| Captain/Acting | Head of Personnel | Research Director | Chief Engineer | Chief Medical Officer | Head of Security | Quartermaster | Harbor Master | Station Traffic Controller |
|---|
Members of Command Staff aboard the station serve as the Captain, Head of Security, Research Director, Head of Personnel, Chief Medical Officer, Quartermaster, Chief Engineer, Harbor Master, and Station Traffic Controller. As one of these roles, you are the designated leader and representative of your department, or of the station itself in the case of the Captain.
| Command Should... | Command Should Not... |
|---|---|
| Lead and coordinate | Micromanage and dominate |
| Teach newer players | Ignore inexperienced crew |
| Delegate responsibilities | Try to do everything personally |
| Support roleplay and station operations | Focus solely on winning |
| Remain professional | Create unnecessary conflict |
| Set an example for others | Abuse authority |
| Work with other departments | Operate in isolation |
| Cryo at round end with command equipment | Carry command items into the next round |
📝 Note
Your role is that of a leader, not a boss. Remember that every crewmember is ultimately another player here to enjoy the round. Lead through communication, organization, and cooperation rather than authority alone. While Heads of Staff are expected to take charge when necessary, they should not treat other players as subordinates to be ordered around at every opportunity. A good leader earns respect through competence and professionalism, not rank alone.
Delegate and be a leader, not a boss. The players in your department are your coworkers, not your personal employees. Giving direction, assigning tasks, and organizing personnel is expected. Constantly barking orders, micromanaging, or treating others as inferior is not.
Emergencies and severe departmental failures may require a firmer approach, but those situations should remain the exception rather than the rule.
As a Department Head, you are the primary authority within your department. The Captain may coordinate station-wide operations and issue reasonable orders when necessary, but day-to-day departmental decisions should generally remain in your hands.
You are expected to possess a strong understanding of your department's responsibilities and systems. Other crew members may offer suggestions or concerns, and you should always consider them in good faith, but ultimately it is your responsibility to make informed decisions for your department.
Confidence is important. Overconfidence is dangerous. Listen to others, especially when safety, station integrity, or crew welfare may be at risk.
If someone in your department is new or unfamiliar with their role, make an effort to help them learn.
Teaching new players is one of the most important responsibilities of any Head of Staff.
If you are too busy to teach personally, delegate the task to an experienced department member whenever possible.
While command hour requirements help ensure a baseline level of experience, they are not a substitute for departmental knowledge. Before playing a command role, you should possess a reasonable understanding of the jobs within your department and be capable of assisting others when needed.
💡 Tip
A department that teaches new players will always be healthier than a department that expects everyone to already know everything.
Be a role model both in-character and out-of-character.
As a representative of Colonial Command and a leader within the station, you should conduct yourself professionally.
Avoid unnecessary hostility, public arguments, harassment, or behavior that undermines the credibility of your department.
Treat others with respect, even when disagreements arise.
You are not Security (unless you are the Head of Security). Avoid inserting yourself into investigations, antagonist hunting, or routine law enforcement matters unless circumstances genuinely require your involvement.
Your primary responsibility is leading your department and keeping it operational.
If you choose to engage in ERP while playing a command role, your responsibilities always come first.
The moment your department requires your attention, your role takes priority.
If your primary goal for a round is ERP, consider playing a non-command role instead.
At the end of a round, all Command personnel are expected to cryo through Colonial Command cryo pods with all command-issued equipment in their possession.
Command personnel should not travel directly between stations with command-issued equipment or command authority.
This helps preserve continuity and allows other players the opportunity to occupy command positions during subsequent rounds.
As
Because of this, Heads of Staff are held to a higher standard than most crew roles, both in-character and out-of-character. While you are not expected to be flawless, you are expected to demonstrate maturity, professionalism, and good judgment when interacting with others.
Frontier stations operate with far more independence than many corporate facilities. While standards may be more relaxed than elsewhere, professionalism, competence, and leadership are still expected.
Maintain a professional attitude. You are not an ordinary crewmember, nor are you simply another employee.
You are a trusted representative of your department and Colonial Command.
Conduct yourself accordingly and treat your office, department, and command facilities with appropriate respect.
Maintain a level head.
Everyone becomes frustrated from time to time, but Command positions require patience, maturity, and good judgment.
If you find yourself unable to separate frustration from decision-making, remember that this is ultimately a game meant to be enjoyed by everyone involved.
Command staff are highly visible members of the station, and crew will often judge station leadership by how they behave.
Conversations or activities that would reasonably be considered private should generally remain private.
While Frontier life may be less formal than other stations, Command staff should still conduct themselves appropriately in public settings.
Dress appropriately.
While Frontier stations generally have more relaxed uniform standards than corporate facilities, Heads should avoid dressing like ordinary civilians whenever possible.
Your appearance should help identify you as station leadership and reinforce your position as a respected representative of Colonial Command.
Personalized attire is acceptable, including custom hats, footwear, and alternate uniforms. However, any personal uniform should still be appropriate for your role and clearly resemble the department or position you represent.
The Captain/Acting Captain and Research Director may authorize AI and Cyborg law changes when circumstances reasonably justify doing so, though the Captain retains final authority.
Any law change should be made in good faith and with consideration for its impact on the station.
Lawsets that intentionally disrupt station operations, remove meaningful crew autonomy, or create unreasonable harm should generally be avoided unless specifically justified by the situation.
For example, changing from Crewsimov to NT Default may be reasonable, while changing to Overlord or Ten Commandments without a compelling justification generally would not be.
Refer to Unauthorized Law Modifications for any unauthorized modifications.
📝 Note
If you believe a law change is necessary, remember the golden rule: when in doubt, hit F1 and ask staff. Law changes can have significant consequences, and you may be held accountable for the results if your changes are unreasonable or poorly considered.
Remember that Command is ultimately about leadership. The purpose of a Head of Staff is not to control the round, but to help create an enjoyable and believable workplace environment for everyone involved. Lead your department, support your crew, solve problems, and set the example you would want others to follow.