This is some food for thought for some of you, I hope...The commanders of large starships like Galaxies or Akiras are full-fledged captains, which is logical.
The commanders of smaller ships are almost always captains too, including Intrepids (ie Janeway).
However, when we see a ship the size of the USS Equinox (Nova class), it strikes me as rather odd that it is commanded by a captain. Also, the USS Grissom (Oberth) from ST II is commanded by a captain. These ships are both less than two hundred metres long and have less than 100 crew. Why are these tiny little ships commanded by Starfleet captains, especially if there is a shortage of experienced captains?
If you observe the rank structure of today's navies, smaller ships (corvettes, torpedo boats, coastal patrol vessels) are commanded by Lieutenant Commanders and Commanders. Why aren't the smaller Starfleet ships (especially science vessels) commanded by lesser officers?
This came about when I was viewing information on the STVGR episode "Equinox I & II". It just dawned on me that the rank structure of Starfleet is somewhat silly....*L* This is some food for thought for some of you, I hope...
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Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do on a rainy afternoon. --- Susan Ertz
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"Keep on Trekking"
-D. Kelly
Outposts and the Deep Spaces could be commanded by lesser ranks, like DS9 was before the onset of the Dominion threat, in which case the priority of the outpost increased significantly and Sisko was promoted accordingly.
Of course, if Starfleet hadn't considered him up to the task, he most likely would have been repalced by another captain.
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Secret spies frm China try to steal you mind's elation,
Little girls from Sweden dream of silver screen flirtation,
And if you want these kind of dreams
It's Californication.
Kirk's first command was the Captain of E-nil. His mission was one of exploration, and not one of battle. Back then, the E-nil was not a very important vessel, but it became one before its destruction.
The point being is that all new Captains won't necessarily be assigned to a Galaxy, Nebula, or an Akira. New Captains would be assigned smaller ships, like Mirandas, Steamrunners, etc. etc. When a Captain has distinguished himself in service, he/she would be given a bigger ship with a bigger crew.
Which brings us on to the Excelsior, Captain Sulu's first command. You'd expect the Excelsior to be commanded by a more seasoned Captain. However, the Excelsior's first mission was cataloguing gaseous anomalies in the Federation portion of Beta Quadrant. Not a type of mission you'd expect for a large ship.
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"My Name is Elmer Fudd, Millionaire. I own a Mansion and a Yacht."
Psychiatrist: "Again."
[This message has been edited by Tahna Los (edited May 01, 2000).]
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Frank's Home Page
John Linnell: "You know, we actually know the next song we're going to play. We're talking about some personal stuff that concerns just me and John. I realize that this probably isn't the time or the place."
John Flansburgh: "We can finish this conversation in the car."
.And there are explanations forthcoming (as if you ever doubted that...). The Grissom was sent on a mission of great importance but low profile. A science vessel like the Grissom was clearly the best suited for surveying the Genesis planet without arousing undue interest of outsiders. J.T. Esteban could have been the best science ship captain in Starfleet, with a diplomatic and cautious way of handling the political matters associated with his science missions (in which case his seemingly bumbling and inadequate response to the Klingon attack would be sign of his skill and training, instead of lack of it!). Esteban could have been reassigned from a bigger ship or more imposing desk position and substituted for the former, less experienced and lower-ranking captain of the Grissom for the duration of this mission.
As for the Equinox, Capt. Ransom was considered something of a veteran, what with the first contact with the Yridians (YATI...) and all. With all the good press he got from Janeway and her crew, he might be considered a famous exception, instead of a representative example of average science ship captains. Another one in the long line of legendary hero captains who refuse to give up their favorite job even though they are offered plushier assignments that would better jibe with their promotions to higher rank.
Timo Saloniemi
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"My Name is Elmer Fudd, Millionaire. I own a Mansion and a Yacht."
Psychiatrist: "Again."
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"When You're Up to Your Ass in Alligators, Today Is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life."
-- Management slogan, Ridcully-style (Terry Pratchett, The Last Continent, Discworld)
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Prakesh's Star Trek Site
Show some respect for your elders *L*
...and Picard commanded the Stargazer, a Constellation-class vessel...it wasn't a science ship, but a long range explorer. A heavily armed one, at that
In STNG: Redemption, it is established that there is a shortage of able starship captains. I believe it was discussed in the Starships forum for a time...and it adds fuel to the fire.
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Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do on a rainy afternoon. --- Susan Ertz
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The Doctor: "...with my heart, my experiences, and my soul..."
Tincoo (sp): "...I have duplicated that too..."
--Baloo
[Post-edit P.S.: George Armstrong Custer was a brevet Major General (or possibly a Brigadier -- my sources aren't quite clear) but his actual rank was Lieutenant Colonel (roughly equivalent to a Navy Commander).]
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"The difference between involved and committed? Look at a plate of ham and eggs. The chicken is involved. The pig is committed."
-- Me
http://www.geocities.com/cyrano_jones.geo/
[This message has been edited by Baloo (edited May 10, 2000).]