Please note that this is a work-in-process document, but it's considered to be the final version 1. Specific items in flux (if any at the moment, beyond the entire document) are noted as follows: Current (or original) items are noted in crimson proposed revisions are noted in blue with the exception of embedded links which are blue also, but underlined. Currently stable sections or revsions that have been accepted and approved are in black. Approvals will be noted in the revision history above, specifically by the CO, CDR S'Tveck.

DEEP SPACE 13 Table of Organization

INTRODUCTION

This document sets out the Table of Organization (TO), i.e. the organizational structure, of Deep Space 13 (DS13). It is concerned entirely with the role playing aspects of the station. Information about the administration and mechanics of this writing group may be found in the Style Guide.

With that in mind, a few additional remarks are relevant. DS13 is a deep space station , deployed at the far end of Federation Territory, bordering the Gorn Empire and the Tholian Hegemony boundaries and not far away for that corner of the Romulan Star Empire. It is initially deployed as part of the Tac(tical) (Squad)ron-34 of Gold Fleet in alt.starfleet.rpg and finally settled on the KRIMA EXPEDITIONARY FORCE as its Headquaters. As such the station is the head of exploration of that territory, only patrolled by ships before its deployment, and the first defense point of Star Fleet in case any conflicts develop. It is also intended as a diplomatic center in the case the Federation manages to act as mediator on recent or future territorial conflicts between the present potencies. As such, the station is prepared to serve as a Tactical Command for multi-vessel operations, small repair and refit center and, mainly, surveillance and observation headquarters. In addition to the station defenses, it has a permanent escort ship (USS Spitfire) and a permanent multi-mission support vessel (USS Titania), which add further capabilities to the station own ones. The USS Kosmos is a recent addition to the station permanent attached ships. One additional measure has been taken, surrounding the station with a considerable number of sensor probes that enhance its sensor systems performance. Further information on the station and permanently attached ships is available at this site.

The material below was taken from a variety of contemporary sources. One in particular is the web site of the United States Navy's Atlantic Fleet, particularly the USS Cowpen. The original author made every effort to extrapolate this to the 25th century and Trek technology, drawing both on the author's own knowledge and the best of ASR practice.

Comments, critiques, concerns, clarifications, etc. are most welcome, particularly if your character happens to be in charge of the department involved.

OPERATIONAL CYCLES

DS13 has five operational phases--Deployment and Assembling, Activation, Primary Training Cycle, Intermediate Training Cycle, and Operational Phase.

DEPLOYMENT AND ASSEMBLING

During this phase, a flotilla of Warp Tugs is assigned an escort squadron and a technical ship and directed to the deployment area. Once there, assembling of the different parts of the station is done and three series of tests are conducted, assuring the Matter/Antimatter (M/AM) primary reactor, vital support, Structural Integrity Fields (SIF) and the primary computer core are working within nominal efficiency, as well as intra-station communications. During his phase the station reports to the CEO of the technical ship, who is the squadron commanding ship.

ACTIVATION

This is comprised in three phases, 1, 2 and 3. During phase 1 a primary Activation Crew is assigned to the station, with the mission of activating and bringing to nominal range all secondary systems, including the auxiliary reactor, auxiliary and backup computer cores, main defensive array (shields), external communications and Ops. The deployment flotilla and the technical ship are retired, as well as 66% of escort squadron. During phase 2 a Secondary Activation Crew is assigned to the station, with the mission of activating and bringing to nominal range the secondary defensive array (phasers, torpedoes launchers and pinpoint laser), Engineering, Medical and Flight Control departments as well as the main docking ports, cargo bays and replicators. The primary Activation Crew is assigned to the supervision and revision of the integration process. During phase 3 a final Activation Crew is assigned with the mission of bringing to nominal range all remaining systems, including sensor arrays, tractor beams, transporters, quarters necessities, holodecks, Sciences laboratories, &c. The primary Activation Crew is retired while the secondary Crew supervises the integration of the new systems into the network of working ones. During the Activation phase the station reports to the Activation Commandant, usually the CEO of the longest standing Crew.

