Starfleet was established by the Federation
Constitution in the year 2161 (Earth Calendar). This document is
a brief outline of Starfleet's mission and organizational
structure.
Starfleet's mission is two-fold: to protect the lives
of
Federation citizens and their property; and to explore
space, seeking out new life forms and new civilizations.
Starfleet is divided into seven branches, each with specific functions to carry out or support Starfleet's mission. The branches are:
The Security branch is responsible for the safety and security of Starfleet ships, installations, and personnel. It is also tasked with providing security for high federation officials during wartime or if they are aboard a Starfleet ship. Federation counterintelligence operations also fall into Security's jurisdiction. Security has the reputation of being the most militaristic of Starfleet's branches. It is not unusual for the Chief of Starfleet Security to be both a former starship security chief and a veteran of the Starfleet Marine Corps.
The Medical branch is responsible for the health (both mental and physical) of all Starfleet officers and crew. New ship and equipment designs must recieve approval from Starfleet Medical before they are put into service. Starfleet Medical also works closely with the Science branch to study and develop cures for all diseases. The leadership of Starfleet Medical rotates among the CMO's of starships who have at least 20 years in Starfleet. This has led to the situation of a commander (serving as Head of Starfleet Medical) giving orders to Admirals!
The Intelligence branch is the smallest of the seven, and is solely responsible for gathering information on non- Federation civilizations, especially those deemed to be military threats, such as the Romulans and Cardassians. However, the Federation constitution strictly prohibits Starfleet Intelligence operatives from taking any action other than information gathering in non-Federation territory. The only exception to this rule is when the Federation council determines there is a clear and present danger to the citizens of the Federation, or their vital interests. Such orders have only been issued five times. The most recent occurance was during the Minas Korva incident with the Cardassians on stardate 46357.4. Despite its small size, the average rank in Starfleet Intelligence is the highest of all the branches.
The Training branch is centered around Starfleet Academy, and the Academy Comandant is the nominal head of Starfleet Training. Of course training is an ongoing activity throughout the career of every Starfleet officer and crewman, so like the Medical branch, Training covers the entirety of Starfleet.
The Science branch operates all of Starfleet's science ships and is responsible for research in all areas except those which fall into the jurisdiction of the Medical or Engineering branches. Starfleet science ships are under the indirect control of the Federation science council, and do not fall under the normal chain of command except in wartime and emergency situations.
The Engineering branch is responsible for the design, maintenance, and repair of all Starfleet ships, installations, and equipment, though actual constuction and assembly work is usually carried out by civilian yards or firms under Starfleet contract. Starfleet Engineering is also responsible for the research and development of new technology, and the adaption of civilian technological advances for Starfleet's uses. Starfleet Engineering must certify all Starfleet ships as safe for spaceflight, and all ships that have not been certified (usually because they are under construction) or have been de- certified (due to damage, age, or because they are undergoing major maintenance) are Engineering's responsibility. Like Starfleet Medical, this branch is usually headed by a former starship chief engineer, who rarely ranks above Captain.
The Operations branch includes all "operational" Starfleet ships (those that have been certified spaceworth by Starfleet Engineering) except Science vessels. The Chief of Starfleet Operations is occasionally referred to as "the third most powerful individual in the Federation." The other two being his immediate superiors, the Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet and the Federation President. Operations is responsible for all strategic planning. Both the Tactical Reserve Fleet (more commonly known as Tacfleet) and the Starfleet Marines fall under Operations' umbrella. Operations is larger than the other six branches combined. Operations' ships are divided into three administrative fleets.
First Fleet consists of ships operating in the "core" of the Federation (the lower outermost third of the Alpha Quadrant). First Fleet is primarily responsible for defending against the Klingons during periods of Federation/Klingon conflict.
Second Fleet consists of ships operating in the third of the Alpha Quadrant that borders the Beta Quadrant. Its primary responsibilities are defending the Neutral Zone against the Romulans and exploring toward the galactic core.
Third Fleet consists of ships operating in the third of the Alpha Quadrant which borders the Gamma Quadrant. Third Fleet is primarily responsible for policing the Cardassian Demilitarized Zone and exploring the Gamma Quadrant.
The development of planetary shields and orbital defense newtorks has made it nearly impossible for an aggressor to capture a developed planet with ground troops, but the Federation has numerous small colonies that are within striking distance of potentially hostile forces. The mission of the Starfleet Marine Corps is to provide defense and security for these colonies.
History has proved the worth of having a force of starships optimized for combat available for quick deployment at any time, but the dual mission of Starfleet makes maintaining such a force prohibitively expensive in terms of resources and manpower. Starfleet's solution to this problem has been to take ships which are no longer able to serve frontline exploration or science missions due to their age, and refit them with modern weapons and propulsion systems. They can then be maintained by small crews of regular Starfleet personnel which are supplemented by reservists when the ships are activated during emergency situations. The most recent activation of Tacfleet ships took place during the Borg invasion of stardate 100825.
Rapture Fleet is the newest Starfleet fleet, dispatched to the triumvirate area where the Federation, Romulan, and Klingon civilizations meet, at the planet Khitomer. It is located between the First and Second Fleets, and its primary mission is to defend the area from any hostilities that might arise.
Starfleet personnel are divided into officer and enlisted
categories,
along the traditional lines of terran navies. Starfleet Marines
also
follow naval tradition, in spite of the fact that they are
usually a planet-bound force.
Officer's ranks are represented by a series of
"pips" worn on the right collar.
Below are the pip arrangements for each rank and a brief
description.
Fleet Admiral--only the C-in-C holds this rank in
peacetime
Admiral--reserved for branch commanders and
Commander, Tactical Reserve Fleet
Vice Admiral--commands include fleets or sector
defenses (includes Commander, Starfleet Marine Corps)
Rear Admiral--typical commands include large
starbases, task forces, or Marine divisions
Commodore--typical commands include medium
starbases, squadrons, or Marine regiments
Fleet Captain--rank applied to Captains in command
of multiple ships
Captain--typical commands include small starbases, Marine battalions, or single ships
Brevet Captain--rank applied to Commanders in command of multiple ships
Commander--typical commands include small ships, Marine companies or outposts
Lieutenant Commander--typical positions include department head or executive officer
Lieutenant--typical positions include bridge officer or
Marine platoon leader
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (j.g.)--typical positions include pilot or secondary officer
Ensign--rank upon graduation from the academy;junior
officer
Cadet--rank assigned to Academy students on
temporary active (training) duty