Crew Positions Explained - Work in Progress
Command Staff
Commanding Officer: The CO is naturally in command of the entire ship and all those who serve on it. He is the ultimate authority on-board. The CO will typically be a Commander but can range from a Colonel to an Admiral. (BSG equivalent of Commander/Admiral William Adama)
Executive Officer: The XO serves as the link between commander and crew and replaces the CO if the need arises. His duties largely consist of administrative work which includes a large amount of disciplinary oversight. The XO is typically a Colonel but can range from a Lieutenant Colonel (or even Major) to Commander depending on the rank of the CO and the current circumstances. (Colonel Saul "Fraking" Tigh)
CIC Staff
Officer of the Deck: The OOD takes the third watch (the CO and XO having the other two) and thus monitors the CIC and controls the deck during his shift. In the absence of the CO or XO he is in command of the ship and acts on the CO's standing orders. If there is a need for a major decision then the OOD will usually call for the CO. The OOD is typically a Lieutenant Colonel but can range from Captain to Colonel. (Lt. Gaeta is acting OOD in BSG)
Communication Officer: As the title would suggest, this officer handles all communications on the ship. This includes communication across the intercom and phone networks, wireless communication to Vipers and other smaller craft, communication between other ships of the fleet or other fleets entirely. The communications officer can act as an operator directing communication where it needs to go, a secretary taking messages and summarizing information to give to the CIC staff, and a direct mouth piece issuing the CIC's orders to the various recipients in the fleet. During combat the communications officer also attempts to track enemy communications and monitors ship transponders to Identify Friend of Foe (IFF). The Communications officer typically is NOT an actual enlisted officer but a petty officer. The rank may range from Petty Officer 2nd Class to Lieutenant Junior Grade. (Petty Officer Dualla - before getting promoted and going to Pegasus)
Tactical Officer: Tactical's main field is DRADIS. He is charged with monitoring contacts both in calm and in combat and informing the CO as to developments. Tactical is also responsible to an extent with Cyberwarfare and computer security. Finally, the tactical officer also plots the ship's course (FTL especially). The Tactical officer is typically a Lieutenant Senior Grade but may range from Lieutenant Junior Grade to Major. (Lieutenant Gaeta)
Helmsman: Helm physically drives the ship. The CO will give orders and the Tactical Officer might help plot courses and provide coordinates but it is the helmsman who gets the ship to that point. Like communications, helmsmen can typically range from Petty Officer 2nd Class to Lieutenant Junior Grade.
Damage Control Officer: Damage control is a fairly boring job 99.9% of the time but it becomes the most exciting and important for that 0.1%. Damage control officers have the ability to initiate fire suppression systems, seal off specific areas in the event of a breach (or even boarding action), etc. They also coordinate damage control and repair teams. When everyone else is worried about firing guns, the DC team is concerned with patching up the hull. Damage Control officers can typically range from Petty Officer 2nd Class to Lieutenant Senior Grade.
Weapons Control Officer: The CO and other officers issue broad orders about what to shoot and when. The WC officers decide how to do that shooting. They control the ship's main cannons, protective flak screen, and defensive countermeasures. These weapons, however, can still be operated manually or managed from a separate auxiliary location. WC officers typically range from Petty Officer Second Class to Lieutenant Junior Grade. Again, like most of these ranks, the most common rank is a Petty Officer.
Flight Staff
CAG: The Commander Air Group (Pronounced Kag not spelled out C.A.G. like C.O. or X.O) is responsible for all Viper and Raptor pilots on board Hyperion. His duties include managing those personnel beneath him, preparing strategies and tactics, briefing the pilots, and directly leading the pilots into combat. The CAG is often a squadron leader as well. The CAG will typically range from Captain to Lieutenant Colonel with Major being the most likely of the three. (Lee Adama for much of BSG).
Deputy CAG: Because the Hyperion is so large and in particular has a very large fighter wing (nearly double most other first rates, certainly more than aging Galactica), the CAG is assisted in his duties by a deputy. This man assists with the work load and often stands in for the CAG. Like the CAG, he can have his own squadron or might simply fly the CAG's wing. The Deputy CAG will typically range from Lieutenant Senior Grade to Major but is most likely a Captain.
