The chief of the boat (COB) is an

enlisted Enlisted may refer to: * Enlisted rank An enlisted rank (also known as an enlisted grade or enlisted rate) is, in some armed services, any rank below that of a commissioned officer. The term can be inclusive of non-commissioned officers or ...

sailor on board a

U.S. Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage o ...

submarine A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely op ...

who serves as the senior enlisted advisor to both the

Commanding Officer The commanding officer (CO) or sometimes, if the incumbent is a general officer, commanding general (CG), is the officer in command of a military unit. The commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitu ...

(CO) and

Executive Officer An executive officer is a person who is principally responsible for leading all or part of an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization. In many militaries and police forces, an executive officer, o ...

(XO).

Overview

The COB assists with matters regarding the good order and discipline of the crew and is the equivalent of a Command Master Chief (CMDCM) or Command Senior Chief (CMDCS) in shore and surface commands. The COB is typically the most senior enlisted person. However, the commanding officer is neither required to select the most senior in grade or in time aboard, nor is he or she required to select the highest-ranking sailor. Likewise, the COB is not necessarily replaced when a more senior rate sailor reports aboard. The selection process for a COB starts with the commanding officer's recommendation, which goes to the Naval Military Personnel Command via the squadron commander. Nominees are interviewed by other COBs. A COB also requires graduation from Senior Enlisted Academy. When a new enlisted sailor joins a boat's crew, the COB is usually one of the first people the new sailor will meet. Although the role of COB is outside the direct

chain of command A command hierarchy is a group of people who carry out orders based on others' authority within the group. It can be viewed as part of a power structure, in which it is usually seen as the most vulnerable and also the most powerful part. Milit ...

, the COB has tremendous responsibility.

Sources

*Navy Enlisted Manpower and Personnel Classifications and Occupational Standards Manual, Volume II, NAVPERS 18068F, which is the official manual for Navy Enlisted Classifications (NECs). *The Bluejackets Manual, current edition, United States Naval Institute, Annapolis, Maryland * {{US-navy-stub

Overview

See also

Sources