What is the role of the Secretary of the Navy?

The role of the Secretary of the Navy is as a civilian leader of the Department of the Navy. This position is crucial because the Secretary oversees the Navy as a military force and its various branches, including the Marine Corps. As a civilian leader, the Secretary is responsible for ensuring that the Navy is operationally ready, adequately funded, and that it aligns with national defense policies and strategies.

The Secretary of the Navy serves under the Secretary of Defense, providing advice on naval matters, developing naval policies, and managing resources. Unlike military strategists who may focus on military operations and tactics, the Secretary's role encompasses a broader administrative and strategic oversight, ensuring that the Navy can fulfill its missions effectively while adhering to the civilian oversight of military operations mandated by the Constitution.

In contrast, positions like the heads of naval operations or the Secretary of Defense have different specific mandates that focus on operational and broader defense strategies, respectively, rather than the civilian leadership and administration at the Department of the Navy level.