(4) delegation of authority. We’ll discuss each of themin the following paragraphs:1. Unity of command requires the followingpractices: (1) a person reports directly to, and receivesorders from, one superior; (2) one person must havecontrol over one segment of the organization, and healone must issue all orders to, and receive all reportsfrom, that segment; and (3) all personnel in theengineering department must know whom they directand to whom they report.To accomplish unity of command within thedepartment, the chain of command has to be definite,clear-cut, understood, and obeyed by all. When thechain of command is ignored, either from the top downor from the bottom up, the result is confusion andconflict.Departments are organized into divisions, wherepractical. Those divisions are assigned battle stations asunits under their own officers and petty officers.OPNAVINST 3120.32B lists the standard letter andnumeral designation of divisions of all types of ships.When it is necessary to establish a division not listed orwhen functions of two or more divisions are combinedas a single division, the TYCOM assigns a suitableletter or numeral that conforms as nearly as possible todesignations already assigned. We’ll discussengineering department divisions later in this chapter.The engineer officer must make every effort toindoctrinate his division officers so they are madeaware of the importance of maintaining the chain ofcommand.2. Homogeneity of assignment requires thefollowing practices: (1) each division in the departmentis assigned closely related tasks, (2) each unit under adivision is assigned specific functions to perform, (3)individuals are assigned to divisions according to theirabilities, and (4) individuals are not assigned to directunrelated groups unless it is unavoidable.3. Span of control requires the following practices:(1) the type of work to be done and the degree ofcomplexity and responsibility involved, (2) the numberof personnel supervised by one person, (3) the areainvolved in the supervision, (4) the time available, and(5) the way in which the supervisor should use the time.4. Delegation of authority should becommensurate with assigned responsibility to thelowest level of competence within the department.Delegation does not relieve an officer of responsibilityand accountability for the actions of the person to whomhe delegates authority.The TYCOM (or higher authority) establishes therequirements for organization. He issues organizationcharts and functional guides that encourage the use ofthe best techniques known for the operation of theengineering department and the administration ofassigned personnel. The process of organization hastwo aspects–the mechanical, which deals withorganization structure; and the dynamic, which dealswith the integration of the human factors into theorganization structure. While higher authority isresponsible for the mechanics of the organization, theengineer officer is responsible for effectiveadministration.THE ENGINEER OFFICERThe engineer officer is the head of the engineeringdepartment and is responsible to the CO in all matterspertaining to his department. All personnel in theengineering department are subordinate to the engineerofficer. In addition to the general duties that apply to allheads of departments in naval ships, the engineer officerhas certain duties peculiar to the head of the engineeringdepartment. The general and specific duties,responsibilities, and authority of the engineer officerand his assistants are prescribed in OPNAVINST3120.32B and discussed briefly in the following pages.General DutiesThe engineer officer will normally report to andconfer with the XO for the administration of theengineering department. However, he may conferdirectly with the CO in any matter relating to theengineering department whenever he believes suchaction is necessary. But, he must keep the XO informedof such matters.The engineer officer must keep the CO informed ofthe operational readiness and actual operation of themain propulsion and electrical plants and of the damagecontrol organization and systems. The CO mustapprove the disabling of any machinery or equipment inthe engineering department if such action will adverselyaffect the safety or operation of the ship. When suchdisablement will adversely affect the ship’s ability toaccomplish its mission, the TYCOM or fleetcommander (as appropriate) also must approve. Duringthe ship’s operating periods, the disablement of majoritems of machinery to perform routine maintenanceshould be kept to a minimum.1-6
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