Page "Civilian control of the military" Paragraph 3

Admiral John B. Nathman ( far right ) and Admiral William J. Fallon salute during honors arrival of United States Secretary of the Navy | Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England at a change of command ceremony in 2005.

A subordinate of the civilian United States Secretary of Defense | Secretary of Defense, The Secretary of the Navy is the civilian Head of the Department of the Navy, which includes the U. S. Navy and the U. S. Marine Corps | Marine Corps.