Duty Posts/Command Division

			Divisions and Personnel Assignments

The Command Division comprises the commanding officer and associated staff of a starship or station. These are the officers who serve as leaders for the rest of their crews. Many start within one of the other divisions before working their way up to command, but all undergo intensive training before they don the red collar.

Commanding Officer

The Commanding Officer (addressed by the crew as the Captain regardless of his or her actual rank) is ultimately responsible for the ship and the safety of all on board. The Commanding Officer is also accountable for the actions of the ship, including the actions of all crew under the captain's command, and is responsible for any and all results that occur because of these actions.

The Commanding Officer must ensure that the ship and its crew adhere to Starfleet regulations at all times. The Commanding Officer has ultimate command of the ship and all crew on board are answerable to him/her.

Notes: The Commanding Officer can override any orders entered into the computer by any officer on the bridge, using the command computer terminal on the command chair. When any other officer is in command of the bridge this function is unavailable.

First Officer

Aboard a starship the First Officer is the second-in-command, just below the captain. On a Federation starship, the first officer had the following functions:

Act as a conduit between the crew and the captain;
The principal adviser to the captain;
Implementer of the captain's orders;
Preparation and issue of duty rosters;
Commander of the vessel in the event of the captain's absence, incapacitation or death;
Work with the chief medical officer or counselor on crew evaluations.

In Starfleet, the position was usually held by an officer with the rank of commander or lieutenant commander. The position was also referred to as executive officer (or XO).

Second Officer

The Second Officer is third in command of the vessel. He/she may also be required to authorise some commands. e.g. self-destruct requires the consent of the Captain, First Officer and Second Officer. Many second officers remain department heads within another division such as Operations or Sciences while they hold the position.

Duty Officer

Main Responsibility: To man any major bridge station that has been vacated (e.g. for an away mission)
Other Responsibilities: To assist short-staffed departments.

The Duty Officer is trained in basic Helm/Comm/Ops work and can also do basic engineering. He/she also has focused training in Tactical/Security. Usually the Duty Officer is also specialised in one field.