Starfleet Charter

The Starfleet Charter is authorized by the Articles of the Federation and lays out the operating framework for Starfleet. Its full text is as follows:
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==Preamble==
By order of the Council of the United Federation of Planets and in accordance with the Articles of the United Federation of Planets,
In recognition of the need for an interplanetary exploration, peace-keeping, and defense force,
With the support of the member worlds and citizens of the Federation,
==Article I: Establishment/Purpose==
===Section 1:===
There is hereby established a Starfleet interplanetary military force, to be under the direct cognizance of the Federation Council and President. If there is no current Federation Council, Starfleet will assume that role until one is created.
===Section 2:===
The combined purpose and directive of Starfleet is as follows:
a. Interstellar exploration and scientific assessment of the space within Federation boundaries, including contact with sufficiently developed intelligent life forms;
b. Defense of UFP member worlds and citizens from any and all hostile entities;
c. All other duties and tasks which the Federation Council may deem necessary and/or appropriate for Starfleet to perform.
==Article II: Structure==
===Section 1:===
There is established a Starfleet Command, composed of the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer of each sub fleet and department within Starfleet. Only the Commanding Officer of each fleet or division actually sits and votes in chambers. The Executive Officers are, however, privy to all information, so that he/she/it can easily take over when the Commanding Officer is unavailable, has asked said Executive Officer to take over, if the Commanding Officer is missing for more than 1 month, or Star Fleet Command decides that for the good of the fleet/department, the Executive Officer must take over until the Commanding Officer returns or is replaced by Star Fleet Command.
===Section 2:===
The departments of Starfleet are as follows:
*the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet;
*the Directorate of Exploration
*the Joint Chiefs of Staff
*the Office of the Chief of Starfleet Operations
*the Office of Administration
*the Office of Strategic Operations
*the Office of External Affairs
*the Directorate of Personnel
*the Judge Advocate General's Corps
*the Paymaster's Corps
*the Office of the Inspector General
*the Directorate of Flight Operations
*Starfleet Tactical
*the Office of Starfleet Operations
*the Office of Starfleet Logistics
*the Office of Starfleet Security
*the Office of Starfleet Engineering
*the Starfleet Corps of Engineers
*the Office of Starfleet Research & Development
*the Starfleet Sciences Directorate
*the Office of the Surgeon General
*the Directorate of Intelligence
*the Starfleet Marine Corps
*the Directorate of Starfighter Operations
*the Starfleet Training Command
===Section 3:===
Starfleet Command controls all aspects of the Military of the United Federation of Planets and is authorized to regulate the inner workings of Starfleet as a whole, through the setting in place and maintenance of general orders and regulations.
===Section 4:===
The Commanding Officer of each sub fleet and department, shall have one (1) vote on matters concerning the Starfleet Command and Starfleet as a whole.
===Section 5:===
The Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet shall have an non-voting advisory seat on the Federation Council, and serve as the representative of Starfleet, as well as the principle military and exploratory advisor to the Federation President.
===Section 6:===
Each sub fleet and department of Starfleet, shall compose a brief Charter stating its general purpose and internal organization, to be reviewed and approved by the Commander in Chief of Starfleet.
===Section 7:===
The sub fleets comprise the bulk of the Starfleet. These fleets are created as a means of organizing the large number of ships and crews into manageable units. Sub fleets do not have the authority to negotiate treaties, cease-fire agreements or make pacts with any foreign group, government, military unit, etc. unless that are acting under direct orders from the head of External Affairs.
===Section 8:===
No member of StarFleet Command (exclusive of support staff) may hold a rank lower than Captain.
===Section 9:===
Amendments to this Charter can be added after ratification by majority vote of the members of Starfleet Command.
===Section 10:===
All members of Starfleet Command are prohibited from commanding more than one single sub fleet or department in Starfleet.
===Section 11:===
All members of Starfleet Command are prohibited from holding positions within any sub fleet or department other then the one they command.
==Article III: Selection of Starfleet Command and other senior positions==
===Section 1: The Commander in Chief of Starfleet:===
1. There will be a Commander in Chief of Starfleet appointed by Starfleet Command and confirmed by a majority vote. This position will be held until such time in which the Commander in Chief of Starfleet resigns the post or is removed by Starfleet Command for justifiable reasons. This can be accomplished by a majority no confidence vote by Starfleet Command and/or charges being issued against the Commander in Chief by Starfleet Command or the Inspector General. At that time the Deputy Commander-in-Chef takes over and the head of Chief of Starfleet Operations then doubles as the Deputy Commander-in-Chief until the matter is settled.
