The Naval Construction Force (NCF) consists of commissioned units of the Navy operating forces that are under the control of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), as shown in figures 1-2 and 1-3. The CNO commissions naval construction force units, assigns them to the fleet, and approves their deployment. He also defines the general mission, approves personnel allowance lists, establishes detachment sites, and approves the NMCB table of allowance (TOA), except for small arms, weapons, and landing party equipment allowances, which are approved by the Chief of Naval Material.

Figure 1-3.-Chain of command for PACFLT NCF units.

The Commanders in Chief of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets are charged with ensuring that NMCB deployments and assigned projects follow CNO policies. They exercise command or operational and administrative control of the units of the NCF assigned to their command. Command or operational control is the authority to assign tasks, to designate objectives, to give any specific directions necessary to accomplish the mission, and by a specified date, when required. Command control and operational control go together; if you have one, you automatically have the other.

Under the Commanders in Chief of the Fleets, various Type Commanders command all the ships or units of a certain type; for example, all surface units of the Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFPAC); the commander of the submarine forces in the Atlantic Fleet is COMSUBLANT.

Commander, Second Naval Construction Brigade (Norfolk) and Commander, Third Naval Construction Brigade (Pearl Harbor) have been established as representatives of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, respectively, to exercise command and administrative control over assigned NMCBs. Much of this control is exercised through the home port Naval Construction Regiment (NCR). The home port NCR performs the routine functions related to coordination of administration, training, project selection, and logistic support for assigned units. Logistic support by the home port NCR consists of planning and carrying out the movement of personnel and equipment, and furnishing of services, supplies, and materials. When a battalion is deployed overseas, it is under the command and control of a separate NCF commander. Operational command of the NMCB is exercised, in all cases, through a designated NCF commander.

The Chief of Naval Operations may establish Naval Construction Regiments (NCRs) and Brigades (NCBs) to meet certain command requirements in particular geographic areas or situations. Operational regiments consist of two or more NMCBs under one commander; a brigade is made up of two or more regiments under one commander. The mission of the operational brigades and regiments is different from the mission of the home port regiments. Operational regiments and brigades are primary planning groups and exist as subdivisions of the military command, exercising the administrative and operational control to meet specific operational requirements. The home port regiments have broad administrative and logistic duties that are discussed in this chapter.