USS NEBULA Table of Organization
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====================================== USS NEBULA NCC-2001 SOLAR Class Command Cruiser Task Force Epsilon, SILVER Fleet ====================================== SHIP TABLE OF ORGANIZATION Version 1.1 (SD 160629) ========================== VERSION HISTORY: ---------------- 1.1- Minor changes to format and organization (SD 160629) 1.0- Original writing (SD 150422) NOTE- The contents of this table are largely based upon the like document created by D'Maris Coffman for use with USS QUASAR. The Marine section is largely the work of Jeffrey Jenkins. TABLE OF CONTENTS: ------------------ Part 1- Introduction Part 2- Operational Cycles 2.1- Primary Training Cycle 2.2- Intermediate Training Cycle 2.3- Operational Phase Part 3- Billets and Responsibilities 3.1- Senior Line Officers 3.11- Commanding Officer 3.12- Executive/First Officer 3.13- Operations Manager/Second Officer Part 4- Watches 4.1- Officers of the Day 4.11- Watch Rotation Part 5- The Groups 5.1- Operations Group 5.2- Support and Logistics Group 5.3- Medical and Counseling Group Part 6- Departments 6.1- Operations (OPS) 6.11- Operations Manager (OPS) 6.12- Combat Information Center (CIC) 6.13- Ship's Services (SSO) 6.14- Computer Core (CORE) 6.15- Sensors (SEN) 6.16- Communications (COMM) 6.17- Cryptography and Intelligence (CRYPTO) 6.18- Flight Operations (FlOps) 6.19- Liason 6.2- Combat Systems (TAC) 6.21- Torpedoes (STRIKE) 6.22- Phasers (GUNS) 6.23- Shields 6.24- Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) 6.25- Fire Control (DAMCON) 6.3- Navigation/Astrogation (NAV or FCO) 6.31- Stellar Cartography (STELCART) 6.32- Ship Control (HELM) 6.33- Navigational Sensors (NAVSEN) 6.4- Engineering (ENG) 6.41- Propulsion (P) 6.42- Gravitics (G) 6.43- Electronics (E) 6.44- Diagnostic (D) 6.45- Repair and Maintenance (R) 6.5- Sciences (CSciO or SCI) 6.6- Security (CSO or SEC) 6.7- Medical (MED) 6.71- Chief Medical Officer (CMO) 6.72- Staff Attending Physicians 6.73- Residents 6.74- Head Nurse 6.75- Staff Nurses 6.76- Pharmacologist/Toxicologist 6.77- Medical Techs, Orderlies, etc. 6.8- Counseling (COU) 6.9- Protocol (PRO) 6.10- Marines Part 7- Conslusions ================================================================ Part 1- INTRODUCTION ==================== This document sets out the Table of Organization (TO), i.e. the organizational structure, of the USS NEBULA. It is concerned entirely with the role playing aspects of the ship. 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. First, NEBULA is a command cruiser in Task Force Zinderneuf, which is in SILVER Fleet in alt.starfleet.rpg. As with most multi- mission capable heavy cruisers, NEBULA generally operates alone, either as border patrol or as an exploration vessel. Second, the material below was taken from a variety of contemporary sources. One in particular are the web pages of the United States Navy's Atlantic Fleet, particularly the USS Cowpen. The original author (D'Maris Coffman) has made every effort to extrapolate this to the 25th century and Trek technology, drawing both on her 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. ================================================================= Part 2- OPERATIONAL CYCLES ========================== The USS NEBULA has three operational phases--primary training, intermediate training, and operational. This mirrors USN practice, though the distinctions have been simplified for our purposes. 2.1- PRIMARY TRAINING CYCLE --------------------------- 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 ship reports to what is called the "Type Command," which is behind the scenes in ASR (yet it is assumed to exist). Basically, the NEBULA is (with other ships in SILVER Fleet) assigned to a task force (TF Zinderneuf or TF Epsilon). The Type Command is responsible foreseeing that software upgrades, hardware maintenance, etc. also happen during the primary training cycle. 2.2- 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 the NEBULA is joined by the other ships in her task force for group exercises. The ship moves from under the purview of the Type Command back to the Theater Command (SILVER Fleet). 2.3- Operational Phase ---------------------- During the operational phase, the NEBULA and the other ships in her force have mission orders and are under the direct supervision of CINCSILVER and the officer-in-tactical command (see below) of a given mission. 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 Commanding Officer. ================================================================= Part 3- BILLETS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ==================================== 3.1- SENIOR LINE OFFICERS ------------------------- There are three senior line officers on the USS NEBULA. They are the CO, XO, and OPS officers, and they represent the shipboard chain of command. 