First Officer's Log 001

Posted on 02 Oct 2016 @ 9:36pm by Commander Langdale Wiggins

525 words; about a 3 minute read

Computer, begin First Officer's log.

I have been on Galileo now for a few days. I must say, when I first put in for the vacant XO position, I was expecting a lot more administrative duties. I have found myself constantly on the move and having to deal with very complex problems, even within the short time I've been here. Being a flagship of the task force I expect I will learn a lot. This is my first science ship. And while six years ago I commanded a runabout for Starbase 234, this will be the smallest starship I have served on in my sixteen years in Starfleet.

Almost too small. With a crew complement barely approaching a hundred, I'm worried about crew morale, stress, and inappropriate fraternization. While small crews can form strong bonds, and can learn to work together in a very effective team oriented way, they are more prone to stressors that can affect emotional wellbeing, and that, in turn, affects ship readiness and combat effectiveness.

Nothing highlights this more than the incident previously reported regarding Petty Officer Nelis' alleged assault on Lieutenant Eelim Galan. While I have had to investigate crew conflicts before, some more physical than others, this is the first attempted murder between crew members I've had to deal with. Currently, the Admiral and JAG are working together on how best to proceed. I was particularly impressed with the Security department and how they handled the investigation. Chief Mitchell was thorough and efficient, causing very little disruption to ship operations. I have noted, however, that his sensitivity to the type of incident should be followed up on. I found him at times hostile, and much too militant in his policing and his interactions with the crew in his department. I have set a reminder to check in with him at a later time to get to know the man a little better. I will assess his receptiveness to feedback, and willingness to learn and adapt to differences in command. Perhaps his new department head will be on the same page as I am in regards to training and development.

This is something I worry about with the Science department. After fielding the complaint regarding the detention of Petty Officer Nemo Bardasi and the growing caustic relationship between the CSO and CRO I feel the only course of action that will reaffirm how I want crew discipline handled is to provide more training in those areas. I expect, though, and am hopeful I'm wrong, that I will get push back from Lieutenant Tyton. An El-Aurian who is over a century older than me, and has the experience he has in Starfleet gives me the impression that he may be very set in his ways. I hope the case is not true, and he turns out to be more receptive than I anticipate. I have a different course of action depending on how he and Lieutenant MacKenzie react to the meetings I have with them.

Nothing else to report for now. I'm sure this will be the worst of what I need to deal with.

Computer, end log.

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