USS COVENTRY Table of Organization
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=====================================
USS COVENTRY NCC-81420
COVENTRY-Class Destroyer
Tactical Squadron 49, GREEN Fleet
=====================================
SHIP TABLE OF ORGANINAZATION
Version 1.0 (Created SD 170715)
=====================================
CREDITS:
--------
The contents of this table are largely based upon the like
document created by D'Maris Coffman for use with USS QUASAR.
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- Command Group
5.11- Command Master Chief (CMC)
5.2- Operations Group
5.3- Combat Information Group
5.4- Support and Logistics Group
5.5- Staff Group
Part 6- Departments
6.1- Operations (OPS)
6.11- Operations Manager (OPS)
6.12- Ship's Services (SSO)
6.13- Computer Core (CORE)
6.14- Sensors
6.15- Communications (COMM)
6.16- Cryptography and Intelligence (CRYPTO)
6.17- Flight Operations (FlOps)
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)
6.26- Pinpoint Defense Systems (PDS)
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)
6.51- Propulsion (P)
6.52- Gravitics (G)
6.53- Electronics (E)
6.54- Diagnostic (D)
6.55- Repair and Maintenance (R)
6.5- Sciences (CSciO or SCI)
6.6- Security (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- Marine Compliment
Part 7- Conslusions
==================================================================
Part 1- INTRODUCTION
====================
This document sets out the Table of Organization (TO), i.e. the
organizational structure, of the USS COVENTRY. 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 (which will soon be placed on the new web
site).
With that in mind, a few additional remarks are relevant. With that in
mind, a few additional remarks are relevant. First, the COVENTRY is
a ship-of-the-line in Tactical Squadron 49 (TACRON-49) of GREEN Fleet
in the ASR universe. As such, the ship is nominally assigned as an escort
vessels, and serves to screen the flag ship from attackers and to performs
scouting and surveying functions.
More information about the COVENTRY ont he ship's web site at:
(http://alt-starfleet-rpg.org/fleets/greenfleet/coventry/index.htm).
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 COVENTRY 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).
The Type Command is responsible for seeing 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 COVENTRY 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 (GREEN Fleet, TACRON-49).
2.3- OPERATIONAL PHASE
----------------------
During the operational phase, the COVENTRY and the other ships in
her force have mission orders and are under the direct supervision
of COMTACRON49 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 unit CO; however, in the case of COVENTRY,
the commander of the tactical squadron is considered the officer-in-
tactical command. During the current mission, the officer-
In-tactical command is Captain Peter J. Erickson, Commanding Officer,
USS COVENTRY.
=====================================================================
Part 3- BILLETS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
====================================
3.1- SENIOR LINE OFFICERS
-------------------------
There are three senior line officers on the USS COVENTRY. They are the CO,
XO and OPS, and they represent the shipboard chain of command.
3.11- Commanding Officer
------------------------
The commanding officer (CO) is ultimately responsible and
accountable to his 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. Regardless of a CO's actual rank, his
position is that of ship's captain and he is addressed as such.
However, for a destroyer such as COVENTRY, the CO usually merits
the rank of LCDR (O-4) or an inexperienced CDR (O-5).
3.12- Executive/First 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. Regardless of
his rank, he is senior to all naval officers who are part of the
ship's permanent complement.
On a ship the size of COVENTRY, this officer is typically a
Lieutenant (O-3).
3.13- Operations Manager/Second officer
--------------------------------------
The operations manager (OPS/2O) is the senior member of the
shipboard operations group which 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 has a permanent
place in the senior officer watch rotation.
On a destoryer such as COVENTRY, the OPS is usually a LTJG (O-2)
or a LT (O-3).
======================================================================
Part 4- WATCHES
===============
The underway watch rotation (the only one that really concerns role
play on the COVENTRY) 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 takeover
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) Senior Watch Officer Junior Watch Officer
------------ -------------------- --------------------
Alpha (0800-1200) XO JOOD
Bravo (1200-1600) OPS SCI
Charlie (1600-2000) TAC NAV
Delta (2000-0000) OPS SCI
Echo (0000-0400) TAC JOOD
Foxtrot (0400-0800) NAV JOOD
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 staff
groups. These distinctions are most important during the training phases.
They also reflect the uniform colors employed aboard the USS COVENTRY.
