OPNAV N6

What is the mission and structure of OPNAV N6 - Network Communications?

OPNAV N6 optimizes Navy network and communications investments through centralized coordination of Navy warfighting and warfighting support analysis/assessments, Navy network capability development and integration, Joint and Navy requirements development, and resource programming. This is accomplished by delivering affordable, relevant capabilities to the fleet in a timely manner. N6 acts as principal advisor to Chief of Naval Operations for communications and network matters; matrix with N2 for Battlespace Awareness, N3 for Information Operations, and N3 for Command and Control; and serves as Navy's top level advocate for information management/information technology resources throughout the Navy and the Joint environment. N6 also serves as the Deputy Department of the Navy (DON) Chief Information Officer (CIO).

OPNAV N6 Organization Chart

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Mission: To exercise CNO responsibility for centralized coordination of net-centric policy, planning, governance, requirements integration and investment direction to provide a competitive information advantage to combat-ready Navy forces.

• Principal advisor to CNO for net-centric matters including space, communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Command and Control (C2), Information Operations (IO), Information Assurance (IA), spectrum and business information systems. Matrixed with N2 for ISR and N3/N5 for IO and C2.
• Perform as Deputy Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer (CIO) ensuring optimum use of Navy Information Technology/Information Management (IT/IM) resources.

Functions:

1. Provides advocacy of Navy net-centric capabilities within OPNAV staff. (N6F)
2. Identifies and validates Navy net-centric information environment war-fighting, war-fighting support and business requirements. (N6F)
3. Collaborates with key stakeholders to develop Navy net-centric information environment Science and Technology strategies. (N6F)
4. Advocates rapid prototyping of C2, IO, ISR and IT technologies for the benefit of the war-fighter. (N6F)
5. Performs as the Navy representative for space matters on the OPNAV staff with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, the Services, DoD Executive Agent for Space, the National Security Space Office, the National Reconnaissance Office, and other space organizations. (N6F)
6. Serves as Navy representative to net-centric information environment matters in relevant Service, governmental, Joint and Allied/Coalition forums. (N61, N6F)
7. Executes DoD Executive Agent duties as assigned. (N61, N6F)
8. Collaborates with the Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer (DON CIO) and supports the DON CIO policies to ensure optimum use of Navy Information Technology/Information Management (IT/IM) resources. Ensures the development of the IT workforce, and enforces statutory compliance in areas related to IT/IM. (N61, N6F)
9. Programs, budgets and exercises oversight of the execution of Navy net-centric information environment Programs of Record. (N60/N62)
10. Develops Navy net-centric information environment Capital Planning and Investment Strategy to meet Joint and Navy warfighter priorities. (N61)
11. Assesses and certifies compliance of major automated information systems with existing Department of Defense (DoD) policies. (N61)
12. Measures Navy progress in achieving net-centric capability goals. (N61)
13. Develops strategies for and management of Navy Information Professional and Space Cadre personnel. (N61)
14. Performs as the Navy representative for space matters on the OPNAV staff with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, the Services, DoD Executive Agent for Space, the National Security Space Office, the National Reconnaissance Office, and other space organizations (N6F)
15. Conducts, assesses, and consolidates all study and requirements pertaining to N6 for input to PR/POM strategy, and Capital Investment planning. (N61)
16. Develops, maintains, and facilitates an integrated Navy Enterprise IT architecture that compiles with Federal and DoD architectures. Ensures that Navy IT complies with government and DoD standards and is interoperable with other relevant IT systems. (N61)
17. Provides Naval Reserve input and support for defining and developing warfare and enterprise communication networks requirements, program policies and establishing priorities; advises on resource allocation to Naval Reserve communication networks areas in the PPBES to include Sponsor Program Proposals in POM development, and acts as N6's principal Naval Reserve advisor for determination of Communication Networks