CO Manual:Section 3
| Commanding Officer's Manual | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Page | Welcome | Command Responsibilities | Organizing a Chapter | Chapter Activities | Commissioning a Chapter | Awards | Chapter Types & Commands |
Organizing a Chapter
Every chapter is required to have a Commanding Officer, Executive Officer and a Chief Petty Officer. But what do you do with all of your other members so they feel like they belong and could actually be assigned to a ship of the Royal Manticoran Navy? You could create departments with specific responsibilities and assign your crew members to lead or join one of the departments.
Job Descriptions
Commanding Officer (CO)
The head of the chapter and has wide authority, within reason and TRMN guidelines, to set policy and define how the chapter will be structured. The CO and his/her personality also set the tone for the chapter and how much fun it will be for varying members of the chapter. The CO is also responsible for awards and making sure the crew is recognized for their efforts in an appropriate and timely manner.
Executive Officer (XO)
The Second in Command of the chapter whose main purpose is to assist the CO in the smooth operation of the chapter, while also serving as an advisor, and check on the CO’s enthusiasm if they decide to try and be more ambitious than the chapter can support. Many times, the XO is responsible for tracking the crew’s academic progress and time in grade for promotions as well as making recommendations for awards for crew members as needed.
Bosun
The senior enlisted person in the chapter, this member of the Command Triad serves as the voice of the enlisted crewmembers to the CO and advises the CO as to how best to meet the needs of these members of the crew. The Bosun also serves as an ombudsman to assist all members of the crew in finding answers when they need assistance in matters pertaining to TRMN.
Division Head
This is where the real work gets done. If your ship organizes Divisions, you’ll want to appoint a person to oversee that area. This Division Head would oversee those in the division and advise the CO on how best to meet their needs, who is deserving of promotion or award, and other areas which are relevant to the division itself. An example of how a division would be organized can be found in Appendix F at the end of this manual. Divisions Some possible divisions and suggested areas of responsibility are shown below (please remember these are only suggestions and could easily be modified and changed to meet the needs of your chapter and members):
Command:
- Could be responsible for the overall operation and leadership of the chapter.
Administrative Division (Personnel and Security Divisions):
- Could be responsible for recruiting or record maintenance.
Tactical Division (Tracking, Fire Control, Electronic Warfare, Combat Systems and Warfare Divisions):
- Could be responsible for gaming or other events.
Astrogation Division:
- Could be responsible for making sure everyone knows how to get to an event.
Communications Division:
- Could be responsible for the chapter’s newsletter and/or mailing list as well as any web presence the chapter may have or desire to create.
Engineering Division (Power, Drive, Electronics, Environmental and Damage Control Divisions):
- Could be responsible for ensuring that members, who may not have transportation, can get to and from all events.
Logistics Division (Stores, Disbursing, Services, and Food Service Divisions):
- Could be responsible for chapter event planning, whether it is a simple outing or a full-fledged party. Logistics personnel an also keep track of any chapter supplies and may keep a store of insignia and uniform items for sale to crew members.
Flight Operations Division:
- Could maintain a list of members (to be shared with the Engineering Department) who have reliable transportation in case the need arises to carpool to events or conventions to help get all members and gear to the event.
Medical Division:
- Could be responsible for making sure known health issues of your members are being adequately considered as you plan events and activities.
Marines:
- Could be responsible for general security of your events and parties. Marine Detachments (MARDETs) attached to Chapters. If you have Marines on board your chapter, they may want to form a Marine Detachment (MARDET) for official recognition by the RMMC.