Squadron Leader: Both Raptor and Viper squadrons have one pilot who is set out above the rest to lead that particular group. Compared to the CAG, a squadron leader's duties are light. He is responsible for directly looking after his men and generally leading them in training and combat. A squadron leader's rank will typically range from Lieutenant Senior Grade to Captain, not including the CAG or deputy acting as squadron leaders of course. (Most named pilots in BSG were squadron leaders especially near the end of the series)
Viper Pilot: The "fighter" pilots in the air wing. These men fly their Mark VIIs (and some Mark IIs) into combat to protect humanity and the fleet. Pilots have few duties on board Hyperion other than staying fit, brushing up on their Viper manuals, and attending briefings. Their real duties include flying the CAP (Combat Air Patrol), standing by as part of the "Alert Fighters" to launch with only seconds notice, and of course to all fight when required in full scale battles. Pilots typically range from Ensign to Lieutenant Senior Grade. Occasionally there might be a pilot who is a Captain without holding any title such as CAG or Squadron Leader. (Hotdog, Starbuck, etc.)
Raptor Pilot: The less glamorous but more versatile of the pilot classes. Raptor pilots perform reconnaissance, transport of goods and well as passengers (sometimes directly into combat zones), supporting the Vipers and other craft with Electronic Countermeasures, and sometimes being equipped with heavy weaponry such as missile pods, cannons, and even nuclear weapons to aid a little extra punch when required in combat. Pilots typically range from Ensign to Lieutenant Senior Grade. Occasionally there might be a pilot who is a Captain without holding any title such as CAG or Squadron Leader. (Athena, etc.)
E.C.O: The Electronic Countermeasures Officer rides "shotgun" in the Raptor. He is responsible for just about everything that isn't flying (although the duties can be performed by either crew member). He thus fires the weapons described above, and as the name would suggest deploys counter measures when necessary including flares, chaff, drones, and decoys. In addition, the ECOs can jam enemy signals and also go silent to simply detect enemy signals. All ECOs are also trained as pilots. Like pilots, ECOs typically range from Ensign to Lieutenant Senior Grade. Often they are of a junior rank to the pilot with whom they fly. Occasionally there might be a pilot who is a Captain without holding any title such as CAG or Squadron Leader. (Helo, Crashdown, etc.)
Hanger Deck Staff
Chief of the Deck: Arguably the most powerful NCO on the ship, the Chief of the Deck controls everything that happens on the deck (that is the enclosed area below the open hanger arms). He is responsible for all the deckhands and through them the rearming, refitting, resupplying, and repairing of all small craft including but not limited to Vipers, Raptors, and shuttles. He and his crews maintain the air wing, launch the air wing, and recover the air wing. This rank is held by a Chief Petty Officer or a Master Chief Petty Officer. (Chief Tyrol)
Deckhand: Anyone wearing yellow or orange is a deckhand. As mentioned above they have various duties related to the upkeep of the air wing. From refueling to completely rebuilding them, the deckhands do it all. It should be noted that the few deckhands who wear yellow specialize in loading the Vipers into their launch tubes (colored to differentiate them so the pilots know who's who). Their ranks will range from Crewman Apprentice to Petty Officer First Class.
Landing Signal Officer: The only officer stationed on the deck (other than pilots of course), the LSO can be compared to an Air Traffic Controller on steroids. He has one of the most difficult jobs on the ship, a job which in RL militaries is generally split into four separate positions. He supervises all landings and takeoffs personally with control over launch tubes and elevators. Nothing enters or leaves the deck without his authorization (or at least his notice). The LSO's rank can range from Lieutenant Senior Grade to Major with Captain as the standard rank. (Captain Aaron Kelly)
Engineering Staff
Chief Engineering Officer: The Chief Engineer is the senior officer in his department. He supervises those under him as they make sure the ship keeps going. He's often the type that gets his own hands dirty too frequently working right beside his men. This rank can range from a Lieutenant Senior Grade to Major with Captain as the most likely rank. (Commander Barry Garner)
Engineering Crew Chief: Either a junior officer of a senior NCO responsible for his own particular section of responsibility (and a specialized team of subordinate engineers). This rank ranges from Chief Petty Officer to Lieutenant Junior Grade.
