Secretary supervises those offices and organiza- tions  the  SECNAV  assigns. Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Shipbuilding and Logistics) As  an  acquisition  executive,  the  Assistant Secretary  of  the  Navy  (Shipbuilding  and  Logistics) procures aircraft and naval ships. This executive manages all stages of acquisition of naval ships in  the  5-year  shipbuilding  program,  including design   and   weapons   system   integration.   The Assistant   Secretary’s   responsibility   includes business  and  contractual  policy  and  logistic support  of  all  Department  of  the  Navy  acquisition programs.  It  includes  the  maintenance,  alteration, supply,  distribution,  and  disposal  of  material; the  Mutual  Defense  Assistance  Program;  all transportation  matters;  printing  and  publications; and  industrial  security.  It  also  includes  labor relations  of  contractors  with  the  Department  of the Navy. The Assistant Secretary supervises the acquisition, construction,   use,   improvement, alteration.,  maintenance,  and  disposal  of  DON real  estate  and  facilities.  The  Secretary  supervises those   offices   and   organizations   the   SECNAV assigns. Office of the General Counsel of the Navy The Office of the General Counsel of the Navy provides  legal  advice,  counsel,  and  guidance to   SECNAV,   SECNAV's   civilian   executive assistants, and their staffs. These legal services concern matters of business and commercial law. This office manages the Department of the Navy and performs such other duties as the SECNAV assigns. Chief of Naval Operations The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is the senior  military  officer  of  the  Department  of  the Navy. The CNO takes precedence over all other naval  officers,  except  a  naval  officer  serving  as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The CNO is the principal naval advisor to the President and the  SECNAV  on  the  conduct  of  DON  activities. The CNO keeps the Secretary of the Navy fully informed  on  matters  the  JCS  considers  or  acts upon. The CNO is the Navy member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As such, the CNO is responsible to  the  President  and  the  SECDEF  for  duties external  to  DON  as  prescribed  by  law. The  Chief  of  Naval  Operations,  under  the direction of the Secretary of the Navy, exercises command over the operating forces of the Navy. (The  CNO’s  authority  is  consistent  with  the operational command vested in the commanders of  unified  or  specified  combatant  commands.) These   forces   include   the   Military   Sealift Command,   the   Fleet   Marine   Forces,   and   the several  fleets,  seagoing  forces,  and  other  forces and  activities  assigned  by  the  President  or  the SECNAV. The CNO also exercises command over the  Bureau  of  Naval  Personnel  and  other  shore activities assigned by the SECNAV. In addition, the Chief of Naval Operations has the following specific  responsibilities: To  organize,  train,  equip,  prepare,  and maintain the readiness of Navy operational forces To  determine  and  direct  the  efforts  needed to fulfill current and future Navy require- ments  for  manpower,  material,  weapons, facilities, and services To  exercise  leadership  in  maintaining  a high  degree  of  competence  among  Navy officers  and  enlisted  and  civilian  personnel To maintain the morale and motivation of Navy personnel and the prestige of a Navy career To   plan   and   provide   health   care   for personnel  of  the  naval  service  and  their dependents To  direct  the  organization,  administration, training,  and  support  of  the  Naval  Reserve To  monitor  the  Department  of  the  Navy to  determine  and  maintain  efficiency, discipline, and readiness To determine the need for and to provide for the conduct of research, development, test, and evaluation that meet long-range goals, immediate requirements, and fiscal limitations To devise Navy strategic plans and policies and  help  devise  joint  and  combined strategic plans and policies To  budget  for  commands,  bureaus,  and offices assigned to the CNO’s command and for other activities and programs as assigned 1-8