What does the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) do?

• A. Commands the Air Force.
• B. Oversees all Navy submarines.
• C. Develops space policy for the DoD.
• D. Senior Marine officer responsible for Marine Corps readiness and operations.

Answer: (D)

The central idea is that the Commandant of the Marine Corps is the senior officer in charge of the Marine Corps and, above all, responsible for its readiness and operations. This means he sets policies, oversees training, equipping, and organizing Marines, and approves plans for deployments. He also serves as the primary Marine Corps advisor to the Secretary of the Navy and, by extension, the President, and represents the Marine Corps on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This role is unique to the Marines and distinct from other services: the Air Force has its own chief, the Navy handles its submarine forces, and space policy is a DoD-wide matter often involving the Space Force, not the Commandant.