attention.  They  then  develop  programs  and  order priorities to resolve those problems through the best use of all headquarters and field resources. NAVSEC and its field divisions use their expertise in  every  step  of  the  fleet  support  process,  and  a NAVSEC engineer visiting a ship may be the first to receive a problem. Ships nearly always need NAVSEC technical  assistance  to  investigate,  evaluate,  and  define the  problems.  Under  NAVSEA  direction,  NAVSEC engineers often develop and become managers of large and small programs to solve the operators’ material problems. AFLOAT STAFFS A  fleet  is  usually  divided  into  forces,  flotillas, squadrons,  groups,  and  wings  for  administrative purposes.  Forces  are  called  type  commands (TYCOMs).   For   example,   the   COMMANDER SURFACE FORCE shown in figure 7-1 is a TYCOM. The TYCOM is responsible for all of the ships within his  force,  which  may  include  flotillas,  squadrons, groups,  and  wings.  This  general  organizational structure applies to both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, but may vary from staff to staff. Service   squadrons   under   the   surface   force commander  handle  the  mobile  supply  and  logistics responsibilities for the surface and submarine forces. To help  you  better  understand  a  TYCOM  organization,  we Figure  7-1.-A  fleet-type  organization. will  discuss  the  TYCOM’S  responsibilities  in  the following   section. RESPONSIBILITIES OF TYPE COMMANDERS TYCOMs  issue  any  necessary  instructions  for  the operation, maintenance, and administration of ships of the   type.   These   instructions   amplify   manuals, regulations,  and  other  directives  issued  by  higher authority.  TYCOMs  exercise  operational  control  of ships  and  units  until  they  assign  control  to  other commanders. They also maintain standards by holding administrative, operational readiness, and material inspections. TYCOMs  supervise  the  allowance  of  personnel within  the  type,  and  they  plan  and  recommend personnel  policies  to  the  fleet  commander.  They establish training requirements in the offensive and defensive use of all armament and equipment for ships and aircraft within the type. TYCOMs  are  responsible  for  material  matters within their commands. In logistic matters, they are responsible for all areas of readiness and performance of  their  forces.  However,  the  service  squadron,  air force, marine force, and sea frontier commands have special  overall  logistic  responsibilities. The  Atlantic  and  Pacific  Fleets  respectively  issue regulations that explain the TYCOM’s general and specific   ship   maintenance   responsibilities.   The regulations of both fleets are similar, but not identical. In  general,  the  TYCOM’s  have  the  following responsibilities: l Ensure the material readiness of ships assigned to them. Maintain the ship’s hull, propulsion machinery, guns, and other equipment so the ship can carry out any assignment  within  its  capacity. .  Hold  material  inspections  of  ships  under  the TYCOM’s administrative command; use personnel who arc not attached to the ship being inspected for this purpose.  The  ship  disassembles  a  large  amount  of machinery for this inspection to give the inspectors an in-depth  look  at  conditions. .  Establish  effective  procedures  and  programs  for progressive  self-maintenance,  and  enforce  compliance. Hold  special  inspections  of  specific  machinery  or equipment,  prepare  routine  maintenance  checkoff  lists, monitor all material failures to detect possible trouble areas and take corrective action, review routine reports, 7-3