What is the main responsibility of the Executive Officer (XO)?

The Executive Officer (XO) plays a critical role within any military organization, particularly in maintaining smooth operations. The main responsibility of the XO is to coordinate the actions of the special staff. This includes ensuring that various sections and teams work together effectively to achieve the unit's mission. By facilitating communication, scheduling meetings, and streamlining processes, the XO enables the commander to focus on broader strategic plans while ensuring day-to-day operations run efficiently.

The other choices, while important functions within a military structure, do not align as closely with the XO's primary role. For instance, developing training programs tends to fall more directly under the responsibility of other designated leaders or training coordinators. Commanding the battalion during exercises is primarily the role of the commanding officer. Leading public relations efforts is typically managed by those specifically tasked with communication and outreach, rather than the XO. Thus, coordinating the actions of the special staff is indeed the central duty of the Executive Officer, making this the most accurate answer.