PRIMARY TRAINING CYCLE

Final crew is assigned to the station. During the primary training cycle, the focus is on training crew, professional development of personnel (certifications, bridge watch officers qualifications, space warfare officer exams, etc). During this phase, the station reports to what is called the "Type Command," which is behind the scenes in ASR (yet it is assumed it does exist). Basically, the station is assigned to a cruiser division patrolling the area where the station has been deployed. The Type Command is responsible for seeing that software upgrades, hardware maintenance, etc. also happen during the primary training cycle.

INTERMEDIATE TRAINING CYCLE

An intermediate training cycle follows the primary one. This often may be rather short, compared to months spent in a primary training cycle. For our purposes, this is the period where DS13 is delivered its escort and survey ships. The station moves from under the purview of the Type Command back to the Theater Command (Gold Fleet, TACRON-34).

OPERATIONAL PHASE

During the operational phase, DS13 and her ships have mission orders and are under the direct supervision of COMTACRON-34 and the officer-in-tactical command (see later) of a given mission. Subofficers-in-tactical command (see later) of a given mission specialty are to respond to the officer-in-tactical command. Officer-in-tactical (mission) command: The officer-in-tactical command is the officer responsible for the overall mission. In ASR, this is most usually the CO. Subofficer-in-tactical (mission specialty) command: The subofficer-in-tactical command is the officer responsible for a specific mission specialty (usually under officer-in tactical command orders). In ASR this is most usually the XO or other senior line officers (see later). (note: mission specialties on starships are often Away Teams while on stations or starbases are ships specific orders as well)

BILLETS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SENIOR LINE OFFICERS: There are four senior line officers on DS13. They are the CO, XO, OPS, and CIC officers, and they represent the shipboard chain of command.

CO: The commanding officer (CO) is ultimately responsible and accountable to his superiors for the command unit. During primary and intermediate training cycles, the CO reports to the Type Command. During this period, the operations and logistics groups concentrate on maintaining combat readiness, keeping systems up-to-date, and for training of personnel, as well as ongoing projects (sciences). During the operational phase (where the station has mission orders), the CO is responsible for his command unit's role in the mission.

When a commanding officer of a command unit also serves as officer-in-tactical command for a given mission, the CO is responsible for all Star Fleet assets under his purview (including escorts and support crafts). If there is a flag officer or other senior officer aboard who is the officer-in-tactical command, the CO is accountable to said officer for his command unit's role in the mission, but remains the absolute authority in matters pertaining to the unit itself.

Mission specialists and the commander of any independent marine attachment (rump battalion or larger) report directly to the officer-in-tactical command. Regardless of a CO's actual rank, his position is that of unit's captain and he is addressed as such.

XO: The executive officer (XO, Exec) is responsible above all else for the day-to-day operation of the command unit. The XO is also the professional development officer and assists department heads in facilitating training of all line officers. The XO designs and administers all watch officer exams, certifications and qualifying exams as they relate to station operations and command. The XO is also responsible for the unit's routine and for keeping crew discipline. All department heads report to the XO. Regardless of his rank, he is senior to all naval officers who are part of the ship's permanent complement.

OPS: The operations manager (OPS) is the senior member of the station operations group which consists of three departments: operations, combat systems (tactical), and flight traffic control (navigation/astrogation if unit is a ship). In this capacity, the operations manager also allocates unit resources and coordinates interdepartmental projects, including those that involve engineering or sciences. An OPS also has a permanent place in the senior officer watch rotation and is usually senior to the CIC in the chain of station command.

CIC: The combat information center officer is responsible first and foremost for the combat information center (which is on Deck 3). The purpose of the CIC is two-fold: First, in multi-unit combat, the CIC keeps track of what is happening; second, the CIC officer is the clearinghouse for orders from the officer-in-tactical command (see above) of the engagement. This is because, according to conventional Star Fleet thinking, the TAC officer is too busy with how the unit performs in combat to spare attention for the big picture. The CIC of the station thus relays the orders of the officer-in-tactical command to allied assets (ships), and takes reports from CIC officers of those ships on their status. Beyond the combat information center, the CIC officer has a permanent place in the senior watch rotation.

WATCHES

The underway watch rotation (the only one that really concerns role-play on DS13) consists of six four-hour watches which cycle every twenty-four. Each overall watch has two watch officers, one senior and one junior. There are subsidiary watches at OPS, TAC, and FlOPS, as well as ENG and SEC. While department heads may participate in the watch rotation as junior watch officers, they only takeover their primary bridge consoles during alerts.

