Cultural Officer

Career

Qualifications

As with all other military officer roles, cultural officers require a college degree and a commission. Additionally, cultural officers must speak at least three languages fluently.

Career Progression

Lower ranking cultural officers typically assist a higher ranking officer and focus on scheduling, personnel management, and studying laws and customs. Mid level officers may serve as the leading cultural officer for a large vessel. Senior officers may act as a ship's executive officer or as the leading cultural officer for a fleet, space station, or planet.

Payment & Reimbursement

Military officers are paid according to their rank and time in service, typically living comfortably, especially as they progress to the higher ranks.

Other Benefits

The opinions of cultural officers are typically highly respected, even on subjects outside their fields of expertise. As such, they typically find it easy to land good-paying jobs after leaving the military.

Perception

Purpose

Cultural officers focus on diplomacy over combat training. They are experts in local customs, legal systems, and societal norms across the different cultures throughout the Federation. Additionally, they typically assist shipboard executive officers in their duties, performing clerical, sheduling, and administrative work. Cultural officers study a wide range of subjects to assist in their decision-making, including, but not limited to, orbital dynamics, navigation, timekeeping, psychology, and medicine.

Social Status

Cultural officers are often highly respected, especially those of high rank who have proven themselves with distinguished careers. They often enter the political arena or transition to consulting work after separation from the military.

History

Cultural officers evolved from the duties traditionally performed by executive officers. With so many different cultures across the Federation, keeping track of the changing social norms, customs, and laws from one planet to the next became a full-time job. The position of cultural officer was created to allow the executive officer to focus on shipboard operations. Another motivation for the development of cultural officers was the long communication delay between star systems. Military officers on remote assignments needed to make diplomatic decisions on behalf of the government without needing to wait for instructions. Cultural officers are authorized to enter treaties and alliances on behalf of the Federation.

Operations

Tools

Cultural officers typically have access to vast libraries of detailed information on laws, cultures, and customs. They also tend to carry navigational equipment and basic medical kits.

Demand

High demand within the military

Legality

Legal and respected