Revision as of 03:59, 17 December 2012

Commander in Chief, Starfleet Command (CinC)

The Commander in Chief has primary responsibility for command, control and administration of Starfleet and military strategy, operational plans and requirements.

The Commander in Chief is appointed by the Federation Council on the advice of the Federation President. The CinC also has a special relationship to the Federation President who, as the Federation Council representative, exercises virtually all of it's powers under the Constitution and, therefore, serves as Commander in Chief of Starfleet. Thus there is in formal terms, though not in practice, a direct "line of command" from the Head of State through the CinC to all the officers who hold a Commission and, through them, to all members of Starfleet.

The Commander in Chief is charged with the command, control and administration of Starfleet and advises the Ministers on all these matters - including military / operational requirements, capabilities, options and the possible consequences of undertaking or failing to undertake various activities. Whenever required, the Commander in Chief advises the Council directly on major military developments. The CinC is thus the senior military advisor to the Council as a whole.

The Commander in Chief implements council decisions involving Starfleet by issuing appropriate orders and instructions. The CinC is accountable to the Ministers for the conduct of SF activities, as well as for the condition of the units and their ability to fulfill the commitments and obligations undertaken by the Council.