SFPA-CIC
| DETAILS | NOTES |
|---|---|
| ASR Website: | Star Fleet in the ASR Universe |
| BILLET: | Star Fleet Combat Information Center (CIC) Officer Collateral Duties: Cryptologic Analysis Officer, Emergency Management Officer, Intelligence Officer |
| DESIGNATION: | Unrestricted Line Officer |
| COMMISSION SOURCES: | Star Fleet Academy, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Officer's Candidate School (OCS) |
| INITIAL RANK: | SFA, OCS & ROTC graduates typically begin their Star Fleet service as Ensigns (O-1) or Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2) for exceptional academic achievement. |
| RESPONSIBILITIES: | Officers in this billet serve as the department head of the Combat Information Center. The job of this officer is to oversee the CIC watch team. They ensure the accurate collection, evaluation and analysis of all tactical sensor information received, including IMINT, SIGINT and HUMINT, rapidly disseminating it to the operations center of the station/starbase or bridge of the ship. This includes monitoring potentially hostile activity, space anomalies that may pose a risk to the unit, and friendly assets using various sensors and communication systems.
A CIC officer's role varies significantly depending on the unit's size and function. For example, in larger units, they may serve as a department head. In smaller units however, this position might be held by a division officer, acting as second in command to the Operations department head. Alternatively, some units assign the CIC officer role as a collateral duty to the Operations officer. Typical divisions in the CIC department include; Communications, Cryptography, Data Analysis, Intelligence and Sensor Systems. Additionally, Flight Control and Fleet Liaison divisions may be part of the unit’s table of organization (TOO) as required. Key Responsibilities of all Department Heads: • Compliance and Governance: Adherence to the Star Fleet Uniform Code of Military Justice (SFUMCJ) standing orders, and instructions is a significant part of the job. This includes maintaining proper records, ensuring safety protocols are followed, and regular reporting through your chain of command. • Leadership and Management: A Department Head handles the leadership and administration of their department. This involves ensuring everyone under their purview is trained, prepared, and executing their duties effectively. Star Fleet is operating to preserve the peace, deter hostile aggression, and protect the Federation way of life. • Planning and Operations: Whether in space or ashore, Department Heads are integral to planning and executing missions, ongoing operations, training exercises, fully staffing your department, and other duties as ordered. In this billet, you will be expected to: o Implement the two (2) core mission functions of the CIC;
• Collaborate with the Operations Department to ensure the accurate and timely flow of information in the unit. • Compose annual FITREPs for junior officers and/or warrants under your command, submitting to the XO for final approval in a timely manner. Act as final approver for all NCO and enlisted evaluations of assigned CIC personnel. • Directly supervise the performed duties of junior division officers and indirectly NCOs assigned to the Department or Division*. • Ensure all CIC logs are properly maintained for the duration of each watch. • Gain command experience that will serve you well throughout your career as a CIC Officer. • Operate as a leader within your focus area and get exposure outside your MOS. • Oversee the care, maintenance, and operation of equipment, supplies, and spaces as are assigned to the CIC Department/Division. Collaborate with Engineering to ensure operational readiness and avoid minimal downtime for system repairs. • Supervise and evaluate both on-the-job training and the continuing education of junior officers and enlisted personnel assigned to the CIC. • When assigned to fleet maneuvers, communicate all sensor readings, intelligence and other relevant tactical data to the Flag; receive, authenticate, process and disseminate fleetwide directives and intelligence immediately through your chain of command. |
| WORK ENVIRONMENT: | As a Star Fleet Combat Information Center (CIC) Officer, you may be assigned anywhere throughout the Federation. This may include working on starships of all sizes, major nodal starbases and deep space stations. The basic purpose of CIC in every unit is the same – the timely and accurate flow of information. The Combat Information Center Department/Division works closely with the Operations Department to ensure success.
The CIC is evenly divided between its offensive and defensive responsibilities to the unit with highly skilled ratings and officers prepared to execute those duties. The composition of the CIC may vary greatly depending on the type, function and mission of the unit. Thus, some billets, ratings and duties may overlap or be combined with the Operations department to meet their particular operational demands of the unit. All of these tasks are accomplished in the confines of the Combat Information Center (CIC) using various electronic gear and sensor systems. CIC is considered the "Nerve Center" of the unit where this information is compiled and displayed for possible engagement. An easy way to explain the job of the CIC is, "Find the good guy's, find the bad guy's." CIC is only as useful as the information it receives to evaluate and pass on. It is essential that other divisions and departments throughout the unit— Intelligence, Flight Deck, Operations, Bridge, Commander Air Group and Flag (if applicable) continually feed information into CIC in order to present a complete, up-to-the-minute tactical picture to unit commanders at all times. The following is a list of typical billets and ratings one may find in an CIC Department/Division on a starbase, space station or starship, though this list is not exhaustive. COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER WATCH OFFICER (CICWO) -The officer who supervises the operation of the combat information center (CIC) is the CIC watch officer (CICWO). The CICWO acts as a representative of and assistant to the CIC officer and normally makes frequent reports to the OOD and/or Tactical Officer. COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER -This officer exercises the general supervision of exterior communications in CIC, including decoding, encoding, supervising radio recorders, stowage and maintenance of publications, communication plans. The communications specialists are enlisted personnel who maintain watch logs and operate active sensor systems. CRYPTOLOGIC DEFENSE OFFICER (CDO) -Cryptologic Defense Officer (CDO) are the Star Fleet’s Information Warriors with expertise in all facets of Information Operations (IO), including traditional Cryptology, Command and Control, Computer Network Operations and Space Systems. CW Officers create defensive options for units and Fleet Commanders to defend Federation assets. They deliver and operate reliable, secure and defensive-ready global networks, and lead in development and integration of IO capabilities in the Fleet. ELECTRONICS SPECIALTY LDO -Space Electronics Limited Duty Officers serve as maintenance officers with technical leadership and management experience within combat systems, operations, or weapons departments both afloat and ashore across multiple defensive enterprises. They serve as subject matter experts across all departments, divisions and billets in both ground and space units. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICER -Plans, develops and administers the command's disaster preparedness program. Advises command on how to integrate organizational functions necessary to prepare for, defend against, and recover from major accidents, natural and man-made disasters; assists in the coordination with other Star Fleet, SFMC and UFP units on disaster response operations. Other duties may include, conducting training for nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) defense, hazard awareness, individual protection, decontamination, and mission restoration. FIGHTER DIRECTOR OFFICER (FDO)* -The FDO's responsibility is the coordination and control of aircraft assigned to the unit. The officer is in constant communications with pilots and the CAG maintaining the status of all friendly spacecraft and is assisted by an enlisted status board keeper, usually an information systems striker. *NOTE this billet is only applicable to units with an attached air defense wing or group. FLEET LIAISON OFFICER (FLO)* -This billet serves as a vital intermediary, facilitating communication and coordination between a starship or space station and the Flag. This role is typically held by a full Lieutenant (O-3) or higher and involves ensuring that directives are understood, information is shared efficiently, and operations are aligned across various levels of the Fleet. They act as a go-between, representing their unit's interests while also relaying broader strategic information to the Fleet Commander. *NOTE this role may be collateral duty assigned to another officer for units not permanently assigned to fleet operations. INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL -This billet is typically held by a mid-grade warrant officer. A Special Duty Officer of the Information Professional Community provides expertise in information, command and control, and space systems through the planning, acquisition, operation, maintenance and security of systems. INTELLIGENCE OFFICER LDO -Intelligence Officers assist in collection, evaluation, and dissemination of naval intelligence in support of surface and space defensive units and operational staffs. Maintains order of battle information and intelligence plots. Prepares and develops classified intelligence reports and estimates. SENSOR OFFICER -The Sensor Officer usually assumes the role of Sensor supervisor during Red Alerts, standing by to check any technical difficulties and coordinating the sensor operation as a whole. Normal duty is the maintenance of all sensor equipment. In front of each of the sensor consoles sit two sensor operators, one operating and the other standing by as an emergency relief. COMMON CIC RATINGS: Cryptographic Technician (CT) -Perform duties related to decoding encoded transmissions, handling classified transmissions, and interpreting transmissions in unknown language codes. This rating is subdivided into second depending on what an individual's specific duties relate to: •CTA (Administrative) Information Systems Technician (IT) -Operate communications equipment and automated information systems. Intelligence Specialist (IS) -Plan, collect, process, produce and disseminate intelligence. Transmit reports of ship's activities and intelligence to Office of Star Fleet Intelligence (OSFI). |
| TRAINING & ADVANCEMENT: |
Department Head (DH): Most Star Fleet units are divided into departments (e.g. Administration, Engineering, Medical, Operations). The Department Head is responsible to the Executive Officer (XO) for the efficient management of his/her department. As the representative of the Commanding Officer, the Department Head is responsible for and reports to the CO about all matters that affect the department. That includes administrative matters (personnel & discipline), the operational readiness of the department, and the general condition of equipment. Department Heads are members of the unit's senior staff. Division Officer (DIVO): Most Star Fleet departments are divided into divisions. Division Officers are responsible for the efficient operation of their assigned division within the department and are responsible to and, in general, act as assistants to Department Heads. The number of divisions in a department varies, with each division having only a few assigned personnel to as many as 200 personnel. The Division Officer is a major link in the chain of command. At the working level, the Division Officer carries out command policies and personally sees that division tasks are completed in a timely manner. Promotion opportunities are regularly available but highly competitive and based on outstanding performance and academic achievement. Officers wishing to advance beyond O-4 are highly encouraged to expand both their practical and educational experience. |
| EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: | Following your initial tour as a CIC Officer, you can attend the Star Fleet Postgraduate School (SFPS) at the Academy’s Marseilles Campus Terra-Sol III. There you may be able to further your education by completing an advanced degree in your specialty or broaden your experience into other sub-specialties, all while on Active Duty for Training (ADT). Many doctorate programs are available for senior officers who wish to pursue higher education in their respective designator(s).
Opportunities for further education within this career include: • Daystrom Institute Okinawa, Japan Terra/Sol-3
• Star Fleet Defense College Terra/Sol-3 Additional Qualification Designators (ADQ) available to officers who obtain academic achievements in other subspecialties. |
| QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS: | Regardless of your commission source, you must meet the general eligibility requirements to join Star Fleet and become a CIC Officer.
A degree from a four-year college or university is a minimum educational requirement to become a Commissioned Officer in Star Fleet. Depending on the path you choose to obtain your commission, there may be additional Star Fleet training required. All candidates must also be Federation citizens, willing to serve across the Alpha and Beta quadrants and medically qualified for space duty. |
Do you possess the empathy, resolve, and unwavering passion to embark on the challenging yet deeply rewarding path of a Star Fleet Officer? Ready to join? Contact the Star Fleet Bureau of Personnel (BUPERS) to launch your career in Star Fleet as a Combat Information Center (CIC) Officer!
- Portions of the above obtained from https://www.navy.com/ and modified for ASR use.
- Star Trek, Star Fleet, and the Star Fleet Logo are all copyrighted by http://www.paramount.com Paramount Pictures. All rights reserved.
- SD 24370706 - Created by Michael Dailey
