Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Hello everyone. In the next hour I will give a brief lecture on the duties of the Executive Officer both in and out of character. After that I will open the floor for questions.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
As the second in command you need to maintain a high standard of excellence, as you are a mentor for the crew as well as support for the captain.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Some of your in character duties consist of being a liaison between the crew and the captain as well as a conduit for information between the crew and the captain.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Briefly this means that it is your responsibility to see that if any crewmember has a complaint or an issue that needs to be brought to the captain's attention is done so after you make sure that it is legitimate. Also it is your responsibility to make sure that all the captain orders are carried out
LtCmdr_Archen says:
::gets excited and starts a holo recorder::
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
as well as keeping the captain informed of anything the crew may find concerning the mission.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Another of your duties is ensuring the captain's safety.  This one isn't always easy with some captains, as some of them will insist on going on the away team no matter what the situation. The best thing to do here is suggest to them that it would be better if they stayed on the ship and if
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
they still insist on going you need to make sure that there is enough security assigned to keep the captain as secure as possible.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Another duty is being a sounding board and advisor to the captain. Basically you are the only person that the captain has to talk to about what ever is currently going on in a mission and will some times seek your input.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
While you may not always agree with what ever the captain decides any disagreements that you have should be brought up to the captain in private.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Paperwork we will only mention briefly as you only duty here is to make sure that only the paperwork that need the captain's signature crosses his or her desk.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
It is your task to intervene and help settle any disputes that any crewmembers cannot settle themselves as well as handle any discipline of crewmembers that require it and if you cannot settle certain disputes or believe that the Captain should be involved in the discipline it is your
CO_Capt_Regnum says:
::sidles into the conference room a little late and takes a seat at the back.::
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
duty to present these matters to the captain. However this should be your last resort.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
As far as your command duties you are for the most part in command of most away teams. However this depends a lot on your captain and how they handle away teams aboard their ship or station or even the given situation.
LtCmdr_Archen says:
::raises hand::
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
You may or may not have to write mission briefing during your time in command of an away team.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Depending on the given situation you may find yourself in command of the ship or station as the captain may be otherwise engaged or if the captain happens to be in charge of an away team.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Your duties here are to keep the captain informed of any changes in the current situation and if unable to contact the captain you are to follow Starfleet Protocols.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Briefly your out of character duties consist of keeping attendance records, helping with crew evaluations as well as keeping a record of when they are due. And of course filling in for the captain out of character duties when they are absent.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
This concludes the Lecture Part of the Conference I will now open the floor to Questions.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Cmdr  Archen You have a question?
CTO_LtCMDR_Ray says:
:: looks around::
LtCmdr_Archen says:
Cmdr: Sir, on the matter of crew disputes, shouldn't the Captain be informed on every situation or dispute so that they are not blind sided by it? I mean I assume handling it fine and proper and the XO should but there is a key to having the CO always be informed correct no matter how minor?
CO_Capt_Regnum says:
::chuckles at his CTO::
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Archen: As far as keeping the Captain informed. Yes you should. However in less the captain need to be involved once the matter has been handled you would just inform the captain of the matter through paper work later.
CTO_LtCMDR_Ray says:
:: nods::
LtCmdr_Archen says:
Cmdr: Yes of course ... such as .. "Sir this took place and it was resolved through so and so .. just making you aware"
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Archen: That would be one way. However more than likely it would be some included in your daily report to the captain.
CTO_LtCMDR_Ray says:
Archen: That can also annoy the CO, use discretion on what info you give and not
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Archen: Does that answer your question?
CO_Capt_Regnum says:
Self: Yes, yes it can.
CO_Capt_Regnum says:
::raises his hand::
LtCmdr_Archen says:
::looks at Ray with an eyebrow up then turns back to the Speaker: McDuggle: Right sure I understand that there is a proper forum and procedure and its important to work our those details with your CO as each Commander may be different. Thank you sir, I believe that answers my question.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Capt: Yes Sir.
LtCmdr_Archen says:
::slumps a bit lower in his seat to hide his head from the Captain in the back of the room::
CO_Capt_Regnum says:
Cmdr: If I may make comment to what you just said. It is the mark of a good Captain to have chosen a Number One whom he implicitly trusts.
CO_Capt_Regnum says:
All: And to that end, if I trust my Executive Officer to handle the issues that I don't have time for with all of the other pressing matters a Captain has to deal with on a day to day basis.

CO_Capt_Regnum says:
All: Then I really don't want to hear about the issues I don't have time for unless it jeopardizes the ship or it's crew as a whole
CO_Capt_Regnum says:
All: If I did have to hear about every little dispute between everyone, I wouldn't have the time to focus on the mission and on the ship, so generally speaking, no, I don't want to get the "I just thought you ought to know"
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Capt: Also over time you should get to know your XO well enough to trust him.
