Question About Command Structure
- Thread starter Cakemixo
- Start date
A higher ranking officer can always give a lower ranking officer orders unless they specifically involve the ship's chain of command and that person is not part of it.
So the actual actual answer is "Yes, sometimes, but not all the time".
So the actual actual answer is "Yes, sometimes, but not all the time".
The chain of command is pretty paramount (pun intended) in Trek. We've seen some occasions where a higher ranking officer takes over, but this only affects the captain or incumbent commanding officer. In "Redemption Part 2", the first officer of the Exeter outranks Data in the chain of command. However, because Data has been assigned as Captain, its a unique set of circumstances and therefore a new chain of command is formed.
^ Actually in "Redemption II" Data's first officer is a Lt. Commander just like he is. Also the ship is called the Sutherland.
Woops made a mistake there
But thats what I meant though, they both share the same rank, although the Sutherland's first officer is in actual fact the ships operating first officer. If Data was a member of the crew in any other circumstance, then the first officer would outrank him, even if they were the same rank. In this case Data becomes acting captain and therefore he outranks the Sutherland's first officer despite being the same rank.
I knew what you meant and I agree. I was just being nitpicky LOL.
Actually it was chief engineer Lt. Logan in "The Arsenal of Freedom", not Leland T. Lynch. But your point still stands as Geordi didn't give command to a higher ranking officer.
Me too. Geordi is the MAN!
Since nitpicking is the thing of the day, I'd like to point out that Lynch appears to be a random assisting or visiting engineer, not the CEO of the ship. After all, when Picard hails Engineering, Lynch feels obligated to give his full name and rank, as if Picard were unfamiliar with him and expecting somebody else altogether.Right you are. Lynch was the chief engineer in Skin of Evil.
And he never claims to be the Chief Engineer. Considering the demanding and exceptional job we see him performing, perhaps he's a dilithium refreshing specialist, much like Lt. Masters in "Alternative Factor"?
Timo Saloniemi
TNG Season 1 had way too many engineering officers in a possible "in charge" position. Timo, you need to get yourself an avatar
There is also the consideration of "time in grade."
If you have two officers of the same rank, the one who was promoted to that rank first out ranks the other, even if they are both Lieutenant Commanders.
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