A few years ago, I posted this thread https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/mus...king-system-and-careers.304402/#post-13399005 with my thoughts on how an all officer rather than all commissioned officer system could work given Gene's experience with the LAPD. Given recent revelations that warrant officers do exist in Starfleet per Prodigy I thought the time was right to revisit this concept:
As with the previous thread, I'll be providing a couple of specific examples of how it might work (based on a hybrid of LAPD and federal terminology), but broadly the system is a two track but single tier system:
Entry is after a basic indoc period (weeks to months) where you are familiarised with the core elements of Starfleet and are given training in a single or related area. After this recruits are given the option of "fleet track" or "graduate track". The latter obviously transfer to the Academy for a broad, general education leading to a degree, the former access the path below:
Probationary (Warrant) Officer = Temporary rank held for the duration of indoc at their first assignment. Any recruits who are retained in service are automatically promoted to Assistant (Warrant) Officer within a few weeks. Must work under the supervision of a ranking officer at all times when on duty.
Assistant (Warrant) Officer = Temporary rank held for the duration of indoc at their first assignment. Any recruits who are retained in service are automatically promoted to Warrant Officer after 12 months. Must work under the supervision of a ranking officer at all times when on duty.
(Warrant) Officer = First "permanent" rank. Authorised to work independently, but typically assigned as part of a larger team. Not considered a ranking officer. May be promoted to Leading (Warrant) Officer after three years TIS or on the recommendation of their line manager/Department Head.
Leading (Warrant) Officer = First "ranking officer" rank. Typically assigned to mentor PWO/AWOs, but may also be assigned as a independent worker at shift level. Assignment to a Senior Leading Warrant Officer position may be given on recommendation of their line manager/Department Head. Minimum four year TIS for promotion to Supervising Warrant Officer.
Senior Leading (Warrant) Officer = Ranks with but above LWO, with a preference for mentoring/leading larger work details/teams under a ranking officer. Minimum four year TIS for promotion to Supervising Warrant Officer.
Supervising (Warrant) Officer = First "supervisory" rank. Typically assigned as supervisor of a "shop" or department during a particular shift. May serve as Acting Officer of the Watch for their department in absence of a Senior Supervising Warrant Officer. May be promoted Senior Supervising (Warrant) Officer on the recommendation of their line manager/Department Head. Minimum 6 years TIS and completion of the distance learning version of the Academy Training Program is required for lateral promotion to Ensign.
Senior Supervising (Warrant) Officer: Ranks with but below the commissioned rank of Ensign. Typically assigned as Department Officer of the Watch on larger vessels, but may also serve as (Assistant) Department Head on smaller vessels. Minimum 6 years TIS and completion of the distance learning version of the Academy Training Program is required for lateral promotion to Ensign.
NB: (Warrant) and Department are used as generic placeholders and would typically be swapped for the Department/Speciality held in direct address if known (examples to follow).
As with the previous thread, I'll be providing a couple of specific examples of how it might work (based on a hybrid of LAPD and federal terminology), but broadly the system is a two track but single tier system:
Entry is after a basic indoc period (weeks to months) where you are familiarised with the core elements of Starfleet and are given training in a single or related area. After this recruits are given the option of "fleet track" or "graduate track". The latter obviously transfer to the Academy for a broad, general education leading to a degree, the former access the path below:
Probationary (Warrant) Officer = Temporary rank held for the duration of indoc at their first assignment. Any recruits who are retained in service are automatically promoted to Assistant (Warrant) Officer within a few weeks. Must work under the supervision of a ranking officer at all times when on duty.
Assistant (Warrant) Officer = Temporary rank held for the duration of indoc at their first assignment. Any recruits who are retained in service are automatically promoted to Warrant Officer after 12 months. Must work under the supervision of a ranking officer at all times when on duty.
(Warrant) Officer = First "permanent" rank. Authorised to work independently, but typically assigned as part of a larger team. Not considered a ranking officer. May be promoted to Leading (Warrant) Officer after three years TIS or on the recommendation of their line manager/Department Head.
Leading (Warrant) Officer = First "ranking officer" rank. Typically assigned to mentor PWO/AWOs, but may also be assigned as a independent worker at shift level. Assignment to a Senior Leading Warrant Officer position may be given on recommendation of their line manager/Department Head. Minimum four year TIS for promotion to Supervising Warrant Officer.
Senior Leading (Warrant) Officer = Ranks with but above LWO, with a preference for mentoring/leading larger work details/teams under a ranking officer. Minimum four year TIS for promotion to Supervising Warrant Officer.
Supervising (Warrant) Officer = First "supervisory" rank. Typically assigned as supervisor of a "shop" or department during a particular shift. May serve as Acting Officer of the Watch for their department in absence of a Senior Supervising Warrant Officer. May be promoted Senior Supervising (Warrant) Officer on the recommendation of their line manager/Department Head. Minimum 6 years TIS and completion of the distance learning version of the Academy Training Program is required for lateral promotion to Ensign.
Senior Supervising (Warrant) Officer: Ranks with but below the commissioned rank of Ensign. Typically assigned as Department Officer of the Watch on larger vessels, but may also serve as (Assistant) Department Head on smaller vessels. Minimum 6 years TIS and completion of the distance learning version of the Academy Training Program is required for lateral promotion to Ensign.
NB: (Warrant) and Department are used as generic placeholders and would typically be swapped for the Department/Speciality held in direct address if known (examples to follow).
