If You Could Invent a New Starfleet Role

We all know about Captain, Head of Engineering, First Officer, and so on, but what new Star Fleet position would you create?

I could go for something like an onboard diplomat. Would be there to settle any political matters and first contact situations rather than anything to do with running the ship. I think that would lead to some interesting conflicts and debates with the Captain, especially since such a character wouldn’t be so set in the command hierarchy.

I guess a little like a Soviet political commissar, but a benevolent one.

 

First Contact Specialist.

I always felt that TNG missed an opportunity with Troi. She should've had a dual role as ship's counselor and a first contact specialist. She's already Picard's close advisor and she somewhat plays the role of first contact specialist in some episodes. But I'd formalize the role as part of her duties. Or make that her actual role.

 

In the Litverse it is

Spoiler: Contact Specialist

T'Ryssa Chen's job.

So quite logical to introduce such a role.

As to onboard Diplomats: as much as Kirk appreciates Sarek, he was never fond of external Diplomats on board. Even in the 24th century there would be Captains who were uncomfortable with Diplomats. I guess it depends on the respective mission.

 

That’s why I like the idea. Great potential for conflict! I guess this role would actually be more Federation representative than Starfleet Officer.

 

I guess Picard would accept such an officer. Riker would have his problems, if a Diplomatic officer is anyone else than his wife.... Riker is simply the tougher guy to deal with....

 

I was going to make a "continuity officer" joke, then I realized Temporal Investigations exists.

 

Everyone on TrekBBS is a Continuity Officer.

 

This agency may send its spies undercover aboard the ships.....

 

I think with ship getting bigger and bigger you will need a leader to oversee the people onboard that isn’t the captain, and he has the ship to deal with. A governor so to speak.
I also think we need SCIS operatives who investigate big crimes around their territory and ships.

 

Political commissar!

 

Fitness Trainer. @StefanM do you know Detlef D. Soost? He is in Germany a kind of fitness drill instructur.

Tuvok would approve of someone who keeps the crew fit. Especially under modified gravity conditions.

 

Otherwise known as an Executive Officer. That's what said position is for.

 

Yeah, that's TV shows, I try NOT to watch

 

I guess your fitness condition is just fine. I remembered the Voyager episode where Tuvok had to deal with some former Maquis. They had to undergo a 10 kilometer run through the ship. Tuvok modified the gravity. I guess Tuvok would be the only person who would embrace a fitness coach on board starships...... I'd like to see Barclay in a fitness test.

 

I would DIE in Tuvok's fitness test

 

Common Sense Officer. Episodes would be a LOT shorter.

 

Efficiency Monitor. Dawdling is not an option.

 

This would be for the non Starfleet members on board. The XO is just in charge of them.
I’m talking about when the ship gets so big that they have things like universities and shop workers on board. It becomes basically a city in space.