Officers of the Day

Beyond the permanent watch officers, there are also officers of the day. Senior officer of the day is limited to those officers who have passed the senior BrOT (bridge officer's test). Junior officer of the day is open to any junior officer who has passed the junior BrOT. Both are good experience for any ambitious officer.

Watch Cycle:

Alpha (0800-1200), Bravo (1200-1600), Charlie (1600-2000), Delta (2000-0000), Echo (0000-0400), Foxtrot (0400-0800).

OOD: SCI, PRO, etc (if qualified).
JOOD: Varies.

Also bear in mind that division officers serve as watch officers for their departmental watches (operations, engineering, tactical and flight control watches). In sciences, there is no standing watch. Attending physicians rotate as shift supervisors. A shift in sickbay is two regular four-hour watches; the sciences department may also run in eight-hour shifts at the discretion of the chief science officer.

THE GROUPS

The departments are grouped into operations, support/logistics, and medical/counseling/protocol. These distinctions are most important during the training phases. They also reflect the uniform colors employed aboard DS13 or any supporting unit. During operational phases, these groups become less important as the entire ship comes mission-focused.

OPERATIONS GROUP

The operations group consists of Operations, Combat Systems (Tactical), and Flight Traffic Control (Astrogation/Navigation). On DS13, all of these people will wear command red. This group is responsible for the performance of the station while underway, particularly in combat. The Operations Manager is the senior member of the operations group, and is accountable to the XO for its overall readiness during training cycles.

SUPPORT/LOGISTICS GROUP

The support/logistics group consists of Engineering, Sciences, Security, and Protocol. All of these people wear mustard except security, though scientists, technicians, etc who are part of the Science Corps (as opposed to science officers who are line officers serving as administrators) wear blue along with other staff officers. Security will wear dark blue (civilian, Federation Marshalls Corps) or BDU color (SF, SFMC) depending on their profile. The purpose of the support/logistics group is ensure the proper functioning of the station, so that the operations group can perform its own function. Department heads within the support/logistics group report directly to the XO on matters of readiness during training cycles.

MEDICAL/COUNSELING/PROTOCOL GROUPS

The Medical and Counseling groups wear blue (staff) uniforms. This group provides specialized professional services (medicine and counseling) to the station. The protocol group wears blue or variable, depending if they are part of the counseling group or the Federation Ambassadorial Corps. The Chief Medical Officer and counselor report separately to the XO. The Protocol Officer reports to the CO.

THE DEPARTMENTS

OPERATIONS

Operations Manager: The role of the Operations Manager vis-a-vis the Operations group has already been discussed. The Operations Manager is also the Operations department head. In that capacity, OPS is the Chief Operations Officer and supervises the Operations division officers. OPS on a Deep Space station is typically an O-3 or O-4.

The Operations Department (as distinct from the Operations group) is composed of seven divisions. All division officers may take operations watches, though the Station Services Officer (SSO) is often excused from such duties owing to the scope of his normal commitments. These divisions are discussed below:

Station Services (SSO): The Station Services division is responsible for the mundane tasks that keep a station operating and the crew in good health and spirits. With the assistance of the Engineering staff (primarily E-division), Station Services ensures the operation of replicators, holodecks, etc. The Station Services division also assigns quarters, stewards, and deals with Housekeeping and Quartermaster Services (Supply). Moreover, with the assistance of the counselor, Station Services makes certain that recreational and education programs go off as planned, and assists the Protocol Officer in seeing to the comfort of dignitaries. This officer is typically an O-2 (LTJG) or O-1 (ENS).

Computer Core (Comp): The Computer Core Officer is responsible for maintaining the station's computer core. In these duties, the Computer Core Supervisor is assisted by a number of Operations specialists. This officer is typically an O-1 (ENS), but may be a Chief Warrant Officer (CW1-CW2).

Sensors (SDO): The Sensors Division Officer is responsible for ensuring the proper calibration and operation of all the station's sensor systems (long range, short range, and sensor shell). In general, the Operations department maintains sensor software, while the G- and E-divisions in Engineering handle the hardware side, while Sensors Division handles the operation and fine-tuning of them. This officer is typically an O-1 or CW1.

Communications (Comm): The Communications Officer is responsible for ensuring the proper function of station's communications equipment, especially the software (such as the universal translator) side. Because this billet benefits more from experience than education, the Communications Officer is often a CW1.