2. The Commander in Chief of Starfleet, will hold overriding command of all sub fleets and departments of Starfleet. The Commander in Chief of Starfleet will preside over Starfleet Command. The Commander in Chief of Starfleet will make the final declaration of Starfleet Policy decisions, general orders and regulations, as voted on and approved by voting members of Starfleet Command, with the power to break any voting ties unless the vote of the Commander in Chief helps to bring about a tie after all Starfleet Command members have voted. If at that time there is an abstention, that Starfleet Command member will be given the chance to change that vote. If there still is a tie at that point, then the Vice Commander in Chief will cast the deciding vote. This is the only instance in which an Executive Officer may vote along with a Commanding Officer in Starfleet Command.
3. The Commander in Chief of Starfleet shall have the right to choose his own staff. The Commander in Chief of Starfleet shall have the authority to discipline any officer under his direct command for a non criminal breach of protocol. In addition, the Commander in Chief of Starfleet will have the authority to promote subordinate officers, conduct boards of inquiry and investigations in all matters concerning Starfleet Command and Starfleet as a whole, as well as have the authority to pardon military criminals, and make ceremonial awards. Finally, the Commander in Chief of Starfleet will have the authority to override and/or change the duties and responsibilities of those subordinate to him within reason. However this can be overridden by a majority vote of Starfleet Command. The Commander and Chief of Starfleet will also appoint a Vice Commander-in-Chief. This appointment need not be ratified by a majority vote of Starfleet Command.
4. There will be a Vice Commander in Chief of Starfleet is appointed by the Commander in Chief of Starfleet. This position will be held until either the Vice Commander in Chief of Starfleet abdicates the position, or is replaced by the Commander in Chief with someone else, upon the presentation of just cause, or is removed by Starfleet Command by the same standard.
5. The Vice Commander in Chief of Starfleet will be responsible to serve as advisor to the Commander in Chief, and for serving as Commander in Chief should the Commander in Chief of Starfleet becomes unavailable due to absence. The Vice Commander in Chief of Starfleet is also the official Liaison and spokesperson to the news media representing Starfleet. The person holding this position shall have the right to choose his own staff. The Vice Commander in Chief reserves the right to review and promote any officer under their command at the end of each promotion period, up to one rank below their own. The Vice Commander in Chief of Starfleet shall have the authority to discipline any officer under his direct command for a non criminal breach of protocol.
===Section 2: Head of Starfleet Academy===
1. There will be a Commandant of Starfleet Academy appointed by the Commander in Chief of Starfleet. This position will be held until either the Commandant of Starfleet Academy abdicates the position, is replaced by the Commander in Chief with someone else, upon the presentation of just cause, or is removed by Starfleet Command by the same standard.
2. The Commandant of Starfleet Academy will be responsible for the function and supervision of the Starfleet Training Command, the organization and deployment of any additional vessels and equipment needed for training, initial placement of such newly trained personnel, and as a resource for Starfleet Command in questions of protocol. He shall have the right to choose his own staff to serve on his star ship and they will also serve as his office staff. The Commandant of Starfleet Academy reserves the right to review and promote any officer under their command at the end of each promotion period, up to one rank below their own. He shall have the authority to discipline any officer under his direct command for a non criminal breach of protocol. The Vice Commandant of Starfleet Academy is also allowed 1 star ship with crew to serve as staff for the Vice Commandant.
===Section 3: Director of Starfleet Intelligence:===
1. There will be a Director of Starfleet Intelligence appointed by the Commander in Chief of Starfleet. This position will be held until either the Director of Intelligence abdicates the position, is replaced by the Commander in Chief of Starfleet with someone else, upon the presentation of just cause, or is removed by Starfleet Command by the same standard.
2. The Director of Starfleet Intelligence will be responsible for the undertaking of all Starfleet Covert and Intelligence gathering Operations, organization and deployment of Federation Intelligence Operatives, up to and including the Assault and Rescue and Reconnaissance Units. He shall have the right to choose his own staff. The Head of Starfleet Intelligence reserves the right to review and promote any officer under their command at the end of each promotion period, up to one rank below their own. He shall have the authority to discipline any officer under his direct command for a non criminal breach of protocol.
===Section 4: Chief of Starfleet Operations:===
1. There will be a Chief of Starfleet Operations appointed by the Commander in Chief of Starfleet. This position will be held until either the Chief of Starfleet Operations abdicates the position, is replaced by the Commander in Chief with someone else, upon the presentation of just cause, or is removed by Starfleet Command by the same standard.
2. The Chief of Starfleet Operations will be responsible for coordinating inter fleet military activities, planning offensive and defensive strategies, and the deployment of Starfleet Military resources. He shall authorize the use of Military force, if deemed necessary by himself, the commander in chief, or Starfleet Command. However, if the Chief of Starfleet Operations makes the decision to use military force over the objections of Starfleet Command and/or the Commander in Chief, he will accept the responsibility and the possible repercussions. The Chief of Starfleet Operations will serve as the executive commander of the fleets, serving as an intermediary and subordinate to the Commander in Chief. He shall have the right to choose his own staff. The Chief of Starfleet Operations reserves the right to review and promote any officer under their command at the end of each promotion period, up to a maximum of their own rank. He shall have the authority to discipline any officer under his direct command for a non criminal breach of protocol.
