1. (a) There are Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, detailed by the Secretary of the Navy from officers on the active-duty list of the Navy serving in grades above captain. The Secretary of the Navy shall prescribe the number of Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations under this section and Assistant Chiefs of Naval Operations under section 5037 of this title, for a total of not more than eight positions.
2. (b) The Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations are charged, under the direction of the Chief of Naval Operations, with the execution of the functions of their respective divisions. Orders issued by the Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations in performing the duties assigned them are considered as coming from the Chief of Naval Operations.

(Added Pub. L. 99–433, title V, § 512(b), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1051; amended Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title V, § 502(a), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1875; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title IX, § 902(b)(1), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 273.)

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 5086 of this title prior to enactment of Pub. L. 99–433.

A prior section 5036, acts Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 280; Nov. 2, 1966, Pub. L. 89–718, § 32, 80 Stat. 1119; Jan. 2, 1968, Pub. L. 90–235, § 4(a)(8), 81 Stat. 759; Dec. 12, 1980, Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 513(4), 94 Stat. 2931, related to succession to duties of Secretary of the Navy, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–433, § 511(e). See section 5017 of this title.

Amendments

2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–181 substituted “There are Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations,” for “There are in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations not more than five Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations,” and inserted at end “The Secretary of the Navy shall prescribe the number of Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations under this section and Assistant Chiefs of Naval Operations under section 5037 of this title, for a total of not more than eight positions.”

2004—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–375 struck out “in the line” after “active-duty list”.