Admiral Samuel Lasiter looked out his view port. In the view was earth and
it's moon. He had never gotten tired of looking at them. They brought him
peace of mind. Helped to clear his thoughts.
He stood there for must have been 20 minutes. Thinking, pondering to
himself thoughts and possibilities that only he would ever know. When he
finally left his thoughts he returned to his desk and brought his attention
once again to the terminal and to the document that was waiting on it.
Without hesitating he hit the send key, and his proposal for the "new
Starfleet" was sent forth to Starfleet Command. His only reaction was to
say to the air in the room, "It is done." He then got back up and again
faced out the view port. It was noon, 1200 hours.
*************** Classified Level 10. Starfleet Command Only ***************
This is an Ultra Classified Document. Sharing the contents of this document
is expressly forbidden. This document is for your eyes only.
****************
TO: All Division Commanders of Starfleet Command
From: Admiral Samuel Lasiter, Commander in Chief
RE: Restructuring of Starfleet Command
It has become obvious that Starfleet has some institutional problems. Some
of these problems are minor, while others are quite serious. Allowing these
problems to continue will only serve to deteriorate Starfleet as both a
exploration and a defensive organization. To begin to correct these
problems I feel that a reorganization of Starfleet Command is a first and
necessary step. A first step in many that will be taken throughout the
months to come. The included documents outline this plan. An opportunity
to comment and amend this plan will occur at the next general meeting of
Starfleet Command, which will be announced shortly. Please use the time
between now and then to review the enclosed documents.
As a reminder, the contents of this document are for your eyes only. The
contents and topics disucssed are not to be shared with any member of your
staff or anyone outside of Starfleet Command at Spacedock.
Adm. S. Lasiter, CinC of Starfleet
*************** Classified Level 10. Starfleet Command Only ***************
This is an Ultra Classified Document. Sharing the contents of this document
is expressly forbidden. This document is for your eyes only, staff and
administrative personnel are to be excluded.
File Name: Outline for Starfleet Overhaul and Reorganization Draft One
****************
The reorganization of Starfleet will center around changes at Starfleet
Command. In order to minimize the morale and readiness issues that are part
of a change of this magnitude the changes will occur naturally through the
course of attrition, namely retirement and major command changes. The
following is a detailed listing of the changes. This listing is broken down
by SF Command and by major department. The initial changes will occur at
the top levels at SF Command and work their way down to the rank and file.
I. Starfleet Command
The changes to Starfleet Command will be as follows:
A. Listing the positions within the changed Starfleet Command. note
some positions are listed to show where they fall under the new
organization, not necessarily to show that they are actually members of
Starfleet Command proper. Please pay attention to the special notations.
(*= shows subordinate positions under the umbrella of the
immediately superior position, not core members of Starfleet Command, **=
shows a sub-department now a independent unit and member of SF Command, **^
= shows independent unit now subordinate to another division and member of
SF Command, @ indicates a new or revived department/position)
1) Commander in Chief, Starfleet Command
2) Chief of Combined Starfleet Operations
2a) Chief of Fleet Operations**^
2a-1) Fleet Commanders*
2b) Chief of Starbase Operations**^
2b-1) Regional Commanders*
2b-2) District Commanders*
2b-3) Sector Commanders*
2c) Commandant, Starfleet Marine Corps**^
2d) Chief Starfleet Administration and Support**^
2d-1) Director of Starfleet Personnel*
2e) Director of Family and Dependant Affairs*
3) Chief of Galactic Exploration
3a) Director- Office of First Contact@
4) Chief of Special Operations@
5) Chief of Starfleet Intelligence
6) Superintendent, Starfleet Academies
6a) Commandant Starfleet Academy*
6b) Commandant Starfleet Graduate and Professional Schools*
6c) Commandant Starfleet Staff and War College*
7) Commander Security
8) Commander Starfleet Engineering Corps
8a) Director Starfleet Research and Development*
9) Chief of Starfleet Medical / Surgeon General
10) Starfleet Judge Advocate General
11) Starfleet Inspector General** / @
12) Commander, Starfleet Reserve Forces
13) Chief of Logistics and Supply (Quartermaster)
14) Member - at - Large to represent the Fleet ( five members) @
B. establishing a firm chain of command (line of succession)
The Chain of Command as represented here is to serve as a means
to determine a line of succession of SF Command should officers higher up in
line become unable to perform their duties. It should be noted that part of
the chain of command is set by position, not necessarily by rank or tenure.
This is to give the proper amount of emphasis to certain roles and missions
of Starfleet as a whole.
1) CinC, 2) Chief of Combined SF Operations, 3) Chief of
Galactic Exploration, 4) Chief of Fleet Operations, Chief of Starbase
Operations, Commandant of SF Marine Corps {exact position will be determined
by tenure on SF Command} 7) Commander Special Operations, 8) Superintendent
Starfleet Academies, 9) All other positions by tenure with Starfleet
Command.
