chief of the boat

{{short description|Enlisted sailor on board a U.S. Navy Submarine}}

The chief of the boat (COB) is an enlisted sailor onboard a United States Navy submarine who serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the commanding officer.

Overview

The chief of the boat holds the rank of senior chief petty officer (E-8) or master chief petty officer (E-9),{{cite web |title=Command Senior Enlisted Leader |url=https://www.cool.osd.mil/usn/LaDR/csel.pdf |publisher=United States Navy |date=April 2025 |page=11 |access-date=2025-06-02}} and is the equivalent of a command master chief petty officer (CMDCM) or command senior chief petty officer (CMDCS) in shore and surface commands. The COB assists with matters regarding the good order and discipline of the crew, working closely with the ship's officers,{{cite book |last=Culter |first=Thomas J. |date=2009 |title=The Bluejacket's Manual |edition=24 |url=https://archive.org/details/bluejacketsmanua0000cutl/page/192/mode/2up/ |location=Annapolis, Maryland |publisher=Naval Institute Press |pages=77; 193–194 |isbn=978-159114-153-2 |access-date=2025-06-02}} as well as being the primary advocate for enlisted personnel.{{cite book |last1=Stavridis |first1=James |last2=Mack |first2=James P. |date=1999 |title=Command at Sea |edition=5 |url=https://archive.org/details/commandatsea0000stav/page/74/mode/2up/ |location=Annapolis, Maryland |publisher=Naval Institute Press |pages=74; 111 |isbn=1-55750-841-0 |access-date=2025-06-02}}

Among the COB's most important duties is serving as qualification officer for the submarine qualification program, monitoring the conduct and performance of all onboard enlisted personnel. Other duties include assigning bunks, assigning cleaning and mess details, and aiding the executive officer in maintaining the Watch, Quarter, and Station bill. The COB is also responsible for the ship's cleanliness and proper stowage of safety equipment, as well as monitoring leave and liberty.

chief of the boat

Overview

See also