Starfleet

Prime Directive
General Orders
Federation and Starfleet
Funding the fleet

General orders to Starfleet

The following section lists the general instructions for Starfleet Command. Recommended by the Secretary of Starfleet and established through executive order by the Federation Council, these General Orders pertain to all Starfleet personnel. They specify the extent to which the Federation Council and Assembly maintain control over their military counterparts. Conversely, these General Orders also represent to what extent Starfleet is capable of influencing Federation policy.

There are currently 25 general orders for the proper conduct of Starfleet operations. The list presented below gives the General Orders as of Stardate 2/2279. The first six are the original orders that were established upon the founding of the Federation.

GENERAL ORDER 1 (The Prime Directive)

As the right of each sentient species to live in accordance with its normal cultural evolution is considered sacred no Starfleet personnel may interfere with the normal and healthy development of alien life and culture. Such interference includes introducing superior knowledge, strength, or technology to a world whose society is incapable of handling such advantages wisely. Starfleet personnel may not violate this Prime Directive, even to save their lives and/or their ship, unless they are acting to right an earlier violation or an accidental contamination of said culture. This directive takes precedence over any and all other considerations, and carries with it the highest moral obligation.

GENERAL ORDER 2

No Starfleet personnel shall unnecessarily use force, either collectively or individually, against members of the United Federation of Planets, their duly authorized representatives, spokespersons, or designated leaders, or members of any sentient non-member race, for any reason whatsoever.

GENERAL ORDER 3

The sovereignty of each Federation member being respected in all things, Starfleet personnel shall observe any and all statutes, laws, ordinances, and rules of governance currently in effect within the jurisdiction of a member planet. Violators of such ordinances will be subject to such punishments or corrections as shall be determined by local governmental bodies.

GENERAL ORDER 4

If contact is made with hitherto undiscovered intelligent life-forms, under no circumstance shall Starfleet personnel, either by word or deed, inform said life-forms that worlds other than their own or intelligent life-forms other than their own exist outside the confines of their own space.

GENERAL ORDER 5

In cases of extreme emergency, Federation special representatives are empowered to assume emergency powers to deal with a condition or circumstance that is deemed hazardous to the welfare of Federation citizenry. Within the scope of these emergency powers, duly authorized civilian personnel may assume temporary command of Starfleet vessels and/or personnel to deal with the emergency. Starfleet personnel must submit to their authority for the duration of the crisis.

GENERAL ORDER 6

The request for emergency assistance from Federation citizenry demands unconditional priority from Starfleet personnel. Such personnel shall immediately respond to said request, postponing all other activities.

GENERAL ORDER 7

No Starfleet vessel shall visit the planet Talos IV under any circumstances, emergency or otherwise. This order supersedes General Order 6. Any transgression of this general order shall be punishable by death.

GENERAL ORDER 8

Upon sighting a warship within Federation space and identifying it as belonging to a foreign power, the commander of the Starfleet vessel shall determine the reason(s) for that craft's presence in the vicinity. If there is conclusive evidence that the vessel has hostile intentions, the Federation vessel may take appropriate action to safeguard the lives and property of Federation members. In
such cases, the commander may use his discretion in deciding whether to use force to disable the hostile vessel. However, care should be taken to avoid unnecessary loss of sentient life.

GENERAL ORDER 9

No commander of a Starfleet vessel, military or auxiliary, may grant political asylum to any individual without first being given express permission to do so by a representative of the Federation government.

GENERAL ORDER 10

If there exists eyewitness testimony by senior officers or similar verifiable evidence that an individual has violated the Prime Directive, said individual may be relieved of duty by a duly sworn representative of the Federation government and placed under immediate arrest: The governmental representative shall then take such action as he deems necessary to minimize the results of the violation.

GENERAL ORDER 11

Starfleet officers with the rank of captain or higher are granted full authority to negotiate conditions of agreement and/or treaties with legal representatives of non-Federation planets. In such circumstances, the acting officer carries de facto powers of a Federation Special Ambassador. Any and all agreements arranged in this manner are subject to approval by the Chief of Starfleet Operations and the Secretary of Starfleet.