C. establishing new parameters for command at the very top level
In order to foster the best working environment possible at
SF Command, no position will be considered higher in authority than any
other, and no officer will be considered to out rank another. This rule has
two exceptions. The Commander in Chief and the Chief of Combined
Starfleet Operations, who shall serve as Starfleet's Commanding Officer and
Executive Officer, respectively. These two positions will have the
authority to set priorities and issue directives/orders to any and all other
departments/divisions within Starfleet Command. The chain of command is to
serve as a line of succession only, not to give one position undue authority
over another, again with the two above stated exceptions.
II. Departmental Changes
Making change within Starfleet Command is simply not enough. As part of
this plan there will be some changes made to the internal make up of the
department and/or to some of their general operational procedures and/or
mission statements. The following outline of the nature of the proposed
changes describes just how each should change as part of this plan.
Naturally, these changes will be up for debate and discussion before the
overall plan is to be taken to the next step- introduction to the President
and to the Federation Council. Each department that is to undergo major
changes as part of this reorganization will be discussed. Those that are
not discussed, assume that any changes that will be made will be done so at
the discression of the division commander.
A. The CinC
This position will remain much the same. Primary duties will
revolve around the overall mission and strategy of Starfleet forces as a
whole. Day to day operations will fall to Starfleet's XO, the Chief of
Combined Operations.
B. Chief of Combined Operations
responsible for the day to day operations of Starfleet
forces. Direct reports include the chiefs of the general operating units of
Starfleet. Reports to the Commander in Chief, Starfleet Command, and serves
as the Executive Officer.
B-1. Division Chiefs- Fleet Ops, Starbase Ops, Admin/Support, and
Commandant Marine Corps
responsible for the daily operations of major field units. They
report directly to the Chief of Combined Operations.
C. Chief of Galactic Exploration
This position is to be given greater importance mainly due to
it's general mission- to explore the universe. Since this is the primary
mission of Starfleet as an institution, it is of vital importance that this
division get a higher position in the chain of command. This unit will also
contain the directorate of First Contact.
C-1. Director, First Contact Missions
This position will have the responsibility of training all
command and flag rank officers in the art and science (aka rules and
regulations) of first contact. They will also over see all missions that
have first contact as a mission goal- either stated or implied. Enforcement
of first contact rules will fall to this office, who will have supreme and
final jurisdiction. The jurisdiction of this office is limited to aspects
of missions that involve first contact, not necessarily entire missions. It
is the hope that with the revival of this office and with it's new
importance that the exploratory nature of Starfleet will once again become a
prominent role.
D. Chief of Special Operations
This division's role will be expanded beyond it's current role
of surveillance and reconnaissance missions to encompass any special mission
that requires the use of small units to undertake missions of unusually high
risk. Strike teams, small craft, etc. They will also include all special
forces units. Since this division is being re-emphasied the exact make up
of the commanding body will be left up to Starfleet Command to decide at a
later date. It is the opinion of the CinC that this plan should be adopted
first. Then, proposals concerning the exact make up can be introduced by
the CO of this division for discussion at the SF Command level.
E. Judge Advocate General
This department will no longer be paired with the Inspector
General. It is my opinion that this pairing has caused an environment to
develop where both departments can not longer function as efficiently and
objectively as possible. This department will therefore be strictly limited
to the prosecution and defense of trials and hearings. They may carry out
investigations only to further those primary duties- i.e. after a crime or
breech in regulations has been determined by the main investigative unit of
Starfleet- the Inspector General.
Furthermore, a series of review boards will be set up to monitor the
use of the special authority that the JAG corps has at it's disposal. These
review panels will have the ability and responsibility to review any
complaints that are of merit, that any member of JAG as over stepped the
legal or reasonable bounds of their authority. Review boards my not
comments on cases themselves or the findings, but merely the conduct of the
JAG officer(s)
involved. The review boards may choose to impose sanctions on the officer
or refer the matter to the Inspector General for further investigation and
prosecution. The review boards are to be based out of regional commands and
will consist of one member of JAG, one representative from the district or
regional command where the illedged infraction took place, and three other
officers not related to the case being reviewed who are at least Lieutenant
Commander or higher. The reason that these boards exist are to deal with
the numerous complaints that JAG officers routinely over step their bounds
when researching/investigating a case.
F. Inspector General
This division, newly separated from the JAG Corps, will have the
sole responsibility to investigate procedural infractions, insure compliance
with all regulations, and participate (when appropriate or necessary) in
criminal investigations.
G. Member - at - Large
1) Duties- The purpose of this position is to provide adequate
representation of the rank and file at the highest level of Starfleet. It
is hoped that with this addition to Starfleet Command that the needs of the
individuals can be better addressed, and will not be ignored. Voting rights
of this position will be the same for any other position- i.e. one vote.
However, since this position is comprised of multiple individuals their
single vote will be made by a consensus (or majority) of those in the
position. In an effort to properly reflect the individuals comprising the
single vote, each individual making up the position, shall have an equal
opportunity to comment on any matter being considered by Starfleet Command.
This right will be the same, not diminished in any way, as any other
individual member, such as the Chief of Combined Operations or the Chief of
Intelligence.
2) Make Up- This position will be comprised of five (5) beings.
