ASR Player's Manual Appendix Q: Command Billet Descriptions
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Introduction:
By popular request, this document seeks to present the command billets as they are currently designed. It records the official title, their acronym(s), the normal rank or rank range for the player character of the holder, the current RP and NRPG responsibilities, and the superior officers to which each command billet.
This document was written to summarize current practice as it has evolved in ASR. Readers should be aware that ASR is a dynamic entity and that policies and procedures change. The reader should also be aware that the CINCSF, Flag Council, and the Round Table have the right to make changes to this document.
No player in ASR may command more than one unit at a time. Also, due to the tremendous amount of creative and administrative work that accompanies the above tasks, it is strongly recommended that a player limit the total number of CO or XO billets he or she fills at any given time to no more than one.
ASR Command Billets
CO (Commanding Officer)
- Normal Rank: LCDR (O-4) to CAPT (O-6)
- Billet Description:
In Character (RP):
The commanding officer (CO) is ultimately responsible and accountable to his or her superiors for his command and crew. He is a line officer (an officer eligible for an operational command, that is a command in space), and in case of his absence, disability, or death, he is succeeded by the next elidgible officer in the chain of command. Whatever his rank may be, though, the commanding officer is always called "the Captain."
The CO of a large vessel (heavy cruiser or larger) is traditionally a captain (CAPT, O-6); the CO of a light cruiser is normally a commander (CDR, O-5). Commanding officers of destroyers and smaller ships are usually lieutenant commanders (LCDR, O-4).
The captain represents the ship; he speaks for it. He is accountable for it. He is responsible for all members of his crew and all their acts. He does not make excuses or pass blame to others. Since he is accountable for all that the ship does, for the quality of training aboard, and for the conduct of the crew at all times, he is likewise given full power to enforce Star Fleet Regulations aboard the ship and to ensure that the crew behaves accordingly. In short, since his responsibility is complete, his authority must also be complete.
Though all authority, command, direction, and responsibility ultimately rests with the captain, in practice the CO delegates the duties necessary for carrying out the day-to-day functions of the ship to the executive officer, to the heads of the departments, to the officer of the deck, and, through them, to the crew.
Out-of-Character (NRP):
Just as with the in-character description, the CO is responsible to his commanding officer (the Fleet Commander, FCO, or Task Force Commander, TFC, as applicable) for the performance of the ship. This includes the supervision of role players in the unit and the development of the story line of the unit. The CO is also responsible for maintaining the ship's posting rate, contacting crew members that have not contributed recently, and, in association with the FCO, managing inactive crew (probation, dismissal, etc.).
Other duties for which the CO is normally responsible are the maintenance of the unit roster and player character biographical data file and the development/maintenance of a ship web page. Most FCO's require the CO to mail them a roster, status update, and vacancy list at least monthly.
The commanding officer is expected to represent his or her unit at the bi-annual ASR Round Table.
The CO may delegate any or all of the above tasks to personnel under his or her command so long as that player is willing to accept the responsibility of those duties. However, this in no way effects the fact that the CO is ultimately responsible to see that these duties are carried out.
XO (Executive Officer {preferred} also FO {First Officer})
- Normal Rank: LT (O-3) to CDR (O-5)
- Billet Description:
In-Character (RP):
The executive officer is the line officer next in rank to the CO. The XO is usually one or two grades junior to the CO of the vessel. Regardless of his rank, he is senior to all naval officers (aside from the CO) who are part of the ship's permanent company.
Under the direction of the captain, the XO has entire charge of all matters relating to the personnel, routine, and discipline of the ship. All orders issued by the XO are considered as coming from the CO. In case of the absence, disability, or death of the captain, the executive officer assumes command. The XO is also responsible for the ship's routine and for enforcing crew discipline. All department heads report to the XO.
Out-of-Character (NRP):
The executive officer assists the commanding officer in any way that the commanding officer designates. The XO is often, but not always, the keeper of the roster and biographical data files. If the XO feels that the CO is imposing too many duties, he should talk to the CO and, if necessary, the FCO about the situation. However, the XO is expected to help with administrative details of the unit.
In the case where the commanding officer is out of communication, the executive officer is responsible for carrying out the duties of the commanding officer until such time as the commanding officer returns or is replaced by the Fleet Commander. Any executive officer who is out of communication with the captain should directly contact the TFC or FCO.
The Fleet Commander should be informed immediately of any difficulties in communication with the commanding officer that last for more than a few days.
Notes
Some fleets acknowledge other command billets. These vary on a fleet-to-fleet basis. In some cases, the third in command of the ship is simply the next most senior player aboard in terms of rank. Often, the operations officer is, by default, the third in command. In other cases, the commanding officer may designate an out-of-character chain of command that differs from the in-character chain of command. The duties of any other billets designated as "command billets" are at the discretion of the commanding officer and Fleet Commander or Task Force Commander.
VERSION HISTORY:
- 2.0- Addition of paragraph regarding limitations in number of command billets held concurrently (SD 161003)
- 1.0- Original creation (SD 120330)
