The CNO, Chief of Naval Operations, is the highest ranking officer in the Navy. He is an O9, or full Admiral, this is required by regulation.

The CNO is the principal naval adviser to the President, the Secretary of Defense and to the Secretary of the Navy on the conduct of war. The Chief of Naval Operations is nominated by the President for appointment and must be confirmed via majority vote by the Senate. A requirement for being Chief of Naval Operations is having significant experience in joint duty assignments, which includes at least one full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment as a flag officer, however the President may waive those requirements if the President determines the officer is necessary for national interest.

Under the authority of the Secretary of the Navy, the CNO also designates naval personnel and naval resources to the commanders of Unified Combatant Commands. The CNO also performs all other functions prescribed under 10 U.S.C. § 5033 and those assigned by the secretary or delegates those duties and responsibilities to other officers in his administration under his name. Like the other joint chiefs, the CNO is an administrative position and has no operational command authority over United States naval forces.

Some notable former CNO’s include, FADM Chester W. Nimitz, FADM Ernest J. King, ADM Arleigh A. Burke, ADM William M. Fechteler, and ADM Forrest P. Sherman. The current CNO is ADM Gary Roughead.