CO_Capt_Regnum says:
Cmdr: An excellent point, nobody trusts someone at first sight
LtCmdr_Archen says:
::wishes he had a cloak of invisibility right now::
CO_Capt_Regnum says:
All: But yeah, Commander Archen, when you make XO, you'll find yourself being able to figure out what issues the Captain needs to know about, and what issues you can just file in your general reports.
CO_Capt_Regnum says:
Archen: Either that or you will drive your poor Captain insane.... hmm
CO_Capt_Regnum says:
::sits back down::
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Capt: A good XO will soon learn what the Captain expect of him in certain matters.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
All: Does any one else have a question?
CO_Capt_Regnum says:
Cmdr: That is very true, and to make things less embarrassing for Mr. Archen, I'm sure he will be a good XO when he gets that promotion which he will well deserve and not drive his Captain crazy.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
All: If no one has any more question I will bring up a couple of scenarios for us to discuss.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
All: The first one is as  XO you are currently in charge of the bridge and the CO is on a planet in charge of the Away team. You get a distress call from a ship in the sector, which is  being attacked. How would you handle the situation?
LtCmdr_Archen says:
Cmdr: I just had a question come to mind ... How should an XO determine (when Both He or SHE is on the Bridge) with the CO, that it is appropriate for the XO to give Bridge orders as opposed to the CO direct to the crew this is a delicate and tricky balance correct?
LtCmdr_Archen says:
Cmdr: First thing I would do is try and determine if the call is genuine as possible then try and Advise the away team, see if they can be recalled in time or not or even if they should be recalled. Attempt to allow the Captain to determine whether to leave the Away team behind for a short while or not.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Archen: Yes it is tricky. However you should never give an order to the crew that opposes the CO. You should ask to meet with the CO in private and discuss the matter and possible show the CO that what he is doing may be wrong.
LtCmdr_Archen says:
McDuggle: Right I was not even venturing down those lines .... I was just referring too ...
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Archen: Lets say that you are not able to contact the Away Team.
CO_Capt_Regnum says:
::raises an eyebrow and waits for those answers.::

LtCmdr_Archen says:
Cmdr: I'd attempt to determine if a shuttle would be sufficient to perform the recovery and if not, I'd send someone in a shuttle to stay behind and take the ship to perform the rescuer. Distress calls must take precedence in Starfleet
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Archen: Very good Cmdr.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Archen: I would like to discuss this question you had further. If you could clarify what your point.
LtCmdr_Archen says:
Cmdr: Alright I will try ... the XO is not just an advisor correct? But would the XO wait for the crew to request things of the Exec before following up with direction, I mean in order to prevent from potentially being repetitive or overlapping with the Captain?
LtCmdr_Archen says:
Cmdr: Let me ask this more directly of you not in general terms
LtCmdr_Archen says:
Cmdr: How do you personally ensure that when your in a hot situation and you and the CO are sharing a leadership role on the Bridge. How do you make sure you don't step on your CO however accidentally or harmless as it was.
LtCmdr_Archen says:
::smiles cheerfully and sits back in his seat::
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Archen: In given situations you would be expected to give orders that would  follow along the lines that the CO is doing. Most of your orders would be like a follow up to the main order given by the captain. However you need to be careful in this as you need to listen to what the CO is saying and try not to issue an order that would possibility<cont
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Be in conflict with what the CO is doing.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Achen: Does this help?
LtCmdr_Archen says:
Cmdr: I do fully appreciate that it is a Delicate balance sir, it would probably get easier the longer a certain CO and Exec work together and it goes back to that basic trust thing and a lot rides on that. Thank you sir for taking the time to consider my question.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
Archen: It is something that you will learn over time and as you say the longer you word with the CO the more you will get to understand him or her.
LtCmdr_Archen says:
::thought her heard someone snoring in the room but is content to believe it was nothing more then a distant creek of a door somewhere::
LtCmdr_Archen says:
Cmdr: that about covers my questions, sir I do apologize if I took away from your agenda.
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
All: I see that our time is almost up. I would like to thank everyone that was able to attend and hope that this will help you as you go along in Starfleet.
LtCmdr_Archen says:
::claps for the speaker::
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
::starts organizing his PADDs for the next lecture::
LtCmdr_Archen says:
::stands up to shake the Speakers hand to thank him before departing::
Host Cmdr_McDuggle says:
::Takes Archen's hand:: Archen: Thank you for attending and as far as your question they were welcome.