(a) Except as otherwise prescribed by law and subject to the statutory authority of the Secretary of the Navy to assign functions, powers and duties, the Commandant of the Marine Corps performs duties under the authority, direction and control of the Secretary of the Navy and is directly responsible to the Secretary.
(b) Subject to the authority, direction and control of the Secretary of the Navy, the Commandant of the Marine Corps shall:
(1) Preside over the Headquarters, Marine Corps;
(2) Transmit the plans and recommendations of the Headquarters, Marine Corps, to the Secretary and advise the Secretary with regard to such plans and recommendations;
(3) After approval of the plans or recommendations of the Headquarters, Marine Corps, by the Secretary, act as the agent of the Secretary in carrying them into effect;
(4) Exercise supervision, consistent with the statutory authority assigned to commanders of unified or specified combatant commands, over such of the members and organizations of the Navy and the Marine Corps as the Secretary determines;
(5) Perform the duties prescribed for a member of the Armed Forces Policy Council and other statutory duties; and
(6) Perform such other military duties, not otherwise assigned by law, as are assigned to the Commandant of the Marine Corps by the President, the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the Navy.
(c) The Commandant of the Marine Corps shall also perform the statutory duties prescribed for a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
(1) To the extent that such action does not impair the independence of the Commandant of the Marine Corps in the performance of duties as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Commandant of the Marine Corps shall inform the Secretary of the Navy regarding military advice rendered by members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters affecting the Department of the Navy.
(2) Subject to the authority, direction and control of the Secretary of Defense, the Commandant of the Marine Corps shall keep the Secretary of the Navy fully informed of significant military operations affecting the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary of the Navy.