The author of this article needs to get his head out of his &ss. A Navy Chief is an E-7 to E-9. You have a Chief of Naval Operations and a DCNO, but they are never referred to as just Chief. They are just Admirals and not qualified to be Chiefs. A Secretary (of any type) in the Navy is not referred to as a Chief. Now, other branches of the service (excluding Coasties, but they are DHS anyway) may, and I have heard them from time to time, refer to the individual running the Army or Air Force as the “Chief.” That is just petty jealousy on their part. They want to be Genuine Chiefs, but they aren’t up to the job. The Marine Corps knows better; the Chiefs control their inoculations. Calling the Secretary or Under Secretary of the Navy a “Chief” is like calling the Commandant Gunny.
Agree 100% Brother.