Administrative Department
The Executive Officer is responsible for the administration of the ship’s personnel and official business. All departments report to the Executive Officer. The Executive Officer is the principal assistant to the Commanding Officer and, as such, must be very familiar with the operation of all the departments on the ship. He is the coordinator of all ship activities.
Engineering Department
The Engineer Officer is charged with the responsibility for all propulsion equipment, major piping associated with the hull, and damage control. The Main Propulsion and Damage Control Assistants, Electrical and Reactor Control division Officers report to the Engineer.
Navigation/Operations Department
The Navigator is responsible to the Commanding Officer for accurate ship’s position and advice on course to steer. Also under his cognizance is the extremely complex ship’s navigation equipment including the Ship’s Inertial Navigation System (SINS). As Operations Officer, the navigator is responsible for the ship’s communications equipment and has as his assistant the Communications Officer.
Weapons Department
The Weapons Officer is responsible to the Commanding Officer for the operations and maintenance of al weapons systems: Fire Control System, Missile Launcher System, missiles and torpedoes. Additional responsibilities include the preservation of the exterior of the ship and operations and maintenance of the ship’s mooring and anchoring equipment. His Division Officers are the Assistant Weapons Officer, the First Lieutenant and the Sonar Officer.
Supply Department
The Supply Officer is responsible for the procurement and stowage of all equipage and repair parts as well as for the preparation and service of food.
Medical Department
The Medical Department Representative is responsible to the Commanding Officer for the health and welfare of the crew. He advises the Captain and Engineer on radiological health and hazards. He is an independent duty qualified corpsman which allows him to be as the only medical person onboard during extended patrol periods where his advice to the Commanding Officer on medical problems can have a significant impact on the continuity of patrol.