3.11- Commanding Officer ------------------------ The commanding officer (CO) is ultimately responsible and accountable to his or her superiors for the ship. 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 ship has mission orders), the CO is responsible for his ship's role in the mission. When a commanding officer of a ship also serves as officer-in-tactical command for a given mission, the CO is responsible for ensuring that all Star Fleet assets under his purview (including escorts and support craft). 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 ship's role in the mission, but remains the absolute authority in matters pertaining to the ship itself. Mission specialists and the commander of any independent marine attachment (rump battalion or larger) report directly to the officer-in-tactical command. On board a ship the size of the NEBULA, the CO usually holds the rank of Captain (O-6). Regardless of a CO's actual rank, their position is that of ship's captain and they are addressed as such. 3.12- Executive Officer ----------------------- The executive officer (XO, Exec) is responsible above all else for the day-to-day operation of the ship. 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 shipboard operations and command. The XO is also responsible for the ship's routine and for keeping crew discipline. All department heads report to the XO. On a Command Battlecruiser such as the NEBULA, the XO usually holds the rank of Commander (O-5). Regardless of his rank, he is senior to all naval officers who are part of the ship's permanent complement. 3.13- Operations Manager/Second Officer --------------------------------------- The operations manager (OPS/2O) is the senior member of the shipboard operations group that consists of three departments: operations, combat systems (tactical), and navigation/astrogation. In this capacity, the operations manager also allocates ship's resources and coordinates interdepartmental projects, including those, which involve engineering or sciences. OPS also have a permanent place in the senior officer watch rotation. On board a Command Battlecruiser such as the NEBULA, the operations manager usually holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander (O-4). ============================================================= Part 4- WATCHES =============== The underway watch rotation (the only one that really concerns role-play on the NEBULA) 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 NAV,as well as ENG and SEC. While department heads may participate in the watch rotation as junior watch officers, they only take over their primary bridge consoles doing alerts. 4.1- 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. 4.11- Watch Rotation -------------------- Watch (time) Sr. Watch Officer Junior Watch Officer ------------ ----------------- -------------------- Alpha (0800-1200) XO JOOD Bravo (1200-1600) OPS NAV Charlie (1600-2000) TAC JOOD Delta (2000-0000) OPS NAV Echo (0000-0400) TAC JOOD Foxtrot (0400-0800) OOD CSO 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 navigation 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. ================================================================ Part 5- THE GROUPS ================== The departments are grouped into operations, support/logistics, and medical/counseling. These distinctions are most important during the training phases. They also reflect the uniform colors employed aboard the USS NEBULA. During operational phases, these groups become less important as the entire ship comes mission-focused. 5.1- OPERATIONS GROUP --------------------- The operations group consists of operations, combat systems (tactical), and astrogation/navigation. On the NEBULA, all of these people will wear command red. This group is responsible for the performance of the ship 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. 5.2- SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS GROUP -------------------------------- The support/logistics group consists of engineering, sciences, security, and protocol. All of these people wear mustard, 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. The purpose of the support/logistics group is ensure the proper functioning of the ship, so that the operations group can perform its own function. On many ships, such as the NEBULA, the chief security officer and chief tactical officer are one in the same, in which case his primary duties fall under the support/logistics group. Department heads within the support/ logistics group report directly to the XO on matters of readiness during training cycles. 