Military Protocol

1. Use of “Sir”
The term “sir” may be used when addressing an officer of superior rank as a formal acknowledgement of rank and authority.

Enlisted personnel are not normally addressed as “sir.” Warrant Officers may be addressed according to their warrant rank or by an appropriate abbreviated form of that title.

2. Use of “Ma'am”
The term “ma'am” may be used where it is the known preference of the officer concerned.

Starfleet operates across a vast number of cultures, species and gender identities, and personnel should respect an individual's preferred form of address wherever known.

3. Commanding Officer of a Starship
The commanding officer of a starship may be referred to as “Captain” in recognition of their role as captain of the vessel, regardless of their actual Starfleet rank.

For example, the commanding officer of a vessel may hold the rank of Commodore and still be referred to as “Captain” when the term relates specifically to command of the ship.

4. Responding to a Superior Officer
When asked a direct question by a superior officer, an appropriate formal response is:

The officer's rank may also be substituted where appropriate, such as:

5. Acknowledging an Order
The traditional naval response to a lawful order is:

“Aye aye” indicates that the order has been heard, understood and will be carried out.

6. Abbreviated Forms of Rank
Personnel do not normally use the complete formal title of another officer or enlisted member during routine conversation. The following abbreviated forms are appropriate.

When the Commanding Officer, or an officer of Commodore rank or above, enters a space where junior personnel are present, the senior person already present may call:

Personnel come to attention until the senior officer responds with:

• “As you were.”
• “At ease.”
• “Carry on.”

Bridge / CIC Exception

Personnel actively standing watch on the bridge, Combat Information Centre or other operational control spaces do not abandon their stations to come to attention.

Instead, the senior officer present acknowledges the arrival of the commanding or flag officer.

This informs watch personnel that the officer has entered without disrupting active ship operations.

1. Change of Command Ceremony

When the commanding officer of a starship formally boards their new command for the first time, it is customary for members of the senior staff to assemble at the designated airlock.

During a formal assumption of command, the incoming commanding officer traditionally boards through an airlock rather than by transporter.

Senior staff form two files facing inward, with the Executive Officer positioned to receive the incoming commander.

A boatswain or boatswain's mate sounds the traditional ceremonial pipe as the commanding officer boards.

The incoming commander may then present or read their orders formally assuming command of the vessel.

Dress uniforms may be worn depending upon the circumstances and the preference of the commanding officer.

2. Visiting Flag Officers & Dignitaries

When an Admiral, senior Federation representative or political dignitary formally visits the ship, a reception, diplomatic function or banquet may be held in their honour.

Dress uniforms are normally appropriate for formal diplomatic or ceremonial functions.

3. Piping Aboard & Ashore

A Commanding Officer, Flag Officer or senior civilian dignitary may be formally piped aboard or piped ashore.

Senior officers may assemble in formation while a designated enlisted crew member sounds the traditional boatswain's call, continuing a naval custom that predates the Federation by centuries.

The following are examples of serious service offences that may result in disciplinary action and, where warranted, formal judicial proceedings.

The seriousness of the offence, circumstances involved and personnel record of the accused will determine the appropriate disciplinary or judicial response.

Disciplinary measures generally increase in severity according to the nature of the offence and the circumstances involved.