Which naval officer rank is required to award extra duty for up to 30 consecutive days?

The correct answer is that a Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) is the naval officer rank required to award extra duty for up to 30 consecutive days. This authority is significant because it reflects the level of responsibility and leadership that comes with the LCDR rank. Officers at this level are trusted to make important decisions that impact the personnel under their command or leadership.

LCDRs have the necessary experience and positional authority to evaluate the situations that warrant extra duty assignments and to ensure these assignments align with the overall mission of the command. This also supports the principle of ensuring that extra duties are fairly and reasonably assigned, considering the operational needs and the well-being of the personnel involved.

The other ranks listed do not have the same level of authority for such assignments. For instance, a Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) and Ensign (ENS) are junior ranks that typically lack the experience and authority required to make such decisions. A Commanding Officer (CO) has broader responsibilities but is distinct from an LCDR in the context of direct authority over extra duty assignments.