabilities that the Navy cannot perform due to Posse Comitatus restrictions.
References
[edit]- ^ "FY 2025 Budget: Navy to Plans Shrink Sailor End Strength". USNI News. March 11, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ "Department of the Navy Organization". U.S. Navy. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ navy.mil Archived 22 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Chief of Naval Operations − Responsibilities. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
- ^ "10 U.S. Code § 5033 - Chief of Naval Operations: general duties". Legal Information Institute. Cornell University Law School. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
- ^ "U.S. National Defense Command Structure - Organizational Charts" (PDF). U.S. Naval Institute. 2015.
- ^ "OPNAVINST 1000.16L CH-3: Navy Total Force Manpower Policies and Procedures" (PDF). Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "New Warfighter Development Directorate (OPNAV N7) Meant to Align Learning Efforts With Strategy". USNI News. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "United States Second Fleet". Wikipedia. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ "Commander, U.S. Third Fleet Announces Sea and Shore Sailor of the Year Winners". DVIDS. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ "Vice Adm. Brad Cooper Nominated to Lead U.S. Central Command". USNI News. June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ "United States Sixth Fleet". Wikipedia. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ "U.S. 7th Fleet Hosts Allied and Partner Nations for a Fleet Commanders Round Table". GlobalSecurity.org. June 9, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ "Integration of Effects is Key for the 10th Fleet". AFCEA International. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ "Report: NAVWAR produces $3.1 billion economic impact on San Diego region". KPBS. 2024-01-30. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ "Department of the Navy". U.S. Government Manual. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ "About ONI". Office of Naval Intelligence. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ "Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic". U.S. Navy. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ "Naval Legal Service Command Commemorates 50th Birthday". U.S. Navy. 2023-12-06. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ "About CNIC". Commander, Navy Installations Command. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ "OPTEVFOR History". U.S. Navy. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ "FY 2025 Budget: Navy to Plans Shrink Sailor End Strength". USNI News. March 11, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ "Navy Plan to Buy 85 New Ships Will Cost $1 Trillion, CBO Says". USNI News. January 7, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ "An Analysis of the Navy's 2025 Shipbuilding Plan". Congressional Budget Office. January 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