Cryptography & Intelligence (Crypto): The Crypto department works closely with both the Communications Division Officer and the Combat Information Center (CIC) Officer to process and direct intelligence to the appropriate parties. This division officer is typically an O-1, but may also be a CW1-CW2.

COMBAT SYSTEMS

The Chief Tactical Officer (TAC) heads the Combat Systems department. This officer is typically an O-2 on a deep space station. Several division officers, who handle key parts of the offensive and defensive station systems, assist TAC. These divisions are, as follows:

Torpedoes (Strike): Strike, as the Torpedo Division Officer is called, is responsible for the stations torpedo systems, both regular and quantum (flux). The torpedo crews (who handle this manually in the event of system failure) report to Strike, and this officer is also responsible for torpedo stores. Strike is often Lead Division Officer, and is typically an O-1.

Phasers (Guns): Guns, or the Phasers Division Officer, is responsible for the performance of station phaser systems, including phaser and gattling (pulse) cannons. Gun crews, who handle the firing of phasers in the event of control system malfunction in combat, report to the Phasers Division Officer. Guns is typically an O-1 or O-2.

Lasers (PDS): PDS, or Point Defense System Officer, is responsible for the performance of the station point defense system, that's designed to work in conjunction to the ECM (see later) to defend the station against rockets and torpedoes. PDS crews report to PDS, who is usually an O-1.

Shields (DEF): The Shield Division Officer is responsible for the station's shields, including optimizing their protective value. Because shield systems are highly vulnerable to opposition fire, the Shields Division Officer often works closely with DAMCON (below) and the R- and E- divisions in Engineering. Shields is typically an O-1 or O-2.

Electronic Counter-Measures (ECM): Electronic Counter-measures are critical to the survival of a station in combat considering a station is unable to maneuver to avoid opposition fire. Counter-measures are used to draw off opposition fire, particularly torpedoes and particle beams (causing false weapons lock). ECM is typically an O-1 or O-2.

Damage Control (DAMCON): DAMCON is responsible for coordinating damage control efforts during and after combat. DAMCON works very closely with the R-division (Repair & Maintenance) in Engineering and is always the liaison officer to Engineering for the Combat Systems department. DAMCON is typically an O-2, or O-1 with some engineering expertise as well.

FLIGHT CONTROL

Primarily, Flight Control Officers (FCO) are responsible for overseeing and coordinating all craft and ship traffic in and out the station. It's foremost responsibility revolves around the maintenance and upkeep of any attached craft to the station (Flight Operations), but it also provides navigators for said attached craft during the operational phase. Moreover, FCO handles Stellar Cartography (StelCart) and keeps the star charts updated (Star Fleet is constantly bombarding its ships and stations with updates). In short, FCO is responsible for anything dealing with flight.

Flight Control also supervises itself (traditionally a good billet for professional development of young officers.) FCO is typically an O-2, and is assisted by five division officers, all typically with a rank of O-1:

Flight Operations Division (FlOPS): This division is responsible for overall command and control of all craft permanently attached to the station. Departments of this division are created based on the individual craft. Each individual craft other than shuttles has its own operations department that reports to the Flight Operations Division Commander, whom is in overall charge and whom reports to the ships Operations Officer (OPS). Currently, DS13 FlOPS has 3 subdivisions:

USS Spitfire Operations (Spitfire OPS): This department is responsible for the operational and combat readiness of the USS Spitfire. A senior staff officer normally captains the USS Spitfire, usually the XO or OPS as the tactical situation demands or as dictated by the Commandant of the station or other competent authority. However, there is always at least one person in overall command of the Spitfire's maintenance while in station, usually a CW-2.

USS Titania Operations (Titania OPS): This department is responsible for the operational and combat readiness of the USS Titania. A senior staff officer normally captains the USS Titania, usually the Executive Officer or Operations officer as the tactical situation demands or as dictated by the Commandant of the station or other competent authority. Like the Spitfire, the Titania always has at least one person assigned permanently to this department, usually a CW-2.

USS Kosmos Operations (Kosmos OPS): This department is responsible for the operational and combat readiness of the USS Kosmos. A senior staff officer normally captains the USS Kosmos, usually the XO or OPS as the tactical situation demands or as dictated by the Commandant of the station or other competent authority. However, there is always at least one person in overall command of the Kosmos' maintenance while in station, usually a CW-2.

