Galaxy class delta shift sucks.
Galaxy class delta shift sucks.
I’ve always wondered: who is in charge of the ship while the Captain and their Number One are asleep?
Like, wouldn’t a starship realistically need a rotating staff and be manned at all times?
Edit: Doody shifts. Hehehehehehe.
The Starfleet bridge officer examination was a series of tests for Starfleet officers who wished to be able to take command, besides the command officers such as captain, first officer, second officer, and third officer. The test had various stages, regarding diplomacy, command functions, engineering, tactical; but the final exam required the officer to make an uncomfortable choice that sent one person under their direct command to certain death. No one who failed the test could serve as a comma
who is in charge of the ship while the Captain and their Number One are asleep?
The night crew, of course.
NIGHT CREEEEEEW!!!
Beer me!
They have duty shifts, each will have an officer in command. In a three-shift system (i.e. where each shift lasts 8 hours), you might have the captain commanding the day shift, the first officer the second shift, and another more junior officer on the night shift. Other times (like when Jellico commanded the Enterprise) there can be a four-shift system. If something important happens when the captain is off duty or asleep then the shift commander can always wake the captain - but the vast majority of the time (i.e. all the days in between episodes, which we never see) then nothing eventful happens during the night shift.
On the Enterprise D, Data often commanded the night shift since he didn't need any sleep, but in principle any officer (even at Lt Junior Grade or Ensign) could be put in command.
I ended reading up a load on this for a Star Trek Adventures game.
Well yeah, Picard was having everyone work extra hours by only having three shifts. Jellico gave people a break.
There’s a reason the Cerritos has a delta shift even though it’s a smaller ship.