The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) is the second highest-ranking commissioned
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...
officer and functions as the principal deputy of the
chief of naval operations
The chief of naval operations (CNO) is the highest-ranking officer of the United States Navy. The position is a statutory office () held by an Admiral (United States), admiral who is a military adviser and deputy to the United States Secretary ...
. By statute, the vice chief is appointed as a four-star
admiral
Admiral is one of the highest ranks in many navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general in the army or the air force. Admiral is ranked above vice admiral and below admiral of ...
.
Role
The senior leadership of the
U.S. Department of the Navy consists of two civilians, the
secretary of the Navy
The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) is a statutory officer () and the head (chief executive officer) of the Department of the Navy, a military department within the United States Department of Defense. On March 25, 2025, John Phelan was confirm ...
(SECNAV) and the
under secretary of the Navy (USECNAV), as well as the four senior commissioned officers on the two military service staffs:
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) and
Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC).
The vice chief is the principal deputy of the chief of Naval operations (CNO). The vice chief may also perform other delegated duties that either the secretary of the Navy or the CNO assigns to him or her. If the CNO is absent or is unable to perform their duties, then the vice chief assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. Within the
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, while there are several Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations (DCNOs) of either three or two star rank, there is only one VCNO.
The vice chief is appointed by the
president of the United States
The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal government of t ...
, and must be confirmed via majority vote by the
Senate
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
. While there is not a fixed term nor a term limit in the statute; the historical precedent is that a vice chief of naval operations serves for a tenure of two to three years.
Historical background
The equivalent of the current VCNO position was called Assistant for Operations in 1915, and Assistant Chief of Naval Operations in 1922. In 1942 the title became Vice Chief of Naval Operations.
List of vice chiefs of naval operations
See also
*
Under Secretary of the Navy
*
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
The master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON ) is a unique Non-commissioned officer, non-commissioned rank and position of office of the United States Navy, which is designated as a special U.S. uniformed services pay grades, paygrade a ...
*
Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (U.S. Army counterpart)
*
Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps (U.S. Marine Corps counterpart)
*
Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force (U.S. Air Force counterpart)
*
Vice Chief of Space Operations (U.S. Space Force counterpart)
*
Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard (U.S. Coast Guard counterpart)
References
External links
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vice Chief of Naval Operations
*V
Vice chiefs of staff
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations