Officer Training
All of the below information contains the training Officer Cadets go through.
For Enlisted personnel training read only 'The Courses' section.
Training
All Starfleet Officers must attend Starfleet Academy and complete a minumum three year officer training course, however, some courses may last much longer. Most students enter the Academy at age 18, after graduating 6th Form (Advanced Level Qualifications). The Academy consists of two primary campuses, the first and most major being in San Francisco, Earth, and the second on Starbase 1 in Earth orbit. There are, however, many other affiliated campuses spread throughout sector 001 and across affiliated Federation planets. All students who apply must have a certain level of learning prior to selection and admission. This includes being able to speak, read, and write fluently in Federation Standard, as well as having good Mathematics skills. Starfleet Academy is very selective, however, and maintains a limited enrollment. All students who apply for either Starfleet Academy or the Starfleet Marine Academy must pass the Officer Selection Committee. To do this, they are to attend a three-day long selection period and perform aptitude tests, take a full medical, attend an interview with two Starfleet Officers and show that they have leadership potential by attempting to complete several leadership exercises. Upon completion of the Academy Training, cadets are commissioned as Ensigns and details of their results and performance are sent to all vessels with positions available. The Commanding Officers and Executive Officers aboard the vessels can then request a particular cadet to be assigned aboard their vessel, even before the cadet has received their results. Upon receipt of their results, cadets are posted by request (or by default) to a Starfleet vessel or station anywhere in the Alpha Quadrant. These vessels can be of any type ranging from Science Vessels, such as the Oberth Class, to Exploration Cruisers such as the Sovereign Class.
Initial Officer Training
Welcome to the Department of Initial Officer Training (DIOT) at Starfleet Academy. DIOT was created to transform civilian citizens into military personnel and to prepare them as well as possible for their future in Starfleet and in the Federation's Military Element. Initial Officer Training takes place during the first 24 weeks of the Academy. Cadets are accommodated in the DIOT Centre approximately 50km from the Academy. Accommodations are of low grade, with up to 4 cadets sharing rooms and communal sonic showers. The following information displays the activities taking part in each section of the IOT. Essential Service Knowledge Written Communications Outdoor Activities Centre Station Visit
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Whatever their background, all cadets undergo a 4-week induction phase, in which they make the transition from a civilian to a military lifestyle. During this phase, cadets are taught the basics of military life by the resident Starfleet Marine Corps Training Staff. They are issued with all the kit they require; they are taught the rudiments of drill, weapon handling and first aid; and they begin the rigorous physical education programme, designed to make them fit not only to complete the IOT course but to meet the demands of modern military life.
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The majority of this phase of training is taken up with theoretical and practical leadership. Considerable emphasis is also placed on the development of teamwork. The leadership syllabus begins with lectures and classroom-based exercises where the principles of leadership are learned. The training then moves outside, where the theory is put into practice, starting with a series of static exercises in the local area, and moving on to more dynamic and challenging scenarios in unfamiliar areas.
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Field Leadership Camp (FLC) is the culmination of the Leadership Development phase of training and takes place at a more distant training area.During this period the cadet’s leadership exercises increase in complexity and last up to 3 hours. As well as field leadership exercises, cadets are also tested in ‘executive’ roles, with responsibility for Squad deployment and the day-to-day running of the camp.
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As part of their initial training, cadets undertake a variety of academic studies. These can be broadly categorized into:
Operational Studies
As well as expert tuition from the Department's specialist instructors, cadets are given lectures from outside agencies, both Service and civilian.
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Starship Management Simulator
Cadets are given the opportunity to exercise their newly acquired skills and knowledge in the Starship Management Simulator.Within a carefully designed scenario, each cadet will play the role of an officer on a typical Starfleet vessel, reacting to inputs by staff, to deal with situations as they arise.
A week is spent at an Outdoor Activities Centre in Scotland undertaking adventurous activities under the guidance of experienced instructors.Activities are seasonal, but may include hill-walking, climbing, canoeing and skiing, amongst others.
To bring much of their training alive, cadets spend one week attached to an operational Starfleet station, where they can observe every facet of the way in which the station works.They are accompanied by their flight commander, but where possible they will be attached to an officer of their chosen specialization to gain an awareness of their everyday work.
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As the culmination of their training, cadets take part in a week-long exercise, ‘Exercise PEACEKEEPER’, which simulates deployed operations. Cadets carry out tasks in a challenging environment, fulfilling executive roles in a simulated Combined Operations Centre. The Exercise is similar to those conducted in preparation for war or peacekeeping roles by the military at large and requires the application of all the previous 21 weeks of training.
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As a fitting conclusion to 22 weeks of intensive training, the Graduation Parade takes place in front of the magnificent backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge (week 23 consists largely of parade preparation). Families and friends are invited to share this memorable day with the graduating cadets, who then progress, as commissioned officers of Starfleet, to specialist training for their chosen branches
The Courses
- Generally, Cadets who Major in Communications will Minor in Security. Those Cadets are working towards becoming Tactical Officers on board a Starship. Some Cadets interested in Command may also Minor in Helm/Navigation. Those Cadets will also want to attend Command School. Training includes: Training includes: Note that Starfleet Engineers, at first, are primarily concerned with the various electronics systems throughout the ship. This is due to the Federation's heavy use of electronic equipment for almost every function. The only non-electronic equipment aboard most ships are the Warp drives and Impulse engines. However, Engineers can specialize in any Engineering or Mechanic field, because Starfleet encourages research and development of newer and better systems. Cadets Majoring in Engineering usually take Helm /Navigation as their Minor. Some smaller ships may use the Engineer as a back-up commander. Those Engineers may Minor in Operations, and will want to go to Command School. Training includes: Generally, Cadets who Major in Helm/Navigation are Cadets who eventually wish to become Commanders themselves. Those cadets will also wish to attend Command School. Appropriate Minors include Communications, Operations, and Engineering. Training includes: Intelligence Cadets usually take courses in Communications, Operations or Security , but any other division can be taken as a Minor. Training includes: Each cadet will obtain an interplanetary law degree during their time in the Academy. Starfleet Judge Advocates uphold and protect the rights of Starfleet personnel and the virtues of the Federation and Starfleet Charters. Newly commissioned judge advocates receive immediate responsibility in handling significant legal issues. They encounter a diversified, challenging and rewarding law practice stationed throughout the Federation. Cadets Majoring in JAG usually take Operations as their Minor. Training includes: Medical Cadets do not usually Minor in any other field, but are required to take four elective skills, which may be any science or medical skill. More than two specialization fields are encouraged by Starfleet, but not required. Ship's Doctors should consider taking at least one Medicine: (other race) skill for most of the races that they would normally come in contact with during normal ship's operations. Each racial skill must be learned separately. Medical Cadets have generally completed medical studies on their respective homeworlds, and thus generally start their Academy training at age 25. They go through a different type of training program than do any other type of Cadet. The Academy medical training lasts eight years, but does not include an internship. Operations Majors provide an interface between the day-to-day normal activities of the crew on board ship and the command personnel. Operations personnel study a program designed to give them a working knowledge of all other divisions in Starfleet. Ops Officers are frequently trained to become commanders themselves. The Ops Cadet usually takes courses in both Communications and Helm/Navigation, but can take any other division as a Minor. Training includes: Starfleet requires the Sciences Cadet to study at least two additional specializations. They may be from any science field, though they are usually non-Medical. If Sciences is chosen as a Minor, no specializations are needed. Note that in the Trek era, "Sciences" are not limited merely to the so-called "hard" sciences. Social sciences are also considered important by Starfleet. Good examples of this kind of science officer in action are in the TOS episode "Who Mourns For Adonis", where we saw Carolyn Palamas acting as the "Archaeology & Anthropology" officer in the landing party. Another example was Marla McGivers, the Ship's Historian (and Khan's intended) from "Space Seed". Within these rather broad limitations, any science skills can be chosen for fields of specialization. Training includes: The Normal Minor field for Security is Communications. The Security Officer (also called the Tactical Officer) is usually expected to operate the ship's communications systems. Training includes:
Following the Initial Officer Training Program (IOT), cadets move on to the specialist training for their desired service branches. The following is a standard list of all 'major' courses available to cadets who pass through Starfleet Academ
All Cadets are required to take a core set of courses used to teach a number of skills. All Cadets are required to take these courses, regardless of their fields of study. If any of these courses are in a cadet's Major or Minor field of study, the higher requirement takes precedence.