5.3- MEDICAL AND COUNSELING GROUPS ---------------------------------- The medical and counseling groups wear blue (staff) uniforms. This group provides specialized professional services (medicine and counseling) to the ship. The chief medical officer and counselor report separately to the XO. =============================================================== Part 6- THE DEPARTMENTS ======================= 6.1- OPERATIONS --------------- 6.11- Operations Manager (OPS) ------------------------------ 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 Command Cruiser is typically a Lieutenant Commander (0-4). The operations department (as distinct from the operations group) is composed of eight divisions. All division officers may take operations watches, though the ship services officer (SSO) is often excused from such duties owing to the scope of their normal commitments. These divisions are discussed below: 6.12- Combat Information Center (CIC) ------------------------------------- The Combat Information Center officer is the second in command of the operations department on board the NEBULA. His job is to assimilate all tactical sensor information and relay it to the bridge. In situations where the NEBULA is assigned to the Officer in Tactical Command, the CIC is his liason to the ship's CO. Because of his duties in the department and to the ship as a whole, the CIC on board a Command Cruiser typically holds the rank of Lieutenant (O-3). 6.13- Ship Services (SSO) ------------------------- The ships services division is responsible for the mundane tasks that keep a starship operating and the crew in good health and spirits. With the assistance of the engineering staff (primarily E-division), ship's services ensures the operation of replicators, holodecks, etc. The ship's services division also assigns quarters, stewards, and deals with housekeeping. Moreover, with the assistance of the counselor, ships 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 a Lieutenant, Junior Grade (O-2) or an Ensign (O-1). 6.14- Computer Core (CORE) -------------------------- The computer core officer is responsible for maintaining the ship's computer core, as well as allocating CPU time to the different departments and projects on board. In these duties, the computer core supervisor is assisted by a number of operations specialists. This officer is typically a Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2), but may be a highly experienced Chief Warrant Officer (CW1). 6.15- Sensors (SEN) ------------------- The sensors division officer is responsible for ensuring the proper calibration and operation of all the ship's sensor systems (navigational, long range, short range). In general, the operations department maintains sensor software. The G- and E-divisions in engineering handle the hardware side, while this operations division handles the operation and fine tuning of them. SEN is also usually the liason between OPS and SCI, allocating sensor time to the various science divisions and projects. This officer is typically a Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2). 6.16- Communications (COMM) --------------------------- The communications officer is responsible for ensuring the proper function of ship'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 warrant officer (W1-W2). 6.17- Cryptography & Intelligence (CRYPTO) ------------------------------------------ The crypto department works closely with both the communications divisions officer and the combat information center (CIC) officer to process and direct intelligence to the appropriate parties. This division officer is typically an Ensign (O-1) or a Lieutenant, Junior Grade (O-2), but may also be a chief warrant officer (CW1-CW2). 6.18- Flight Operations (FlOPS) ------------------------------- The flight deck is also nominally under the purview of the operations department. The flight operations officer is responsible for all embarked craft and the captain's yacht. FlOPS will also coordinate training programs with the ship's Flight Control Officer (NAV/FCO). The flight deck officer is typically a Lieutenant, Junior Grade (O-2), often with prior experience in flight operations. 6.19- Liason Officer -------------------- The liason officer is responsible for keeping contact between the operations department and the other departments and divisions on the ship, to make sure that everyone's operational needs are addressed. Because the liason is a purely administrative fuction, this position may be given to an enlisted crewman of at least a Petty Officer 3rd Class rating who has shown sufficient initiative. Typically, however, the position is assigned to a junior Ensign (O-1) who seeks to learn all the ins and outs of shipboard operations. 6.2- COMBAT SYSTEMS (TAC) ------------------------- The chief tactical officer (TAC) heads the combat systems department. This officer is typically a Lieutenant, Junior Grade (O-2) or a Lieutenant (O-3) on a Command Cruiser. Several division officers, who handle key parts of the offensive and defensive ship systems, assist TAC. These divisions are as follows: 6.21- Torpedoes (STRIKE) ------------------------ Strike, as the torpedoes' division officer is called, is responsible for the ship's 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 Ensign (O-1). 