Talk:Second officer
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[edit] Qualifications
Is it fair to say that the second officer is usually the Chief Engineer? Dax was a Science Officer, Tuvok was Tactical Officer, and Data was Chief of Operations. – The preceding unsigned comment was added by 159.91.142.200 (talk).
[edit] Classifying second officers
During the time of Enterprise and the Original Series, the third highest ranking officer aboard ship took command whenever both captain and first officer were off the ship regardless of whether or not that person was a bridge officer. Later on, as indicated in a TNG episode and a Voyager episode, an ensign who was a regular bridge officer could take command over a non-bridge officer of higher rank. – The preceding unsigned comment was added by Enterprise1981 (talk • contribs) .
[edit] Data, 3rd in command?
How is it that Data is 3rd in command of the Enterprise D when he is outranked by four of the ship's senior officers (Capt. Picard, Cmdr. Riker, Dr. Crusher, and by the end of the series, Counselor Troi)? – The preceding unsigned comment was added by 74.66.255.119 (talk).
- Because that is how the command structure worked out. --Alan 01:02, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
- Because Dr. Crusher and Deanna are outside of the direct chain of command. -- Michael Warren | Talk 01:05, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
- I figure that it's due to his service, and him being a direct bridge officer. It wasn't until two or three seasons in before Crusher was even 'authorized' to work on the bridge, she mentioned needing her bridge officer's exam, which Troi later took. So technically, despite those two holding a higher rank. Data outranked them in the chain of command. --Terran Officer 01:09, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
- Crusher and Troi are also both staff officers. --- Jaz 01:09, 4 March 2008 (UTC)
- I figure that it's due to his service, and him being a direct bridge officer. It wasn't until two or three seasons in before Crusher was even 'authorized' to work on the bridge, she mentioned needing her bridge officer's exam, which Troi later took. So technically, despite those two holding a higher rank. Data outranked them in the chain of command. --Terran Officer 01:09, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
- Because Dr. Crusher and Deanna are outside of the direct chain of command. -- Michael Warren | Talk 01:05, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
- It is a matter of position, Data is a bridge officer, it is the same reason why Data has Worf as his second-in-command when Picard and Riker were kidnapped, even though Geordi outranks Worf. There is a command line and there are staff officers in charge of departments, because your chief enginner or medical officer isn't necessarilly your best command choice. – The preceding unsigned comment was added by 70.188.130.152 (talk).
- This brings up the question, why was Scotty the Second Officer of the original Enterprise then?Ctetc2007 04:50, 2 July 2009 (UTC)
[edit] Procedure
This is speculative, but why would it be standard procedure for the second officer to accompany away teams? Especially since the first officer usually commanded them, shouldn't the second officer stay aboard the ship to back up the captain, instead of a lower ranking officer taking over?– The preceding unsigned comment was added by 69.205.100.201 (talk • contribs) .
- It's standard procedure because Starfleet says it is. --31dot 22:29, 23 August 2009 (UTC)
