Vice Chief of Naval Operations: appointment; powers; duties

§ 5085. Vice Chief of Naval Operations: appointment; powers; duties (a) There is a Vice Chief of Naval Operations, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from officers on the active list in the line of the Navy serving in grades above captain and eligible to command at sea. (b) The Vice Chief of Naval Operations shall exercise such executive authority with respect to the Department of the Navy as the Chief of Naval Operations, with the approval of the Secretary of the Navy, delegates to him. Orders issued by the Vice Chief of Naval Operations in performing the duties assigned him are considered as coming from the Chief of Naval Operations. (c) When there is a vacancy in the office of Chief of Naval Operations, or during the absence or disability of the Chief of Naval Operations, the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, unless otherwise directed by the President, shall perform the duties of the Chief until a successor is appointed or the absence or disability ceases. (d) The President may designate the Vice Chief of Naval Operations as an officer who performs special or unusual duty or duty of great importance and responsibility under section 5231 of this title.