6.22- Phasers (GUNS) -------------------- Guns, or the phaser division officer, is responsible for the performance of ship phaser systems, including phaser and gatling (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 Ensign (O-1). 6.23- Shields (SHIELD) ------------- The shield division officer is responsible for the ship's shields (excluding navigational deflectors which are handled by the NAV dept), including optimizing their protective value. Because shield systems are highly vulnerable to opposition fire, the shields DivO often works closely with DAMCON (below) and the R- and E- divisions in engineering. Shields is typically an Ensign (O-1). 6.24- Electronic Counter-Measures (ECM) --------------------------------------- Electronic counter-measures are critical to the survival of a ship in combat. Despite a muliti-mission cruiser's higher mass/power ratio than most capital ships (which make the ship more maneuverable), ECM still perform critical functions on these largely military ships. Counter-measures are used to draw off opposition fire, particularly torpedoes and particle beams (causing false weapons lock). ECM is typically an Ensign (O-1). 6.25- Fire 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 Ensign (O-1), ideally with some engineering expertise as well. 6.3- NAVIGATION/ASTROGATION (NAV or FCO) ---------------------------------------- Primarily, navigation officers are responsible for plotting the safest, most efficient course of travel (a task which can be elusive even with the computer) and for coordinating with OPS and TAC to take into account their considerations for plotting approaches to systems, etc. Moreover, the FCO handles stellar cartography and keeps the star charts updated (Star Fleet is constantly bombarding its ships with updates). Navigation also supervises itself (traditionally a good billet for professional development of young officers). The FCO is also the chief pilot, responsible for assigning and training shuttle pilots, as well as maintaining flight qualifications for all flight trained personnel. NAV is typically a Lieutenant, Junior Grade (O-2) and is assisted by three division officers, all typically Ensigns (O-1). 6.31- Stellar Cartography (STELCART) ------------------------------------ While science officers often make use of stellar cartography, this center falls under the purview of navigation. 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. 6.32- Ship Control (HELM) ------------------------- The ship control 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. Ship control 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. 6.33- Navigational Sensors (NAVSEN) ----------------------------------- Navigational sensors are distinct from the rest of ship's sensors. They maintain continuous sensor sweeps and are critical to the safe operation of the ship. The information this division supplies permits continuous course corrections and adjustments. The division officer is accountable to NAV for the performance of this system. 6.4- ENGINEERING (ENG) ---------------------- Engineering is responsible for the repair, maintenance, and proper functioning of the ship's physical components. Headed by the chief engineering officer, engineering is broken down into five functional division, three (propulsion, gravitics, electronics) involve specific technologies, whereas the other two (diagnostics and repair &maintenance) are logistical in nature. All division officers report to the chief engineering officer. The chief engineering officer (ENG) supervises the division officers and reports directly to the executive officer (XO). ENG is responsible for the professional development of engineering officers. ENG is typically at least a Ensign (O-1) and is often a Lieutenant, Junior Grade (O-2). In dealings with enlisted personnel, ENG is assisted by a first mate. On the NEBULA, the first mate should ideally be a warrant officer, but would most often be a senior or master chief. By naval convention, engineering divisions are referred to by their one letter abbreviation. 6.41- Propulsion (P) -------------------- The propulsion division is responsible for operation of the maneuvering engines, impulse engines, warp drives, and d-warp drives (nodes). Propulsion is the largest of the engineering divisions and the division officer is at least an Ensign (O-1). Propulsion may be further subdivided into warp, dimension warp, and impulse centers with warrant officers and petty officers supervising those. 6.42- Gravitics (G) ------------------- Gravitic systems include those technologies which manipulate gravity per the SF Engineering page (shields, long range sensors, tractor beams, and gravitic cloaks when appropriate). The gravitics division officer is an Ensign (O-1). 6.43- Electronics (E) --------------------- Electronic systems are those technologies which rely on electro-magnetics, 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 Ensign (O-1). 