Here is a list of Esprit Starbase's frequently asked questions.
Just click the question to link to the answer.
- What is Esprit Starbase?
- What are the forum rules?
- Is this an RPG, a Role Playing Game?
- Who is the starbase commander?
- Who is the starbase vice commander?
- Who is the starbase executive officer?
- How do I join?
- Is there a cost to join?
- Is my IP address public?
- What are Esprit Starbase's themes?
- How do I change themes?
- What is a ranking system?
- What do the "O" and "J" numbers represent in Help Guide - Rank Abbreviations?
- How do I know which ranking system to use?
- What rank do I start with?
- What if I don't want to participate in a ranking system with promotions,
is there an alternative category I can choose instead? - How do I become a civilian?
- As a civilian, will I be restricted to a particular theme?
- What if I were an officer or a Jedi who had converted to civilian status,
would I be able to revert back to my original officer or Jedi status with
no loss of rank? - Can a civilian join a department?
- Can a civilian advance to positions of leadership within ESB recreations?
- Are civilians required to have titles in front of their names?
- Is there a member list?
- Does Esprit Starbase have a department structure?
- How do I become a forum admin?
- How do I become a forum moderator?
- What display name colors are assigned to designate member affiliations?
- Are there awards?
- How do I earn rank promotions?
- What are departments?
- How do I join a department?
- What are the departmental requirements for joining?
- Do I have to serve in a department?
- Why would a member choose to serve in a department?
- How long may an officer serve in any given departmental or staff assignment?
- May I serve in more than one department concurrently?
- Is there a minimum rank needed to serve in a department?
- What is department dismissal?
- What positions comprise department staff?
- Is it required for each department to have a department chief?
- Is it required for each department to have a department deputy chief?
- What is a section leader or team leader?
- Staff: What positions comprise the starbase staff?
- Staff: What are the duties of the starbase commander?
- Staff: What are the duties of the starbase vice commander?
- Staff: What are the duties of the starbase executive officer?
- Staff: What are the duties of a department chief?
- What is the procedure when the starbase commander is on leave?
- What is the procedure when the starbase vice commander is on leave?
- What is the procedure when the starbase executive officer is on leave?
What is Esprit Starbase?
Esprit Starbase is a sci-fi oriented, multi-themed, web based community established in 2013, initially as MACO, by Major General J. Tanner to provide a forum where its member officers can congregate, share ideas and explore their talents. While ESB began with a MACO theme, its underlying Tenets are those of the United Federation of Planets, including the Vulcan principle of IDIC and shall transcend all themes. ESB stresses mutual respect and encourages active participation within a department. Although taking on a duty assignment is not required of its members, it is recommended for promotion through the more senior ranks. ESB’s intent is to foster camaraderie and a sense of esprit de corps among its members. Above all, Esprit Starbase is a place where its members can interact freely with one another and have fun.
What are the forum rules?
SEE: Regulations.
Is this an RPG, a Role Playing Game?
No. Esprit Starbase is a community with a wide variety of activities and recreation. The USS Legacy is an official SIMM (RPG) which members can join if they wish. However, it is not madatory to be a part of it to participate on this base.
Who is the starbase commander?
Esprit Starbase's current commanding officer is Major General Jade Tanner
Who is the starbase vice commander?
Esprit Starbase's current vice commanding officer is Commodore Drego Tensa
Who is the starbase executive officer?
Esprit Starbase's current executive officer is Commodore Logan Kale
How do I join?
You must register for membership. Link here to register.
Is there a cost to join?
No. Esprit Starbase is a non-profit, cost-free community.
Is my IP address public?
No. Respecting the privacy of our members is one of our highest priorities. To help prevent issues such as cyber-bullying and cyber-stalking, member IP addresses are kept private, away from public view.
What are Esprit Starbase's themes?
Esprit Starbases themes, or branches of service, are as follows:
- MACO (Military Assault Command Operations), from Star Trek: Enterprise
- Starfleet, from Star Trek: TOS, Next Generation, Deep Space 9 and Voyager
- The Jedi Order, from Star Wars, Episodew I - VII
- Stargate Command, from Stargate's SG-1, Atlantis and Universe
How do I change themes?
You may change themes by doing the following:
- Go to your profile
- Click on "Edit Profile"
- Click on "Settings"
- Scroll down to "Forum Theme"
- Open the drop-down menu and click on the theme you want
- Scroll down to the bottom and click on "Save Account Settings"
What is a ranking system?
A ranking system is a hierarchy of named steps whose positions denote degree of achievement, responsibility and privelege,
similar to those of the various military services. Esprit Starbase has four ranking systems. For ESB's ranking systems.
SEE: Promotions
and Help guide - Rank Abbreviations
What do the "O" and "J" numbers represent in Help Guide - Rank Abbreviations?
The "O" numbers represent officer grade levels; the "J" numbers represent Jedi grade levels. For example, a MACO captain is an officer
of level three in grade, or O-3; a Starfleet ensign is a level one ranked officer, or O-1; a Jedi knight is ranked fifth in the Jedi Order,
or J-5; a Brigadier General in Stargate Command is a grade seven officer, or O-7.
