10 U.S.C. § 8715: Naval Observatory: administration

(a) The Naval Observatory shall be attached to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. (b) The Superintendent of the Naval Observatory shall be detailed from officers in the line of the Navy serving in the grade of captain or above. (c) The Secretary of the Navy may detail any officer of the Navy, competent for that duty, to supervise the Nautical Almanac.