The Command department onboard the USS Mir consists of the Commanding Officer (CO) and the Executive Officer (XO).  While the CO is ultimately responsible for the ship, the XO is charged more closely with the well-being of the crew.  Often, the XO forms a strong bond with the individual crew members, as s/he spends more time in direct contact with them.

For more information, contact your department head for a copy of your department manual (restricted to members of the USS Mir only).

The following data is provided courtesy of:

“Starfleet Dynamics”

Written by David John Schmidt

Copyright 2293

-Department Responsibility

Command:  The Command Department is made up of the Executive Officer’s assistants and staff.  Thus, the Exec runs both the entire ship (for the Captain) and his own Department.

Operations:  The Operations Department, under the Ordnance Officer, is responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel.  As well, it is charged with the care and operations of the ship’s auxiliary craft (Shuttles) and Weapons Systems.

Engineering:  The Engineering Department, under the Warp Drive Propulsion Systems Officer (Chief Engineer), is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all systems, including Propulsion, Life-Support, and Damage-Control.

Security:  The Security Department, under the Combat Tactics Officer, serves as an independent Space-Marines detachment/mobile unit under the direct command of the Captain.  It is responsible for internal security, as well as providing any needed tactical support in hostile territory.  Starship Security personnel are chosen from the finest of the Federation Marine Corps, and rotate between Starbase and starship postings.  At least on Assault Shuttlecraft is carried aboard most starships; this is equipped and modified for Landing/Boarding Assault missions - a Marine specialty.

Science:  The Sciences Department, under the Computer Science Officer, is charged with providing the CO and others with the maximum amount of data possible regarding the surroundings, whether this be by ship’s sensor, or in a landing party.  It also maintains and updates the Main Computer software programming.

Communications:  The Communications Department, under the Sub/Real-Space Communications Officer, is responsible for the coordination, operation, and upkeep of the ship’s external and internal communications systems, including the Sensors and Main Computer hardware.

Special Services:  Among other responsibilities, the Special Services Department, under the Quartermaster, is charged with assignment of quarters, programming of the ship’s food fabricators, ordering and receiving general stores, inventory and control of cargo, plus the ship’s PX.  As well, it is charged with the decontamination of any contaminated compartment, and the cleanliness of the ship’s internal compartments and corridors.

Medical:  The Medical Department, under the Chief Surgeon & Physician, is charged with caring for the health of the ship’s complement, with special emphasis upon the mental health of the CO.  As part of these duties, it is responsible for all recreational facilities and activities.

Uniform Rank Insignia

 General Orders

General Orders are the basic guiding principles by which Starfleet personnel are governed.  Every member is required to follow both the letter and the intent of each.  Failure to do so can result in serious consequences.

Six General Orders were established when the Federation was originally founded.  Over time, another 19 were added.  The increasing number of General Orders became unwieldy and, in some cases, excessively restrictive.  A Blue Ribbon Panel of the Military Staff Committee was established to rewrite and consolidate these 25 General Orders into a more concise set of directives.

The following 10 General Orders were adopted in 2301.  Any further modifications require approval by the Federation Council.

General Order #1

Starfleet personnel may not interfere with the cultural, social, or historical development of a sentient race or species not a member of the United Federation of Planets.  Such interference includes introducing superior knowledge or technology to the sentient race or species, informing the sentient race or species that worlds or lifeforms other than their own exist outside the confines of their own space, or any other action which would alter the normal evolution of a sentient race or species.  This General Order supersedes all other considerations, including the duty of a starship commander to safeguard ship and crew.

General Order #2

No Starfleet personnel may use unnecessary force against any member of a sentient race or species.

General Order #3

Starfleet personnel shall observe any and all statutes, laws, ordinances, rules of governance, and social customs in effect within the jurisdiction of an independent planetary system or government, or a member planet of the United Federation of Planets.  Any violation will be dealt with in accordance with the local laws and customs.  The senior Starfleet representative is required to extradite any person over which jurisdiction is held upon the application of an authorized civilian official.

General Order #4

Any request for emergency assistance from a member planet of the United Federation of Planets or a Federation citizen takes precedence over any scheduled or contemplated action by Starfleet personnel.  Starfleet personnel will respond to any such request immediately.

General Order #5

Starship commanders are to consider their crew’s lives as sacred and will place the crew’s lives and well-being above the ship’s safety.

General Order #6

Starfleet personnel will employ any means necessary to prevent the possession, transportation, sale, or exchange of sentient beings held against their wishes within the boundaries of Federation space.

General Order #7

No Starfleet vessel shall approach within 10 Astronomical Units of the Planet Talos IV under any circumstances.  Any violation of this General Order shall be punishable by death.

General Order #8

When verifiable proof is presented to the commander of any Starfleet unit that a Federation representative is violating or has violated General Order #1, that officer will relieve the representative of all duties, assume the full powers vested in the representative of all duties, assume the full powers vested in the representative, and confine the representative pending an investigation by an appropriate governmental entity.

General Order #9

No Starfleet personnel will violate Neutral Zone boundaries or the territorial integrity of independent planetary systems or governments unless so ordered by competent authority.

General Order #10

Any individual who is taken into custody by Starfleet personnel shall be accorded proper and appropriate treatment consistent with that individual’s rank or station so long as that treatment does not compromise the security of the United Federation of Planets, Starfleet, or an individual Starfleet unit.