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The Federation Starfleet (often called Starfleet) is the deep-space exploratory, scientific, diplomatic, and paramilitary force of the United Federation of Planets.
Founded in 2161, Starfleet was composed of portions of the Earth Starfleet, the United Earth military (of which the Earth Military Assault Command Operations division was a part), Andorian Imperial Guard and the Vulcan and Tellarite defense forces.
Missions undertaken by the Federation Starfleet fell at least partly under the jurisdiction of the United Earth Space Probe Agency (or UESPA). By the late 23rd century, however, Starfleet missions were regulated solely by Starfleet Command. This Starfleet Command answered to the Federation Council and was bound by its General Orders and Regulations. (TOS: "Charlie X", "Tomorrow is Yesterday"; Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home; et al)
- Because UESPA worked in conjunction with the Earth Starfleet, it seems likely that UESPA worked together with the Federation Starfleet as well rather than as seperate operating authorities.
When a planet became a member of the Federation, its military would be incorporated within Starfleet. (DS9: "Rapture")
Starfleet Headquarters and the main campus of Starfleet Academy were located in San Francisco on Earth, though they maintained other campuses in other parts of the world. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture, etc.) Starfleet operated a vast number of planetary facilities, starships and starbases. Starfleet personnel wore a Starfleet uniform, rank pins, and a Starfleet Emblem - which would evolve into a combadge. (Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, et al)
Starfleet consisted of at least ten numbered fleets and a great number of support facilities.
Organization
Like its predecessor, Earth Starfleet, the Federation Starfleet is based on a hierarchical organization of ranks. These ranks appear to be inherited directly from their predecessor ranks. According to naval tradition, anyone in the organization is subordinate to any officer of higher rank regardless of his or her position within the organizational structure. Nevertheless, Starfleet seems to be organized into a number of branches and positions that generally oversee certain aspects of the fleet. These positions are assigned by the superior officer of that branch and can be assigned to individuals of any rank, although in general, more important positions will be assigned to higher ranking officers. This preserves the chain of command and avoids creating situations where someone of a less position within the organization could give orders to someone with a greater mandate.
Positions
Commander in Chief
Commander in Chief or C-in-C, is the highest position within Starfleet and is assigned to a fleet admiral. The C-in-C is not subordinate to anyone in Starfleet and reports directly to the Federation President. He is responsible for both Starfleet Command and Starfleet Academy. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
Starfleet Academy
Starfleet Academy is headed by a superintendent. This position is normally assigned to a rear admiral.
Starfleet Command
Starfleet Command is headed by the Commander, Starfleet. This position is normally assigned to a fleet admiral. The various sector commanders, held by vice admirals report directly to him, as does the chief of staff, held by an admiral. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
Starfleet Branches
The other branches of starfleet are normally headed by the Commander, department, usually a vice admiral who reports to the chief of staff. Center commanders, usually Rear Admiral Lower Half report directly to him, as does the chief of the department, a position usually assigned to a Rear Admiral.
Starbases/Starships
The Starbase and Starship commanding officer and portmasters are held by officers with the rank of Commander to the Admiral grades. They are directly in-charge of their assigned starship or starbase and reports to the commanding officer of that sector's starbase.
Branches and Agencies
Branches
- Starfleet Command
- Starfleet Operations
- Starfleet Intelligence
- Starfleet Tactical
- Starfleet Security
- Starfleet Corps of Engineers
- Starfleet Science
- Starfleet Research and Development
- Starfleet Medical
- Judge Advocate General
Agencies
- Administrative Operations
- Department of Internal Affairs
- Fleet Supply Office
- Office of the Inspector General
- Personnel Deployment
- Section 31 (Rogue agency not officially acknowledged by Starfleet Command.)
- Starfleet Administration
- Starfleet Advanced Technologies
- Starfleet Bureau of Information
- Starfleet Exploratory Division
- Starfleet Mission Operations
- Strategic Operations
- Starfleet Orbital Operations
- Starfleet Shipyards Operations
- Starfleet Stellar Imaging
- United Earth Space Probe Agency (UESPA) (Existed from the 21st to the 23rd Century)
Facilities
- Communications Research Center
- Federation starbases
- Federation shipyards
- Fleet Museum
- Planetary Defense Systems
- Starfleet Academy
- Starfleet Command School
- Starfleet Medical Academy
Related topics
- Starfleet ranks
- Starfleet personnel
- Federation starships
- Federation shuttlecraft
- Federation Naval Patrol
- Merchant Marines