The Chief Master-at-Arms reports directly to which officer?

• A. Executive Officer
• B. Commanding Officer
• C. Chief of Naval Operations
• D. Master Chief Petty Officer

Answer: (A)

The question is about who oversees the ship’s security and discipline duties in the Navy’s chain of command. The Chief Master-at-Arms is responsible for those security and discipline functions aboard the ship, and this role is integrated with the ship’s daily operations through the Executive Officer. The Executive Officer handles day-to-day administration, scheduling, and enforcement of policies, so it makes sense for the Chief Master-at-Arms to report to the XO to ensure security work aligns with the ship’s operations. The Commanding Officer is ultimately in charge, but the CMAA’s direct supervisor is the Executive Officer to keep security matters coordinated with routines and procedures. The Chief of Naval Operations sits at the highest level in the Navy, far above shipboard personnel, and the Master Chief Petty Officer is the senior enlisted advisor to the Commanding Officer, not the direct supervisor of the CMAA.