During operational phases, these groups become less important as the entire
ship comes mission-focused.
ON smaller ships such as COVENTRY, the Marines (if a detachment is deployed
on-ship)are treated as if they were a regular department, and are ultimately
answerable to the CO and XO of the vessel; as such, their specifics will be
dealt with towards the end of this document.
5.1- COMMAND GROUP
------------------
The command group is comprised of the aforementioned senior line officers-
CO, XO and OPS- as well as the Command Master chief and any administrative
personnel attached to the Commanding Officer, such as Yeomen.
5.11- Command Master Chief
--------------------------
The Command Master Chief (CMC), alternately known as the 'Chief of the Boat'
or the 'Boatswain,' is the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer on board
COVENTRY. Her job is to act as a liaison between the rest of the ship's
command group and the enlisted personnel. As such, this task is always
given to the senior-most enlisted person on board. As a general rule of
thumb, this person is a career officer, possibly on the verge of earning a
warrant commission, and well-respected by her fellow enlisted personnel.
Usually, the CMC is a Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9).
5.2- OPERATIONS GROUP
---------------------
The operations group consists of operations, combat systems
(tactical), and astrogation/navigation departments. On the COVENTRY,
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.
5.3- 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 support 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. Department heads within the support/logistics group
report directly to the XO on matters of readiness during training
cycles.
5.4- STAFF GROUP
----------------
The staff group on COVENTRY consists of the medical and counseling
departments, and provides specialized professional services to the ship;
as such, these personnel wear blue (staff) uniforms. The heads of each
department- The chief medical officer and counselor- report separately
to the XO.
======================================================================
Part 6- THE DEPARTMENTS
============================
6.1- OPERATIONS (OPS)
---------------------
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 an COVENTRY-
class ship is typically a lieutenant, junior grade (O-2)or a lieutenant
(O-3).
The operations department (as distinct from the operations group) is
composed of six 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 his normal commitments. These
divisions are discussed below:
6.12- Ship Services (SSO)
-------------------------
The ships services (SSO) 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 dignataries. This officer is typically an Ensign (O-1).
6.13- Computer Core (CORE)
--------------------------
The computer core officer is responsible for maintaining the ship's
computer computer core. In these duties, the computer core supervisor
is assisted by a number of operations specialists. This crewman is
typically a Chief or Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-7/8).
6.14- Sensors
-------------
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, sensor software
is maintained by the operations department. The G- and E-divisions in
engineering handle the hardware side, while this operations division
handles the operation and fine tuning of them. This crewman is
typically a Chief Petty Officer (E-7).
6.15- 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 Chief Petty Officer (E-7), or even a warrant officer (W1-W2).
6.16- 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) but may also be a chief
warrant officer (CW1-CW2).
6.17- 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. The flight operations officer is typically
a Ensign (O-1), and is the ONLY member of the Operations Department who does
NOT wear a command-red underblouse; instead, the FLOPS wears the charcoal-
gray of the Flight Operations Group.
6.2- COMBAT SYSTEMS (TAC)
-------------------------
The combat systems department is headed by the chief tactical officer (TAC).
This officer is typically an Ensign (O-1) on an COVENTRY-class ship. TAC
is assisted by several division officers, who handle key parts of the
offensive and defensive ship systems; all are usually experienced ratings.
These divisions are, as follows:
6.21- Torpodoes (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
Chief or Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-7/8).
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 a Chief or Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-7/8).
6.23- Shields
-------------
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 a Chief Petty Officer (E-7).
6.24- Electronic Counter-Measures (ECM)
---------------------------------------
Electronic counter-measures are critical to the survival of a ship in
combat. Despite a battlecruiser'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 a Petty Officer
(E-4/5/6).
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 liaision officer to
engineering for the combat systems department. DAMCON is typically an
experienced Chief or Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-7/8), ideally with
some engineering expertise as well.
6.26- Pinpoint Defense Systems (PDS)
------------------------------------
PDS is responsible for operating and maintaining the pinpoint defense
system, a network of short-range lasers designed to intercept and destroy
incoming missile fire. This officer is typically a Petty Officer on a
smaller ship like COVENTRY.
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, NAV/A
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.) NAV is typically an
Ensign (O-1), and is assisted by three division officers, all typically
experienced petty officers.