====Section 4A: Commanding Officer of a sub fleet====
1. There will be a commanding officer for each sub fleet appointed by the Chief of Starfleet Operations. This position will be held until either the commanding officer abdicates the position, is replaced by the Commander in Chief or Chief of Starfleet Operations with someone else, upon the presentation of just cause, or is removed by Starfleet Command by the same standard.
2. The commanding officer will be responsible for coordinating inter division activities (if any), planning offensive and defensive strategies, and the deployment of that sub fleet's Military resources. He shall authorize the use of Military force, if deemed necessary by the Chief of Starfleet Operations, the Commander in Chief, or Starfleet Command. The commanding officer will serve as the executive commander of the sub fleet, serving as the Director of Starfleet Operations for his patrol district. He shall have the right to choose his own staff. The Commanding Officer reserves the right to review and promote any officer under their command at the end of each promotion period, up to one rank below their own. He shall have the authority to discipline any officer under his direct command for a non criminal breach of protocol. He shall serve as a civilian governor to all worlds within his patrol district if there is none already in place.
===Section 5: Department Chiefs:===
1. There will be a head of every Starfleet department appointed by the Commander in Chief of Starfleet. These positions will be held until either the department chief abdicates the position, is replaced by the Commander in Chief with someone else, upon the presentation of just cause, or is removed by Starfleet Command by the same standard.
2. The department chiefs will be responsible for the operations in their respective department of Starfleet. He shall have the right to choose their own staffs. The head of each department reserves the right to review and promote any officer under their command at the end of each promotion period, up to one rank below their own. He shall have the authority to discipline any officer under his direct command for a non criminal breach of protocol.
==Article IV: General Procedure==
===Section 1:===
The rank system of Starfleet shall be as follows (in increasing order):
====Enlisted Grades====
*Crewman Recruit
*Crewman Apprentice
*Crewman
*Petty Officer Third Class
*Petty Officer Second Class
*Petty Officer First Class
*Chief Petty Officer
*Senior Chief Petty Officer
*Master Chief Petty Officer
*Command Master Chief Petty Officer
*Master Chief Petty Officer of Starfleet
====Warrant Officer Ranks====
*Warrant Officer
*Chief Warrant Officer
*Senior Warrant Officer
*Master Warrant Officer
====Officer Ranks====
*Ensign
*Lieutenant (Junior Grade)
*Lieutenant
*Lieutenant Commander
*Commander
*Captain
*Fleet Captain
====Flag Officer Ranks====
*Commodore
*Rear Admiral
*Vice Admiral
*Admiral
*Fleet Admiral
===Section 2: Chain of Command===
Starfleet Command and Sub fleet Commanding Officers
May give orders to any subordinate Starfleet officer regardless of department or sub fleet, but may be asked to give just cause if those orders are later found to be in question.
May not give orders to any department or sub fleet's Commanding Officer unless that order deals directly with the department under their own command, or if the is order is to desist from performing an act that goes against Starfleet general orders.
Starfleet Command and fleet Executive Officer
May give orders to any subordinate Starfleet officer regardless of department or sub fleet. This may include officers of higher rank, which do not serve on Starfleet Command.
May not give orders to any department or sub fleet's Executive Officer unless that order deals directly with the department under their own command or if the is order is to desist from performing an act that goes against Starfleet general orders.
Officers outside of Starfleet Command
May give orders to any subordinate Starfleet officer regardless of department or sub fleet.
May not give orders to any officer of the same rank or higher unless that order deals directly with the rules and regulations of their own department and is given in order to carry out the purpose of that department or sub fleet or if the order is to desist from performing an act that goes against Starfleet general orders.
Promotions Policy
Promotion Review Periods for officers between the ranks of Ensign and Lieutenant Commander will last for two months. Promotion review periods of officers to be promoted to the ranks of Commander and above are limited to 4 months, with completion of Starfleet Command School.
Temporary field promotions are permitted outside of the normal promotion review time, during a state of Starfleet Command-declared War only, unless so authorized by the sub fleet or department commander, or the Commander-in-Chief. Commanding Officers who wish to issue a field promotion may do so after submitting the promotion review paperwork through the chain of command to the Inspector General. The field promotion will immediately take effect and be listed as "Brevet", until such time as the war is officially declared over. After hostilities are ceased, the Inspector General's Corps will evaluate all field promotions for permanent change to have the "Brevet" removed. With the exception of the temporary field promotions, all promotion reviews outside of the normal review cycle must be submitted to the Inspector General for approval.
Category:Federation Documents
Category:Starfleet