Bridge Officer Test | To: LCDR Sedai, LCDR Verlin

[Caspius_]

Stardate 94670.8 Security Level 1: Open TO LCDR Sedai, LCDR Verlin CC -- FROM CMDR Caspius SUBJ. Bridge Officer Test

Lieutenant Commanders Sedai and Verlin,

This communication is to follow-up on our previous discussions about the Bridge Officer Test. Given the recent action involving the 38th Fleet, and the subsequent leave time arranged en masse for our personnel, I felt it prudent to delay scheduling your Tests until normal operations had resumed. Now that operations are once again proceeding apace, we should proceed with your examinations.

I include below the standard explanation of the Bridge Officer Test format and procedure:

Bridge Officer Examinations are customarily administered by the executive officer at a post. Consequently, I will be administering your examination.

The Bridge Officer Examination contains several stages which are categorised into three basic components:
- a written component;
- an oral component; and,
- a final, simulator-based component.

For the sake of absolute clarity, I observe that these components are not tailored to your specialised knowledge or current field of service. Instead, they are designed to test broad understanding of command-level information, tactics, and emergency options. Hence, the components will not be designed to test your knowledge of counseling (for LCDR Sedai) or astrophysics (for LCDR Verlin). They will, instead, seek to test your knowledge of starbase and starship operations in both routine and crisis situations.

Each of the three components above includes several steps, through which you may progress by passing each individual step. When all of the steps in a component are passed, then the component itself is considered passed, at which point you may progress to the next component. If you pass all three components in the aforesaid manner, then you will be ajudged to have passed the entirety of the examination.

Failure to pass a step does not automatically result in failure of the examination. Instead, I may continue to offer you the same step (or a variant thereof where necessary) until such time as you demonstrate the skills expected. However, you or I may also at any time determine that your failure to pass a stage of the examination is indicative of a lack of readiness to take the examination. At such a point, you will be considered to have failed the examination, and must then wait six months before you may apply to retake it. There is no limit on the number of times that you may take the examination.

Prior to scheduling the first portions of the written component, we should meet to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. I will also provide you with a list of sample questions at that time. Feel free to contact me via communicator when you are off-duty, or respond to this communique with an appointment request for a specific day and time.

//SIGNED//
Commander Caspius
Executive Officer, Deep Space 13

[Katriel]

TO CMDR Caspius FROM LCDR Sedai SUBJ Re: Bridge Officer Test

Good evening, Commander.

My abject apologies, sir, but I am afraid I must inquire about something a bit awkward. I do not recall scheduling or explicitly agreeing to proceed with undertaking these tests?


//SIGNED//
LCDR Sedai, Katriel

[Caspius_]

Stardate 94670.9 Security Level 1: Open TO LCDR Sedai CC -- FROM CMDR Caspius SUBJ. Bridge Officer Test

Lieutenant Commander Sedai,

If I recall correctly, we discussed the matter together in the conference room several months ago. You may recall that at the time we discussed a number of other topics as well; but pertinent to this communique is that I do recall you agreeing to consider undertaking the Bridge Officer Test in the near future, commensurate with your increased responsibilities as Department Chief and, most importantly perhaps, for the good of the service.

Because I have had a similar conversation with other officers, the amount of time that has elapsed, and the fact that we discussed the matter in person rather than via documentation, the exact details of our discussion elude me. However, as I mention above, my understanding was that you were preparing to take the test, and I have been planning accordingly.

If you no longer wish to take the test, I should be happy to discuss that choice with you in person in the near future. However, your test has already been prepared, so you may wish to take it if only to have the results. After all, if you had not intended to take it, even if you should fail you would be no worse off for the effort, except for the time invested. And, of course, having an objective and comprehensive appraisal of your capabilities is probably useful by itself, even without considering anything that may follow from the result of the examination itself.

//SIGNED//
Commander Caspius
Executive Officer, Deep Space 13

[Katriel]

TO CMDR Caspius FROM LCDR Sedai SUBJ Re: Bridge Officer Test

Very well, sir. If you have already gone out of your way, then I suppose it would be better to see what I may learn from the experience. I hope I shall not waste your time.


//SIGNED//
LCDR Sedai, Katriel

[Caspius_]

Stardate 94733.9 Security Level 2: Confidential TO LCDR Sedai CC -- FROM CMDR Caspius SUBJ. Bridge Officer Test

Lieutenant Commander Sedai,

Following your two failed attempts on the Bridge Officer Test, I have not yet received communication from you regarding scheduling further attempts. You should contact me when possible to inform me of a suitable time in the near future to reattempt the holographic portion of the test; or, if you have decided to withdraw your attempt, that too should be communicated as soon as you reach that determination. Barring extenuating circumstances, you must complete your attempts within thirty days of the beginning of the test process.