Each being will be considered a member of Starfleet Command with the same
duties and obligations as other members. The Member - at - Large will
consist of the following: a minimum of one (1) command rank officer from the
fleet (LCMR to Captain), one (1) command rank officer from the marines
(Major to Colonel), minimum of one (1) Senior / Master Chiefs, minimum of
one (1) Sergeant Major, and the remainder at the descression of the
selection committee.
3) Selection- The commanders of each fleet, district, sector, and
brigade will nominate personnel for these positions. A selection committee
will be convened consisting of all regional commanders, a member of
Starfleet Command, and two representatives designated by the President of
the UFP. The selection committee will chose the final candidates for the
Member - at - Large position at SF Command.
4) Terms- since this position is to represent the fleet's rank and
file the term of these members must be kept short so that they do not lose
touch with those that they represent. Terms will be 18 months in duration,
and there will be no limits on the number of terms that any member of this
position can be selected for.
III. Changes to the Field- the extended members of Starfleet Command and
the Rank and File
A. Extended Members of Starfleet Command
This body consists of Regional, District, and Fleet Commanders.
While officers filling these specific positions do not have an official vote
or position at Starfleet Command Headquarters their input is no less
valuable. Special note must be made of these officers, as without their
participation the effective administration of Starfleet would be a much more
difficult task, if not nearly impossible. In the changes to Starfleet are
are outlined here or in the future, their role shold not change too
drastically nor should their importance be ignored.
A. Reduction of Administration
The administrative units of each department that makes up Starfleet
command has grown over the years. It is believed that each department and
division can work more efficiently. An immediate step to change this is to
eliminate 3% of the administrative staff within each department/division at
Starfleet Command and at the Regional Command levels. This is to be
immediate action, and those displaced personnel are to be reassigned to
field positions. Furthermore an intensive review of work load and staffing
is to be done by each department, to be completed in 90 days of
the approval of this reorganization plan. Excess staff are to be reassigned
to field positions. All division are to make sure that they are not top
heavy with either administration or layers of management.
B. Reduction of Command Structure
Starfleet has grown considerably since those early days of great
exploration and expansion. In an effort to foster the same spirit of
exploration and iniative, layers of management and command must be reduced.
This, however, can not be done at the expense of the security and efficiency
of the deployed forces. Great change will therefore come to the extended
members of Starfleet Command- Regional, District, and sector commands.
Through the brief analysis that has been done in preparation of this
proposal it is estimated that approximately 25% of the sector commands can
be eliminated, 5 to 7 district commands can be eliminated, and 1 regional
command can be eliminated. This will follow a re-drawing of the lines.
Inner regions of the Federation do not require the number sector commands
that currently exist, while border and frontier areas may benefit from the
added support that a more localized Starfleet presence would provide.
Actual numbers and the specific commands to be effected will be announced
after a more thorough analysis from a committee made up of select members of
SF Command and the Federation Security Council.
C. Longer Field Assignments
In order to foster a stronger sense of a Starfleet Family the
average tour of duty will increase from 1 to 2.5 standard years to 2.5 to 4
standard years. Temporary duty assignments (short term transfers of less
than 6 months) will still be permitted to allow for short term shortages and
misc. emergencies as needed by then current situations and personnel needs.
D. Concessions for Family Life
It should be recognized that family is very important to Starfleet
Personnel. As it is important to them, it shall be important to SF Command.
Special leave will be granted to all SF Personnel.
Tours aboard ship will also be reclassified as short (up to 8
weeks), standard (up to 12 weeks), extended (up to 17 weeks), and hardship
(21 + weeks of deployment. The reason for the re-classification is for
"inter-mission family leave". Special leave will be granted to those who
request it between assignments. This leave is *not* part of their normal
accrued leave. This special leave is issued as follows: Short = 1 day,
Standard = 3 days, Extended = 5 days, and Hardship = 8 days. This leave is
intended for those officers and crew that have families that are *not* with
them on the deployment (such as the families on ship program started with
the USS Enterprise D), but will be available for all Starfleet personnel.
In addition, those personnel serving on any mission that is overdue will
receive special leave, in excess of the above listed amounts, of .5 standard
days per week (or fraction) past due.
In addition, Starfleet will increase the number of ships that can house
families while on deployment by 45% (45% increase of the number currently in
service).
E. Promotion Rules
In order to make sure that only the most qualified beings reach the
top positions, field assignments are now mandatory. A field assignment is
anything below a District Command. Any officer applying for promotion above
the rank of Commander must have at least six (6) years in the field, or
their application will be denied. Professional staff officers must now have
some field expertice.
IV. Implementation
In order to prevent the chaos and reduced readiness that would occur
with a swift implementation, a phased in approach will occur. Some elements
will be put into place before others due to their impact on force morale and
readiness. The majority of these changes will be phased in over time as
officers retire or major changes of command take place. The current
estimate is that the full implementation will take approximately six (6) to
eight (8) years, depending on retirement rates and force needs. This will
be the
major point of debate within Starfleet Command, as the need for change is
obvious, but what is not is the time table to enact change. The exact
nature of this change will also be discussed, in particular the
implementation of
said change.
*********************
Chris Salmi
http://home.earthlink.net/~csalmi/
ICQ# 28233696
