Who oversees the safety, security, and reliability of Department of Navy nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons systems?

The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Navy's activities, which include the safety, security, and reliability of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons systems within the Department of the Navy. This position ensures that all nuclear operations adhere to established protocols and standards, thereby playing a critical role in maintaining the integrity of nuclear deterrence and defense policies.

The CNO's authority encompasses not only operational readiness but also strategic oversight, ensuring that the Navy's nuclear capabilities are modernized, protected, and effectively integrated within broader defense strategies. This oversight includes coordination with various other entities within the Department of Defense, ensuring robust protocols are in place to mitigate risks associated with nuclear armaments.

In contrast, the Secretary of the Navy, while having significant oversight responsibilities, focuses more broadly on the overall policies and management of naval operations rather than the specific day-to-day management of nuclear systems. Other positions listed, such as the Commander of Naval Air Forces Pacific and the Commandant of the Marine Corps, handle more specialized domains within the military structure and do not have the overarching responsibility for nuclear weapons as designated to the CNO. This delineation of responsibilities emphasizes the critical role that the CNO plays in nuclear program management and oversight within the