6.44- Diagnostic (D) -------------------- The diagnostic division officer is responsible for the ensuring the operation of all shipboard diagnostic systems, particularly their software components. This officer works closely with the computer core division officer in operations and with the R&M division officer. Diagnostic division officers are typically Ensigns (O-1), and may even be chief warrant officers. 6.45- Repair & Maintenance (R) ------------------------------ The repair & maintenance division coordinates all of engineering's repair and maintenance efforts. This division officer works closely with the fire control (DAMCON) division officer in the combat systems department and with the ship services division officer in operations. The R-division officer is typically an Ensign (O-1), given the interdepartmental liaison duties. 6.5- SCIENCES (SCI or CSciO) ---------------------------- The science department (Sciences) 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 (SCI) 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. On the NEBULA, the Sciences department is also responsible for routing data received through the sensors to relevant department heads and is tasked with the ongoing maintencence of the sensor system. 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 SCI 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 chief science officer is not a scientist, but rather the chief administrator of the sciences department and is typically a Lieutenant, Junior Grade (O-2), but may be a reasonably experienced Ensign (O-1). In this task, SCI 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 otherwise), and juggling 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. Also, the DivO's 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. The science divisions themselves are usually populated by highly trained professionals in their field, usually with advanced MS or PhD's. As such, many of the scientists are actually civilians under the supervision of the division head. Sometimes, such civilians will be given brevet rank according to their experience and function. For instance, the Principle Investigator (PI) for a given project may be given a temporary rank of up to the rank of the division head to emphasise his authority to the other officers and enlisted crew. 6.6- SECURITY (CSO or SEC) -------------------------- The security department on the NEBULA is concerned primarily with maintaining crew discipline and enforcing Star Fleet Regulations. There are three standing watches (which rotate through twice a daily cycle). Each watch has three squads often 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 CSO is typically a dual billet with TAC. As such, the chief of security will typically man the tactical station, directing all shipboard internal security crews from the bridge. The CSO will usually have a Security division head who is charged with the more hands-on aspects of shipboard security, allowing the CSO to concentrate on his tactical duties. 6.7- MEDICAL (MED) ------------------ 6.71- Chief Medical Officer (CMO) --------------------------------- The chief medical officer is a department head and member of the senior staff. On the NEBULA, this officer is typically a Lieutenant (0-3). 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. 6.72- Staff Attending Physicians -------------------------------- There are three staff attendings in addition to the chief medical officer. Their ranks are typically Lieutenant, Junior Grade (O-2). 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. 6.73- 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 at least Lieutenant, Junior Grades (O-2). With only three total, there is no head resident. First year residents are called interns. 6.74- Head Nurse ---------------- The head nurse is usually a Lieutenant, Junior Grade (0-2) and is the officer to whom the nurses report. They report directly to the chief medical officer, though the nurses report to the attending physician in charge of a given shift. 6.75- Staff Nurses ------------------ There are nine staff nurses, usually all of which are Ensigns (O-1). 6.76- Pharmacologist/Toxicologist --------------------------------- There is one Pharmacologist/toxicologist staff. That officer is almost always a Lieutenant, Junior Grade (O-2). 6.77- 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. 6.8- COUNSELING (COU) --------------------- The counseling department varies a good deal from ship-to-ship. The ship's counselor is responsible for the mental health of the crew and for advising the captain in matters of shipboard morale. Some ship'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 such as psychology, psychiatry, anthropology, or sociology. 