GENERAL ORDER 12

Federation officers may violate Neutral Zone areas as designated by treaty only if such action is required to save the lives of Federation citizens under conditions of extreme emergency.

GENERAL ORDER 13

Except when orders state to the contrary, Starfleet personnel will respect the territorial integrity of independent planetary systems and governments, and will not violate territorial space belonging to such worlds.

GENERAL ORDER 14

Starfleet personnel may intervene in local planetary affairs to restore general order and to secure the lives and property of Federation citizens only upon receiving a direct order to do so from a civilian official with the title of governor or higher.

GENERAL ORDER 15

No officer of flag rank shall travel into a potentially hazardous area without suitable armed escort.

GENERAL ORDER 16

Starfleet personnel may extend technological, medical, or other scientific assistance to a member of a previously unrecognized sentient species only if such assistance in no way compromises the Prime Directive or the security of the Federation or Starfleet.

GENERAL ORDER 17

Starfleet vessel captains are to consider the lives of their crew members as sacred. In any potentially hostile situation, the captain will place the lives of his crew above the fate of his ship.

GENERAL ORDER 18

Upon being accused of treason against the Federation, Starfleet personnnel may demand a trial conducted by the Federation judiciary. If the individual is acquitted, Starfleet Command shall have no further legal recourse against the accused in said matter.

GENERAL ORDER 19

Except in times of declared emergency, Starfleet personnel may under no circumstances convey personnel or materiel between planets or planetary systems when there is reason to believe that said personnel or materiel may be used to conduct aggression. This order applies to independent worlds within the Federation as well as to Federation membels.

GENERAL ORDER 20

Officers and personnel of Starfleet Command may employ whatever means necessary to prevent the possession, transportation, sale, or commercial exchange of sentient beings held against their wishes within the boundaries of Federation space.

GENERAL ORDER 21

No Starfleet personnel, either officer or enlisted, may offer his services to an independent foreign government without the express authorization of the Federation Assembly.

GENERAL ORDER 22

As the rights of individual expression and free discourse are considered sacred, Starfleet personnel may debate the policies and decisions of their governmental representatives privately at any time, to the extent that such discussions do not violate their command oath or specific duties to the Federation per these General Orders or Starfleet regulations.

GENERAL ORDER 23

When verifiable proof is presented to the senior commanding officer of a Starfleet vessel or post that a Federation representative may currently be acting or have acted in the past to violate the Prime Directive, the officer may relieve said representative of office, then assume the full powers of that office pending a full investigation by governmental officials.

GENERAL ORDER 24

If a commanding officer deems that an individual or group of individuals pose a threat to Starfleet personnel or Federation civilians, he may take any action deemed necessary (including force) to secure the safety of those threatened.

GENERAL ORDER 25

Civilian and military personnel taken into custody by Starfleet personnel during times of extreme emergency shall be accorded proper treatment consistent with their rank or station, insofar as such treatment does not compromise the security of the Federation or Starfleet.

Federation–Starfleet relations

Starfleet Command is the largest single military force in the history of the major interstellar powers. Established by the Articles of Federation, Starfleet's purpose is to provide common defense and security for the Federation's member worlds, as well as to explore and investigate space. Constitutional safeguards exist to prohibit the illegal use of any Starfleet resource against one or more members of the Federation. However, many individuals believe that the continued increase of Starfleet's personnel, combat-ready ships, and political influence within the Federation bureaucracy may threaten the continued stability of the Federation.

Two lengthy and costly wars with the Romulan and Klingon Empires have proven the necessity of a strong defensive capability, which only Starfleet can ensure. Nevertheless, many civilized societies refrain from joining the Federation because they are either philosophically or politically reluctant to contribute finances to this thinly disguised military arm of the Federation. Clearly, Starfleet has sometimes been used to enforce Federation policy, such as the ban on Orion slave trade.

Advocates of a strong Starfleet point to the enormous sacrifices that Starfleet has made and continues to make for the security and well-being of the Federation. They also point out that the mix of non-Humanoid and Humanoid personnel in Starfleet deters any single power block or interest group from gaining undue influence. Lastly, Starfleet has always obeyed the government's efforts to economize in times of peace by cutting back fleet size, even if opposed to such measures. Starfleet remains a mixed blessing, viewed as either a primary peace-keeper or a potential disrupter of political and economic freedoms.

Funding the fleet

Star Fleet Command is currently responsible for over 12,000 manned spacecraft and over 20,000 auxiliary and automated vessles of various types. These craft range in size from shuttles and small, fully-automated ore carriers to Excelsior Class battleships incorporating the latest Federation technology. In addition, Star Fleet is responsible for maintaining several star bases as well as hundreds of smaller support, repair, and construction facilities. As might be expected, the financial necessities of maintaining such a wide array of men and materiel is beyond the normal capabilities of any single agency. Star Fleet receives its annual operational funding through the sources described below.

UFP BUDGETARY CONTRIBUTION

Despite the misgivings of various members, the Federation remains committed to use Starfleet for the defense and security of its member societies. The Federation Assembly limits the amount of governmental support designated by the Federation Council. Starfeet Command receives less than half its total funding from direct Federation contributions. In recent years, the average sum contributed by the government has amounted to between 40 and 45 percent of Starfleet's total financial resources.

CUSTOMS DUTIES AND RELATED EXPENSES

In many parts of the Federation, there are no cargo or passenger carriers to provide transportation for local Federation members. In such cases, Star Fleet supplies such transportation for a nominal fee. Usually based on local financial need and ability to pay, these arrangements cost less than comparable civilian rates. A private corporation or citizen may occasionally call upon Star Fleet to transport secret or extremely valuable cargoes from one star system to another. In such cases, similar customs fees are invoked. If no Federation customs or port officials exist within a system, Star Fleet will regulate cargoes between different systems, imposing local customs duties where applicable. Together, these various sources account for about ten percent of Star Fleet's annual budget.

STAR BASE PRODUCTION

Star Fleet maintains numerous star bases at critical points within Federation space to defend planetary systems and to support Star Fleet operations in the vicinity. Such star bases are self-sufficient centers of military and civilian activities. They can also be commercial centers capable of supplying the industrial needs of local planetary systems. Except in regions where major planetary trade centers already exist, Star Fleet allows star base commanders to commit base resources toward manufacturing numerous trade and commercial articles to help develop local worlds. Often, a local planetary governor will request such activities, conducting extensive trade with the star base for a certain good that his world does not possess. Star base production accounts for nearly 30 percent of Starfleet's annual revenues.

PLANETS FOR SALE

Every year, Starfleet survey teams discover many uncharted planets in unexplored areas of space. Following a formal geological survey by Star Fleet personnel, the survey team forwards its findings to the Department of Colonization. It sometimes happens that a newly discovered Class M world possesses no economic or industrial potential, and neither private, commercial, nor colonial interests claim it. It is Federation policy that if no one claims the planet in a year's time, jurisdiction over it falls to Star Fleet. Planet-side star bases may be constructed on such worlds, but occasionally they are sold to wealthy private citizens. The planet then becomes the personal property of the new owner, and Star Fleet compensated accordingly. The Federation Assembly accepts this practice as a legitimate means of collecting money that would otherwise have to come from member contributions. Within the last two decades, there have been 118 such sales, not all of which resulted in actual occupation and/or habitation of the planet. The private sale of Star Fleet owned planets accounts for over ten percent of Starfleet's annual budget.

COMMERCE PROTECTION

Despite the best efforts of Federation politicians and diplomats, a large number of independent and hostile planetary governments sanction pirate activities against shipping interests within the borders of Federation space. In recognition of its efforts to eradicate such marauders, the Federation permits Star Fleet to confiscate and sell any seized contraband vessel engaged in piracy against Federation civilians. The Department of Interstellar Trade and Commerce auctions off such vessels and their cargoes, then turns over the proceeds to Star Fleet Command. Revenues received in this manner account for roughly five percent of Starfleet's annual operating budget.

PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS

Some planetary governments have decreed that half of all contributions made by individual corporations and private citizens to the Star Fleet general operations fund are tax deductible. Corporations making such deductions must be chartered by the Federation's Securities and Exchange Commission. Such contributions account for about five percent of Star Fleet annual revenues.



		Starfleet Prime Directive General Orders Federation and Starfleet Funding the fleet General orders to Starfleet The following section lists the general instructions for Starfleet Command. Recommended by the Secretary of Starfleet and established through executive order by the Federation Council, these General Orders pertain to all Starfleet personnel. They specify the extent to which the Federation Council and Assembly maintain control over their military counterparts. Conversely, these General Orders also represent to what extent Starfleet is capable of influencing Federation policy. There are currently 25 general orders for the proper conduct of Starfleet operations. The list presented below gives the General Orders as of Stardate 2/2279. The first six are the original orders that were established upon the founding of the Federation. GENERAL ORDER 1 (The Prime Directive) As the right of each sentient species to live in accordance with its normal cultural evolution is considered sacred no Starfleet personnel may interfere with the normal and healthy development of alien life and culture. Such interference includes introducing superior knowledge, strength, or technology to a world whose society is incapable of handling such advantages wisely. Starfleet personnel may not violate this Prime Directive, even to save their lives and/or their ship, unless they are acting to right an earlier violation or an accidental contamination of said culture. This directive takes precedence over any and all other considerations, and carries with it the highest moral obligation. GENERAL ORDER 2 No Starfleet personnel shall unnecessarily use force, either collectively or individually, against members of the United Federation of Planets, their duly authorized representatives, spokespersons, or designated leaders, or members of any sentient non-member race, for any reason whatsoever. GENERAL ORDER 3 The sovereignty of each Federation member being respected in all things, Starfleet personnel shall observe any and all statutes, laws, ordinances, and rules of governance currently in effect within the jurisdiction of a member planet. Violators of such ordinances will be subject to such punishments or corrections as shall be determined by local governmental bodies. GENERAL ORDER 4 If contact is made with hitherto undiscovered intelligent life-forms, under no circumstance shall Starfleet personnel, either by word or deed, inform said life-forms that worlds other than their own or intelligent life-forms other than their own exist outside the confines of their own space. GENERAL ORDER 5 In cases of extreme emergency, Federation special representatives are empowered to assume emergency powers to deal with a condition or circumstance that is deemed hazardous to the welfare of Federation citizenry. Within the scope of these emergency powers, duly authorized civilian personnel may assume temporary command of Starfleet vessels and/or personnel to deal with the emergency. Starfleet personnel must submit to their authority for the duration of the crisis. GENERAL ORDER 6 The request for emergency assistance from Federation citizenry demands unconditional priority from Starfleet personnel. Such personnel shall immediately respond to said request, postponing all other activities. GENERAL ORDER 7 No Starfleet vessel shall visit the planet Talos IV under any circumstances, emergency or otherwise. This order supersedes General Order 6. Any transgression of this general order shall be punishable by death. GENERAL ORDER 8 Upon sighting a warship within Federation space and identifying it as belonging to a foreign power, the commander of the Starfleet vessel shall determine the reason(s) for that craft's presence in the vicinity. If there is conclusive evidence that the vessel has hostile intentions, the Federation vessel may take appropriate action to safeguard the lives and property of Federation members. In such cases, the commander may use his discretion in deciding whether to use force to disable the hostile vessel. However, care should be taken to avoid unnecessary loss of sentient life. GENERAL ORDER 9 No commander of a Starfleet vessel, military or auxiliary, may grant political asylum to any individual without first being given express permission to do so by a representative of the Federation government. GENERAL ORDER 10 If there exists eyewitness testimony by senior officers or similar verifiable evidence that an individual has violated the Prime Directive, said individual may be relieved of duty by a duly sworn representative of the Federation government and placed under immediate arrest: The governmental representative shall then take such action as he deems necessary to minimize the results of the violation. GENERAL ORDER 11 Starfleet officers with the rank of captain or higher are granted full authority to negotiate conditions of agreement and/or treaties with legal representatives of non-Federation planets. In such circumstances, the acting officer carries de facto powers of a Federation Special Ambassador. Any and all agreements arranged in this manner are subject to approval by the Chief of Starfleet Operations and the Secretary of Starfleet. GENERAL ORDER 12 Federation officers may violate Neutral Zone areas as designated by treaty only if such action is required to save the lives of Federation citizens under conditions of extreme emergency. GENERAL ORDER 13 Except when orders state to the contrary, Starfleet personnel will respect the territorial integrity of independent planetary systems and governments, and will not violate territorial space belonging to such worlds. GENERAL ORDER 14 Starfleet personnel may intervene in local planetary affairs to restore general order and to secure the lives and property of Federation citizens only upon receiving a direct order to do so from a civilian official with the title of governor or higher. GENERAL ORDER 15 No officer of flag rank shall travel into a potentially hazardous area without suitable armed escort. GENERAL ORDER 16 Starfleet personnel may extend technological, medical, or other scientific assistance to a member of a previously unrecognized sentient species only if such assistance in no way compromises the Prime Directive or the security of the Federation or Starfleet. GENERAL ORDER 17 Starfleet vessel captains are to consider the lives of their crew members as sacred. In any potentially hostile situation, the captain will place the lives of his crew above the fate of his ship. GENERAL ORDER 18 Upon being accused of treason against the Federation, Starfleet personnnel may demand a trial conducted by the Federation judiciary. If the individual is acquitted, Starfleet Command shall have no further legal recourse against the accused in said matter. GENERAL ORDER 19 Except in times of declared emergency, Starfleet personnel may under no circumstances convey personnel or materiel between planets or planetary systems when there is reason to believe that said personnel or materiel may be used to conduct aggression. This order applies to independent worlds within the Federation as well as to Federation membels. GENERAL ORDER 20 Officers and personnel of Starfleet Command may employ whatever means necessary to prevent the possession, transportation, sale, or commercial exchange of sentient beings held against their wishes within the boundaries of Federation space. GENERAL ORDER 21 No Starfleet personnel, either officer or enlisted, may offer his services to an independent foreign government without the express authorization of the Federation Assembly. GENERAL ORDER 22 As the rights of individual expression and free discourse are considered sacred, Starfleet personnel may debate the policies and decisions of their governmental representatives privately at any time, to the extent that such discussions do not violate their command oath or specific duties to the Federation per these General Orders or Starfleet regulations. GENERAL ORDER 23 When verifiable proof is presented to the senior commanding officer of a Starfleet vessel or post that a Federation representative may currently be acting or have acted in the past to violate the Prime Directive, the officer may relieve said representative of office, then assume the full powers of that office pending a full investigation by governmental officials. GENERAL ORDER 24 If a commanding officer deems that an individual or group of individuals pose a threat to Starfleet personnel or Federation civilians, he may take any action deemed necessary (including force) to secure the safety of those threatened. GENERAL ORDER 25 Civilian and military personnel taken into custody by Starfleet personnel during times of extreme emergency shall be accorded proper treatment consistent with their rank or station, insofar as such treatment does not compromise the security of the Federation or Starfleet. Federation–Starfleet relations Starfleet Command is the largest single military force in the history of the major interstellar powers. Established by the Articles of Federation, Starfleet's purpose is to provide common defense and security for the Federation's member worlds, as well as to explore and investigate space. Constitutional safeguards exist to prohibit the illegal use of any Starfleet resource against one or more members of the Federation. However, many individuals believe that the continued increase of Starfleet's personnel, combat-ready ships, and political influence within the Federation bureaucracy may threaten the continued stability of the Federation. Two lengthy and costly wars with the Romulan and Klingon Empires have proven the necessity of a strong defensive capability, which only Starfleet can ensure. Nevertheless, many civilized societies refrain from joining the Federation because they are either philosophically or politically reluctant to contribute finances to this thinly disguised military arm of the Federation. Clearly, Starfleet has sometimes been used to enforce Federation policy, such as the ban on Orion slave trade. Advocates of a strong Starfleet point to the enormous sacrifices that Starfleet has made and continues to make for the security and well-being of the Federation. They also point out that the mix of non-Humanoid and Humanoid personnel in Starfleet deters any single power block or interest group from gaining undue influence. Lastly, Starfleet has always obeyed the government's efforts to economize in times of peace by cutting back fleet size, even if opposed to such measures. Starfleet remains a mixed