Chief of the Boat
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| Chief of the Boat | |
|---|---|
| Title | Chief of the Boat |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | United States Navy |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Senior enlisted advisor |
| Role | Senior enlisted sailor aboard submarines |
Chief of the Boat The Chief of the Boat (COB) is the senior enlisted advisor on United States Navy submarines responsible for enlisted morale, discipline, and welfare. Serving as the principal conduit between the commanding officer and enlisted crew, the COB operates within a framework shaped by historic naval practice, United States Department of Defense policy, and traditions found across United States Naval Academy alumni, Naval War College doctrine, and fleet leadership. The position interacts regularly with leaders and institutions such as Chief Petty Officer communities, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, and fleet commands like Submarine Force Atlantic and Submarine Force Pacific.
Role and Responsibilities
A COB serves as the senior enlisted sailor aboard a nuclear or non-nuclear submarine, advising the commanding officer on enlisted matters and representing the crew to higher echelons such as Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. The COB liaises with entities including the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Personnel Command, Naval Reactors leadership, and shore establishments like Naval Submarine School and Naval Undersea Warfare Center. In matters of discipline, morale, training, and retention, the COB coordinates with rating communities such as Machinist's Mate, Electronics Technician, Sonar Technician, Hull Technician, and Fire Controlman leadership, while engaging with personnel programs like Navy Advancement Center and Navy Talent Management initiatives.
History and Origin
The COB role emerged from enlisted leadership traditions in navies like the Royal Navy and evolved through U.S. submarine history beginning with early boats like USS Holland (SS-1), USS Nautilus (SSN-571), and wartime boats such as USS Tang (SS-306), USS Wahoo (SS-238), and USS Seawolf (SS-197). Influenced by leaders from eras encompassing the Spanish–American War, World War I, World War II, Cold War, and conflicts such as the Korean War and Vietnam War, the position codified practices during postgraduate institutional development at Naval War College and under directives issued by the Secretary of the Navy. Organizational precedents include senior enlisted billets aboard aircraft carriers and amphibious ships, as reflected in evolution at commands like United States Fleet Forces Command and Commander, Naval Submarine Forces.
Appointment and Qualifications
COBs are typically senior enlisted personnel drawn from Chief Petty Officer ranks, especially Senior Chief Petty Officer and Master Chief Petty Officer, with warfare qualifications such as Submarine Warfare Insignia and endorsements from submarine squadron commanders like Submarine Squadron 11 or Submarine Squadron 6. Selection considers operational pedigree from platforms including Los Angeles-class submarine, Ohio-class submarine, Seawolf-class submarine, Virginia-class submarine, and historical classes such as Gato-class submarine and Balao-class submarine. Candidates often have completed professional development at schools like Naval Leadership and Ethics Center and completed evaluations by boards associated with Navy Personnel Command and fleet commanders including Commander, Naval Submarine Forces.
Duties and Authority
The COB enforces standards consistent with regulations promulgated by the Chief of Naval Operations and directives from the Secretary of the Navy. Duties include oversight of enlisted training, watch standing, damage control preparedness, and habitability concerns aboard platforms including ballistic missile submarines like USS Ohio (SSBN-726) and guided-missile submarines. The COB exercises non-judicial leadership authority in coordination with legal resources from Judge Advocate General's Corps and administrative pathways such as Navy Personnel Command separations, while collaborating with medical and welfare providers like Naval Hospital facilities and morale programs from Navy Exchange Service Command.
Relationship with Command Structure
Operating directly beneath the commanding officer and next to executive officers, the COB forms a triad of leadership comparable to senior enlisted relationships found on aircraft carriers and destroyers. The billet interfaces with chain-of-command nodes such as Carrier Strike Group staffs, Submarine Group 10, and shore commands like Naval Reactors and Naval Sea Systems Command. The COB advises commanders on enlisted retention, readiness metrics tracked by systems like Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System, and fleet-level exercises such as RIMPAC, Northern Edge, and Composite Unit Training Exercise.
Training and Career Path
A typical COB career includes progression through technical ratings and advancement via programs like Chief Petty Officer School, qualification in submarine-specific pipelines offered at Naval Submarine School, and mentoring under senior enlisted leaders such as Force Master Chief Petty Officer. Career milestones often involve deployments with strike groups, joint exercises under United States Pacific Fleet or United States Fleet Forces Command, participation in acquisition or testing at Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and professional military education at institutions including Naval War College and United States Naval Academy adjunct programs.
Notable Chiefs of the Boat
Prominent COBs have served aboard influential submarines and under celebrated commanders from eras connected to figures like Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Admiral William H. McRaven, and Admiral Arleigh Burke. Notable boats and operations associated with distinguished COBs include USS Nautilus (SSN-571), USS Pennsylvania (SSBN-735), Operation Ivy Bells, and patrols during the Cold War and Operation Iraqi Freedom. COBs have been recognized alongside awards and institutions such as the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, and ceremonies at venues like National Museum of the United States Navy.