6.9- PROTOCOL (PRO) ------------------- The protocol officer reports directly to the XO. Their duties involve advising the XO on matters of shipboard 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. Shipboard protocol duties involve: Supervising ship ceremonies while underway, including but not limited to marriages, funerals, change of command, parade reviews, commissionings, and shipwide 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 ship, and caring for the needs of VIPs and their accommodations; 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. They also lend relevant assistance as requested or required in the protocol officer's own area of professional or academic expertise, and participation in the officer-of-the-day rotations where appropriate and if qualified. 6.10- MARINES (SFMC) -------------------- The commanding officer of the ship's Marine detachment, although not a department head, occupies a somewhat similar position with respect to the administration of the Marines aboard in matters pertaining strictly to the Marine Corps. He is one of the division officers of the combat systems department inasmuch as the Marine detachment is a regular part of the ship's company. Note: In practice, the Marine officer usually reports to the ship's commanding officer. When his men are detached for duty with other shipboard departments, they answer to the autority of the departmental officers. The Marine officer is almost always included in senior staff meetings. The Marine detachment commander is responsible to the ship's captain for the efficiency of his detachment and for the phases of ship's internal administration that are applicable to the detachment. He is responsible to the tactical officer for training conducted under his supervision, and for the care, preservation, and operation of such equipment, supplies, and spaces as are assigned to the Marine detachment by the department head. Marines serve as ceremonial and security guards in space or in part. Marines may be detached for other duties in space, such as communications, staff, liason, and flight duty. The functions of a Marine detachment detailed for duty aboard a ship are: 1. To provide a unit organized, trained, and equipped for operations in dock or as part of the ship's landing party. 2. To provide gun crews. 3. To provide internal security for the ship. Even though technically not one, the Marines act, for all intents and purposes, just like a naval department. As such, the MCO reports directly to the ship's XO. When a marine is working with another department (or when a person from another department is working with the marines, ie a medical corpsman) they report to that departments CO (resp. the MCO). (Note as is standard practive, all officers and ratings wear the uniform of the department with which they are currently serving, ie medical corpsman wear a marine enlisted uniform, but with naval rank insignia.) With respect to the duties of the marines, they are not a police force. The security officers and men are responsible for internal discipline of the crew. The marines are responsible for the safety of the people on the ship and of the ship itself. They are not, except in extreme cases like a mutiny, used to enforce discipline. Marines serve as members of gun crews and have duty stations in critical spaces on the ship (bridge, main engineering, sickbay, aux. control, etc.) during alert. They are not the sole members of gun crews and will almost always be under the supervision of an officer or rating from the combat systems (tactical) department. In terms of the chain of command, the MCO has the effective authority and position of a department head, but he is, strictly speaking, not part of the chain of command. He will never take command of the ship or hold a bridge watch. On a Command Battlecruiser such as the NEBULA, the marine detatchment consists of two companies, each with 4 platoons, with a total of 330 marines. The detatchment is commanded by a marine officer of at least the rank of Major (O-4), who reports directly to the ship's XO. The senior platoon commander is assigned as the detachment's XO, and will usually hold the rank of LMAJ (O-3) or 1LT (O-2). ================================================================ Part 7- CONCLUSIONS =================== Have you ever been watching Star Trek and wondered what the folks wandering around in the background did? Even though this text may not completely answer that question, hopefully it will serve to show how "full" a starship can be when you take into account all of the people it takes to fill each of the individual departments that we as Player Characters are in command of. This by no means requires that you write out a list ofevery single crewman an dother NPC in your department, but if you want to make a roster of the division heads, hopefully this text will help you flesh that out. If there are any questions, please feel free to direct them to the unit CO or XO. Prepared and maintained by: -Joseph W. Baker =^= LCdr Trevor McBride OPS/2O, USS NEBULA TFZ, SILVER With the approval of: -Tim Cooke -Chris Mayberry =^= Capt Tarvis Ren =^= Cdr Jonathan Walsh CO, USS NEBULA XO, USS NEBULA TFZ, SILVER BLUEGOLDFOR, GOLD timcooke[at]videotron.ca cmmayberry[at]yahoo.com http://www.alt-starfleet-rpg.org/silverfleet/NEBULA/index.htm
