This department was in charge of the ship's weapon systems, their calibrations and upkeep. Furthermore, the tactical officers on starships and starbases were, basically, the ones firing the weapons at the tactical station on the bridge.

Tactical officers were men and women selected from the Academy on account of superior intelligence, reliability and mechanical knowledge. The assignment to Tacical was made with the idea that the officers should be somewhat higher in standard than other officers in regard to starship weaponry and their usage; that their knowledge of ordnance and targeting should be such that they would be able to also make repairs to the systems.

The physical layout of the Tactical station console often described a sweeping curve affording an unobstructed view of the main viewer, and an equally clear view of the command stations on the bridge. This allowed for an uninterrupted exchange between the Tactical Officer and other bridge officers during critical operations, as well as exchanges with crew members occupying the aft stations. The duty station console lacked a seat and was therefore a standup position, deemed ergonomically necessary for efficient tactical functions.

Tactical Department Position Descriptions

Chief Tactical Officer

The Chief Tactical Officer is responsible for the tactical efficiency of weapons, shields and the Tactical Station aboard his or her assigned ship or station. They should be aware of current phaser strength, shield strength and current torpedo complement. S/he also is a department head and a member of the senior staff, responsible for all the crew members in her/his department and duty rosters.

Assistant Chief Tactical Officer

The Assist. Chief Tactical Officer was the second senior most Tactical Officer aboard and reported directly to the Chief Tactical Officer. On the Theurgy, there were two Asst. Chiefs because of the ship's MVAM capability. In the event that the ship had to separate for a longer duration, the Asst. Chief Tactical Officers would serve as Chiefs on their own hull sections respectively.

Tactical Officer

The Tactical Officers are the vessels gunmen. They assist the Chief Tactical Officer by running and maintaining the numerous weapons systems aboard the ship/starbase, and analysis and tactical planning of current missions. Very often Tactical Officers are also trained in ground combat and small unit tactics.

Tactical Primer

All right you have chosen Tactical for your character. I think it is one of the best positions for sims. There is so much you can do with it, and what we endeavor to do is bring some of the positions alive and give you some ideas of what you can do with it!

On the Bridge

If you have more that one tactical officer, I have found it good to do some joint posts (JPs) from that position, either with another primary character or a PNPC or an NPC position. Normally this is a solo position.

The Tactical Board/Console

Remember it is a standing position on most starships. On the tactical board you have the various sensors for the ship both active and passive and if a probe is launched you have the telemetry that may come into the science station as well. That is the primary responsibility for the science department but you would recive data as well.

If there are positions not filled like communication the captain may have you do communications as well as well as almost anything.

On the tactical board think of it as a control to almost anything in the ship, you might bring up security as well, tractor beams, almost anything. It is a fully programmable board, you might configure any way that you need. Also you may want to short cut anything that you may need in a hurry.

You should also try to monitor other things that are going on the bridge, remember in some respects you are the eyes and ears for the captain or who ever be officer of the deck, which may be you. I like to remain at tactical if I have the duty unless there is another tactical officer with you.

When in a combat situation and there are two tactical officers, I like to have one take sensors and the other the weapons, while the weapons are the flashier of the two the sensors are just as important.

Shield Control

The constant shifting of the shields is very important, if the enemy ship or ships find your weak point, one well placed torpedo can damage a vital system. the defense of the ship is just as important as the offense. Remember that you have some auxiliary shield controls that can cover some damaged shields, but they are not too strong.

If you have some weak shields you will want to tell the captain, which shields are weak to present a stronger position to defend the ship. You also want to present you strongest part of the shields to the enemy fire. This is a constant source of concern.

Remember you and project your shields, to protect another ship, but this is very dangerous and cause damage to your ship quickly. The shield emitters can burn out rapidly when this is used. When you lose an emitter, then the other emitters will have to work harder to cover that part of the ship.

Torpedo Bay

A tactical officer will have knowledge of the quantum, photon, and other types of torpedoes at his/her disposal, but he/she will have done a visual inspection and make sure that they are accounted for as you are only as strong as your weakest link. It is not a flashy duty but it does give you excellent chances to meet others in the crew, and know the personnel about the ship.

Phaser Control Room

The area usually set up in different regions, of the ship there the main controls are located. As a tactical officer you can monitor systems related to the type of phasers you have on your ship. However, you may be posted there as well.

Main Sensor controls

You will have control of the main sensors on the ship, and how you use them to detect threats from other ships and conditions is very important. Do you use the long range scanner and give away your position, or do you use more passive systems. Of course keeping the rest of the crew informed as well.

Computer systems

While not a direct concern of Tactical, attacking one’s computer system has been used, thus one must make sure that yours is secure. This is important to coordinate with Security forces aboard the ship.

Probes

There are a vast array of different probes that can be used, a tactical officer will be in charge in most situations of the launch, and with science getting the data from the probe. You should also monitor what is coming in on the science department and have a good working relationship with your science department.

Combat Tactics

Your job as the tactical officer is give information and suggestions to the Captain.

In a combat situation the tactical officer can offer detailed information of the surrounding system. You are to tell him of phenomenon that can mask and hide the ship from attack. This action can coincide with the science department’s information and sensor readings. Nebulas can offer some kind of cover when the ship is outnumbered. This where combat tactics come into play. Tactical officers will need to work very closely with the helm officer to gain some type of advantage. Again you provide the information to the Captain, for his decision.

Nebulas, or some other space anomalies can blank out sensors and gives you the chance for manual firing of the weapons on a visual firing without computer control, but can even the odds if you are at a disadvantage.

The use of a wide spread attack can be useful against a cloaked target. It may be firing blind, but it just may damage the enemy enough for a plasma trail to be detected. Again knowing your surroundings is key. One should always know before entering any system or quadrant what could be used tactically in a combat situation.

Playing possum is another tactic that can be used, to draw a opponent in close, but it also has huge risks involved. There are many different ways this can be done.

The tactical officer is sometimes in charge of drills, with with the offensive systems, and defensive systems. Otherwise,he will certainly be involved.

There are many different attack patterns and potential defensive strategies. The tactical officer will need to be an expert in each of them. His knowledge is one of the many keys that Commanding officers count on as an expert in that station.