Legal Definitions - Department of the Navy

The Department of the Navy is a division of the Department of Defense that is responsible for overseeing the operations and efficiency of the Navy, including the Marine Corps component and the U.S. Coast Guard when operating as a naval service. It was established in 1798 and is headed by the Secretary of the Navy, who is appointed by the President and reports to the Secretary of Defense.

For example, if a Navy ship needs repairs or maintenance, the Department of the Navy would be responsible for ensuring that the necessary resources and personnel are available to complete the work. Similarly, if the Marine Corps needs to deploy troops to a certain location, the Department of the Navy would coordinate the logistics of the operation.