Modern Starship crews are divided into specialized branches or departments such as command, security, medical etc.
In the earliest day of Starfleet, the duties, now carried out by a few departments, were often carried out by many smaller departments. With their crews only trained to carry out one or two tasks. In the years since some or all of these smaller departments have either merged with other departments or have vanished altogether. Today a modern Starship has at least three serving departments, with their crews able to handle a multitude of different tasks in many different situations.
Below is a list of major departments and the associated department head:
Command Department
Until 2300 the Command Department, traditionally not only covered the duties of the Commanding \ Executive Officer, but also the Helm and Navigation stations. However since then the Helm and Navigation stations have been established within the Operations Department.
The Command Department established aboard Federation Starships have exactly the same set-up as other shipboard Departments, such as Medical and Security. It has a Department Head and a Deputy Department Head. The only difference is that the Department Head is the Commanding Officer (CO) and the Deputy Department Head is the Executive Officer (XO).
The Command Officer is responsible for the running of the Command Department but because the C.O. is also responsible for the day to day running of the Ship the Executive Officer will take on the majority of the duties for the running of the Department. This will include the assigning of duties and responsibilities for members of the Command Department, but only with the prior approval of the C.O. It must be remembered that the C.O. must know what is happening at all times, not just within the Command Department but throughout the Ship.
To this end, the XO will receive all Department Heads reports, condense the information from those reports and make a report to the C.O. The C.O. will advise on any response that is required and authorize any actions that the XO will be responsible for putting into effect.
Other personnel, whom are attached to this department, include, additional shipboard Clerical staff and Yeomen. Ambassadors and Ambassador corps support personnel, serving on Starfleet vessels, are also assigned to this branch
On the USS Charon the responsibilities of running the command department fall directly on the Executive Officer, Commander Katris-Falcon. Captain Rehu reviews all reports but she is not directly involved with the command department.
Key Command Department Personnel:
- Captain Shiarrael t`Rehu (defacto department head)
- Commander Eithne Falcon (in charge of managing the department)
- Lieutenant Sakarra Tyrax (second officer)
Security Department
The role of a Starfleet security officer Is a demanding one. He must be adaptable, confident, and have a high degree of determination.
Most of the department consist of Line Officers. These are the men and women that fill over 80% of the department and perform everyday duties. They are the most flexible of all, and as In all security officers, they have been trained to a very high standard to ensure they can perform their duties.
The other 20% are highly trained in a specific field. More than any other department, the members of the Security Department risk their lives to save and protect others, whether it be on a dangerous away mission or at a VIP reception where one moment everything is peaceful and friendly, and the next shots are being fired.
Note: The Tactical Department is technically a sub department of security.
Security Department Personnel of Note:
- Commander Dylan Marcus (chief security officer)
- Commander Jade Falcon (assistant security officer)
- Lieutenant Runo Dlya (assistant security officer)
- Lieutenant Acel'a (assistant security officer)
- Eredh M'Narth tr'Lhoell (captain's guard)
Medical Department
The readiness of the crew to perform its duties is largely determined by its general well being, The Medical section is capable of seeing to the surgical, medical and welfare needs of the crew, with specialists at hand to deal with various alien races which may serve within the unit. Well-equipped surgeries and the latest in surgical techniques enable the medical crew to deal with large numbers of casualties speedily in emergency situations. Medical crews are often called upon to help planets suffering from health crises or epidemics, which lack the technology or the drugs available to deal with the problem.
The USS Charon's sickbay is equipped with some of the most advanced medical technologies in the Federation and it also is equipped with Romulan diagnostic systems for diagnosing Romulan patients.
Policy Note: All crew members must receive a checkup prior to any away mission.
Medical Department Personnel of Note:
- Doctor David King (chief medical officer)
- Doctor Lylan Krios-Fisher (assistant medical officer)
- Doctor Indira Bai (assistant medical officer)
- Surgeon AehlenI-Ramnau tr'Kethry (surgical specialist)