10 U.S.C. § 8035 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 10. Armed Forces § 8035. Vice Chief of Naval Operations

(a) There is a Vice Chief of Naval Operations, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from officers on the active-duty list in the line of the Navy serving in grades above captain and eligible to command at sea.

(b) The Vice Chief of Naval Operations, while so serving, has the grade of admiral without vacating his permanent grade.

(c) The Vice Chief of Naval Operations has such authority and duties with respect to the Department of the Navy as the Chief of Naval Operations, with the approval of the Secretary of the Navy, may delegate to or prescribe for him. Orders issued by the Vice Chief of Naval Operations in performing such duties have the same effect as those issued by the Chief of Naval Operations.

(d) When there is a vacancy in the office of Chief of Naval Operations or during the absence or disability of the Chief of Naval Operations--