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Subject: Command Billet
Descriptions
Authors: Jeffrey Jenkins, Jeff Finocchiaro;
editing and additional info by Scott Lusby
Version: Ver 2.0 (03 October 2004)
Introduction:
By popular request, this document seeks to present the command billets
as they are currently designed. It records the official title, their
acronym(s), the normal rank or rank range for the player character of
the holder, the current RP and NRPG responsibilities, and the superior
officers to which each command billet.
This document was written to summarize current practice as it has evolved
in ASR. Readers should be aware that ASR is a dynamic entity and that
policies and procedures change. The reader should also be aware that
the CINCSF, Flag Council, and the Round Table have the right to make
changes to this document.
No player in ASR may command more than one unit at
a time. Also, due to the tremendous amount of creative and administrative
work that accompanies the above tasks, it is strongly recommended that
a player limit the total number of CO or XO billets he or she fills
at any given time to no more than one.
ASR command billets consist of:
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Position: CO (Commanding Officer)
Normal Rank: LCDR (O-4) to CAPT (O-6)
Billet Description:
In Character (RP):
The commanding officer (CO) is ultimately responsible and accountable
to his or her superiors for his command and crew. He is a line officer
(an officer eligible for an operational command, that is a command in
space), and in case of his absence, disability, or death, he is succeeded
by the next elidgible officer in the chain of command. Whatever his
rank may be, though, the commanding officer is always called "the Captain."
The CO of a large vessel (heavy cruiser or larger) is traditionally
a captain (CAPT, O-6); the CO of a light cruiser is normally a commander
(CDR, O-5). Commanding officers of destroyers and smaller ships are
usually lieutenant commanders (LCDR, O-4).
The captain represents the ship; he speaks for it. He is accountable
for it. He is responsible for all members of his crew and all their
acts. He does not make excuses or pass blame to others. Since he is
accountable for all that the ship does, for the quality of training
aboard, and for the conduct of the crew at all times, he is likewise
given full power to enforce Star Fleet Regulations aboard the ship and
to ensure that the crew behaves accordingly. In short, since his responsibility
is complete, his authority must also be complete.
Though all authority, command, direction, and responsibility ultimately
rests with the captain, in practice the CO delegates the duties necessary
for carrying out the day-to-day functions of the ship to the executive
officer, to the heads of the departments, to the officer of the deck,
and, through them, to the crew.
Out-of-Character (NRP):
Just as with the in-character description, the CO is responsible to
his commanding officer (the Fleet Commander, FCO, or Task Force Commander,
TFC, as applicable) for the performance of the ship. This includes the
supervision of role players in the unit and the development of the story
line of the unit. The CO is also responsible for maintaining the ship's
posting rate, contacting crew members that have not contributed recently,
and, in association with the FCO, managing inactive crew (probation,
dismissal, etc.).
Other duties for which the CO is normally responsible are the maintenance
of the unit roster and player character biographical data file and the
development/maintenance of a ship web page. Most FCO's require the CO
to mail them a roster, status update, and vacancy list at least monthly.
The commanding officer is expected to represent his or her unit at the
bi-annual ASR Round Table.
The CO may delegate any or all of the above tasks to personnel under
his or her command so long as that player is willing to accept the responsibility
of those duties. However, this in no way effects the fact that the CO
is ultimately responsible to see that these duties are carried out.
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Position: XO (Executive Officer [preferred];
also FO [First Officer])
Normal Rank: LT (O-3) to CDR (O-5)
Billet Description:
In-Character (RP):
The executive officer is the line officer next in rank to the CO. The
XO is usually one or two grades junior to the CO of the vessel. Regardless
of his rank, he is senior to all naval officers (aside from the CO)
who are part of the ship's permanent company.
Under the direction of the captain, the XO has entire charge of all
matters relating to the personnel, routine, and discipline of the ship.
All orders issued by the XO are considered as coming from the CO. In
case of the absence, disability, or death of the captain, the executive
officer assumes command. The XO is also responsible for the ship's routine
and for enforcing crew discipline. All department heads report to the
XO.
Out-of-Character (NRP):
The executive officer assists the commanding officer in any way that
the commanding officer designates. The XO is often, but not always,
the keeper of the roster and biographical data files. If the XO feels
that the CO is imposing too many duties, he should talk to the CO and,
if necessary, the FCO about the situation. However, the XO is expected
to help with administrative details of the unit.
In the case where the commanding officer is out of communication, the
executive officer is responsible for carrying out the duties of the
commanding officer until such time as the commanding officer returns
or is replaced by the Fleet Commander. Any executive officer who is
out of communication with the captain should directly contact the TFC
or FCO.
The Fleet Commander should be informed immediately of any difficulties
in communication with the commanding officer that last for more than
a few days.
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Some fleets acknowledge other command billets. These vary on a fleet-to-fleet
basis. In some cases, the third in command of the ship is simply the
next most senior player aboard in terms of rank. Often, the operations
officer is, by default, the third in command. In other cases, the commanding
officer may designate an out-of-character chain of command that differs
from the in-character chain of command. The duties of any other billets
designated as "command billets" are at the discretion of the commanding
officer and Fleet Commander or Task Force Commander.
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