SFPA-CSO
| DETAILS | NOTES |
|---|---|
| ASR Website: | Star Fleet in the ASR Universe |
| BILLET: | Star Fleet Chief Security Officer (CSO) Collateral Duties: Chief Tactical Officer (TAC) *NOTE: See below in RESPONSIBILITIES section for further details. |
| DESIGNATION: | Unrestricted Line Officer |
| COMMISSION SOURCES: | Star Fleet Academy, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and 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 community serve as technical leaders and managers in Force Protection and specific areas of antiterrorism, physical security, law enforcement and corrections operations. All officers, warrants and Masters-At-Arms (the enlisted rating of security personnel) assigned to force protection billets play vital roles in ensuring the security and safety of Star Fleet personnel, assets and operations. Those assigned to force protection duties have a multifaceted mission. Their primary duty is to prevent or mitigate hostile actions against all Star Fleet and attached civilian personnel, resources, and facilities. This includes the responsibility to detect, deter, and defeat terrorism, intrusion/infiltration, theft and sabotage. Furthermore, Force Protection units safeguard life, property, and individual rights by maintaining discipline in the unit, enforcing Star Fleet General Orders and the regulations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (SFUMCJ). Typical divisions in force protection include; Administrative, Armory, Corrections, Investigations, Patrol, Surveillance and Training. Unit Tables of Organization may vary slightly depending on that unit's function, type and mission. NOTE: While Security is not typically a department in most Star Fleet units (like Engineering, Medical, etc.), the CSO functions as a department head in this billet and is considered a senior officer as such. 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 administration of their department. This involves ensuring everyone under their purview is trained, prepared, and executing their duties effectively. Star Fleet functions 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: • Acknowledge the jurisdictional precedency in cases involving Star Fleet personnel (and attached civilians, UFP Representatives, etc.) on Federation and non-aligned worlds, adhering to the sovereignty and local laws of those governments. • Act in concert with Medical and Damage Control teams to aid in locating and rescuing personnel missing or trapped in hazardous environments. • Collaborate with law enforcement organization of Federation member worlds along with other Star Fleet/UFP agencies (UFP Marshall's Service, Star Fleet Inspector General, OSFI, etc.) as necessary. • Cooperate with all inquiries, investigations and orders from the Office of the Judge Advocate General (OJAG) including evidence, reports, witness(es) and other related case information. • Compose annual FITREPs for junior officers and/or warrants under your command, submitting to the unit's XO for final approval in a timely manner. Act as final approver for all NCO and enlisted evaluations of assigned force protection personnel. • Coordinate the safe and swift partial evacuation of the ship/installation or full abandonment of the unit. • Create, approve and forward crime reports to, while maintaining liaison with the Star Fleet Security & Investigative Service (SFSECIS) as per regulations regarding serious crimes. • Directly supervise the performed duties of junior division officers and indirectly NCOs assigned to force protection units. • Ensure all Security logs are properly completed for each watch. • Execute monthly inventory control procedures of all small arms in the unit and safeguards their access to authorized personnel only. • Explicitly exercise and adhere to Star Fleet's General Order 15; No officer of command or flag rank shall travel into a potentially hazardous area without suitable armed escort. • Function as bailiffs for all Star Fleet legal proceedings (Captain's/Admiral's Mast, Courts Martials, Article 32 hearings, etc.) • Gain crucial command experience that will serve you well throughout your career. • Maintain and supervise starship and shoreside consolidated brigs to ensure the security, health and wellbeing of all assigned prisoners and detainees therein. • Offer accurate, timely and professional advise to the unit Commander on all force protection related matters. • 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 force protection unit. Collaborate with Engineering to ensure operational readiness and avoid minimal downtime during system repairs. • Plans, directs and supervises the execution of unit's Force Protection activities and operations. • Provide armed escort for visiting Flag officers, UFP Representatives and other dignitaries, ensuring their safety. NOTE: These duties may be jointly coordinated and executed by a Marine unit, if applicable. • Supervise and evaluate both on-the-job training and the continuing education of junior officers and enlisted personnel assigned to force protection. • Work closely with the Marine Commanding Officer (if a Marine unit is attached) to ensure the overall force protection of the unit. NOTE: Marine units do not operate as Military Police and thus only supplement force protection units in potentially hostile situations such as General Quarters, Intruder Alert, etc. Click here to learn more about the duties and responsibilities of a Marine Commanding Officer. NOTE: Depending on the nature, size and function of the unit, the duties of Chief Security Officer and Tactical Officer may be combined, as typical in smaller ships and installations. This report will focus only on the duties of the CSO. Click here for a detailed review of the Tactical Officer billet. |
| WORK ENVIRONMENT: | As a Star Fleet officer working in force protection, you will have the chance to work in a number of different assignments. Though sometimes you may work behind a desk, you will often be out interacting with the members of your unit in a law enforcement capacity. You can expect to work on starbases, deep space stations or aboard starships of all sizes from agile frigates and destroyers, long range exploration cruisers and even the mighty fleet carriers and command battlecruisers. In short, your assignments could take you anywhere in the Federation and beyond! The Security Operations Center is considered the law enforcement “nerve center” of the unit. While the exact layout may be radically different between classes of starships and the many varieties of space and ground installations, the core components include: - Administrative: Offices for the CSO and aCSO along with a pre-watch briefing room. - Armory: A heavily fortified room used to securely store all small arms and tactical equipment related to force protections. This room is manned at all times by an NCO. - Corrections: A brig with individual cells or entire facility used to temporarily house detainees and confinement for those found guilty of