A. Commanding Officer (CO)
B. First Officer (FO)
C. Executive Officer (XO)
D. Second Officer (2O)
E. Other Positions
III. Starfleet Command
I. Overview
The Command staff on a Starfleet vessel is responsible for the proper functioning of the entire ship. The Command Department is holding positions of responsibility and authority over other officers. Everything that is done aboard a starship has to be reported to Command personnel.
The Command structure on a vessel ensures that only important matters are discussed with the Commanding Officer. In the so-called Chain of Command every officer has a superior to whom he reports to and whose orders he has to carry out. Even a Commanding Officer has to report to the Admirals from Starfleet Command and obey their orders.
Starfleet's main objectives are to enhance knowledge of the universe (and on some occasions, alternate universes), to defend the integrity of the United Federation of Planets and its members at home and abroad and to promote interstellar peace and cooperation. The most important Starfleet policies are the Starfleet General Orders. The Command Department makes sure the crew is carrying out these policies.
II. Positions
A. Commanding Officer (CO)
The Commanding Officer has the ultimate responsibility for the safety and well being of his ship. He or she has to report to Starfleet Command and carry out their orders. He has to ensure that the ship's current mission is being satisfactorily executed and that Starfleet's General orders are maintained on the ship.
Captains are responsible for all the actions of his ship and crew. NOTHING the Starship does should be without the captain's orders or approval. So in reality, the entire ship's complement is considered the Captain's staff. Since he cannot listen to all persons simultaneously, he has only receives reports from the First Officer and the Chiefs of the other Departments (the Department Heads). The CO has no set duty shift and is always considered to be on call. On larger starships the CO usually has his own office, and this office is sometimes very close to the bridge, offering quick and easy access in emergency situations (his Ready Room).
In situations on the bridge the CO uses the ship's bridge officers to gather data and perform functions. The officers inform him about the events and he makes the decisions. Then the officers execute his orders.
The CO is also responsible for meting out punishment for crew members found guilty of breaking major regulations. He is also traditionally the member of the crew who performs such duties as marrying crew members under his command and serving as the host at all official functions held aboard his ship.
The First Officer can relief the Captain out of duty if he thinks the Captain put the ship or it’s crew in danger or if the Captain broke one of the regulations of the high command. Other officers that may relief the Captain from duty are: the Chief Medical officer and the Chief Counselor. If one of them thinks the Captain is physically or mentally unfit and can’t perform his duty properly.
B. First Officer (FO)
The First Officer is the second-in-command of the ship and is also always on call. If something were to happen to the Commanding Officer, the First Officer would take command. His main responsibility is to ensure the smooth operation of the ship and her crew. In this regard, he is usually authorized (unless specifically limited by the CO in any respect) to make decisions without the CO's prior approval. He is considered, for all practical purposes, a "captain in training".
The FO must be a jack-of-all-trades, able to answer almost any question or offer a solution to any problem. The CO cannot listen to everybody for little problems, so it is Standard Starfleet Procedure to contact the FO. He acts as a 'bridge' between the CO and the crew; All department heads report directly to him and he only passes things to the Captain if he can't handle them alone.
The FO also has to make sure all stations are operating at peak efficiency. He oversees transfers on and off the ship, by welcoming new crewmembers and providing them with all the information and assistance needed. He is also responsible for maintaining discipline and determining punishment for members of the crew found guilty of breaking minor regulations. First Officers may also settle internal disputes amongst crewmembers.
The CO normally stays on the ship during away missions. So especially on the potentially hazardous missions the FO is the leader of the away team. He may choose members of those teams as long as his choices are not detrimental to the mission or the safety of the ship.
On larger starships, the FO usually has his own office. On small ships, he may be required to share his office with the CO or the Second Officer, or use a conference/meeting room for this purpose. On even smaller starships, the duties of First Officer may be combined with other duties (such as Chief Engineer).
C. Executive Officer (XO)
The Executive officer is the counterpart of a vessel's First Officer. The Executive officer usually works during the off hours of the senior staff, although they are always on call. The XO has the same duties and responsibilities as the FO. Ships/Stations are not required to have an Executive Officer.
D. Second Officer (2O)
This somewhat unique position is usually found only on larger starships and not on the smaller ones. The Second Officer takes command in the event that both the CO and FO are away from the ship or are unable to perform their duties.
The second officer is not a stand alone position, but a role given to the highest ranked and trusted officer aboard. It is always a chief of one of the departments. The 2O usually does not have an office of his own, and any staff he may have is generally determined by his normal duties.
E. Other Positions
Captain's Yeoman (CY)
The Captain's Yeoman is the Captain's secretary. He helps the Captain with any administrative details and any other day-to-day duties that the CO would otherwise not have the time to do. The Yeoman may also assist the FO, XO, and 2O if necessary.
Morale Officer (MRO)
Responsible for keeping the morale of the crew high. Delivers regular reports on morale to the FO. The Morale Officer plans activities that will keep the crew's morale and demeanor up. This officer generally holds also another staff position, but he is not to be department head.
Communications Technician (CT)
The Communications Technician is responsible for routing any transmission sent or received by a vessel. Communications is a vital part of every starship. This Officer must have full knowledge of a vessel's communications equipment, and be able to help repair it with assistance from the Engineering Department. The Communications Technician is an experienced linguist, proficient in many different languages.
III. Starfleet Command
Starfleet Command is the operating authority over Starfleet. It is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the growing Starfleet and interacts with the Federation council and all Starfleet officers at all levels. It is comprised of the various Admirals and their deputies.
Not surprisingly Starfleet Command is run from Earth, but also has facilities on numerous starbases. It is based in the city of San Francisco, within transporter range of Paris, Starfleet Academy, and Starbase 1. It directs Starfleet policy, but gives commanding officers far away from Command outposts broad powers in interpreting and implementing this policy.
Starfleet Command creates and approves missions, special projects, and oversees all new projects, ship classes, and personnel functions to name just a few of its tasks. Starfleet Command coordinates the requests and efforts of all other commands. This includes deciding which ships to build, which sectors to explore, and who is given command of vessels and bases.
