What is the Marines' Senior Officer?

• A. Commandant of the Marine Corps
• B. Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
• C. Secretary of Defense
• D. Chief of Naval Operations

Answer: (A)

The Marines' Senior Officer is the Commandant of the Marine Corps—the top uniformed leader of the Marine Corps. This person commands Marine forces, setting policy, training, readiness, and modernization for the corps, and serves as a senior member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Commandant reports to the Secretary of the Navy and advises the President and the Secretary of Defense on matters affecting the Marine Corps. The other roles are functions for different levels: the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is the senior enlisted advisor to the Commandant, not the top officer; the Secretary of Defense is a civilian leader of the entire Department of Defense; and the Chief of Naval Operations is the senior officer of the Navy, not the Marines.