Engineer: The unsung heroes (which are hardly ever seen in BSG) who make sure the engine keeps working, life support doesn't turn off, etc. They maintain the ship's primary functions and when needed completely replace and repair damaged sections. Some might be experts in specific field or will have a general knowledge and familiarity with all systems. Their ranks range from Crewman Apprentice to Petty Officer First Class.
Manufacturing
Hyperion is equipped with manufacturing facilities that help supplement her wartime needs. These micro factories are tooled to produce replacement Viper parts (and even complete Vipers) and other parts for the greater ship. Most importantly, Hyperion has large munitions facilities to produce all types of ammunition except for nuclear arms. These manufacturing facilities are of course limited by the raw material available but assuming the ship has a steady supply, it can fabricate replacement material and ammunition for a long time without proper resupply.
This department is staffed with what can only be described as factory workers in uniform. There are semi-skilled laborers a step below deckhands and engineers in their skill and knowledge. They can be used in a pinch to help those departments in emergencies but typically they stick to their department. In the wake of the attack, many of these persons were "promoted" to deckhands, engineers, and even marines. Many civilians were then recruited for this department because it does not require as much training nor is there any direct combat element required.
Medical Staff
Chief Medical Officer: The senior medical officer of the ship, he is responsible for overseeing the general health of the crew (physical and mental). He is often also the most skilled doctor and thus performs those duties as well. This rank ranges from Captain to Lieutenant Colonel. (Major Cottle)
Medical Officer: Basic doctors who spend their time treating the sick, performing minor operations, and of course treating battlefield injuries. Their ranks (and all other medical ranks unless noted otherwise) range from Ensign to Captain.
Surgeon: Some are better with medicine while others are better with a scalpel. These doctors deal exclusively with major operations and surgery.
Specialist: Surgeons aren't the only specialists in such a well staffed medical bay. Many medical officers have their own specialty either as all they do or in addition to their general skills as a doctor.
Psychiatrist: Even if this was not a war ship with all the emotional baggage that creates, psychiatrists are a necessity for such a large group of people (although not in the same number as medical doctors).
Combat Medic: These are marines who specialize in first aid and basic field surgeries. They are generally proficient in both combat and medicine but fall short of full doctors and marines in both. Their ranks will typically range from Corporal to Sergeant First Class.
Nurse: There's a lot more to medical care than writing prescriptions, setting bones, and removing tumors. For all the "smaller" but certainly more numerous needs there are nurses. These nurses also assist the medical officers during all other operations. Their ranks range from Crewman Apprentice to Master Chief Petty Officer.
Marine Contingent Staff
BSG never describes the marine component of the ship and simply features marines as guards everywhere. Much of this is thus put together from what would "make sense" combined with what little we are given.
Marine Commander: The officer that directly supervises the entire Marine Contingent, which is quite a substantial force on Hyperion. Hr is responsible for personnel issues within his unit, organizing security for Hyperion and the greater fleet, criminal investigation and punishment, etc. Typically this rank would range from Captain to Lieutenant Colonel with Major being the most common rank for a command of that size.
Marine Officers: The Marine CO is assisted in his duties by a handful of subordinate officers. The marines are still very "officer light" so these men are few and far between leaving most direct leadership up to the NCOs. These officers will typically range from Ensign to Captain depending on their position in the hierarchy.
Master-At-Arms: A senior NCO assignment on the ship. These marines lead their subordinates just like other NCO, but their primary duties include directly supervising guard duties, ensure ship security is maintained, and acting as primary investigators for criminal activities. This position is typically held by Gunnery Sergeants or Master Gunnery Sergeants.
Marine: The typical foot soldier of Hyperion. These brave men are skilled marksmen and close quarters combat specialists (where as most other personnel on the ship might know how to hold a gun or throw a punch but aren't very skilled). They serve as shock troops in combat operations planet-side and in boarding actions. During lulls in the combat they stand guard over secure areas of the ship, train their bodies, hone their skills, and remain prepared to react at a moment's notice should an incident arise. Their ranks will range from Private to Master Gunnery Sergeant (assuming they don't receive a more specialized role before then).
