Department of the Navy
The Department of the Navy (DON) is a military department of the United States federal government, not a company. It has no state company registration, registration number, share capital or business-entity legal form; its existence rests on federal statute. Congress first created it as an executive department by the Act of 30 April 1798 (ch. 35, 1 Stat. 553). The National Security Act of 1947 (approved 26 July 1947) placed it in the new National Military Establishment, and the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 (approved 10 August 1949) made it a military department within the Department of Defense, “in lieu of” its earlier status as an executive department. Today 10 U.S.C. § 8011 provides that the Department of the Navy is separately organised under the Secretary of the Navy and operates under the authority, direction and control of the Secretary of Defense. As of 15 October 2026 it is an operating federal department headquartered in Washington, DC.
What the Department of the Navy does
The department contains two military services, the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps (10 U.S.C. § 8061). Under 10 U.S.C. § 8062 the Navy is organised, trained and equipped for prompt and sustained combat at sea, including naval aviation; by law it must keep at least 11 operational aircraft carriers and 31 operational amphibious warfare ships. Under 10 U.S.C. § 8063 the Marine Corps provides fleet marine forces of combined arms, with at least three combat divisions and three air wings. The Coast Guard forms part of the department only when it operates as a service in the Navy. The Secretary of the Navy is responsible by statute for recruiting, organising, supplying, equipping, training and maintaining these forces.
Budget and personnel scale
The DON’s FY 2027 President’s Budget request, published in April 2026, totals $377.5 billion: $338.7 billion discretionary and $38.8 billion mandatory. That is $70.9 billion (23.1%) more than the FY 2026 enacted level. The request funds 356,600 active-duty Navy and 173,700 active-duty Marine Corps personnel, 221,403 civilian full-time equivalents and a deployable battle force of 288 ships. USAspending records $177.3 billion of FY2025 award obligations by the Department of the Navy, the largest of any Department of Defense component. These are appropriated federal funds, not revenue.
Developments 2025–2026
Executive Order 14347 of 5 September 2025 authorised “Department of War” and “Secretary of War” as secondary titles for the Department of Defense and its Secretary. The order does not rename the Department of the Navy, and statutory names remain controlling until Congress changes them. On 22 April 2026 the Secretary of the Navy left office and the Under Secretary became Acting Secretary; details are in the officers block.
Card data
The card correctly shows no registration number, incorporation date or legal form, because none applies to a federal military department.
Sources
- Act of 30 April 1798, ch. 35, 1 Stat. 553, “An Act to establish an Executive Department, to be denominated the Department of the Navy” (GovInfo, Statutes at Large). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-1/pdf/STATUTE-1-Pg553.pdf — approved 30 April 1798; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- National Security Act of 1947, Pub. L. 80-253, ch. 343, 61 Stat. 495 (GovInfo, Statutes at Large). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-61/pdf/STATUTE-61-Pg495.pdf — approved 26 July 1947; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- National Security Act Amendments of 1949, Pub. L. 81-216, ch. 412, 63 Stat. 578 (GovInfo, Statutes at Large). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-63/pdf/STATUTE-63-Pg578-3.pdf — approved 10 August 1949; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- 10 U.S.C. § 8011, Organization (Department of the Navy). https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8011 — Act of 10 August 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 277, as amended by Pub. L. 99-433 (1 October 1986); renumbered by Pub. L. 115-232 (13 August 2018); retrieved 15 October 2026.
- 10 U.S.C. § 8061, Department of the Navy: composition. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8061 — Pub. L. 99-433 (1 October 1986), as renumbered 2018; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- 10 U.S.C. § 8062, United States Navy: composition; functions. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8062 — in force 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- 10 U.S.C. § 8063, United States Marine Corps: composition; functions. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8063 — in force 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- 10 U.S.C. § 8013, Secretary of the Navy. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8013 — in force 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- Department of the Navy, Office of Budget, “FY 2027 PB Submission” budget card. https://www.secnav.navy.mil/fmc/fmb/Documents/27pres/DON_Budget_Card.pdf — file dated 27 April 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- USAspending API, Department of Defense (toptier code 097) sub-agency award obligations, FY2025. https://api.usaspending.gov/api/v2/agency/097/sub_agency/?fiscal_year=2025 — FY2025 data; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- Executive Order 14347, Restoring the United States Department of War, 90 FR 43893 (Federal Register). https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/10/2025-17508/restoring-the-united-states-department-of-war — signed 5 September 2025, published 10 September 2025; retrieved 15 October 2026.
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Shareholders
Shareholders of the Department of the Navy
The Department of the Navy is a military department of the US federal government, not a company. It has no shareholders, share capital, share classes or ownership percentages. Federal statute created it, and it sits within the Department of Defense (10 U.S.C. § 111(b)(7)). It is separately organised under the Secretary of the Navy and operates under the authority, direction and control of the Secretary of Defense (10 U.S.C. § 8011). Congress funds it through appropriations, not equity. No person or entity “owns” the Department of the Navy in the corporate sense.
