Officer of the day
Encyclopedia
At smaller military installations where no provost marshal
has been assigned, the officer of the day is a detail rotated each day among the unit/post's commissioned officers to oversee security
, guard, and law enforcement considerations. Even if the officer has never served as an MP
or is not qualified to serve as a provost marshal, officer qualification includes basic familiarity with this position.
In the Royal Navy
, and other navies based upon this structure, the Officer of the Day (OOD) has been delegated authority from the Commanding Officer of a ship
or establishment to ensure the routine running of the vessel is carried out. Unlike the USN's OOD, the Officer of the Day is primarily a position used when a warship
is alongside in port. Other duties include ceremonial duties (such as carrying out Colours or Sunset
) and taking charge in emergency situations in Damage Control Headquarters. Whilst the OOD may be subordinate to more senior officers on board, he or she is technically only outranked by the Captain
and the Executive Officer whilst carrying out their duties, but the prudent junior officer always seeks advice. Generally on warships, the OOD will be a commissioned junior officer who holds a Harbour Watchkeeping Certificate. On shore establishments, Warrant Officer
s may be used to augment the duty roster.
, a General officer of the day was a general officer assigned the duties of responding to reports by the picket line
, such as a flag of truce.
Provost Marshal
The Provost Marshal is the officer in the armed forces who is in charge of the military police .There may be a Provost Marshal serving at many levels of the hierarchy and he may also be the public safety officer of a military installation, responsible for the provision of fire, gate security, and...
has been assigned, the officer of the day is a detail rotated each day among the unit/post's commissioned officers to oversee security
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
, guard, and law enforcement considerations. Even if the officer has never served as an MP
Military police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
or is not qualified to serve as a provost marshal, officer qualification includes basic familiarity with this position.
In the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, and other navies based upon this structure, the Officer of the Day (OOD) has been delegated authority from the Commanding Officer of a ship
Ship
Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...
or establishment to ensure the routine running of the vessel is carried out. Unlike the USN's OOD, the Officer of the Day is primarily a position used when a warship
Warship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
is alongside in port. Other duties include ceremonial duties (such as carrying out Colours or Sunset
Sunset
Sunset or sundown is the daily disappearance of the Sun below the horizon in the west as a result of Earth's rotation.The time of sunset is defined in astronomy as the moment the trailing edge of the Sun's disk disappears below the horizon in the west...
) and taking charge in emergency situations in Damage Control Headquarters. Whilst the OOD may be subordinate to more senior officers on board, he or she is technically only outranked by the Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
and the Executive Officer whilst carrying out their duties, but the prudent junior officer always seeks advice. Generally on warships, the OOD will be a commissioned junior officer who holds a Harbour Watchkeeping Certificate. On shore establishments, Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
s may be used to augment the duty roster.
General officer of the day
In the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, a General officer of the day was a general officer assigned the duties of responding to reports by the picket line
Picket line
A picket line is a horizontal rope, along which horses are tied at intervals. The rope can be on the ground, at chest height , or overhead. The overhead form usually is called a high line....
, such as a flag of truce.