Above which rank do officers fall under the SECNAV category?

Officers fall under the SECNAV category starting from the O-6 rank, which corresponds to the rank of Colonel in the Army, Air Force, and Marines, and Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard. This classification is tied to the administrative and operational responsibilities that O-6 and higher ranks hold within the naval structure. These officers typically occupy senior leadership positions and are responsible for major command operations, providing strategic oversight and guiding junior officers.

In general, the SECNAV (Secretary of the Navy) category refers to those officers who serve at higher levels of command and may have a direct reporting relationship to civilian leadership within the Navy. Their decision-making authority and breadth of responsibility demand a broader level of experience and advanced leadership skills, which are cultivated and recognized at the O-6 level and above.