Which command is at the top of the NJROTC chain of command?

The correct answer is the Secretary of the Navy. This position is the highest authority within the Department of the Navy and oversees all naval operations, policies, and programs, including NJROTC programs. The Secretary of the Navy has ultimate responsibility for the direction of the Navy and, by extension, the NJROTC programs, ensuring they align with the overall objectives of the naval service.

While the Naval Service Training Command is responsible for the overall management and operation of the NJROTC and other training programs, it operates under the guidance and supervision of the Secretary of the Navy. Area managers play a role in overseeing specific regions or units but report to the Naval Service Training Command. Instructors are vital to the training and education of cadets but are the most localized aspect of command, working directly with students under the framework established by higher authorities. Understanding this hierarchy helps clarify how the NJROTC aligns with the broader organizational structure of the Navy.