To whom does the MIWE report with tactical recommendations?

• A. Tactical Action Officer (TAO)
• B. Commanding Officer (CO)
• C. Remote Vehicle Operator (RVO)
• D. Mission Planner/Post Mission Analysis Operator (MP/PMAO)

Answer: (A)

In this setting, the person in charge of directing shipboard tactical actions is the Tactical Action Officer, the one who makes or recommends engagement decisions based on the current tactical picture. MIWE analyzes mission weather and environmental factors and then provides tactical recommendations to support those decisions. The TAO reviews that input along with sensor data and other intelligence, weighs the options, and then issues appropriate orders or passes information up as needed. The Commanding Officer oversees the whole ship, but the immediate tactical recommendations are directed to and acted on by the TAO. Remote Vehicle Operator focuses on unmanned asset control, while the Mission Planner/Post Mission Analysis Operator handles planning and after-action review, not real-time tactical decision-making.