From: vaughnl@ucs.orst.edu (Luke Vaughn)
Subject: Re: Petrocean Navy..
Organization: University Computing Services - OSU
Distribution: usa
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1992 23:40:12 GMT

The following is a rough draft of the article I was refering to.
It should be pretty clear however I would like any comments you have. Here or 
via email is fine.

-Luke Vaughn
vaughnl@ucs.orst.edu

Mekal'ua



			Imperial Petrocean Navy:
			   A Synopsis


	The Imperial Petrocean Navy, or simple the Navy, is an old and
respected organization. Originating in the pre-imperial era as the naval forces
of the duchies, the Navy has changed from being the militial force of its 
beginings to being a wide-ranging naval power. Like all of Petrocea, the Navy
has its own set of traditions, customs and observances. Unlike most traditions,
these are ones that can and must be set aside in times of conflict. 


Rank Structure:

First Lord Admiral: The highest possible rank in the navy. This rank is bestowed
on the commanding officer of the entire navy even if his true rank is only that
of Admiral. This is not an uncommon occurence, and can happen because it is the
Emperor himself who has sole right to choose the head of the navy and as such he
is answearable only to the Emperor himself and any represenitive so designated
by the Emperor.

Lord Admiral: This is the rank of senior members of the Congress of the
Admirality. They are typically in charge of the departments of the navy, 
although they are occasionally given direct charge of a fleet. 

Admiral: Admirals are typically charged with command of remote fleets and of 
distant naval bases. They can also act as department heads and assitant depart-
ment heads.

Fleet Captain: Fleet captains tend to be given charge of either the closer 
fleets and bases or smaller operational groups that require the presence of a 
senior captain. 

Captain: This is the rank of the commanding officer of the larger vessels.

Post Captain: Captains of this rank tend to be given command of the smaller
naval vessels. They can also be assigned as first officers on the very largest 
of ships.

Commander: Commanders are ussually the first officers of ships, although they
have been know to be given charge of smaller or auxillary ships when needed.

Lieutenant: Lieutenants are ship officers of several years experience. Duties
include standing watch as the senior officer present(i.e. awake), and command 
of ships parties(not festivities, groups of people assigned detached duty or out
of direct command of a more senior officer).

Ensign: Ensigns are recently commissioned officers who have not yet had any 
experience as an officer at sea. Duties include junior officer of the watch and 
leading ships parties.

The following is a list of enlisted ranks: They are here for reference only, as
I feel it will be sometime before they will be even needed.

Master Chief Petty Officer (or just Master Chief)
Senior Chief Petty Officer (or just Senior Chief)
Chief Petty Officer (or just Chief)
Petty Officer
Seaman
Seaman Apprentice


ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:

The overall commander of the Navy is the Emperor. Next in line to him is the 
First Lord Admiral. The duties of the First Lord Admiral include coordination of
the naval departments, and liasion to the Emperor for the Navy. Next in line to
him are the department heads and their seconds. After them come the various 
fleet, and base commands.

  Departments and Bureaus:

Operations: Operations is in charge of the strategic coordination of the fleets.
All fleets come under the command of the Operations department.

Logistics: Logistics is in charge of the supply and support of the fleets and 
of the control of the bases. 

Intelligence: Intel. is in charge of supplying the informational needs of the 
other departments, and passing on such info. as it feels needed to other parts
of the Imperial Government.

Bureau of Personnel: Personnel is in charge of coordinating personnel needs of 
the various fleets and bases. It is also in charge of the training commands.

Bureau of Ships: The Bureau of Ships is in charge of ship construction and
maintainance.


TRAINING:

All personnel must start at the very bottom no matter whether they are the
Imperial heir or a fishmonger's son. Upon entering the navy, all personnel
receive eight weeks of basic training, mostly to keep them from killing themself
or someone else when the are first sent to their ship. There they receive the 
rest of their training on the job. After about two years of sea duty, sailors
with potential leadership ability are given the chance to attend the Academy. 
After the first six months at the Academy all trainees are given the chance to 
return to the fleet as a petty officer. They can also stay and take another year
of training and become a commisioned officer. Many times this choice is entirely
up to the individual and both paths are considered equally respected.

SHIP TYPES:

There are five main ship types in the navy, in each of these types many designs
have been used over the millenia and there are many occasions where each and 
every ship in the navy is an individual. As such they tend to be catergorized by
their type rather than a class.

Dreadnought: This is the largest type of ship. These ships ussally require oars-men to supplement the sails of the ships. They are built only rarely due to 
their size and cost. When one is built it means that a serious long term war is 
in the offing.

Cruisers: The backbone of the fleet, Cruisers are large, 4-5 masted ships 
designed more for sturdiness and stability than for speed. Cruisers are used for
long distance partols and as part of battle fleets.

Frigate: Frigates are slightly smaller ships of 2-4 masts built for speed as 
much as for sturdiness. They are used equally as scouts, patrol vessels and as 
part of battle fleets.

Cutter: Cutters are the smallest ships built. They have between 1-3 masts and 
their main function is as messangers and scouts.

Auxillary: Axuillarys are ships of any size that are used and usable mainly for
cargo purposes. They are also used as Marine transports when modified to do so.
Many times the navy does not run these ships but contracts them to merchant 
lines.


HONOR NAMES:

When a ship  and its crew have displayed exceptional action above and beyond the
call of duty consistently over a long period of time, it is given an honor name.When a ship receives an honor name all members of her crew during the time 
awarded for are allowed to place the suffix 'ua after their name. This privlige
can only be removed upon a serious offfense by the person after both the Emperor
and First Admiral agree to the removal and then only after a public ceremony of
dishonor.

IMPERIAL MARINES:

The Marines are a sperate entity from the navy, although the coordinate closly,
they have different structures and traditions.
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