Gun Crews (Gunnery Department)
The Weapons Control Officers in the CIC direct and at times can completely take control of several ship batteries. These weapons are not, however, completely reliant on remote control nor ca they even be completely controlled from one man in the CIC. The Gun Crews make sure that the ship's weapons keep firing. These are the men and women who actually fire the guns at the CIC's instructions; They're the people who make sure the weapons have a continues stream of ammunition and they're the ones who fix any issues that arise with the guns.
Gun Commander: The men and women assigned with supervising an entire section of the ship's weaponry (e.g. Fore Batteries, Port Batteries, etc.). The ensure that in the heat of battle everything is running as smoothly as possible. Weapons are functioning, crews are performing well, orders are being relayed, etc. On "down time" they drill their men and over see maintenance on the weapon systems. They will typically be junior officers from Ensign to Lieutenant senior grade with Lieutenant Junior Grade being the mostly common rank.
Gunner: The guys actually firing the guns, handling ammunition lifts, putting missiles in their pods, fixing jams, etc. These are the heavy weapons type people, a cross between marines and engineers. In combat they fill the sky with death. In peace they train and work on their weapons. Gunners range the entire enlisted ranks from Crewman Apprentice to Master Chief Petty Officer.
Support Staff
Where would anyone be without those people behind the scenes that do all the necessary and unglamorous jobs that keep the wheels turning? I doubt many people will want to have characters in these roles but in case you do or simply want to NPC an interaction with one of them then here goes. Most departments will have a handful of junior officers supervising them with an assortment of NCOs and Enlisted actually doing the work. These departments all fall under Logistics (as does medical technically). They are here named for ease of the RPer and not necessarily based on what they'd actually be called in a modern day military. Also of note, these guys might have non-combat jobs but they are still soldiers and aren't complete pushovers. They're not likely to put on warpaint and jump into a firefight but if the toasters are banging on their door they will pick up a rifle and hold their ground.
Quartermaster Staff: The quartermasters are the guys in charge of, you guessed it, quarters. They assign living arrangements and generally control the assignment of other areas of the ship as well. If you want a room change because your bunk-mates all snore you go to them. If you want to reserve the lounge for a dramatic poetry reading then you go to them. If you plan to turn compartment 23 of deck 7 into a special Cylon detention center then you go to the quartermasters. They also issue equipment to personnel (uniforms, bed sheets, etc.). They will also often run a store where crew can buy luxury items or simply purchase more of standard issue gear. Their prices tend to be more fair to the soldiers than a civilian store would but their selection (except for military equipment of course) is limited. The QMs also will during "peace" distributed limited weapons and ammunition such as sidearms. In combat scenarios they will release the full arsenal for use. The QMs are on average rank-heavy compared to the following departments. I.e. they are more likely to have a high ratio of officers and NCOs to enlisted. It's not exactly a "dirty job" and it also requires a higher level of responsibility (guarding munitions, managing the entire ship's roster, etc.).
Kitchen Staff: Put simply this is the cooks. They are tasked with feeding 5000 people three squares a day. Due to the nature of the watch system, food is being served constantly in several mess facilities. It certainly isn't glamorous but the ship would be nowhere without the cooks. If scrubbing pots while Cylons are running down the halls wasn't bad enough, these guys often get criticism for the poor quality of their meals. Can you imagine?
Maintenance: Deckhands fix the Vipers and Raptors. Engineers fix Hyperion herself. But who fixes all the minor stuff like chipped paint, a burnt out light bulb, etc.? All non-mission critical repairs and general contractor-like work falls to the maintenance staff. These guys typically will work in conjunction with the Engineers on projects that require major work (e.g. hull breaches wiping out entire sections that need to be reconstructed).
Janitorial Staff: Somebody has to clean the toilets and mop up all the blood from the seemingly endless casualties in the fleet. In war time they'll often be drafted into the maintenance department to act as laborers for major repairs but during lulls when everything is rebuilt they will be around buffing the floors and waxing the Vipers.