Other departments of FlOPS may be added or removed as the complement of assigned craft changes.

Shuttle Operations (ShOPS): The Shuttle Operations department is headed by the Shuttle Operations Officer (ShOPS) and is responsible for the maintenance and flight operations of the standard complement of shuttlecraft and runabouts attached to DS13. Currently, the following types and numbers of each are as follows:

Shuttlebays : 1 main, 7 auxiliary
Shuttlepod : 30
Combat Shuttle, Fighter : 16
Personnel Shuttle, Small : 20
Personnel Shuttle, Large : 10
Shuttle, D-Warp : 6
Courier, D-Warp : 3
Cargo Shuttle : 50
Runabout : 2
Runabout (E-12) : 1
Marine Dropship : 2

Stellar Cartography (StelCart): While science officers often make use of Stellar Cartography, this center falls under the purview of Flight Control. The Stellar Cartography Division Officer is directly responsible for keeping the charts up-to-date and for providing Navigation the information necessary to plot and plan the safest, most efficient course.

Navigation/Helm (NAV): The Navigation division is responsible for the training of Helmsmen and Assistant Helmsmen (quartermaster's ratings, no relation to supply) and is the physical location of the navigation watch. Navigation develops and refines evasive maneuvers (with the collaboration of TAC and OPS) and is responsible for the performance of the helm and for the performance of navigational deflectors on support and escort ships.

Docking Bays Control (Docks): The Docking Bays Control Division is responsible of supervision of correct attachment and detachment of crafts and ships to the station, providing a link crewman for that specific port. This department is vital to keep a current and accountable track of immigration and emigration of population and civilian cargo and usually accounts to Operations department as well.

ENGINEERING

Engineering is responsible for the repair, maintenance, and proper functioning of the station's physical components. It is also responsible of the maintenance of support and escort ships and craft. Headed by the Chief Engineering Officer (ENG), Engineering is broken down into five functional divisions, three (Propulsion, Gravitics, and Electronics) involve specific technologies, whereas the other two (Diagnostics and Repair/Maintenance) are logistical in nature. All division officers report to the ENG.

The ENG supervises the division officers and reports directly to the XO. ENG is also responsible for the professional development of engineering officers. ENG is at minimum an O-2, and is typically an O-3. In dealings with enlisted personnel, ENG is assisted by a first mate, most often a senior or master chief. By naval convention, Engineering divisions are referred to by their one or two letter abbreviation.

Divisions

Propulsion (P) Division: The Propulsion division is responsible for operation of the maneuvering engines and impulse engines. Propulsion is also responsible for maneuvering thrusters, impulse and warp drives of all support and escort ships and crafts of the station. It is usually the largest of the Engineering divisions; thusly, the division officer is an O-1 or O-2. Propulsion may be further subdivided into warp, dimension warp, and impulse centers with O-1 or CW-1/CW-2 heading them.

Gravitics (G) Division: Gravitic systems include those technologies that manipulate gravity per the SF Engineering page (shields, long range sensors, tractor beams, and gravitic cloaks when appropriate). The Gravitics Division Officer is an O-2 or a reasonably experienced O-1.

Electronics (E) Division: Electronic systems are those technologies which rely on electromagnetics, namely short range sensors, navigational sensors, transporters, structural integrity fields, etc. as well as internal ship systems. Like the G-division, the Electronics Division Officer is typically an O-2 or experienced O-1.

Diagnostic (D) Division: The Diagnostic Division Officer is responsible for ensuring the operation of all stationboard diagnostic systems, particularly their software components. This officer works closely with the Computer Core Division Officer (Comp) in Operations and with the R-Division Officer in Engineering. Diagnostic Division Officers are typically O-2's or O-1's, and may even be chief warrant officers.

Repair/Maintenance (R) Division: The Repair/Maintenance division coordinates all of Engineering's repair and maintenance efforts. This division officer works closely with the Damage Control (DAMCON) Division Officer in the Combat Systems department and with the Station Services Division Officer in Operations. The R-Division Officer is typically an O-2, given the interdepartmental liaison duties.

