§8035 Vice Chief of Naval Operations

Summary

Creates a Vice Chief of Naval Operations who the President appoints with Senate approval from active-duty Navy officers above the rank of captain who are eligible to command at sea. While serving, the Vice Chief holds the rank of admiral but keeps his permanent rank. The Vice Chief gets duties and authority the Chief of Naval Operations gives or sets with the Secretary of the Navy’s approval, and his orders have the same force as the Chief’s. If the Chief of Naval Operations job is vacant or the Chief is absent or disabled, the Vice Chief must carry out the Chief’s duties until a successor is named or the absence ends. If the Vice Chief job is vacant or the Vice Chief is absent or disabled, the most senior available Navy officer in the Chief’s office must act as the Chief unless the President says otherwise, and serves until a successor is appointed or the absence ends.