To whom should the Officer of the Deck (OOD) report violations occurring in the chow hall?

The Officer of the Deck (OOD) is responsible for maintaining order and discipline aboard a ship or at a naval installation. In the context of reporting violations that occur in the chow hall, the OOD's duty is to escalate these reports to the appropriate authority who has the power to take necessary action.

The Commanding Officer (CO) holds the highest level of authority and responsibility for the overall order and conduct within the command, including the operational safety and adherence to regulations in spaces such as the chow hall. By reporting to the CO, the OOD ensures that any violations are addressed at the highest level, facilitating a swift and effective response to uphold standards of discipline and conduct.

The other options, while they may hold significant positions within the command structure, are not the designated authorities to directly address such violations. Reporting to the Executive Officer or the Chief of Staff may involve additional layers of protocol and could delay necessary actions. The Command Master Chief typically focuses on the morale and welfare of enlisted personnel rather than commanding authority over disciplinary issues directly, thus making the CO the correct point of contact for reporting violations in the chow hall.