SCIENCES

The Science department (Sciences) has a dual role aboard a deep space station. First, and foremost, the Science department is tasked with solving problems of a scientific nature brought to it by the command staff. These problems may be mission-related, or may reflect the challenges of space travel and exploration in a more general sense. A good Chief Science Officer (CSciO) will study the mission briefing material for ways in which the Science department may support overall mission goals. This aspect of the Science department's role is most obvious during the operational phase.

Otherwise, the Science department engages in ongoing research. When not called upon to perform specific tasks, the members of the department will be pulling together work done on previous missions, writing classified material up for Star Fleet and unclassified material up for publication, as well as conducting their own personal research. The CSciO has a control function, making certain that Star Fleet by and large ends up funding research of some utility to the organization as a whole.

The CSciO is not necessarily a scientist, but rather the Chief Administrator of the Sciences department and is typically an O-3. In this task, CSciO is assisted by division officers who are also administrators, and are typically junior officers of varying ranks. Their most important tasks are to serve as an interface between the scientists and the command staff. In that, they are tasked with translating mission-related demands into a scientific framework, putting together project teams (multi-disciplinary or othewise), and judging between competing demands for resources. The specific number of divisions will vary at a given time, but be grouped around loosely related fields: social sciences, physical sciences, biological sciences, etc.

Division officers are assumed to have undergraduate degrees (but no more) in the discipline which they supervise. 'Supervise' is a term used loosely because they are not supervising the content of research, but rather supporting the efforts of ongoing scientific study. Most of the scientists in their divisions will outrank them considerably (and have advanced degrees); however, they report to the DivO in an administrative sense. Also, the DivOs are responsible for making the SCI aware of potentially mission relevant research done in their division, as these things occasionally work the other direction as well.

SECURITY

The security department on DS13 is relatively big. It's divided in two divisions (Civilian (CIV) and SF). Civilian Security is concerned primarily with maintaining civilian order and enforcing Federation laws. This is performed by members of the Federation Marshalls Corps. There are three standing watches (which rotate through twice a daily cycle). Each watch has three squads of ten men-at-arms (the enlisted rating of security personnel). In addition, there is an administrative squad which primarily handles criminal and forensic investigations and paperwork. The CIVSEC on DS13 is usually a Constable and it's accountable to the CSO.

SF Security is concerned primarily with maintaining order and enforcing Star Fleet regulations among military personnel. Other important roles of SFSEC are protection and securation of restricted areas, protection of VIPs and the overall security of the station in case of attack by any invading parties. The Chief Security Officer is tipically in charge of all security operations (although it delegates Civilian Security for the lesser cases) and reports directly to the XO. The CSO is tipically a SF Security Officer or the MCO.

On smaller vessels, the department head for security may very well be a senior non-commissioned officer. In such cases, he/she is known as the CMAA (Chief Master-of-Arms & Armaments). Where TAC and CSO are combined, there is a CMAA who reports to the TAC/CSO. Otherwise, this officer reports to the XO directly.

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT (SICKBAY)

Chief Medical Officer: The chief medical officer (CMO) is a department head and member of the senior staff. On DS13, this officer is typically a LT or LCDR (but may be CDR as well). The officer must be a medical doctor and must have completed residency. The officer need not be a specialist. The chief day-to-day responsibilities of the CMO are administrative. Though the CMO may well choose to see patients, the officer does not have a sickbay shift. There are two division heads, one in charge of administering the civilian hospital (CIVMED), the other one (usually the CMO himself) administers the SF Sickbay (SFMED). In any case both report to the CMO.

Per division,

Staff Attending Physicians: There are three staff attendings in addition to the chief medical officer. Their ranks are typically LT (at least), but may be LCDR or even CDR. Regardless of their ranks vis-a-vis the CMO, they report directly to that officer. Many of these officers are board certified specialists, but do not need to be.

Residents: There are also three residents whose shifts mirror that of the attending physicians. They are the doctors who do the bulk of the 'grunt work' in sickbay. While attendings must sign off on their diagnoses and treatment plans, they are the ones most likely to see patients. They may or may not be studying to become specialists. All of these officers are LT (O-3)'s. With only three total, there is no head resident. First year residents are called interns.

Head Nurse: The head nurse is a LTJG or LT, but may be a LCDR, and is the officer to whom the nurses report. She reports to directly to the chief medical officer or CIVMED, though her nurses report to the attending physician in charge of a given shift.

Staff Nurses: There are nine staff nurses. At any given time, about half of these will be LT's or LTjg's, the other half ENS.

