A Watch Rotation is the division of labor of Starbase and Starship personnel to ensure optimal operation and provide services through all hours of each day of the week. The watch rotation practice typically sees the day divided into watches (or shifts) which are set periods of time during which different groups of workers perform their duties. At present in Starfleet two primary rotation types are utilized: a 3 shift rotation and a 4 shift rotation.
Watch Periods
Duty
The Duty Shift is the period where a staff member is responsible for carrying out his or her assigned duties in the operation of the station or vessel. During this period this a minimum of four persons are required in the command center (the Bridge on a starship or Operations on a starbase), two persons are required in Sickbay, and a staff person is on site in Engineering.
Leisure (May be combined with Office)
The Leisure Shift is the period where a staff member is able to pursue his/her own interests and is perceived as being off duty. Typically this period is directly before the Sleep Shift; however, this may not always be the case. On Starbases and Starships with a 3 Shift Rotation this Shift is merged with the Office Shift.
Office (May be combined with Leisure)
The Office Shift is a period where a staff person handles the administrative roles of his/her position. Typically this period is immediately following the Duty Shift; however, this may not always be the case. On Starbases and Starships with a 3 Shift Rotation this Shift is merged with the Leisure Shift.
Sleep
The Sleep Shift is the period where a staff person is able to sleep.
Watch Rotations
3 Shift Rotation
A 3 shift rotation divides the work day into three eight hour watches or shifts that are used to ensure optimal delivery of services and function. During this period personnel will report to their assigned duty station during their scheduled period and are expected to work the entire duration of this watch except for during their scheduled break or meal periods. Some personnel (such as the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, and Department Heads) will have an assigned duty shift; however, these personnel are considered on call to handle any situation that may emerge during any duty shift. Additionally, despite only being assigned to one watch period per day, many Senior Leadership and Department Heads are required to work additional time in other watch periods to handle the administrative function of their role.
| Alpha Watch | Beta Watch | Charlie Watch (Night Watch) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watch Time | 08:01 – 16:00 | 16:01 – 00:00 | 00:01 – 08:00 |
Watch Breakdown
| Role | Alpha Watch | Beta Watch | Charlie Watch (Night Watch) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commanding Officer* | Duty: Bridge | Office/Leisure | Sleep |
| Executive Officer* | Office/Leisure | Duty: Bridge | Sleep |
| Night Watch Duty Officer** | Office/Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge |
| Chief Counseling Officer | Duty: Sickbay | Office/Leisure | Sleep |
| Chief Engineering Officer | Duty: Engineering | Office/Leisure | Sleep |
| Chief Flight Control Officer | Duty: Bridge | Office/Leisure | Sleep |
| Chief Medical Officer | Duty: Sickbay | Office/Leisure | Sleep |
| Chief Operations Officer | Duty: Bridge | Office/Leisure | Sleep |
| Chief Science Officer | Duty: Bridge | Office/Leisure | Sleep |
| Chief Security/Tactical Officer | Duty: Bridge | Office/Leisure | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Counseling Officer | Office/Leisure | Duty: Sickbay | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Engineering Officer | Office/Leisure | Duty: Engineering | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Flight Control Officer | Office/Leisure | Duty: Bridge | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Medical Officer | Office/Leisure | Duty: Sickbay | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Operations Officer | Office/Leisure | Duty: Bridge | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Science Officer | Office/Leisure | Duty: Bridge | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer | Office/Leisure | Duty: Bridge | Sleep |
| Deputy Chief Counseling Officer | Office/Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Sickbay |
| Deputy Chief Engineering Officer | Office/Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Engineering |
| Deputy Chief Flight Control Officer | Office/Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge |
| Deputy Chief Medical Officer | Office/Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Sickbay |
| Deputy Chief Operations Officer | Office/Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge |
| Deputy Chief Science Officer | Office/Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge |
| Deputy Chief Security/Tactical Officer | Office/Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge |
* – The Commanding Officer and Executive Officer are on call during all duty shifts.
** – The Night Watch Duty Officer is selected via rotation of each Department Head or the Second Officer. On larger stations/ships this may be an individual person and not rotated.
4 Shift Rotation
A 4 shift rotation divides the work day into four six hour watches or shifts that are used to ensure optimal delivery of services and function. During this period personnel will report to their assigned duty station during their scheduled period and are expected to work the entire duration of this watch except for during their scheduled break or meal periods. Some personnel (such as the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, and Department Heads) will have an assigned duty shift; however, these personnel are considered on call to handle any situation that may emerge during any duty shift. Additionally, despite only being assigned to one watch period per day, many Senior Leadership and Department Heads are required to work additional time in other watch periods to handle the administrative function of their role. Many personnel prefer the 4 shift rotation as it provides more personal time for personnel.
| Alpha Watch | Beta Watch | Charlie Watch | Delta Watch (Night Watch) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watch Time | 06:01 – 12:00 | 12:01 – 18:00 | 18:01 – 00:00 | 00:01 – 06:00 |
Watch Breakdown
| Role | Alpha Watch | Beta Watch | Charlie Watch | Delta Watch (Night Watch) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commanding Officer* | Duty: Bridge | Office | Leisure | Sleep |
| Executive Officer* | Office | Duty: Bridge | Leisure | Sleep |
| Second Officer* | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge | Office |
| Night Watch Duty Officer** | Office | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge |
| Chief Counseling Officer | Duty: Sickbay | Office | Leisure | Sleep |
| Chief Engineering Officer | Duty: Engineering | Office | Leisure | Sleep |
| Chief Flight Control Officer | Duty: Bridge | Office | Leisure | Sleep |
| Chief Medical Officer | Duty: Sickbay | Office | Leisure | Sleep |
| Chief Operations Officer | Duty: Bridge | Office | Leisure | Sleep |
| Chief Science Officer | Duty: Bridge | Office | Leisure | Sleep |
| Chief Security/Tactical Officer | Duty: Bridge | Office | Leisure | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Counseling Officer | Office | Duty: Sickbay | Leisure | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Engineering Officer | Office | Duty: Engineering | Leisure | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Flight Control Officer | Office | Duty: Bridge | Leisure | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Medical Officer | Office | Duty: Sickbay | Leisure | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Operations Officer | Office | Duty: Bridge | Leisure | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Science Officer | Office | Duty: Bridge | Leisure | Sleep |
| Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer | Office | Duty: Bridge | Leisure | Sleep |
| Deputy Chief Counseling Officer | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Sickbay | Office |
| Deputy Chief Engineering Officer | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Engineering | Office |
| Deputy Chief Flight Control Officer | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge | Office |
| Deputy Chief Medical Officer | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Sickbay | Office |
| Deputy Chief Operations Officer | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge | Office |
| Deputy Chief Science Officer | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge | Office |
| Deputy Chief Security/Tactical Officer | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge | Office |
| Night Watch Counseling Officer | Office | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Sickbay |
| Night Watch Engineering Officer | Office | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Engineering |
| Night Watch Flight Control Officer | Office | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge |
| Night Watch Medical Officer | Office | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Sickbay |
| Night Watch Operations Officer | Office | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge |
| Night Watch Science Officer | Office | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge |
| Night Watch Security/Tactical Officer | Office | Leisure | Sleep | Duty: Bridge |
* – The Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, and Second Officer are on call during all duty shifts.
** – The Night Watch Duty Officer is selected via rotation of each Department Head. On larger stations/ships this may be an individual person and not rotated.