SEE: Help guide - Rank Abbreviations
How do I know which ranking system to use?
The ranking system you use will depend on the theme you choose to become a part of.
What rank do I start with?
All new members start their ESB membership with the entry-level rank of officer candidate (OC) or Jedi seeker (JS) depending the
theme they select. After a month, when your interest in ESB and your pattern of participation here are established, you will be
promoted to either second lieutenant (2ndLt) of MACO, ensign (ENS) of Starfleet, Jedi initiate (JI), or second lieutenant (2nd Lt.)
of Stargate Command, again depending on theme selected.
SEE: Promotions
What if I don't want to participate in a ranking system with promotions, is there an alternative category I can choose instead?
Yes, you can choose to be a civilian. You will have many of the same rights, priveleges and obligations as an officer or Jedi without the rank structure.
How do I become a civilian?
If you are not assigned to a department, send a request via PM (private message) to the starbase vice commander. If you are a member of a department, send a request via PM to the starbase executive officer.
As a civilian, will I be restricted to a particular theme?
No. As a civilian you may reside in any theme you choose.
What if I were an officer or a Jedi who had converted to civilian status, would I be able to revert back to my original officer or Jedi status with no loss of rank?
Yes. Officers or Jedi who have converted to civilian status may revert back to their origianal officer or Jedi status with reinstatement of their original rank. However, frequent jumping from status to status is frowned upon and is to be discouraged.
Can a civilian join a department?
A civilian who has been a member of ESB for a minimum of two months can join and be a member of ESB Recreations only. All other departments are restricted to officers and Jedi.
Can a civilian advance to positions of leadership within ESB recreations?
No. Leadership positions within a department are restricted to officers and Jedi.
Are civilians required to have titles in front of their names?
No. Titles such as Mr. (Mister), Miss, Mrs. (Missus), or Ms. (alternative to Miss and Mrs.) are optional. However, titles are honorifics that foster respect between peers and are, therefore, highly recommended.
Is there a member list?
Yes. SEE: Member List.
Does Esprit Starbase have a department structure?
Yes. ESB maintains the following departments:
ESB Command
ESB Recreations
ESB Security
How do I become a forum admin?
How do I become a forum moderator?
What display name colors are assigned to designate member affiliations?
- Pale Gold (FFFFBB): Past Esprit Starbase Commander
(Ambassador or Flag Rank held) - Command Red (EA0000): ESB Command
- Science Blue (0084EA): ESB Recreations
- Operations Gold (EA9A00): ESB Security
- Cadet Blue (5F9EAD): No Department Affiliation
- Pale Green (6FAE6F): Retired from Active Service
- Light Gray (BBBBBB): Civilian
Are there awards?
Yes, there are several awards in the form of medals and ribbons that members may strive to earn here at Esprit Starbase. Awards currently implemented are as follows (listed highest to lowest in terms of honor and prestige):
Marshall T. Crockett Meritorious Service Medal
This award is conferred upon ESB officers whose contributions to Esprit Starbase are clearly extraordinary to similar such
contributions made by peer officers with similar responsibilities. Awarding of a Marshall T. Crockett Meritorious Service Medal
recognizes that the recipient has, without regard to self, made significant contributions that go far beyond normal expectations
in which a forum project or projects that affect the community in a critical way have benefited substantially from the contributing officer.
Posting Plateau Award
This award is conferred upon any officer who has reached any of the several posting plateaus while serving here at Esprit Starbase.
This awarded is presented as follows: 1000 posts: Initial medal awarded with single device. 2500 posts: Second device is added to the
associated ribbon. 5000 posts: Third device is added to the associated ribbon.
Time in Service Award
This award is conferred in recognition of active time in service by any officer aboard Esprit Starbase. The presentation of this award is as follows:
6 Months: Initial ribbon awarded 1 Year: Single device is added to associated ribbon 2 Years: Second device is added to associated ribbon 5 years:
Third device is added to associated ribbon.
Note to Members: For the Posting Plateau Award and Time in Service Award to be presented, you the member must take the initiative and notify the
appropriate authorities of your eligibility for either of these awards. You may submit a private message to the ESB vice commander with a request
to be evaluated for awarding when you have met the basic requirements, or you may do so through your department chief.
Competition Awards
These awards are presented to officers who win official game challenges on base hosted by ESB Recreations.
This coin award is conferred upon any member who has won a "Caption This!" contest. Members have been known to refer to it as a cookie.
How do I earn rank promotions?
SEE: Promotions
What are departments?
Departments are divisions within Esprit Starbase responsible for managing the community through various functions. Each is led by a department chief and includes a deputy chief as well as teams of officers contributing to the overall mission statement. Some departments include subdivisions called Sections. The current departments active aboard Esprit Starbase are listed below:
How do I join a department?
- Reply to open job announcements through a standard application process
- Be personally invited by a department chief to join his or her department
What are the departmental requirements for joining?
