What authority is responsible for correcting an enlisted sailor who violates a regulation in the presence of both an officer and a petty officer?
The responsibility to correct an enlisted sailor for a regulation violation in the presence of both an officer and a petty officer typically falls to the officer, as they are the higher authority, but may be shared or delegated. So the correct options are (c) Both Officer and Petty Officer, (d) Command Master Chief.
Explanation:
In a military context, when an enlisted sailor violates a regulation, the immediate responsibility to correct the sailor usually falls upon the direct superior who observes the violation. In the presence of both an officer and a petty officer, it is commonly expected that the officer, being the higher-ranking authority, will take the initiative to correct or address the situation. However, it is not uncommon for the officer to delegate this responsibility to the petty officer, especially if the latter is of a supervisory rank over the sailor in question or is more directly responsible for the sailor's conduct.
The Command Master Chief typically does not take immediate corrective action unless the situation directly pertains to broader command issues or they are the highest authority present. Therefore, it is also a shared responsibility, as both the officer and petty officer can take action, but the more senior leader present, typically the officer, has the overarching responsibility.