1. What is "ShOC" and "DTS"?

A. ShOC stands for "Shakedown Operations Command". This is the branch of Starfleet that is responsible for the implementation of the Shakedown program, as well as the overseeing of Shakedown Chapters and their operations. They also assist Shakedown Chapters when needed.
DTS is the Department of Technical Services. Part of DTS’s duties include the approval of starship/station names, classes, and registry numbers for new Shakedown Chapters.

2. What is a shakedown chapter?

A. A shakedown chapter is a chapter in training of STARFLEET, The International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc.

3. What is a shakedown cruise?

A. A shakedown cruise is described as a period of time where the shakedown chapter goes through training and working to be a full chapter in STARFLEET. Much as a shakedown cruise of a real-life vessel is an opportunity to work the bugs out of a new vessel, the training period for a STARFLEET shakedown chapter serves a similar purpose.

4. How long does the Shakedown process take?

A. The Shakedown Program lasts nine to twelve (9-12) months. This duration may be shortened or lengthened at the discretion of the Regional Coordinator and the Chief of Shakedown Operations.

5. How many STARFLEET members are required to start a shakedown cruise?

A. To begin a shakedown cruise, a prospective chapter-in-training must have at least five (5) STARFLEET members in good standing. Note, however, that only up to two (2) members from a single family membership may be counted toward this total.

6. How many STARFLEET members are required to commission a chapter at the end of a shakedown cruise?

A. To complete a shakedown cruise and qualify for commissioning, a chapter-in-training must have at least ten (10) STARFLEET members in good standing. Note, however, that only up to three (3) members from a single family membership may be counted toward this total.

7. Must the CO and XO have both OTS and OCC prior to the chapter’s initial launch?

A. No. The CO and XO only need to have passed OTS prior to the beginning of the shakedown cruise. However, before the chapter can be commissioned, both the CO and XO must have completed OCC.

8. Is there a minimum age requirement for the CO and XO?

A. Yes, although there are no age limits for STARFLEET membership, both the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer must be eighteen (18) or older for legal reasons.

9. To whom does the chapter-in-training report? When?

A. Generally, a vessel on a shakedown cruise reports on a monthly basis to the Support Ship Commanding Officer, the Regional Coordinator (RC), and ShOC. Some regions may also have Shakedown Operations Officers (ShOOs), and may request that a chapter-in-training also report to that officer, as a courtesy. (Note: If a chapter-in-training has a Support Ship in a different region than the one in which it is located, it would report to both its local RC and the RC of the Support Ship.).

10. What is the "30 Mile Guidline"?

A. Not so much a rule as a guideline or suggested distance of 30 miles between chapters, to avoid potential conflicts regarding operating areas. This guideline is waivable at the discretion of the Regional Coordinator, and its applicability is often assessed on a case-by-case basis. ShOC recommends that a new group seeking to form in an area already populated with chapters should communicate with any and all nearby chapters, to establish positive and cooperative relationships with those groups.

11. What is a "Correspondence Chapter"?
A. This denotes a chapter which conducts its business through such media as U.S. Mail, the internet, etc. These chapters do not meet regularly in person. Because geography, lifestyle, or other circumstances sometimes make regular participation in a chapter difficult, the “correspondence chapter” option can offer another way to take part in the diversity of STARFLEET.

12. What is a Support Ship/Escort Ship?

A. This is an established chapter which supports/mentors a chapter-in-training throughout the shakedown period.

13. What is a VRR?

A. This is the Vessel Registration Request. It is the application form used to launch a chapter-in-training, and later to commission that group as a full-fledged STARFLEET chapter after the successful conclusion of the shakedown program. It contains the information necessary to progress a group through the launch and commissioning process.

14. How many VRRs must a shuttle submit to become a sanctioned Starship (chapter) in Starfleet?

A. Two. The first (launch) VRR is to be filed prior to launch. The second (commissioning) is to be filed before commissioning.

15. When should a group submit its commissioning VRR to become a fully-sanctioned chapter?

A. Generally, this is done around the sixth or seventh month of the shakedown cruise, once the basic requirements for becoming a fully-sanctioned chapter have been met.

16. What is "START"?

A. Shakedown Operations, Shakedown Training And Reporting Techniques This is a proven nine month program for operating a Chapter in Starfleet. A lot of material has been used in various Starfleet Chapter in Training Manuals.

17. What is a "Commissioning Ceremony"?

A. This is usually a formal event wherein the group “officially” completes its shakedown and achieves full chapter status. It can be a small get-together or a large event. Think of it as “Graduation” from the Shakedown Program.

18. When should a group start planning its Commissioning Ceremony?

A. As soon as you start your Shakedown Cruise!