XO (Executive Officer)

The second in command of a warship, ranking below the commanding officer (CO) and above all other officers, who runs the ship’s daily administration, organization, training, and discipline so the CO can focus on mission and ship-handling. The XO is the head of the executive department, manages the watch, quarter, and station bill, and chairs the ship’s boards; the XO takes command if the CO is incapacitated. On larger ships the executive officer is typically a department-head-experienced officer in line for command at sea.