Ace the USNSCC PO2 Exam 2025 – Set Sail for Success!

The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is not the second most senior officer in the Navy; rather, this position is the highest-ranking officer in the Navy, reporting directly to the Secretary of the Navy. The organizational structure of the Navy designates the CNO as the principal naval advisor to the President and the Secretary of Defense, overseeing naval operations, personnel, and readiness.

The hierarchy of command in the Navy places the CNO above other officers in terms of rank and responsibility, disproving the notion presented in the question. The officer who typically holds the title of the second most senior officer in the Navy is the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, who assists the CNO and takes on additional duties as assigned.

By clarifying this hierarchy, it is evident why the assertion is false. The organizational roles within the Navy reflect a structured chain of command, acknowledging the CNO as the top officer, thereby making the understanding of rank positions critical for naval operations and leadership.