A duty officer is a junior military officer who assists the commander on a rotating basis, overseeing menial tasks and duties, keeping a written report, and addressing troops and visitors. They are provided with a book of recommended reactions to various scenarios and are on call during the night.
A duty officer is a junior officer in a military branch who serves as an assistant to the commander on a rotating basis. Typically operating in 24- to 48-hour shifts or shifts, the duty officer oversees many of the commanding officer’s menial tasks and duties, such as gathering intelligence on any accidents or incidents involving military personnel or property, and is usually on call during the night. . The duty officer keeps a written report of all activities that require his attention, and this record is passed to the relief officer when the shift ends. This duty is usually in addition to other duties the officer is currently assigned to.
Activities that are usually brought to the attention of the duty officer are the notification and arrival of incoming troops, any notification of an officer who is new to the base, and any incident involving military police on the base. In certain situations, the duty officer shall notify the commanding officer of an incident. This usually involves injury or death to a soldier, damage to base property, and any action that might require activation of the company or unit.
Other duties of the duty officer are to inspect troops, weapon rooms, and the company’s engine stock. In some circumstances, the duty officer will address troops and company visitors in place of the commander, and may also address the company during some low-level ceremonies, festivities, and holiday celebrations. This position works like the vice president position, albeit on a rotating basis. A benefit of performing duty is that it provides experience to a junior officer and allows the officer to see what is required of a commanding officer under a wide variety of conditions and scenarios.
While expected to perform the duty of the office without fail, the duty officer is provided with a book of recommended reactions to a wide variety of scenarios. These actions are typically the product of a committee appointed by the unit adjutant. Telephone numbers of people to be contacted in an emergency, a list of personnel deemed necessary, both officers and non-commissioned officers, and even some civil authorities, are all included in the book. In some naval cases, the same duty officer position is called an officer on deck and is charged with watching those on board the ship and those at liberty outside the ship.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