This course runs alongside existing courses and is an extension to the Initial Officer Training.
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Communications Majors provide both audio and video communications with personnel on ship and on planets, and provide an interface with Starfleet Command through the subspace radio on board.
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Counselors act as general overseers of the crew's mental well-being. They give advice and guidance for personal problems that crewmembers may have. If necessary, they can provide psychiatric and psychological treatment and care. Counselors can also refer clients to other medical personnel for more conventional treatments. They work closely with the Chief Medical Officer. They may have several more Language, Psychology, and Xenology skills than the requirements below. Counselors do not have to choose a Minor.
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Engineering personnel provide the necessary repair and upkeep of equipment aboard ship. It is suggested that prospective Engineers select one (or more) Engineering skills to specialize in.
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Helm and Navigation personnel provide the ship with pilots and co-pilots. They also provide the ship with experienced Shuttlecraft and Runabout pilots and co-pilots.
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This is the major for Cadets that wish to join the Starfleet Intelligence Service (SFI). Intelligence Cadets study a program which will prepare them for a variety of positions within SFI including field operations, intelligence analysis, SIGINT collection, and many others. Cadets are encouraged to choose a government or organization as a specialty to study during their time at the Academy. Some examples include the Cardassian Union, the Dominion and the Borg.
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This Major is for cadets who wish to join the Starfleet Judge Advocate General's Corps. The fleet's JAGs are responsible for the investigation, prosecution, and defense of the men and women enlisted in Starfleet. In addition, they practice interplanetary, operation, labor, contract, environmental, tort, and administrative law. In addition, Starfleet Judge Advocates assist in the development and ratification of treaties and act as legal advisors to members of the admiralty. Each JAG officer is responsible for a certain group of individuals, or sphere of influence, in Starfleet.
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Medical personnel provide day-to-day medical care to the people aboard ship, and treat injuries just like any other doctor.
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This is the Major for Cadets who wish to pursue advancement in the command line fields of Starfleet.
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Science personnel provide the investigative research for ships and transmit that information back to Starfleet Command. Science personnel are also useful on landing parties and at Starbases.
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Security forces provide basic police duties on ship, as well as protective duties to landing parties. Some Security personnel will take additional training as Starfleet Marines.
'The Cruise'
During a officer training course, a cadet may be allocated time for a Cadet Cruise aboard a Starfleet starship. In addition to this, cadet's may also choose to take an additional cruise of a period of one year. This option is available to all cadets.
During a cruise, the officer-in-training carries the rank of Officer Cadet (OCdt). This rank is considered to be one below Ensign, but still an officer's grade and rank. Sometimes, due to extremely good performance of duties, a Cadet will be promoted to Acting Ensign (with an increase in pay and rank) within their chosen field.
Cadet Cruise Assignments may include:
- Special Assignment
Starship Division
Exploration Division
Military Division
Colonization Division
Marines Division
Starbase Division
Command School
Cadets who wish to become Department Heads -- or Top Command personnel -- are usually required to attend Command School for two years following their Cadet Cruise. At Command School, they obtain the following skills for holding positions of responsibility and authority over other officers.
Department Heads are defined as the persons holding the following positions:
Top Command personnel are:
Training includes: