Which of the following is a responsibility of the Ship Maintenance Material Officer (SMMO)?

The responsibility of serving as the Commanding Officer's principal assistant for managing off-ship brokered maintenance is a crucial role of the Ship Maintenance Material Officer (SMMO). The SMMO plays a vital part in facilitating maintenance that cannot be completed onboard and must be outsourced to external vendors or contractors. This position involves assessing and coordinating these maintenance efforts to ensure that the ship's operational readiness is maintained effectively.

The SMMO’s involvement in brokered maintenance includes managing contracts, evaluating service performance, and ensuring compliance with the relevant policies and procedures, thus allowing the Commanding Officer to focus on other critical responsibilities. This role is significant as it directly impacts the ship's ability to sustain its mission, increase operational efficiency, and manage maintenance costs effectively.

Additionally, the other options do not align with the specific functions of the SMMO. Supervising all crew members falls outside the purview of the SMMO, as it is typically the responsibility of departmental heads and the Commanding Officer. Leading combat operations is also not a responsibility associated with the SMMO; instead, that falls to operational commanders. While reviewing financial expenditures related to maintenance is relevant, it is not the primary responsibility of the SMMO and tends to be a broader