csdeptaa@unm-cvax.UUCP (05/18/84)
There are two types of officers: Line & Flag. Flag officers have
csdeptaa@unm-cvax.UUCP (05/19/84)
There are two types of Officers: Line and Flag. Flag Officers have no
real command authority as far as overall running of the ship. Flag Officers
include the Medical Div., Sciences Div., and Communications. Line Officers
include Command, Engineering Div, and Security. Of course, there is no reason
why a Flag Officer may take command, but, it is highly irregular and untradi-
tional. There are also three duty shifts. Usually each crewman is on duty
for one shift (8 hours) and off the next two (16 hours). So if a Command
leuitent Commander has traded shifts (for some reason) and is working that
shift in which an Engineering Ensign (unusual, but possible) has command,
the Ensign retains command (under normal conditions). In other words, every-
thing is structured so that someone will always be in command. Only the
Captain, First Officer, Exec, and somthimes the OOD can ok, reject or change
the duty roster. Only the Captain or First Officer may make immediate changes
in the duty foster.
Normally when the captain is in command, he usually doesn't or shouldn't
beam down to a planet, but if he's like kirk -- well then, it's going to
screwup the chain of command anyway. SFC must have one very large storage
room reserved entirelly for 23rd century Alka-Selzer.
also, let me point out that spock is in command because he is the First
Officer. His position in Sciences has nothing to do with commanding a star-
ship.
I don't care if Uhura is a woman, she is not in Command. Being a woman,
man or it doesn't make any difference, communitcations is not a real part of
Command. It is kind of like what Computer science is to engineering in most
universities and colleges. It may be in the college of engineering, but in reallity it could stand all by itself. In the olden days of sail one could always
navigate, but you couldn't always communicate to some distant shore and because
of that limitation, communications where never considered important enough to
have command responiblities.
sources:
Original Blueprints
Naval Operations Manual
Kirtland Tapes, ABQ
the new kid on the block,
Chris Wayne,
CinC 4th Reich