blessing, viewed as either a primary peace-keeper or a potential disrupter of political and economic freedoms. Funding the fleet Star Fleet Command is currently responsible for over 12,000 manned spacecraft and over 20,000 auxiliary and automated vessles of various types. These craft range in size from shuttles and small, fully-automated ore carriers to Excelsior Class battleships incorporating the latest Federation technology. In addition, Star Fleet is responsible for maintaining several star bases as well as hundreds of smaller support, repair, and construction facilities. As might be expected, the financial necessities of maintaining such a wide array of men and materiel is beyond the normal capabilities of any single agency. Star Fleet receives its annual operational funding through the sources described below. UFP BUDGETARY CONTRIBUTION Despite the misgivings of various members, the Federation remains committed to use Starfleet for the defense and security of its member societies. The Federation Assembly limits the amount of governmental support designated by the Federation Council. Starfeet Command receives less than half its total funding from direct Federation contributions. In recent years, the average sum contributed by the government has amounted to between 40 and 45 percent of Starfleet's total financial resources. CUSTOMS DUTIES AND RELATED EXPENSES In many parts of the Federation, there are no cargo or passenger carriers to provide transportation for local Federation members. In such cases, Star Fleet supplies such transportation for a nominal fee. Usually based on local financial need and ability to pay, these arrangements cost less than comparable civilian rates. A private corporation or citizen may occasionally call upon Star Fleet to transport secret or extremely valuable cargoes from one star system to another. In such cases, similar customs fees are invoked. If no Federation customs or port officials exist within a system, Star Fleet will regulate cargoes between different systems, imposing local customs duties where applicable. Together, these various sources account for about ten percent of Star Fleet's annual budget. STAR BASE PRODUCTION Star Fleet maintains numerous star bases at critical points within Federation space to defend planetary systems and to support Star Fleet operations in the vicinity. Such star bases are self-sufficient centers of military and civilian activities. They can also be commercial centers capable of supplying the industrial needs of local planetary systems. Except in regions where major planetary trade centers already exist, Star Fleet allows star base commanders to commit base resources toward manufacturing numerous trade and commercial articles to help develop local worlds. Often, a local planetary governor will request such activities, conducting extensive trade with the star base for a certain good that his world does not possess. Star base production accounts for nearly 30 percent of Starfleet's annual revenues. PLANETS FOR SALE Every year, Starfleet survey teams discover many uncharted planets in unexplored areas of space. Following a formal geological survey by Star Fleet personnel, the survey team forwards its findings to the Department of Colonization. It sometimes happens that a newly discovered Class M world possesses no economic or industrial potential, and neither private, commercial, nor colonial interests claim it. It is Federation policy that if no one claims the planet in a year's time, jurisdiction over it falls to Star Fleet. Planet-side star bases may be constructed on such worlds, but occasionally they are sold to wealthy private citizens. The planet then becomes the personal property of the new owner, and Star Fleet compensated accordingly. The Federation Assembly accepts this practice as a legitimate means of collecting money that would otherwise have to come from member contributions. Within the last two decades, there have been 118 such sales, not all of which resulted in actual occupation and/or habitation of the planet. The private sale of Star Fleet owned planets accounts for over ten percent of Starfleet's annual budget. COMMERCE PROTECTION Despite the best efforts of Federation politicians and diplomats, a large number of independent and hostile planetary governments sanction pirate activities against shipping interests within the borders of Federation space. In recognition of its efforts to eradicate such marauders, the Federation permits Star Fleet to confiscate and sell any seized contraband vessel engaged in piracy against Federation civilians. The Department of Interstellar Trade and Commerce auctions off such vessels and their cargoes, then turns over the proceeds to Star Fleet Command. Revenues received in this manner account for roughly five percent of Starfleet's annual operating budget. PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS Some planetary governments have decreed that half of all contributions made by individual corporations and private citizens to the Star Fleet general operations fund are tax deductible. Corporations making such deductions must be chartered by the Federation's Securities and Exchange Commission. Such contributions account for about five percent of Star Fleet annual revenues.