violating regulations and serving a sentence of punishment. This area is manned at all times by two (2) force protection security personnel. - Investigations: Forensics center used to collect, analyze and secure evidence. In matters of ‘felony’ level crimes, prepares initial case reports to be expeditiously forwarded to the Star Fleet Security & Investigative Service (SFSECIS). - Surveillance: Staffed at all times by the Security Watch Commander (junior warrant or NCO) and a Master-at-Arms rating who constantly monitor internal sensors and intruder control systems. Communicates with and monitors activities of force protection personnel assigned as either sentries or roving patrols. This area is manned at all times by two (2) force protection security personnel. - Training: A classroom and adjacent holodeck for continuing education of all force protection personnel. The following is a list of typical billets and ratings one may find in a Force Protection unit on a starbase, space station or starship, though this list is not exhaustive. ARMORY OFFICER -This division is headed by a junior officer who is a technical expert in the care, maintenance and operation of Star Fleet issued small arms and related force protection equipment. This billet is typically assisted by numerous Masters-At-Arms ratings with small arms MOS. ASSISTANT CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER (aCSO) -Reports directly to the CSO and serves as their deputy and will assume the duties of CSO upon that person's absence or incapacity. May be a held by a junior officer or senior NCO. CORRECTIONAL CUSTODY OFFICER -This division is headed by a junior officer or senior NCO who performs specialized correctional duties at naval places of confinement including, responsibility for the security control, supervision, support health and care of prisoners and detainees. Supervises the movement of all personnel within and outside places of confinement. Is knowledgeable of correctional programs and administration as practiced in both brig and correctional custody unit environments. Has ability to supervise brig prisoners, detainees and correctional custody unit awardees while applying the level of control supervision and guidance appropriate to each. This billet is assisted by numerous Masters-At-Arms ratings with specialized training in corrections. FORENSICS OFFICER -This billet is typically held by a mid-level warrant officer who is a subject matter expert in the science and practical application of forensics. Aided by multiple Forensic Investigator (FI) rates who collect, identify, process and secure evidence and assist in the creation of preliminary case reports. SECURITY SQUAD LEADER -A Security Squad in a force protection unit consists of the Squad Leader, Assistant Squad Leader and eight (8) crewpersons with MA ratings. Depending on the size of the FP unit, these roles may be junior officers or senior NCO's. Every watch has three (3) active squads assigned as either roving patrols, sentries for critical/restricted areas, or standing watch in the Security Operations Center. Roving patrols are ALWAYS assigned in teams of two (2) personnel. Squads rotate these assignments weekly to enhance cross-training and avoid tedium. WATCH COMMANDER -Those assigned to this role are nominally in command of the Security unit and all force protection operations for the duration of the watch. They are expected to supervise the activities of all assigned personnel, closely monitor internal sensors, and dispatching teams where needed. COMMON ENLISTED SECURITY BILLETS & RATINGS: CORRECTIONS CUSTODY SPECIALIST -The Corrections Custody Specialist (CCS) is a key enlisted NCO in Star Fleet Security, forming the operational backbone of brigs and other permanent detention facilities. With advanced training far beyond that of standard force protection, a CCS is an expert in managing a diverse population of detainees, understanding their unique physiological and psychological needs. They are highly skilled in de-escalation, defense, and the operation of advanced containment systems. The CCS handles the daily security, health, and transport of prisoners, working under a commissioned officer to ensure order is maintained and the rights of all individuals are upheld according to Star Fleet regulations and Federation law. FORENSICS INVESTIGATOR -The Forensics Investigator (FI) is a highly specialized enlisted rating within Star Fleet Security, responsible for the methodical collection, preservation, and analysis of evidence. Whether investigating equipment sabotage, a personnel dispute, or an unexplained death on a starship or deep space station, the FI applies advanced scientific principles to uncover the facts. Using sophisticated tricorders and specialized laboratories, they process a wide array of evidence—from alien biological matter and unique energy signatures to corrupted data logs and micro-fragments. MASTER-AT-ARMS -Master-at-Arms (MA) will, individually or as part of a force, conduct Force Protection (FP) Antiterrorism (AT), Physical Security (PS), and Law Enforcement (LE) operations, in order to defeat threats aboard ships, in space stations/starbases, and on ground based naval installations. The basic duty of an MA is to enforce rules and regulations, maintain good order and discipline, and protect life and property. Some other duties include conducting lethal and non-lethal weapons training, hand to hand combat training, and organize and train crewpersons assigned to force protection units. MAs are the "boots on the ground" providing direct security and law enforcement, while officers are more focused on planning, managing, and leading security programs. SMALL ARMS MARKSMANSHIP INSTRUTOR -The Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor (SAMI) trains unit-level personnel required to be armed in the performance of their duties. Small arms instructors possess the necessary knowledge and skills to train, qualify, and sustain unit-level personnel in the safe handling and employment of phaser types I, II and III in accordance with Star Fleet directives and guidelines that govern the arming of security personnel for the protection of Star Fleet personnel and assets in direct support of Fleet-wide Force Protection requirements. |
| 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 standing orders 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 grade O-4 are highly encouraged to expand both their practical and educational experience. |
| EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: | Following your initial tour as a Chief Security 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: • Federation Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) London, UK Terra/Sol-3 Additional Qualification Designators (ADQ) are 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 Security 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 Chief Security 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 24370713 - Created by Michael Dailey
