SFPA-CNS/PRO
PROTOCOL OFFICER
(CNS/PRO)
| DETAILS | NOTES |
|---|---|
| ASR Website: | Star Fleet Medical Corps |
| BILLET: | Star Fleet Counselor Collateral Duty: Protocol Officer (See NOTE below) |
| DESIGNATION: | Staff Corps Officer |
| COMMISSION SOURCES: | Star Fleet Academy, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Officer's Development School (ODS)/Direct Commission |
| 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. Direct Commission rank will depend on past education & experience with another recognized peacekeeping or defensive military organization. |
| RESPONSIBILITIES: | As a Star Fleet Counselor, you are responsible for the mental health of all personnel assigned to your unit (ship, starbase, deep space station, or joint forces installation). Depending on the size of the unit, the Counselor may be the sole provider of mental health services in smaller units, or may have a significant staff of junior officers and various enlisted rates with the Naval Counselor (NC) rating to support medium to large units.
Key Responsibilities of all Department Heads: • Compliance and Governance: Adherence to the Star Fleet Uniform Code of Military Justice (SFUMCJ) policies, 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. • 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: • Closely work with division officers, department heads, and the Administrative Department on career counseling, annual Officer Fitness Reports (FITREP), Enlisted Evaluations and midterm counseling. • Collaborate with Judge Advocates and/or the unit's Legal Officer during any disciplinary proceedings from Non-Judicial Punishment to General Court Martial. • Conduct annual psychological evaluations on all officers, warrants and enlisted personnel as well as any civilian Star Fleet employees assigned to the unit. Verify the evaluations are current for all incoming transfers to the unit. • Directly supervise junior officers and indirectly NCOs assigned to the Counseling Department. • Ensure the care, maintenance, and operation of equipment, supplies, and spaces as are assigned to the Counseling Department. • Gain command experience that will serve you well throughout your career as a staff corps officer. • Operate as a leader within your focus area and get exposure outside your MOS. • Partner with the Medical Department staff and Recreational/Morale Officer(s) to collectively ensure the overall health of all Star Fleet members in the assigned unit. • Research alien psychology and cultural customs during first contact and other relevant situations, guiding the command teams in the critical decision-making process. NOTE: In some situations, the Counselor may be assigned the collateral duties of a Protocol Officer. In this role, the officer will be expected to ensure smooth and appropriate interactions in first contact and other formal settings, particularly those involving high-level diplomatic guests. Their duties include advising on intergalactic protocol, planning and managing events, coordinating travel and accommodations, and ensuring proper etiquette during interactions. They also handle correspondence, manage sensitive information, and may even assist with drafting speeches. The Protocol Officer will work closely with the Judge Advocates and/or Legal Officers (if assigned) to ensure the command teams are fully briefed and prepared for all interactions across both the cultural and legal spectrums. |
| WORK ENVIRONMENT: | As a Star Fleet Counselor (CNS), you may be assigned anywhere throughout the Federation. This includes working from starships of all sizes, major nodal starbases and deep space stations all of which rely on the Counselor (and staff, if applicable) to ensure the mental health of all service members, and thus contribute to the defensive readiness, morale, and discipline of the combined Star Fleet forces. |
| TRAINING & ADVANCEMENT: |
Department Head (DH): Most Star Fleet commands 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. 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 performance and academic achievement. There are 3 'pipeline' career paths a Counselor may choose - Clinical practice, research or administrative. Billets and assignments will vary greatly depending upon the chosen path. The list below illustrates a sample clinical career path, but is by no means exhaustive. • ENSIGN (O-1) are typically be billeted as a Counselor-In-Training under the direct supervision of a LT or LCDR. • LT Junior Grade (O-2) are typically be billeted as Assistant Counselors in a specific subspecialty or as generalists. • LIEUTENANT (O-3) may be billeted as Assistant, Associate or Chief Counselors depending on unit size. • LT CDR (O-4) are typically billeted as Chief Counselors in smaller units and Associate Counselors in larger ones. • COMMANDER (O-5) may be billeted as Chief Counselors or begin staff assignments as a Specialty Leader, Asst. Program Director or MEC member. • CAPTAIN (O-6) may be billeted as Chief Counselor of major starbases or capital ships, or gain experience in fleet staff assignments. • COMMODORE (O-7) may chair the Medical Executive Committee (MEC) or serve on the staff of the Deputy Director of Star Fleet Counseling. • REAR ADMIRAL (O-8) typically serves as the Deputy Director Star Fleet Counseling and any other collateral duties assigned by the DIRSCF. • VICE ADMIRAL (O-9) Counselors of this rank typically hold the billet of Director, Star Fleet Counseling Services (DIRSFCOU). • WARRANT OFFICERS: those who are functional experts in morale, career counseling, crisis management and similar roles may be assigned to counselor staffs of moderate to major commands. • NAVAL COUNSELOR: Enlisted personnel holding this rating assist commands in organizing and implementing aggressive enlisted retention and career information programs; evaluate enlisted career development programs within their own command and/or subordinate commands, as applicable; coordinate and supervise counseling efforts; counsel individuals and their family members (as applicable) on the advantages of career opportunities in Star Fleet; and give command level presentations on career programs. While they function similar to social workers, they are not qualified to perform the clinical duties of an officer in a Counselor billet. |
| EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: | Following your initial tour as a Counselor 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 Counselors as well who wish to pursue higher education in clinical psychology or psychiatry.
Opportunities for further education within this career include: • Defense Medical Readiness Training Institute (DMRTI) Lor’Vela, Andoria, Kuy'va system Beta Quadrant 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 become a Star Fleet Officer and a Counselor.
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. The minimum academic requirements to become a Counselor: Completion of a Master's Degree (or equivalent) in Psychology, Sociology or comparable Xeno studies. Waivers may be granted by COMMED for candidates who hold a degree(s) in other applicable subspecialties. For the Direct Commission Program, you must have prior military service from a recognized allied power to the Federation. Waivers will be considered for those from neutral and non-aligned systems. 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 Counselor?
Ready to join? Contact the Star Fleet Bureau of Personnel (BUPERS) to launch your career in Star Fleet as a Counselor!
- Portions of the above obtained from https://www.navy.com/ and modified for ASR use.
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- SD 24370616 - Created by Michael Dailey
