Chain of Command

OBJECTIVE

Explain the chain of command as it relates to an effective and functioning cadet organization.

GENERAL

A. Recognition of the military chain of command is long established in the Navy. The chain extends from the president to the most junior seaman recruit. Each individual must understand that this system is not only mandated by regulations, but is also a form of naval courtesy. This means respecting and being prompt in orders from seniors, and being fair and compassionate toward juniors while still exacting obedience from them.

B. The Navy’s NJROTC program is organized like a pyramid, with one person on top and many people (cadet seaman recruits) on the bottom. For NJROTC purposes, from the highest to the lowest, it runs like this:

C. Other positions that fall under the NJROTC chain of command, some of which may not necessarily be in the following order, include the Senior Naval Science Instructor, Naval Science Instructor, Cadet Commanding Officer, Cadet Executive Officer, Cadet Operations Officer, Administrative Officer, Communications Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Supply Officer, Team Commanding Officers, Ordnance Officer, Company Chief Petty Officer, Platoon Commanders, Mustering Chief Petty Officer, Platoon Guidon Bearers, Squad Leaders, and Cadets.

D. You may start out at the bottom of the pyramid in your NJROTC unit, but your naval science instructors and senior cadets will spend a lot of time training you into the kind of person who can move up to positions of leadership. Remember that everyone in the NJROTC unit began at the bottom of the chain of command; your seniors were once seaman recruits also.

E. The uniform and the insignia worn by an NJROTC cadet shows at a glance his or her rate or rank and thus his or her level of authority in the unit. You must quickly learn to identify the officers, chiefs, and petty officers in the NJROTC unit chain of command.