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 manuevers (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 an 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 COVENTRY, the first mate should ideally be a Senior Chief Petty
Officer, but would most often be a Chief Petty Officer. By naval
convention, engineering divisions are referred to by their one or two letter
abbreviation.
6.41- Propulsion (P)
--------------------
The propulsion division is responsible for operation of the manuevering
engines, impulse engines, warp drives, and d-warp drives (nodes).
Propulsion is the largest of the engineering divisions and the division
officer is perhaps an Ensign (O-1), but more likely a Chief or Senior Chief
Petty Officer. Propulsion may be further subdivided into warp, dimension
warp, and impulse centers with 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
Chief Petty Officer (E-7).
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 a Chief Petty
Officer (E-7).
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 Chief Petty Officers (E-7).
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 (CSciO or SCI)
----------------------------
The science department (Sciences) has a dual role aboard a COVENTRY-class
ship. First, and foremost, the science department 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 an operational phase.
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 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
judging 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. Most
of the scientists in their divisions will outrank them considerably
(and have advanced degrees); however, they report to the DivO in an
administrative sense. 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.
6.6- SECURITY (SEC or CSO)
--------------------------
The security department on the COVENTRY is fairly small; as such, it
is typically combined with the Tactical Officer's duties. In such cases,
the security department head may very well be a senior non-commissioned
officer. In such cases, he/she is known as the CMAA (Chief Master-of-
Arms & Armaments). Where TAC and CSO are combined, there
is a CMAA who reports to the TAC/CSO, as he does on the COVENTRY.
Security 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 of
ten 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 on an
COVENTRY-class destroyer is typically an Ensign (O-1).
6.7- MEDICAL (MED)
------------------
6.71- Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
---------------------------------
The chief medical officer (CMO) is a department head and member of the
senior staff. On the COVENTRY, this officer is typically a Lieutenant
(O-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 generally 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 usually 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 Ensigns (O-1). With only three total, there is no head resident.
First year residents are called interns.
6.74- Head Nurse
----------------
The head nurse is usually an Ensign (O-1) and is the officer to whom
the other nurses report. She reports to directly to the chief medical
officer, though her nurses report to the attending physician in charge of
a given shift.
6.75- Staff Nurses
------------------
There are nine staff nurses. At any given time, most of these nurses will
be senior non-commissioned officers.
6.76- Pharmacologist/Toxicologist
---------------------------------
There is one pharmacologist/toxicologist on staff. That officer will be a
Ensign (O-1) more than likely.
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
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:
psychology, psychiatry, anthropology, or sociology.
6.9- 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.
In brief, this means that the MO reports to the CO directly. Since the XO
speaks with the autority of the CO, he can also issue orders to the marines.
Effectively then, even though technically not one, the Marines act, for all
intents and purposes, just like a naval department. 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 MO). (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 MO 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 ship such as COVENTRY, the Marine compliment would likely be of platoon
size (about 35 soldiers total), and would be commanded by a 1LT (O-2) or even
a 2LT (O-1). This platoon would consist of 3 squads of 10 soldiers each, with
each squad being commanded by a Sergeant (E-5) or Staff Sergeant (E-6). In
addisiton, there would be an additional 5-man command team, which would
include the MCO and the platoon XO (usually a 2LT or Sergeant-Major (E-9).
This is all, of course, assuming that there is a Marine deployment on COVENTRY.
As her mission profile changes, so will her need for Marines.
========================================================================
Part 7- CONCLUSIONS
===================
I know some of this sounds confusing; it can be, especially if one doesn't
have any military experience (such as myself). This was provided in order
to help you get a grasp of your responsibilities with regards to the ship
in general and your individual departments. Personally, I have found it
quite helpful in structuring my own departments on various other ships.
You, of course, have the freedom to use this at your leisure. However,
should you choose to create PNPC characters within your department (which
might be a good idea for most of us), I would like to see you follow these
guidelines as to their jobs, etc.
Of course, if you have any questions about this or are in need of
clarification, feel free to drop me a line.
Respectfully,
-Scott Lusby
=^= LT Delbrak Dommo
Operations Manager
USS COVENTRY NCC-81420
TACRON-49, GREEN Fleet
<co-circe[at]alt-starfleet-rpg.org>
--
http://alt-starfleet-rpg.org/fleets/greenfleet/coventry/index.htm
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VERSION HISTORY:
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1.0- 1st live version (SD 170715)