ESB Command is limited to the Starbase Commander, the Starbase Vice Commander, and the Starbase Executivbe Officer only.
ESB Recreations is open to 1stLt grade officers or equivalent as well as civilians with a minimum of two months membership and may be applied for.
SEE: ESB Recreations and Department Openings.
ESB Security is open to Capt grade officers and is primarily by invitation only, but applications by qualified personnel will be considered.
SEE: ESB Security and Department Openings.
Do I have to serve in a department?
No. Members are not required to serve in a department to be a member of Esprit Starbase.
Why would a member choose to serve in a department?
Members opt to serve in a department for several reasons, most notably that service in a department allows for more involvement, may lead to command assignments, and service in a starbase department is required for those members wishing to be promoted beyond the rank of Captain.
How long may an officer serve in any given departmental or staff assignment?
There is no minimum or maximum length of time required of any member for service in any departmental or staff capacity.
May I serve in more than one department concurrently?
Yes, though service in more than one department is evaluated on a case-to-case basis, and is limited to those departments with more positions available than there are eligible members to fill them.
Is there a minimum rank needed to serve in a department?
Yes.
- ESB Recreations: minimum rank of first lieutenant (MACO or Stargate Command), lieutenant junior grade, or Jedi padawan
- ESB Security: captain (MACO or Stargate Command), lieutenant, or Jedi apprencice
- Approval from each department chief
What is department dismissal?
Department dismissal is the removal of an officer from a department for cause, cause being any one or more of the following reasons: Unable to perform duties, unwilling to perform duties, is irresponsible, unethical, unmotivated, demonstrates lack of dedication, and/or is unable to work collaboratively with a team.
What positions comprise department staff?
- Department Chief
- Department Deputy Chief
- Section Leader
- Team Leader
- Section, team or staff member
Is it required for each department to have a department chief?
Yes. Each department must have a department chief.
Is it required for each department to have a department deputy chief?
No, but it is highly recommended. A department chief may choose to and should promote an officer to the position of deputy chief at his or her discretion and should do so especially when there is evidence of need.
What is a section leader or team leader?
A section leader is an officer who leads one or more teams within a specific section.
A team leader is an officer who leads a group of one or more officers in a specific, usually singular, ongoing task or mission within
section, or within a department that has no sections.
Staff: What positions comprise the starbase staff?
- Commander
- Vice Commander
- Executive Officer
- Department Chiefs
Staff: What are the duties of the starbase commander?
- Responsible for overall management and administration of the community
- Authorizes officer promotions, demotions, suspensions, awards
- Authorizes standard operating procedures
- Authorizes appointments to starbase staff
- Develops and maintains infrastructure standards
- Charged with the duty of seeing to the prosperity of the community
- Preserves spirit of ESB while keeping focus on advancing in technology, programs and protocol
- Staff-Level 3 in the chain of command
Staff: What are the duties of the starbase vice commander?
- Principal adviser to the starbase commander
- Coordinates bi-monthly crew evaluations
- Conducts weekly staff briefings
- Point-of-contact for non-departmental personnel
- Commander of the starbase in the event of the major general's absence
- Network with department staff and members as a conduit for departmental positioning (members seeking a department position and departments seeking members to fill openings)
- Direct supervisor of all Staff-Level 1 personnel
- Advise officers with promotion and department guidance and direction
- Staff-Level 2 in the chain of command - reports directly to the starbase commander
Staff: What are the duties of the starbase executive officer?
- Adviser to the starbase vice commander
- Oversees implementation of command staff orders
- Keeps detailed records of starbase events (e.g. awards, promotions, etc.)
- Acting vice commander of the starbase in the event of the vice commander's absence
- Helps coordinate bi-monthly crew evaluations
- Oversees training of department chiefs and deputy chiefs when needed
- Oversees the overall protection of the starbase
- Mediates any disputes if necessary
- Staff-Level 2 in the chain of command - reports directly to the starbase vice commander
Staff: What are the duties of a department chief?
- Commanding officer and principal manager of his or her department
- Hires and dismisses departmental personnel as necessary
- During crew evaluations, recommends officers for promotion when warranted
- Develops and maintains projects relevant to the department mission statement and goals which benefit the community
- Serves as link between starbase command and the department
- Staff-Level 1 in the chain of command - reports directly to the starbase executive officer
What is the procedure when the starbase commander is on leave?
If the starbase commander is on leave or extended leave, the starbase vice commander will assume temporary command until his or her return and will be granted the title of "acting starbase commander" during the interim. Any and all powers granted the “acting starbase commander” are solely at the discretion of the starbase commander.
What is the procedure when the starbase vice commander is on leave?
If the starbase vice commander is on leave or extended leave, the executive officer will be appointed as "acting vice commander"; until the assigned vice commander returns to active duty. Or, if it is deemed necessary, the highest ranking Staff-Level 1 officer may be granted the title of "acting vice commander."
What is the procedure when the starbase executive officer is on leave?
If the starbase executive officer is on leave or extended leave the highest ranking Staff-Level 1 officer may be granted the title of "acting executive officer."