I add that it is unusual for bridge officer candidates to pass the holographic portion of this test on their first attempt. In addition, I have not determined that you are unlikely to pass the test, and you may continue to take the test until:
- You pass;
- You withdraw; or,
- I determine that you are unlikely to pass, or to do so in a way which demonstrates grasp of the necessary skills under examination.
In the latter two cases, you must wait 180 earth days before reattempting the Bridge Officer Test.

//SIGNED//
Commander Caspius
Executive Officer, Deep Space 13

[Katriel]

TO CMDR Caspius FROM LCDR Sedai SUBJ Re: Bridge Officer Test

Commander Caspius,

I have elected to withdraw from testing, as I feel that my time at this juncture would be more efficiently spent in actively gaining experience through focusing on my department head responsibilities.

Thank you for investing the time that you have in helping me to identify areas for self-improvement, as I do believe that an intrinsic lack of affinity for one skill or another does not excuse a person from the responsibility of endeavoring to better themselves in the same.

I look forward to undertaking this challenge again at a later date.


//SIGNED//
LCDR Sedai, Katriel

[Caspius_]

Stardate 94736.5 Security Level 2: Confidential TO LCDR Sedai CC -- FROM CMDR Caspius SUBJ. Bridge Officer Test

Counselor Sedai,

Acknowledged. I do understand that the Bridge Officer Test can be daunting, and may test capabilities in unexpected areas. In some cases, it is prudent to delay, in order to acquire additional experience. If you would like, I can suggest several holodeck scenarios which you may find beneficial.

You will be able to retake the Bridge Officer Test beginning on Stardate 95229.7. Please note that your withdrawal from the Bridge Officer Test, and the next availability date noted above, will be noted in your service record.

//SIGNED//
Commander Caspius
Executive Officer, Deep Space 13

[Caspius_]

Stardate 94736.6 Security Level 3: Restricted TO CAPT Thiessen CC -- FROM CMDR Caspius SUBJ. Bridge Officer Test Report: LCDR Sedai

Sir,

I have concluded the administration of the Bridge Officer Test to LCDR K. Sedai. The outcome of the test was Voluntary Withdrawal. Consequently, LCDR Sedai will not be able to retake the Bridge Officer Test until stardate 95229.7. My report follows.

Written Component: Pass (1 attempt)

LCDR Sedai demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge of ship systems, emergency procedures, and operational protocols consistent with what is expected of Starfleet bridge officers.

Oral Component: Pass (1 attempt)

LCDR Sedai demonstrates a satisfactory capability to answer in-depth questions, on a timed basis, about operational situations without recourse to a computer system, reference, or outside assistance, consistent with what is expected of Starfleet bridge officers.

Holographic Component: Fail (2 attempts)

LCDR Sedai's holographic portion tested her ability to make judgements which are contrary to the expectations and advice of her peers; to evaluate options which are not presented by her peers; and to make decisions for the greater good which guarantee the death of her peers. Although LCDR Sedai demonstrated an ability to make command decisions of the utmost gravity, in her two attempts she proved unable to think beyond arteficial parameters introduced into the advice given by her peers.

In this case, a holographic representation of LCDR J. Kermit was programmed to offer LCDR Sedai two options (travel to an irradiated and nearly-destroyed Main Engineering to eject the warp core and containment systems; or, begin immediate evacuation of the station). As noted above, LCDR Sedai did prove herself able to order the holographic representation of LCDR Kermit to his death, which was satisfactory. However, the holographic peer presented these options as a binary choice when, in fact, the situation could only be resolved by performing both at once. LCDR Sedai was not able to perceive the situation in a way other than that constructed (in this case, falsely) by her peers. Consequently, both attempts were failures.

Following her second failure, LCDR Sedai voluntarily withdrew from the Bridge Officer Test. It is my belief that, had she continued, she may have eventually discovered the solution. But, given that the result of the test does bear out my observations about her potential for command, I believe her decision to withdraw is not without merit. With that said, I remain committed to my belief that LCDR Sedai will one day make a satisfactory Bridge Officer.

I attach the complete holographic log, a recording of the oral examination, and the written examination, should you wish to examine the results more closely.

//SIGNED//
Commander Caspius
Executive Officer, Deep Space 13

//ATTACHMENTS//
Bridge Officer Test Results: LCDR Katriel Sedai (Attempt SD 94736)

[xanthestar_]

Security Level 3: Restricted TO CMDR Caspius CC -- FROM CAPT Thiessen SUBJ. Re: Bridge Officer Test Report: LCDR Sedai

Commander,

Thank you for the thorough report.

On review I agree and have absolutely no doubt that with some more time and analysis, LCDR Sedai could absolutely pass the final examination. Thank you very much for handling these proceedings. I'll likely be reaching out to Sedai in passing to see if she'd like to talk about the exam and how she felt regarding how things went.

Appreciate your promptness as always,

//SIGNED//
Captain Tau Thiessen
Commanding Officer, Deep Space 13