| Captain or Commanding Officer (CO) The commanding officer is usually a Captain on a starship, but can be a different rank. The CO gives orders to his/her crew during the mission. While off on deep space missions, problems may arise that need to be resolved for the mission to continue. It is for this reason that COs of vessels have been given limited powers regarding discipline. COs are also responsible for settling disputes among crewmen, promoting and reprimanding officers as needed, and carrying out the orders of Starfleet Command and his/her starbase command, as well as interpreting and complying with Federation legal and diplomatic directives. As such, a Commanding Officer can be called upon to answer for his own actions and the actions of his crew. In addition, all COs shall maintain accurate records on his or her vessel which should include, but not necessarily be limited to, an up-to-date Ship's Log and Crew Bio File. COs may also chose to recommend their XOs for Commanding Officer positions. The Captain (CO) is the creator; the story teller of a SIM, and the GM (game master). He or she will write up a SIM and then play it out through the crew. The Captain will tell you what to say or do sometimes, but most of the time they don't need to, you can do whatever, as long as it is not ridiculous, and follows the plot line of the mission. First Officer The First Officer (XO, or Executive Officer) is just that. . . He/she oversees all departments, and has the authority to give orders to anyone on the ship, except of course, the Captain. He/she is responsible for delegating work schedules and seeing that all maintenance schedules are kept. He develops and organizes the duty roster. The first officer will lead away teams, unless otherwise specified by the Captain. In addition to their duties to the CO and crew, the XO oversees transfers on and off the ship, by welcoming a new crew member and providing him/her with all the information and assistance needed to begin the integration process and by sending a transferring officer's information, including if possible his/her last evaluation, to the receiving CO. Executive Officers may also settle internal disputes amongst crewmen if the matter is not considered to demand the COs attention. Executive Officers are also called upon to lead away teams to a planet or base when necessary. Second Officer At times the XO must assume command of a Starship. When this happens the XO needs the help of another officer to assume his/her role as XO. The second officer is not a stand alone position, but a role given to the highest ranked and trusted officer aboard. When required, the Second Officer will assume the role of XO, or if needed CO, and performs their duties as listed, for as long as required. The 2nd Officer mainly assists the XO in any way possible to maintain the ship. Medical The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) is of course the Doctor of the ship. The CMO is responsible for the physical well being of the crew. The CMO will also perform studies on alien and unknown life forms; and will give medical assistance to anyone or anything that needs it. In addition, as the senior most medical authority on a vessel, all field related missions will require consultation with the CMO. One of the unique powers given to the Chief Medical Officer is the ability to relieve a ship's CO of his or her duty if it is determined he or she is medically unfit. This power is not taken lightly, however, for if the CMO is proven to be out-of-line, he or she will be accountable for putting the crew in possible danger by removing the Commanding Officer. Engineering The engineering section is run by the Chief Engineer (CENG), who is responsible for all personal within Engineering. Engineering handles nearly all mechanical aspects of the ship, but first and foremost is the warp and impulse engines. They are also responsible for the power requirements of the ship. Engineering also does nearly all the diagnostics and maintenance of the ships systems, and ensure the weapon systems have power to operate at a given moment. Science Science (SCI) is responsible for all scans, reports, and other types of pertinent data on all types of encountered phenomenon. They conduct surveys and studies of same. A science officer will usually accompany away teams. The Chief Science Officer (CSCI) can have a staff of up to two other persons on the bridge. Operations Management (OPS) The OPS officer is responsible for coordinating ship activities so as to not overload any systems. He/she also handles communications, hailing, ship to ship, away teams, etc. OPS also handles all transporter operations, and monitors away teams status. OPS fills in for Helm when necessary. In addition, a ship's OPS officer is responsible for providing general status information to the computer and to individual departments to inform them of any changes that might affect their normal operations. During alerts, the OPS officer is also responsible for the allocation of power from the ship's warp reactor and fusion generators to permit the vessel to meet any demands made of it. Tactical Tactical (TAC) is responsible for all defensive systems (shields, phasers, photons, etc.), and internal security. Tactical also scans and provides data on all encountered vessels, and can hadle ship-to-ship comunications (if necessary). The Tactical officer also works closely with the Security Chief. Security Security (SEC) is responsible for the security of the ship and all persons aboard. A security person shall accompany all away teams. The Security Chief reports to Tactical Officer; moreover, this position is sometimes combined with TAC. Any intruders on the ship, are handled by the Security Chief and their team. Helm or CONN The Helmsman (HELM), or Flight Controller, is responsible for all flight control operations of the ship, navigation, course plotting, manual flight, and position verification. The Helmsman may also act as Communications officer if need be. This position is usually filled by the best pilot on the ship and can pilot any shuttles, if necessary, and assault craft. Counselor The Counselor (CNS) is responsible for the mental health of the crew. He or she will provide counseling to all persons aboard the ship. He or she will also give special guidance and insight to the Captain, by providing the Captain with psychological profiles and opinions. Chief Intelligence Officer The (CIO) is responsible for being able to gather information on various cultures, weapons, or technology that a ship may encounter. This officer is also responsible to decipher enemies reports, decode enemy codes and break them; to break and pass enemy security systems, and break into enemy databases. If possible, they can go on all away missions and is also responsible, along with the Chief Security Officer, for the well being of the away team. They can also handle communications and scans of other vessels. The Intelligence Officer reports directly to the Captain, but liasons with TAC. Strategic Operations Officer The (SOP) is responsible to report to the Captain, on the situation and activity, and to deliver reports to the Captain and to Starfleet Command (after talking to the Captain) on enemy activity and weaknesses. Only the Captain may review the out going reports of the Strategic Officer. The Strategic Officer also reports only to the Captain and to Starfleet Command. The second major part in his job is to plan strategic plans and operation, such as patrolling schedule to a group of fighters, or planning the strategy of a Fleet. When he positioned in a sector, he has a major share in planning the defense of the sector. In combat situations the Strategic Officer is acting as an advisor to the Captain. Chief of the Boat - COB Like the 2nd Officer title above, this is not a stand alone position. The senior most Chief Petty Officer (including Senior and Master Chiefs), regardless of rating, is designated by the Commanding Officer as the Chief of the Boat. In addition to his or her departmental responsibilities, the COB performs the following duties: serves as a liaison between the Commanding Officer (or Executive Officer) and the enlisted crewmen; ensures enlisted crews understand Command policies; advises the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer regarding enlisted morale, and evaluates the quality of noncommissioned officer leadership, management, and supervisory training. The COB works with the other department heads, Chiefs, supervisors, and crewmen to ensure discipline is equitably maintained, and the welfare, morale, and health needs of the enlisted personnel are met. The COB is qualified to temporarily act as Commanding or Executive Officer if so ordered, and has trainign in almost every aspect of the ship. |
| STARSHIP POSITIONS |
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