Pharmacologist/Toxicologist: There is one pharmacologist/toxicologist on staff. That officer will be a LTjg, LT, or LCDR, or even CDR depending on experience and education.

Medical Techs, Orderlies, etc: There are a number of paramedics, medical techs, orderlies, corpsmen of various enlisted ratings, etc. In general, senior medical techs are warrants, all others are petty officers. Paramedics are senior noncoms (with very experienced ones being chiefs), orderlies are junior enlisted.

COUNSELING

The station's counselor is responsible for the mental health of the crew and for advising the commandant in matters of stationboard morale. Some unit's counselors go at it alone, others have assistant counselors. There is an enlisted rating of naval counselor. These people are not professional mental health providers, but rather an equivalent of social workers. All ship's counselors have counseling certification from Star Fleet and are assumed to have at least undergraduate degrees (but more often intermediate and advanced degrees) in a related field: psychology, psychiatry, anthropology, xenology or sociology.

PROTOCOL

The protocol officer reports directly to the XO. His duties involve advising the XO on matters of stationboard and service protocol and by assuming responsibility for selected tasks. These duties are outlined in detail because the average player may not have had much contact with this particular billet.

Stationboard protocol duties involve: Supervising station ceremonies while underway, including but not limited to marriages, funerals, change of command, parade reviews, commissionings, and stationwide award ceremonies; acting as the Vice President of the Mess (for formal messes in the wardroom) [Note: The CO is the President of the Mess. In the absence of a protocol officer, this falls to the XO]; handling preparations for diplomatic functions held aboard the station, and caring for the needs of VIPs and their accomodations; accompanying the CO on casualty calls while in port; assisting legal officers, the captain, and executive officer with the conduct of boards of inquiry, Captain's Masts, and summary court martials while underway.

Mission related protocol officer duties include: advising away team members on local customs, laws, and institutions, especially as they govern the proper treatment of foreign heads of state and other officials; accompanying away teams on formal diplomatic functions or at the request of the XO or CO; lending relevant assistance as requested or required in the protocol officer's own area of professional or academic expertise; acting as liason between the CO and Diplomats permanently assigned to the station, and participation in the officer-of-the-day rotations where appropriate and if qualified.

MARINES

The role of the marine complement also varies a great deal from ship to ship. On DS13, the marine complement is that of a rump battalion composed of three companies of four platoons each. A rump battalion is also the smallest independent marine command in SFMC, and the battalion commander has an XO, an OPS, and an adjutant, as well as an administrative staff. The size of DS13's marine complement is approximately 420 marines. The marine commander is responsible to the CO of the station for the discipline of his marines. A battalion commander will generally designate an officer to serve as a liaison to the XO or OPS for requesting station's resources and may deal directly with the CSO on matters of joint training.

While the marine commander is accountable to the CO for the discipline of his marines, and to the officer-in-tactical command for their role in the mission, a battalion commander also reports to a regimental commander who is part of the fleet's marine division. This is analagous to the Type Command, and is the entity to which the battalion commander is accountable for training and performance of the marine unit.

While the civilian security department is responsible for the discipline of the civilians on board the station, the marines are responsible for the crew and Marines complement discipline, station's safety--garrisoning sensitive areas, repelling boarders, etc. and for protection of away team missions. They also handle dignatary details, provide color guards for ceremonies, appropriate escort for diplomats, etc. When marines are providing such services, they report to the XO or PRO where appropriate.

CONCLUSIONS:

Hopefully, that gives people a better idea of the organizational structure of Deep Space 13, and one possible organizational concept for space service in a Trek-related 25th century environment. As noted, suggestions, comments, criticisms, etc. are welcome. The XO and I do not expect people to know this by heart, and will make the latest version (with version notes) available on the web page for reference. However, knowing the overall structure is adviced for it creates a more coherent playground for our stories.

Respectfully submitted,

David S de Lis
CDR S'Tveck
CO, DS13
DS, KRIMAXFOR HQ, GOLD Fleet

PS- Kudos and compliments to:

D'Maris Coffman,
CAPT Farhad Ghazim
CO, USS QUASAR (NCC-1911E)
CC, TACRON-34, GOLD Fleet

for her superb work on the USS Quasar's TO which is practically this one but dealing with the ship instead of a station. Hey, I got her permission! <G>