Rename Executive Officer

[Afya]

As is current, XO is a job title tends to imply and cause some confusion about them being second in command when they're not. I propose we change the name to something less misleading, personally I'm a fan of Administrative Officer but here's a list of suggested names from the chat we had in #serious_discussion as well to give ideas.

 

Administrative Officer

Crew Resources Officer

Bridge Officer

Senior Officer

Head of Personnel

Chief of Finances

Edited February 15, 2023 by bobbob212
Another suggestion

[greenjoe]

I'm quite a fan of Crew Resources Officer, it feels like it fits the role well.

[Peppermint]

They have a role when there is ship combat + for BCs though, so this surely just pushes them further toward being just paperwork/RP jockeys.

Edited February 15, 2023 by Peppermint

[Dreamix]

I do not think any of these fit well, except for "Senior Officer" (which I have myself proposed... but it's also very non-specific and generic).

For me, finances, paperwork, and personnel management, are like the tiniest part of XO's job, and one that does not even pop up in most rounds in my experience. These names are far too specific, and it'd be like calling the CMO a "Chief of Chemistry Lab", or HoS a "Head of Investigation".

 

For me, the XO's main job is handling bridge/helm matters, managing BCs, assisting other heads, giving emergency access and appointing interims, helping with communication between security and command, and being the Captain's right hand.

And like, isn't the above what XO's do on real life ships (and on bay)? Except just that our XO is not actually a second-in-command.

 

Also, uh. I really like the name of "Executive Officer". It sounds nice. I'd keep it for that reason.

 

...................................

I have only just remembered. Our BCs are called BCs.

So just rename the XO to a BO. A Bridge Officer, who leads the Bridge Crew.

Edited February 15, 2023 by Dreamix

[Afya]

25 minutes ago, Peppermint said:

They have a role when there is ship combat + for BCs though, so this surely just pushes them further toward being just paperwork/RP jockeys.

Hence my like of Administrative Officer, I don't feel it's that bad, or Bridge Officer.

I think having XO as an actual 2ic would be more fitting personally since they are all ready in command of the Bridge Crew/Bridge (Horizon destination, weapons firing, ship to ship communications.) But since that's not likely going to happen and am not too fussed either way I'm just suggesting the job name change.

 

20 minutes ago, Dreamix said:

And like, isn't the above what XO's do on real life ships (and on bay)? Except just that our XO is not actually a second-in-command.

Yeah, causing more confusion when they have the name and responsibilities of XO, except for the one odd fact they are not 2ic in an emergency situation.

Edited February 15, 2023 by bobbob212
Wording

[Caelphon]

Why don’t we just have XO be second-n-command? It makes sense to me.

[Roostercat]

Half of the time XO is unofficially treated like second in command unless someone explicitly brings up the fact that they are not. That being said, I think Bridge Officer sounds nice.

[CampinKiller]

58 minutes ago, Caelphon said:

Why don’t we just have XO be second-n-command? It makes sense to me.

I personally do not like the idea of elevating any head of staff above the rest. Back in the days of the HoP being the actual second in command, it was rarely conducive to good command coordination/play.

EDIT: It would also potentially lead to a creep of XOs stepping on other heads' business and responsibilities, and using being the second in command as justification.

Edited February 15, 2023 by CampinKiller

[Carver]

How about Chief Bridge Officer? No, this isn't a joking suggestion either, I like the thought of more Chief (department) Officer titles for uniformity.

As for XO being second-in-command, I'd despise that quite a bit. Aurora's gone to good lengths to avoid any department, Command or lower, having explicit 'second-in-command' roles - and to elevate any one Command role as a 'second' would damage the power balance of Command (especially pertinent for the current 'council system' of voting whenever a Captain is unavailable or abstaining from making an executive decision).

[CatsinHD]

I think out of all the different options listed, I prefer Carver's Chief Bridge Officer the most. For one, Bridge Officer and Bridge Crewman, while different, is just close enough that I imagine some confusion could be had. Adding Chief there adds an extra degree of "you are command", adds some level of uniformity, and completely gets rid of the off-chance someone confuses BO and BC

And, as with some of the others here, I would very much prefer if Command was kept as "All equal under the captain" system. It's a better working environment, and control over the bridge does not immediately equal control of every department, Head of Staff, and so on. Everyone has their role, and I think the XO should emphasis more of their bridge role.