Which position is subordinate to the Chief of Naval Operations in the Navy hierarchy?

The position that is subordinate to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) in the Navy hierarchy is a Navy Captain. The CNO is the highest-ranking officer in the Navy and serves as the principal advisor to the President and Secretary of the Navy on naval operations and strategy. Below the CNO, the naval hierarchy includes various ranks and positions, with Navy Captains being considered senior officers but still falling under the authority of the CNO.

Navy Captains typically command naval vessels or can serve in significant staff positions within larger naval commands, indicating they operate below the level of operational and strategic oversight that the CNO maintains. This situation illustrates the ranked and organizational structure of the Navy, where ranks are crucial in establishing lines of authority and responsibility.

In contrast, while the positions of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Fleet Admiral, and Rear Admiral are significant, they do not fit the criteria of being subordinate to the CNO within the Navy's specific hierarchy. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs serves as the highest-ranking military officer but operates at a joint service level overseeing multiple branches of the military. Fleet Admirals, though historically a higher rank, are rare and have not been filled since World War II. Rear Admirals, while also senior