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For instance at the Corps level or above, what is an Executive Officer?

Of course I've heard of the "Executive Officer" who is the second command for instance, of a company or battalion or submarine.

But at the Corps level and above I also see the term "Executive Officer" used yet clearly that officer is not second in command (the CG is an O-9 and the XO is a O-5 for instance).

So what's the role of an XO at the higher level commands? Is it some kind of personal aide to the Commander? If so, then what's the difference between an XO and aide-de-camp?



Edited by - ViperTTB on Mar 18 2004 8:50 PM

[quote]
For instance at the Corps level or above, what is an Executive Officer?


So what's the role of an XO at the higher level commands? Is it some kind of personal aide to the Commander? If so, then what's the difference between an XO and aide-de-camp?[]

Give you my Naval shot. Flag ranks will normally have a Chief of Staff and he can call the shots. Chief of Staff, CNO, CJCS, all will have a Vice who would be the XO basically. All at that level are 4 Stars.

At the CINC level, all I recall is a Chief of Staff, and then his various commanders under him.

Hope this helps.

Jack

Thanks ez. That helps.

So the second person in charge at the higher levels is either a Vice Chief or Deputy Commander.

Then my guess is the "Executive Officer to the Commander" at higher levels of the military has a similar role to an "executive assistant to the CEO" in a business. Basically they have nothing to do with the chain of command, but they assist the commander in administration etc . I'm not sure if that is right, but it seems plausible.

It's a bit confusing since XOs at lower levels like the company and battalion are second-in-command. At the high levels I guess it is more of an administrative support position.


Edited by - ViperTTB on Mar 19 2004 2:27 PM

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It's a bit confusing since XOs at lower levels like the company and battalion are second-in-command. At the high levels I guess it is more of an administrative support position.



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Thought about this some. I think at the Corp level or somewhere, you will have the Deputy Commander. Damn if I know which level, but would assume we would assume command if the Commander was taken out for one reason or another.

Somewhere at the 2,3 or 4 Star level. If the Commander is taken down. The Deputy or Vice would assume command until the replacement is selected and in place.

The most notable on record I can recall. WW-2 at Okinawa, the senior Army Commander, probably some 3 star was KIAed. The next senior Commander ashore was a Marine and he assumed overall command. The Army set a record bringing in a replacement in 48 hours or less to assume overall command.

At the 3 Star level of command, there is some serious politics involved also.

At the CINC level. This goes back awhile in 77. CINCSOUTH Stan Turner was selected by Carter to be DCI. He only accepted the gig if he remained on active duty. The Navy then unretired a 4 Star for the CINCSOUTH gig. He was a former VCNO for the Navy. I will recall his name sooner or later. Since I flew the Admiral in the Med for 18 months. Former bubblehead too.

Fun was watching 3 and 4 Star level staffs duke it out. ROFL, 4 Stars are rulers of the Universe. I stayed well back.

Having seen a few Squadron COs and actually XO's too. Normally if the CO is removed, the XO will step in for command. If they remove an XO, they bring in another XO.

Short version. At the Flag rank of command levels,if he goes down for whatever reason, they will move another Flag rank ASAP in for command.

Jack