u.s.s. Lancelot NCC-74410

diplomatic/JAG dEPARTMENT

UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS

An interstellar alliance of planetary governments and colonies, united for mutual trade, exploratory, scientific, cultural, diplomatic, and defensive endeavors, founded in 2161. In 2373, the Federation comprised more than 150 member planets, spread across 8,000 light-years. Membership to the Federation was predicated on a number of factors, such as the existence of a unified planetary government. Similarly, under the Federation charter, caste-based discrimination is not permitted on member planets. Federation members include Earth, Vulcan, and numerous other planetary states. The Federation is governed by the Federation Council, composed of representatives from the various member planets, that meet in the city of San Francisco on Earth. The Council itself is led by the Federation president, whose office is in the city of Paris on Planet Earth. The economic structure within the Federation made very little use of money in the 20th century sense of the term. By the 24th century, the acquisition of wealth ceased to be the driving force in the lives of the majority of Federation citizens.

Although the Federation and it's Starfleet have done an extraordinary job of maintaining a generally peaceful climate in this part of the galaxy, the Federation and it's member planets have been involved in a number of armed conflicts over the years. Notable among these are tensions with the Klingon Empire that lasted almost a century until the Organian Peace Treaty of 2267, and later the Khitomer conference of 2293. Still unresolved are conflicts with the Romulan Star Empire, the Tholian Assembly. The Federation was involved in a protracted, bitter war with the Cardassians that dated back to the 2350s. An uneasy peace treaty with the Cardassian Union was reached in 2366. Conflict with the Cardassians continued at lower levels for years. One particular hot spot was Bajor, after the end of Cardassian occupation of the planet in 2369, when the Federation took over operation of the old Cardassian mining station Deep Space Nine in the Bajoran system near the newly discovered stable wormhole.

Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, scientific, diplomatic, and defensive agency of the United Federation of Planets. Starfleet was chartered by the Federation in 2161 with the mission to "boldly go where no man has gone before." The most visible part of the Starfleet is its interstellar starships. Additionally, Starfleet maintains a far-flung network of star-bases to support deep-space operations.

Starfleet Command is the operating authority for the deep-space exploratory, scientific, diplomatic, and defensive agency of the United Federation of Planets. The primary control hub was located in San Francisco on Earth, but other command facilities were located in various star-bases throughout the Federation. Starfleet Command stays in touch with its starships by means of a subspace radio communications network, but even with this faster-than-light medium, interstellar space is so vast that is not uncommon for ships on the frontier to be out of touch. As a result, starship captains were frequently granted broad discretionary powers to interpret Federation policy  in the absence of immediate instructions from Starfleet Command. Starfleet Headquarters is part of Starfleet Command, located in San Francisco on Earth. The facility includes a large aerial tram station.

All Starfleet officers must attend Starfleet Academy and complete a minimum four year training program, however some courses may last much longer.

Most students enter the Academy at age 18. The Academy adds four years to that, plus one year for each Cadet Cruise taken (if any). Those who wish to pursue a career in command can add two more years of specialized command training. The Academy consists of two primary campuses, one at San Francisco, Earth, the other on Starbase 1, in orbit around Earth. However there are other affiliated campuses spread across the Federation. There are several other training sites in sector 001, including a flight training area near Saturn's orbit.

All students who apply must have a certain level of learning prior to admission. This includes being able to speak, read, and write Federation Standard, and having good mathematics skill. However, Starfleet Academy is very selective, and only has a limited number of spaces available for prospective Cadets. Students may wish to have already studied a variety of subjects in order to increase their chances of acceptance. All students who apply to the Starfleet Marine Academy must pass a high level of physical requirements. Students who show great promise, upon acceptance to the academy, are made Red Squad cadets, the best of the best.

After admission, Cadets begin the standard four-year program to train for their roles in Starfleet. During the first two years at the Academy, Cadets gain a solid background in the skills important to all Starfleet officers in the Academy's General Studies program. 

In order to be considered for positions aboard prestigious vessels, like the Enterprise, skills should be much higher. Honors graduates have very high skill levels. They are among the first considered for positions aboard those vessels. The class Valedictorian and Salutatorian each may choose their station assignment, making these graduates the most highly prized.

Academy Courses and Course Structures

General Studies
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. 

The fields to Major and Minor in are:

Administration 

Weapons: Phasers 

Unarmed Combat (or specialized unarmed combat type) 

Computer Operation 

Computer Programming 

Electronics Operations: Sensors 

Electronics Operations: Transporters 

First Aid 

History: Federation 

Language: (Federation Standard) 

Language: (any non-native) 

Law: Federation 

Mathematics 

Physics 

Pilot: Shuttlecraft 

Starfleet Protocol 

Vacc Suit Operations 

Xenobiology: General 

Xenology: General 

Zero-G Operations 

Communications 

Counseling 

Engineering 

Helm/Navigation 

Intelligence 

Judge Advocate General 

Marines (Trained at Starfleet Marine Academy) 

Medicine 

Operations 

Science 

Security 

At the end of the second year of Academy training, Cadets should choose a Major and Minor course of study from the above list. Following is the list of the skills taught within each field. 

Communication
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. 

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:

Diplomacy 

Electronics Operations: Communications 

Electronics Operations: Security 

Electronics: Communications 

Electronics: Computers 

Electronics: Sensors 

General Services: (specialty) 

Language: Federation Standard 

Language: (Non-Native) 

Psychology: (Terran) 

Starfleet Protocol 

Xenobiology: General 

Xenology: General 

Xenology: (specialty) 

Counseling
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. 

Training includes:

Diagnosis: (Terran) 

Diagnosis: (native or non-Terran) 

Diagnosis: (non-native -and- non-Terran) 

Diplomacy 

Electronics Operations: Life Support 

Electronics Operations: Medical 

Language: (non-native) 

Physiology: (Terran) 

Physiology: (native or non-Terran) 

Psychology: (Terran) 

Psychology: (native or non-Terran) 

Psychology: (non-native -and- non-Terran) 

Xenobiology: General 

Xenology: General 

Xenology: (non-native) 

Xenophysiology (non-native -and- non-Terran) 

Engineering
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. 

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: 

Armoury: Phasers 

Armoury: Photon Torpedoes 

Armoury: Starship Phasers 

Electronics: Communications 

Electronics: Computers 

Electronics: Deflector Shields 

Electronics: Life Support 

Electronics: (specialty) 

Electronics: Sensors 

Electronics: Transporters 

Engineer: (specialty) 

Engineer: Impulse Drives 

Engineer: Warp Drives 

Mechanic: (specialty) 

Mechanic: Impulse Drives 

Mechanic: Warp Drives 

Subspace Mechanics 

Helm & Navigation
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. 

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:

Astronomy 

Astrogation: Warp Drive 

Astrophysics 

Electronics Operations: Communications 

Electronics Operations: Deflector Shields 

Electronics Operations: Photon Torpedoes 

Electronics Operations: Starship Phasers 

Electronics: Computers 

Electronics: Deflectors 

Gunner: Photon Torpedoes 

Gunner: Starship Phasers 

Leadership 

Pilot: Runabout 

Pilot: Starship 

Strategy: Space 

Subspace Mechanics 

Tactics: Space 

Intelligence
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.

Intelligence Cadets usually take courses in Communications, Operations or Security , but any other division can be taken as a Minor.

Training includes:

Cryptanalysis 

Electronics Operations: Communications 

Electronics Operations: Security Systems 

Electronics: Communications 

Electronics: Sensors 

Intelligence Analysis 

Interrogation 

Language: (specialty) 

Pilot: Runabout 

Psychology: (specialty) 

SIGINT Collection/Jamming 

Starfleet Protocol 

Strategy: Space 

Survival: (specialty) 

Tactics: Small Units 

Unarmed Combat 

Weapons: Phaser 

Xenology: (specialty) 

Judge Advocate General
This Major is for cadets who wish to join the Starfleet Judge Advocate General's Corps. The fleet's JAG's 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.

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:

Administration 

Diplomacy 

History: Federation 

Law: Federation: (general) 

Law: Federation: Administrative 

Law: Federation: Claims 

Law: Federation: Contracts 

Law: Federation: Criminal 

Law: Federation: Interplanetary 

Law: Federation: Operational 

Law: (non-Federation) 

Language: (non-native) 

Psychology: (Terran) 

Psychology: (native or non-Terran) 

Starfleet Protocol 

Xenology: General 

Xenology: (non-native) 

Medicine
Medical personnel provide day-to-day medical care to the people aboard ship, and treat injuries just like any other doctor.

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.

Biology (or Xenobiology: (specialty)) 

Biochemistry (or Xenobiochemistry: (specialty)) 

Diagnosis: (Terran) 

Diagnosis: (native or non-Terran) 

Diagnosis: (non-native -and- non-Terran) 

Diplomacy 

Electronics Operations: Life Support 

Electronics Operations: Medical 

Electronics Operations: Sensors 

Physician: (Terran) 

Physician: (native or non-Terran) 

Physician: (non-native -and- non-Terran) 

Physiology: (Terran) 

Physiology: (native or non-Terran) 

Psychology: (Terran) 

Psychology: (native or non-Terran) 

Psychology: (non-native -and- non-Terran) 

Xenophysiology: (non-native -and- non-Terran) 

Operations
This is the Major for Cadets who wish to pursue advancement in the command line fields of Starfleet.

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:

Administration 

Astrogation: Warp Drive 

Astrophysics 

Electronics Operations: Communications 

Electronics Operations: Photon Torpedoes 

Electronics Operations: Starship Phasers 

Electronics Operations: Security Systems 

Electronics: Communications 

Electronics: Computers 

Electronics: Sensors 

Gunner: Photon Torpedoes 

Gunner: Starship Phasers 

Pilot: Runabout 

Pilot: Starship 

Strategy: Space 

Tactics: Small Units 

Tactics: Space 

Sciences
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.

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.

Training includes:

Astronomy 

Astrophysics 

Biology 

Biochemistry (or Xenobiochemistry: (specialty)) 

Botany (or Xenobotany: (specialty)) 

Chemistry 

Comparative Archaeology: (race) 

Ecology (or Xenoecology: (specialty)) 

Genetics (or Xenogenetics: (specialty)) 

Geology 

Physics 

Physiology: (Terran) 

Physiology: (specialty) 

Subspace Mechanics 

Xenobiology: General 

Xenology: General 

Zoology (or Xenology: (specialty)) 

Security
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 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:

Weapons: Phaser 

Unarmed Combat 

Diplomacy 

Electronics Operations: Phaser Cannons 

Electronics Operations: Security Systems 

Gunner: Phaser Cannon 

Federation Martial Arts: (Anbo-Jytsu) 

Vehicle training 

Small weapons combat 

Psychology: (Terran) 

Survival: (choose) 

Tactics 

Tactics: Small Units 

Cadet Cruise
After completing class work at the Academy, Cadets are usually sent on a one-year cruise in space, where their performance is evaluated by officers in the field. During that cruise, the officer-in-training carries the rank of Cadet (Cdt) or Officer Cadet (OCdt) for the Marines. 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) in the field.

Cadet Cruise Assignments may include:

Special Assignment 

Starship Division 

Exploration Division 

Military Division 

Colonization Division 

Marines Division 

Starbase Division 

Command School
Cadets who want 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 will obtain the following skills important for holding positions of responsibility and authority over other officers.

Department Heads are defined as the persons holding the following positions:

Chief Engineering Officer

Chief Medical Officer 

Chief Tactical Officer 

Chief Science Officer 

Chief Conn Officer

Chief Diplomatic Officer

Chief Intelligence Officer

Chief Security Officer

Top Command personnel are:

Captain 

First Officer 

Chief of Operations 

Training includes:

Administration 

Astrogation: Warp Drive 

Computer Operations 

Computer Programming 

Diplomacy 

Electronics Operations: Sensors 

General Services: (specialty) 

History: Federation 

Law: Federation 

Leadership 

Psychology: (non-native -and- non-Terran) 

Strategy: Space 

Tactics: Small Units 

Tactics: Space 

Teaching 

Xenology: (Romulan or Borg) 

Non-Commissioned Personnel
Non-Commissioned personnel (NCP) join Starfleet for a career, but do not aspire to achieve commissioned rank. They fill the jobs of the day-to-day operations of the ship. They usually join Starfleet at age 18 and go through a shorter education than Cadets. They may choose a career in one of these fields: Engineering, Science, Security, or Services.

Section 31 is a secret division of Starfleet Intelligence that eliminates dangers to the Federation without answering to anyone. Officially, Section 31 does not exist. There is no main base of operations and no files are kept where they can be easily found. Among the many things Section 31 is responsible for creating is the disease that nearly wiped out the Founders.

With the Dominion threat becoming more great with every fleet of ships coming through the Bajoran wormhole, the Federation was forced to make a decision that would lead to war. Now allied with the Klingon Empire against the Dominion, Captain Ben Sisko decided to mine the entrance to the wormhole so no more Dominion forces could enter the Alpha Quadrant. The Cardassians joined forces with the Dominion, and later in the war the Breen entered in that alliance. When the Breen entered the war, the Dominion, Breen, and Cardassian forces attacked Earth, something the Klingons never would consider doing, even back in the days of bitter conflict. Millions of lives were lost, but in the end the Federation would win the war thanks to a change of heart from the Cardassians. The Federation Alliance, later consisting of the Romulans, defeated the Dominion Alliance to end a long and costly war.

In the last couple of years the Federation has been challenged by several galactic powers, including the Dominion and the Borg. Now that the war with the Dominion has been won, the power struggle is likely to continue for control of the Alpha Quadrant between those who can afford to wage battle.

Treaty of Archanis

The Treaty of Organia

Khitomer Peace Accords

Treaty of Algeron

Cardassian Union and United Federation of Planets Treaty

Should you have any questions or comments please e-mail the Chief Diplomatic/JAG Officer at the Diplomatic/JAG Department aboard the U.S.S. Lancelot.