posted
Hello all...I just had a sudden realization about the rank structure in Starfleet.
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...
------------------ Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do on a rainy afternoon. --- Susan Ertz
posted
Not necessarily. Maybe Starfleet doesn't have any insignificant ships, and views them all (rightly or wrongly) as being equal.
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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Saltah'na
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Member # 33
posted
Picard was Captain of a Science vessel before he became Captain of the Enterprise-D. Now being a distinguished Captain, he gets to command the Flagship of the Federation Fleet, and does very difficult missions.
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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[This message has been edited by Tahna Los (edited May 01, 2000).]
posted
While I agree with your point, the Steamrunner is about the same size as the Akira.
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posted
Despite the evidence of USS Grissom and USS Equinox, it could be said that there are captains aboard smaller Starfleet ships that hold the rank of Commander or less, and we simply haven't seen them. All we need to do is invent some sort of "special dispensation" for the two ships .
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.
Saltah'na
Chinese Canadian, or 75% Commie Bastard.
Member # 33
posted
Good point, Timo, though I must admit that Capt Ransom was appointed to master of bigger ships, but probably turned it down for the simplicity of a Science vessel.
------------------ "My Name is Elmer Fudd, Millionaire. I own a Mansion and a Yacht." Psychiatrist: "Again."
posted
I agree with you totally Timo. I also think that the technological sophistication of the ship might have somesing to do with it- a Nova (which in all liklihood was cutting edge at the time Ransome was posted to it), might be considered a much more prestigous assignment than a crappy old Excelsior. I denitely agree that the two Captains in question should not be taken as indicative of every starfleet posting to smaller ships in the fleet. The character of Ransome had to be a Captain for the dramatic tension of the episode.
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Another point: were all the ships seen in the DS9 fleet-scenes fully manned and commanded by high-ranking officers?
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...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.
------------------ Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do on a rainy afternoon. --- Susan Ertz
posted
Maybe it's true that Excelsior-class old, but she has been upgraded with the most current technologies that it doesn't really matter how old her design is. I agree with some of you guys in that only "large-enough-ships" have a rather permanent captain. Take the Sabre-class for example, I highly doubt that she is a long term or permanent ship; that is that a Sabre-class ship will be in service only for a duration of a single mission and then probably will be docked somewhere until another mission comes up
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posted
A possibility no-one else seems to have raised is that the commander of any vessel is the "Captain". Perhaps in Starfleet, anyone who is the commander of a vessel is given a "brevet rank" of captain. What's a brevet rank, I hear you ask? Look here for the definition. (The link opens a new window, so don't panic!)
--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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[This message has been edited by Baloo (edited May 10, 2000).]
This is some food for thought for some of you, I hope...
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