Central Datastream Starship Departments Restricted Access
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| SHIPBOARD DEPARTMENTS Most ships have five basic shipboard departments: astrogation, operations, weapons (or deck), engineering, and supply. The ship type determines the number of departments included in a shipboard organization as well as the establishment of other departments as necessary. Departments are grouped together as either command or support departments. Except in isolated instances, a line officer eligible to exercise command in the event of the loss of superior officers heads a command department. COMMANDING OFFICER The Commanding Officer is the highest ranking officer aboard the ship and is ultimately responsible for all actions taken by the crew. The CO runs the ship through his/her interaction with the various Department Heads. The CO will have a Yeoman assigned to him to help manage the business of running a ship. On larger ships the CO may have a number of personnel assigned to his personal staff. EXECUTIVE OFFICER The XO is typically responsible for the management of day-to-day activities, such as maintenance and logistics, freeing the unit commander to concentrate on tactical planning and execution.The XO also takes charge in the absence of the CO. ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT The Operations Department is responsible for collecting, cataloging, analyzing and distributing combat information vital to the accomplishment of the ships offensive and defensive missions. Heading this very important department is the ships Operations Officer, or "Ops", who is also the ships second officer. This individual is one of the busiest persons on the ship. The operations department is made up of the divisions needed to carry out various tasks. These tasks include collecting and evaluating combat and operational information, conducting electronic warfare, gathering and analyzing intelligence information. The operations department is usually in charge of all the radar, sensor and communications equipment on the ship. The combat information center (CIC) is part of the operations department. Operations is also responsible for the preservation and cleanliness of the external areas of the ship not assigned to other departments as well as the operations of the paint and boatswains lockers; the inspection and maintenance of survival equipment; all deck operations; and the care and use of deck equipment. COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION ASTROGATION DEPARTMENT The astrogator is responsible for the safe navigation and piloting of the ship. The enlisted astrogation Quarter Masters (QMs) and the ships astrogator brief the Commanding Officer and the Officer-of-the Deck (OOD) on the position of the ship, the direction of travel and the safest space lanes to traverse. The Astrogation Department is also responsible for executing all military traditions, customs and honors onboard ship. On smaller ships the Astrogatoin Department may be part of the Operations Department. ASTROGATION DIVISION WEAPONS/COMBAT SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT Ships whose mission is to attack using ordnance (gun batteries, torpedoes, missiles, and so forth) have a weapons department headed by a weapons officer. The weapons or combat systems officer is responsible for the operation, care, and maintenance of the ships armament and the weapons fire-control equipment. The department head is also responsible for the care, handling, stowage, accountability, and issue of ammunition and pyrotechnics; and the maintenance of magazines. The Weapons Department is also the primary personnel for damage control activities. The personel of the Weapons Department will also be assigned to the Deck Division as needed during their shifts to help maintain the ship. TORPEDO DIVISION ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT The engineering officer is responsible for the operation, care, and maintenance of all propulsion and auxiliary machinery. The department head is also responsible for the control of damage resulting from fire, explosion, collision, and so forth. It also provides all life support systems, fresh water, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, hot water, electrical power, internal comm system, and maintains the ships sewage system. The engineering officer may be assigned several assistants depending on the size and needs of the department. COMPUTER DIVISION SECURITY DEPARTMENT Support Department The Security Department is responsible for ships security both on patrol and when docked. Ships will have a security/MP detachment aboard to handle day to day security, escort duty for visiting dignitaries and when docked will control access to and from the ship through airlocks and shuttle bays. Other responsibilities include: law and order operations, internment and investigations. When ships personnel are required to leave the ship on missions aboard other ships or planetside, Security will typically join them to ensure their safety. The Security Officer reports directly to the XO. Some ships may also have a Marine contingent on board. This is usually the case with larger vessels, carriers or ships involved in combat operations or on high risk patrols. The Marines can be used to supplement Security during normal shipboard operations. During Red Alert/General Quarters, the Marines are assigned to critical areas of the ship to ensure that they are secure from boarding actions. If there is a need to board an enemy ship the Marines will typically lead the assault. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT Support Department The Medical Department is responsible for maintaining the health of the crew, the treatment of sick and injured ships personnel, disease prevention and the promotion of good health ship-wide. It inspects the ships messing, food service, living, berthing, and working spaces. The head of this department must be an officer of the Navy Medical Corps (MC). Additionally, the Medical Officer also advises the ships CO on ships hygiene and sanitation conditions. The medical department is also responsible for the dental care and oral health of the ships personnel. Smaller ships may not have an embarked Medical Officer in which case Hospital Corps personnel run the department under the administrative auspices of the Operations Department. Larger ships may have either a Dental Department, or a Dental Division under the Medical Department. SCIENCE DEPARTMENT Support Department A large part of the Star Fleets mandate is to explore unknown space. As such, nearly all ships will have a science officer on board. Ships whos primary designation is that of a science vessel will have a good portion of their crew trained in various scientific disciplines. Larger ships, especially science vessels, will have a Science Department with a number of interdiscipline divisions with their own labs and lab techs. Smaller ships that do not have the space or capacity for a science department will be placed in the medical department as a separate division. SUPPLY DEPARTMENT Support Department Among other responsibilities, the supply department is charged with the proper operation of the general mess and wardroom(s), including preparing and serving food. This department is responsible for the laundry and dry cleaning services, barbershops, and recreation services. The supply department operates the ships store, which provides personal articles for the well-being of the ships crew, and the clothing and small stores issue room, which provides uniform items. The supply department includes the disbursing officer, who maintains the pay records of the crew. The supply department also is responsible for all the ordering and receiving of general stores, supplies, spare parts, and equipment for the ship; that is, just about everything that comes aboard the ship. Heading this department is the ships Supply Officer, a member of the Navy Supply Corps (SC). The Supply Officer may have assistants for disbursing, food service, ships store, or wardroom mess. STORE KEEPING DIVISION AEROWING DEPARTMENT On ships having shuttles/starfighters, the Aerowing Department is responsible for shuttlecraft handling, both on the flight deck and the hangar deck. The department is also responsible for the fueling and administration of personnel and equipment. Personnel assigned to the Aerowing Department also maintain the shuttlecraft towing gear and flight deck fire-fighting gear. If a Starfighter Wing is attached to the command, it brings its own technicians and mechanics to maintain the wing’s craft. During flight operations, the Aerowing Department head controls the operations from the primary flight control bridge. On smaller ships with shuttles the Aerorwing Department will be under the Supply Department as a Ships Boats Division. |
