The thing is, it's not just on the job training. Starfleet Academy offers a massive selection of science electives and (we have excellent reason to believe) humanities and extracurriculars.
But ultimately, everyone who applies to Starfleet Academy does it because they want to work on a spaceship as a member of Starfleet. That is literally the only reason to do so, as opposed to applying to a civilian university. People who want a fully generic liberal arts education and have no intention of being members of Starfleet do not and should not be going to Starfleet Academy, any more than people who have no intention of becoming military officers should be going to West Point or Sandhurst.
Therefore, it is imperative that Starfleet Academy provide an education that qualifies its students to work on spaceships as members of Starfleet. Failing to do so isn't just letting down Starfleet. It's letting down the students who expected the Academy to prepare them for Starfleet.
There are military academies where the graduates have degrees. That doesn't stop them from being a military academy. I feel our academy compares most strongly with military academies instead of any other type of school.
You go to West Point in order to become a U.S. Army officer. You may leave West Point with a bachelor's degree in this or that thing- but if all you wanted was to obtain the degree, you would never have considered going to West Point.
If you go by canon, our enlisted attend a separate technical services academy. I believe we have abstracted that in this quest, since we increase and modify all our personnel types the same way.
What, there isn't a significant difference between day to day tactical ordering-about of starships, and shuffling around supplies for the Quartermaster Corps?
The two are very much intertwined, and both fall under the heading of "getting stuff where it needs to go". Your objections reveal a mastery of detail that ignores that everybody in Research is engaged in research; there are certain methods that are universal to data taking and analysis. If they all sat down together they could understand each other's jobs, even the minutiae you're trying to argue for, in the context of that process. Everything Tactical says has to look like part of the same book; the fact that much disparate work goes into it is irrelevant to the fact we want a unified and cohesive body of thought to refer to, so when people consult it they aren't confused as to what exactly guidance we're trying to give them.
Personnel is concerned with staffing; they track people and assign them to posts based on the communicated needs of all commands balanced against each other. Training is concerned with training; they provide trained personnel to the fleet based on high-level directives as to what is needed. Yes, they need to communicate to do their jobs, but so do Personnel and Tactical on exactly the same requirements-based level; Tactical tells personnel what slots they need filled and what kind of specialists would fill them. Personnel locates people to fill those slots. Your argument is exactly as good for combining those two branches, but nobody's going to do that.
The fact that everyone in Research is engaged in research is as relevant as the fact that everyone in Personnel and the Academy works with people.
Ordering a ship to go scan an anomaly is 'like' making sure a supply of stem bolts gets to Starbase Twelve because both involve 'getting stuff where it needs to go,' which is utterly trivializing the complexities of both tasks.
Look, if you're going to group together dissimilar activities because you can use the same verb to force-fit them into a category, do that. If you're not, not.
But don't do it for one category of dissimilar activities, then insist that it obviously can't be done for another category of dissimilar activities. Especially when there are dozens if not hundreds of organizations that already group those activities together in real life!
An iron-core, liquid outer-core, volcanically and tectonically active Class M planet, measuring in at 1.1 earth masses and a 1.12g gravity. Home of the Indorian Congress.
It is a remarkable planet, muses Captain Straak. A rather interesting people as well, with the geological understanding of the Tellarites, but far less frustrating in their approach to debate. An approach he is relearning about in spades, with Councillor Glagh brisc Jorth of Tellar Prime-D aboard. A man who could talk his way through duranium without conceding an inch. It makes Straak ponder anew the logical fortitude of the Vulcan Councillors who must face this man.
By contrast, the Indorians are open and perceptive. They have a somewhat innate approach to understanding metallurgy and geology that Straak thought would annoy him, but in practice it just left him with relief when he didn't have to explain concepts a second time. Their concept of theory is poor, but their practical work is very solid. The fruits of that practical work appear on the viewscreen ahead. The combined fleet of the Indorian Congress has gathered in orbit, and begun to approach the USS Sarek. In the lead is their pride and joy: the 1.5 million ton Ship of the Line, the ICS Anvil. Backstopping them is an impressive array of three cruisers and a surprising sphere of eleven escorts.
"They are hailing us, Captain," calls the communications officer.
"On screen."
An Indorian, tall, thin, vulcanoid ears, with that naturally high hairline and pointy chin, appears upon the main viewscreen. "Federation Captain, I am Captain Yadras Ideta of the ICS Anvil. I greet you in the name of cooperation and congress."
"Your welcome is appreciated, Captain Ideta. I am Captain Straak of United Federation of Planets, commanding the USS Sarek. We come in amity and peace."
They discuss the practicals of the dispatch of the shuttle that will carry the two new Indorian Councillors to the Sarek, and then soon the conversation has cut again. Straak looks over his shoulder. "Inform Councillor Jorth that the shuttle is launching and will be deploying shortly. I will remain upon the bridge to maintain security."
-
This is the first ratification to occur on your watch, with Rigel happening mere months before you took over from Admiral Kahurangi. However, the Apiata will be following on very soon, so you may get sick of them before long! This is also, to your surprise, the first time you have met Indorians in the flesh. There are a number who have entered the Academy, and are excelling in a number of roles, but you are not as interested in the coming as going of the classes as your predecessor. Well, you had to meet them eventually, and the Council Antechamber is quite the setting to do so.
"Admiral Sousa, it is good to meet you," introduces an Indorian woman. Her iron-like grip belies her thin appearance. "I've heard great things from my shipwrights and fleetmasters about how your Starfleet has protected us."
"It is your Starfleet as well now, Councillor Hiand Benat," you reply smoothly. "All worlds feed into the fleet, and in turn the fleet protects and supports all."
"Inspiring words to hear, Admiral," says the Councillor. "With the recent Treaty of Celos, our confidence of my people in your guidance is high."
=======================================
Indoria is now a full member
Gain +25 Political Will, +10 Research Points
Gain +16 Political Will from USS Sarek.
Indorian Councillors selected:
Councillor Hiand Benat of Indoria (Development)
Councillor Laadi Yondav of Vidotti (Expansionist)
Indoria Contribution increases to 25br, 15sr, 5pp, 5rp from 10br, 5sr, 2rp, 2pp.
Indoria Academy Contribution increases to O-0.5, E-1, T-0.5
+0.25 all Explorer Corps types
Indoria
- Provides: 25br, 15sr, 5rp, 5pp, 0.5 Officer, 1 Enlisted, 0.5 Tech
- Requires: -
- Installations: Indoria Station [Outpost I], Indoria Drive Yard@Indoria(1 x 2.5mt berth, 1 x 1500kt berth)
- Local Currently: 4 Cruisers, 11 Escorts
The Amarki ratification was attacked, so was the Caitian one, but I think the Betazoids and Rigellians went off without a hitch unless I'm forgetting something.
"I have to admit, I never expected that we'd one day be back here preparing to ratify them as members," says Samhaya Mrr'shan as she lounges watchfully on the captain's chair, hands on the arm rests of her chair.
"A lot of time has passed since then," replies her new XO.
Samhaya glances up. "Certainly has been. I wasn't even where you're standing back then. Captain Ajam of the Stargazer was there. A long time."
"A fruitful time."
A smile crosses the Captain's face. "Well, that I can't argue with. There are crewmembers on this very ship who have come from Apinae. I'm sure that must have seemed less like an impossibility and more like a heresy to the Queens when we first met them!"
On the main viewscreen a Stinger flashes past, the outer picket returning to the fleet. The great bank of impulse engines on the back that gives it its mighty sublight punch are all glowing bright. Sleek and imposing, the Stinger is a lean, mean fighting machine, of the sort that Starfleet will be grateful to have at their backs. Much further ahead, the great Queenship of Apinae, the Unity, lies ahead, a beautiful and elegant command ship.
"Sensors, how long until we are in position?"
"We'll be in position with the Unity in two minutes."
"Well, let's make some history people."
-
A white-tie formal dinner is your first chance to properly interact with the Apiatan Councillors and aides. You meet with High Queen Imprizza, your direct counterpart for the Unified Hives, and with the most senior Ozzira, who is the chief advisor to the Admiral. You don't really have a counterpart for that! They speak glowingly of how the Cardassian Border Zone has been run, but express their eagerness to come to grips with the foe in the Gabriel Expanse. Imprizza speaks obliquely of Ainsworth's imminent attack. They will not mourn for the Sydraxians being pushed out of the expanse.
You also meet the Councillors themselves, including Councillor Izzidiera, the good Commodore ka'Sharren's 'bête or'. The Development and Expansionist factions have done well out of these accessions, enough so that you wonder if their moratorium was as much a political powerplay as it was a policy matter. With three new seats, they have a plurality of their own now, at the expense of the Pacifists.
The representative of High Queen Ulbrizzi, Councillor Holdizzi of Apinae, gets up to speak partway through the night and speaks glowingly of the many insights into the universe and into themselves and their people that they have gained through their relationship with the Federation, and their hopes of growing stronger and wiser together. It gets a great response from the assembled, and you know that the Apiata have chosen well with their representative. There weren't many sound-bite worthy moments, but the journalists would be able to work with that. The Apiata are well used to Council scenarios, but a fully free and independent media is going to be quite the learning experience for them, of that you have no doubt!
=====================================
Apinae is now a full member
Gain +25 Political Will, +10 Research Points
Gain +20 Political Will from USS Enterprise.
Apiatan Councillors selected:
Councillor Holdizzi of Apinae (Development)
Councillor Izzidiera of Irrizizza (Expansionist)
Councillor Nugriazzi of Alrizzine (Hawks)
Councillor Ulrriata of Burrizz (Development)
Apiata Contribution increases to 50br, 25sr, 10pp, 5rp from 20br, 15sr, 5rp, 5pp.
Apiata Academy Contribution increases to O-0.0, E-2, T-1.5.
+0.25 all Explorer Corps types
Apinae
- Provides: 50br, 25sr, 10rp, 5pp, 0.0 Officer, 2 Enlisted, 1.5 Tech
- Requires: D12
- Installations: High Comb Station [Starbase I], Grand Hive of the Apiata@Apinae(1 x 2.5mt berth, 4 x 600kt berth)
- Local Currently: 1 Queenship, 5 Little Queenships, 25 Escorts (Stingers/Foragers)
An iron-core, liquid outer-core, volcanically and tectonically active Class M planet, measuring in at 1.1 earth masses and a 1.12g gravity. Home of the Indorian Congress.
Just to confirm, like all the previous ratifications, this replaces the affiliate tech bonus while keeping the original major affiliation bonus?
Indoria goes from [O(0.1+0.1) E(0.1+0.2) T(0.1+0.1)] to [O(0.5+0.1) E(1+0.2) T(0.5+0.1)]?
For reference, Rigel went from [O(0.1+0.1) E(0.1+0.3) T(0.1+0.15)] to [O(0.75+0.1) E(2+0.3) T(1+0.15)] when they were ratified as members. All other ratifications were like this.
I know there's a lot of reasons for Nash to get pulled into this ratification, familiarity and proximity being the largest, but it looks like she got off the hook
The Development and Expansionist factions have done well out of these accessions, enough so that you wonder if their moratorium was as much a political powerplay as it was a policy matter. With three new seats, they have a plurality of their own now, at the expense of the Pacifists.
Well, the next snakepit, pp prices may jump around again, and we should now have the pp to spend. Fortunately, the stuff we want to buy, like starbases and berths and academy expansions shouldn't be affected much, since development party seems to favor them. I'm hoping for a minor reduction in diplo push costs.
Indoria Academy Contribution increases to O-0.0, E-2, T-1.5.
I think the Pacifists might get a boost when Orion joins.
Their help has been very important there and I would guess some of the future Orion councillers will want to give something back.
Even if we didn't select Straak in advance, it would've been obvious who was "narrating" just from these line
Straak was a great choice for this ratification.
So as I suspected, like the Betazoids, the Indorians do have another major colony world.
Just to confirm, like all the previous ratifications, this replaces the affiliate tech bonus while keeping the original major affiliation bonus?
Indoria goes from [O(0.1+0.1) E(0.1+0.2) T(0.1+0.1)] to [O(0.5+0.1) E(1+0.2) T(0.5+0.1)]?
For reference, Rigel went from [O(0.1+0.1) E(0.1+0.3) T(0.1+0.15)] to [O(0.75+0.1) E(2+0.3) T(1+0.15)] when they were ratified as members. All other ratifications were like this.
I know there's a lot of reasons for Nash to get pulled into this ratification, familiarity and proximity being the largest, but it looks like she got off the hook
Well, the next snakepit, pp prices may jump around again, and we should now have the pp to spend. Fortunately, the stuff we want to buy, like starbases and berths and academy expansions shouldn't be affected much, since development party seems to favor them. I'm hoping for a minor reduction in diplo push costs.
First, this should say "Apiata Academy Contribution".
Second, this should change Apiata crew contribution from [O(0.1+0) E(0.1+0.8) T(0.1+0.2)] to [O(0+0) E(2+0.8) T(1.5+0.2)], right? Actually lose 0.1 officer here.
I think the Pacifists might get a boost when Orion joins.
Their help has been very important there and I would guess some of the future Orion councillers will want to give something back.
I kinda agree with you but for different reasons. I think the Orions are going to have a couple Pacifist councilors, the majority will probably be Mercantilists, but not because they are grateful or anything. No I figure they'd have a couple Pacifists because the Orions will have just been through a long and bloody civil war. Their people will be tired of war and yearning for peace. So anyone campaigning on a "Peace in our times!" platform is sure to get a good number of votes there.
I remembered especially because I memorialized him in a response post. (I'm surprised; usually I never catch you on errors of fact. You're excellent about that.)
Because I misunderstood what you were saying, I thought you were implying that Sanik retired in 2306 when he vacated the position of head of the Ship Design Bureau, which he didn't, so I pointed out that in 2306 he moved to another Rear Admiral position and that in 2311 he was an option for the Vice Admiral Chief of Staff position.
I kinda agree with you but for different reasons. I think the Orions are going to have a couple Pacifist councilors, the majority will probably be Mercantilists, but not because they are grateful or anything. No I figure they'd have a couple Pacifists because the Orions will have just been through a long and bloody civil war. Their people will be tired of war and yearning for peace. So anyone campaigning on a "Peace in our times!" platform is sure to get a good number of votes there.
On the other hand the existing Orion government is a bit revolutionary flavored, and in the "future forged in blood and fire" sense. They have clocks to clean and hypercorps to break up and may Green Space Jesus show mercy to anyone in their way because they shall not. Pacifists just may not be welcome in the Orion government right now or in the near future, not when the next generation of Orion politicians is paying their dues with street-level protesting and roughhousing.