Data availability
Not applicable. Beneficial-ownership concepts used for companies do not apply to a federal military department, and no ownership register or filing exists for it.
Sources
- 10 U.S.C. § 111, Executive department (Department of Defense). https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/111 — in force 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- 10 U.S.C. § 8011, Organization (Department of the Navy). https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8011 — Act of 10 August 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 277, as amended by Pub. L. 99-433 (1 October 1986); renumbered by Pub. L. 115-232 (13 August 2018); retrieved 15 October 2026.
- National Security Act Amendments of 1949, Pub. L. 81-216, ch. 412, 63 Stat. 578 (GovInfo, Statutes at Large). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-63/pdf/STATUTE-63-Pg578-3.pdf — approved 10 August 1949; retrieved 15 October 2026.
Officers
Directors and officers of the Department of the Navy
The Department of the Navy has no board of directors or corporate officers. Its head is the Secretary of the Navy, a civilian appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate (10 U.S.C. § 8013). An Under Secretary, also Senate-confirmed, carries out the duties the Secretary prescribes (10 U.S.C. § 8015). The senior uniformed officers are the Chief of Naval Operations (10 U.S.C. § 8033) and the Commandant of the Marine Corps (10 U.S.C. § 8043). Each is appointed by the President with Senate consent for a four-year term and serves under the Secretary’s authority. The list below covers only what official records and the cited reporting show as of 15 October 2026.
Leadership 2025–2026
- Hung Cao, Acting Secretary of the Navy. He was confirmed as Under Secretary of the Navy on 1 October 2025. On 22 April 2026 the Pentagon spokesman announced that he would become Acting Secretary. He testified as Acting Secretary to the Senate Armed Services Committee on 19 May 2026. On 14 September 2026 the President nominated him to be Secretary of the Navy, “vice John Phelan”. The Congressional Record reviewed through 15 October 2026 shows no Senate confirmation yet. Current (acting); nomination pending.
- John Phelan, Secretary of the Navy. He was confirmed by the Senate on 24 March 2025. The Pentagon spokesman announced on 22 April 2026 that he was leaving with immediate effect. Historical: 2025 – 22 April 2026.
- Admiral Daryl L. Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations. He was confirmed by the Senate on 31 July 2025 and testified in that role on 19 May 2026. Current; latest official reference 19 May 2026.
- General Eric M. Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps. He was confirmed by the Senate on 21 September 2023 and testified in that role on 19 May 2026. Current; latest official reference 19 May 2026.
Recent officer changes
- 22 April 2026: the Secretary of the Navy departed; the Under Secretary became Acting Secretary.
- 14 September 2026: Hung Cao was nominated as Secretary of the Navy, and William Toti was nominated as Under Secretary of the Navy, “vice Hung Cao”.
Data availability
Partial. Leadership of a federal military department is recorded in Senate nomination and confirmation records, congressional testimony and departmental announcements, not in a corporate register. Assistant Secretaries and other officials are not listed here. The navy.mil and defense.gov leadership pages refused automated access on 15 October 2026. Nationality: Not disclosed.
Sources
- 10 U.S.C. § 8013, Secretary of the Navy. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8013 — in force 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- 10 U.S.C. § 8015, Under Secretary of the Navy. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8015 — Pub. L. 99-433 (1 October 1986), as renumbered 2018; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- 10 U.S.C. § 8033, Chief of Naval Operations. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8033 — in force 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- 10 U.S.C. § 8043, Commandant of the Marine Corps. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8043 — in force 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- Congressional Record, Senate, “Confirmations”, vol. 171, no. 53, p. S1808. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2025-03-24/html/CREC-2025-03-24-pt1-PgS1808.htm — 24 March 2025; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- Congressional Record, Senate, “Confirmations”, vol. 171, no. 132, pp. S5175–S5176. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2025-07-31/html/CREC-2025-07-31-pt1-PgS5175.htm — 31 July 2025; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- Congressional Record, Senate, “Confirmation”, p. S6907. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2025-10-01/html/CREC-2025-10-01-pt1-PgS6907-4.htm — 1 October 2025; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- Congressional Record, Senate, “Confirmations”, p. S4666. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2023-09-21/html/CREC-2023-09-21-pt1-PgS4666-5.htm — 21 September 2023; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- Congressional Record, Daily Digest, Senate Committee Meetings (Armed Services: posture of the Department of the Navy), p. D528. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2026-05-19/html/CREC-2026-05-19-pt1-PgD528.htm — 19 May 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- Congressional Record, Senate, “Nominations”, p. S4690. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2026-09-14/html/CREC-2026-09-14-pt1-PgS4690-4.htm — 14 September 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- CNN, Haley Britzky, “US Navy Secretary Phelan fired as naval blockade of Iran continues” (quotes the Pentagon spokesman’s statement). https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/22/politics/john-phelan-navy-secretary-leaving — published 22 April 2026, updated 23 April 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
Group Structure
Group structure of the Department of the Navy
The Department of the Navy has no parent company, subsidiaries or corporate group. It is one of the three military departments within the Department of Defense (10 U.S.C. § 111(b)(6)–(8)) and operates under the authority, direction and control of the Secretary of Defense (10 U.S.C. § 8011). By statute it comprises the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps, and the operating forces and reserve components of the Navy and the Marine Corps. It also includes all field activities under the Secretary’s control and, when it operates as a service in the Navy, the Coast Guard (10 U.S.C. § 8061). The table lists only relationships verified in official texts. These are institutional relationships, not ownership.
Verified institutional relationships
| Institution | Relationship (institutional, not ownership) | Basis | Information date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The DON is a military department within the Department of Defense, under the authority, direction and control of the Secretary of Defense | 10 U.S.C. §§ 111, 8011; National Security Act Amendments of 1949, § 4 | In force since 10 Aug 1949; 2026 |
| United States Navy | Military service within the Department of the Navy | 10 U.S.C. §§ 8061, 8062 | In force, 2026 |
| United States Marine Corps | Military service within the Department of the Navy | 10 U.S.C. §§ 8061, 8063 | In force, 2026 |
| United States Coast Guard | Part of the DON only when operating as a service in the Navy | 10 U.S.C. § 8061(6) | In force, 2026 |
Recent structural changes
- 5 September 2025: Executive Order 14347 authorised “Department of War” as a secondary title for the Department of Defense. Statutory names, including that of the Department of the Navy, remain controlling until changed by law.
Data availability
Corporate-linkage categories do not apply to a federal military department. Its internal commands and field activities are not listed here.
Sources
- 10 U.S.C. § 111, Executive department (Department of Defense). https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/111 — in force 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- 10 U.S.C. § 8011, Organization (Department of the Navy). https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8011 — Act of 10 August 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 277, as amended by Pub. L. 99-433 (1 October 1986); renumbered by Pub. L. 115-232 (13 August 2018); retrieved 15 October 2026.
- 10 U.S.C. § 8061, Department of the Navy: composition. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8061 — Pub. L. 99-433 (1 October 1986), as renumbered 2018; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- 10 U.S.C. § 8062, United States Navy: composition; functions. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8062 — in force 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- 10 U.S.C. § 8063, United States Marine Corps: composition; functions. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/8063 — in force 2026; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- National Security Act Amendments of 1949, Pub. L. 81-216, ch. 412, 63 Stat. 578 (GovInfo, Statutes at Large). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-63/pdf/STATUTE-63-Pg578-3.pdf — approved 10 August 1949; retrieved 15 October 2026.
- Executive Order 14347, Restoring the United States Department of War, 90 FR 43893 (Federal Register). https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/10/2025-17508/restoring-the-united-states-department-of-war — signed 5 September 2025, published 10 September 2025; retrieved 15 October 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Department of the Navy do?
The Department of the Navy is a military department of the US federal government within the Department of Defense. Congress established it in 1798 and made it a military department in 1949 (10 U.S.C. § 8011). It organises, trains and equips the US Navy and the US Marine Corps.
Who owns Department of the Navy?
The Department of the Navy has no shareholders or share capital. It is a military department within the US Department of Defense, created by Acts of Congress and funded by federal appropriations.
Who is Department of the Navy's UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner)?
Not applicable. A federal military department has no beneficial owners. The Department of the Navy is part of the US government and operates under the authority, direction and control of the Secretary of Defense (10 U.S.C. § 8011).
Is Department of the Navy still an active company?
Department of the Navy's status is listed as active.
What is Department of the Navy's registered address?
The registered address on file for Department of the Navy is Washington, United States.
What is Department of the Navy's revenue?
The Department of the Navy is not a revenue-generating company. Its FY 2027 President’s Budget request, published in April 2026, is $377.5 billion, $70.9 billion more than the FY 2026 enacted level.
Is Department of the Navy listed on a stock exchange?
The Department of the Navy is not a listed company. As a federal military department it has no shares, stock-exchange listing or ticker.
Who are the officers/directors of Department of the Navy?
The Department of the Navy is headed by the Secretary of the Navy, not by directors. Hung Cao has been Acting Secretary since 22 April 2026 and was nominated as Secretary on 14 September 2026. Admiral Daryl L. Caudle is Chief of Naval Operations and General Eric M. Smith is Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Does Department of the Navy have a parent company or subsidiaries?
The Department of the Navy has no parent company or subsidiaries. It is one of three military departments within the Department of Defense and contains two military services, the US Navy and the US Marine Corps (10 U.S.C. § 8061).
Can Zavia monitor changes to Department of the Navy's ownership over time?
This profile reflects a point-in-time snapshot. Zavia's monitoring API can track changes to Department of the Navy's registered shareholders, officers, and group structure going forward, flagging updates as they're filed rather than requiring a manual recheck.
Can I access Department of the Navy's data through an API?
Yes. Zavia's API connects directly to official government ownership registries across 195 countries and territories, including United States, so records like Department of the Navy's registration, shareholder, UBO, and group-structure data can be queried programmatically instead of viewed one page at a time.