Starfleet, Squadron Names and Callsigns?

[Robbert Raets]

What do you think? Do Starfleet pilots pick their own callsigns and squadron names?

I remember the name 'Rigellian Roughnecks' being used on the boards, any other ideas? Mottos?

[Dan Gurden]

Well, as a totally non canon element, and based on user preference, I think that this too is going to be user preference.

However, theres a single precident in DS9 that might give a clue should you need an official nod for an unofficial usage.

when DS9 started crashing Runabouts, there was a line of Dialogue where Sisko was noting that a new Runabout was being assigned and he had name it (I believe it was the Shenandoah, but not 100% on that), if this is the case then the CO would probably be tasked with naming individual ships, and may well simply pass on the name from the pilot.

As for naming of squadrons, all you have is Real-Life designations to go on, where the squadron is assigned a designation 633 Squadron, etc, as an official designatoin, and a pseudo official 'nickname'... Which should be earned or made up...

[qerlin]

I go with official ship names, squadron names, task forces, etc are given their names from the echelons above god...personal callsigns, ship nicknames, etc. would be either chosen by the person or the CO...or just kinda happen.

[Robbert Raets]

Another good question is, how did callsigns 'come to life', in other words, why are they used/what's the point? Are callsigns easier to track then plane numbers?

[Dan Gurden]

I always assumed it was the difference bew=tween remembreing your password as assuned or one you change it too. Unofficially of course;

For example; having a Password of cx23xj and changing it to your girlfriends name. Which is easier to remember?

[Ineti]

I think it's a personal narrator preference. I don't see Starfleet as militant as others, so I wouldn't use callsigns or squadron names in my campaign.

On a related note, how do callsigns come to be in the modern service? Is there a process in place that prevents duplication of callsigns? I have little experience in this outside of Top Gun, but I would think there would be a lot of duplicated callsigns.

[Dukeroyal]

Originally posted by Ineti
I think it's a personal narrator preference. I don't see Starfleet as militant as others, so I wouldn't use callsigns or squadron names in my campaign.

On a related note, how do callsigns come to be in the modern service? Is there a process in place that prevents duplication of callsigns? I have little experience in this outside of Top Gun, but I would think there would be a lot of duplicated callsigns.

I see Starfleet as a more of a military force. Exploration of unknown space would definitely be part of the mission but defense of the Federation would be the primary task for Starfleet.

I'm not sure how callsigns and squadron names are created but I would be interested to know as well.

[Dan Gurden]

I am with Ineti... Not relevant to my Trek experience, but the subject matter DOES interest me... Any of the airforce types care to fill us in on the blanks with a history lesson???

[Sarge]

I've spent my whole career in airlift wings, where callsigns are something we hear rumours about when we visit bases with combat units. But, last year I read a book by a Gulf War F-16 pilot who described how callsigns are chosen.

Nobody gets to pick their own callsign. The pilots meet (usually in a bar) and everyone is encouraged to suggest callsigns for everyone else. Then, the most junior-ranking pilots in the wing choose everyone's callsigns. Simple, huh?

Dan Gurden, you make an interesting point about computer passwords. Recently, our computer section installed software to prevent us from choosing things like names for our passwords. We have to use a mix of capital and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols, and the computer won't allow us to use any combination of letters that its dictionary recognizes as a word or name. All this is to prevent a hacker from logging on and breaking in by guessing that the password is your girlfriend's name.

As for squadron names and numbers, I usually just consult my bookshelf of military aviation history, decide which units have a tradition that Starfleet would choose to continue, and voila! For instance, one of the premiere frontline fighter squadrons might be descended from the first American squadron to see combat in WW1, the 94th "Hat in Ring" Squadron (currently flying F-15s out of Langley AFB, btw). For a highly skilled elite unit of "bombers" or attack ships, I'd choose 617 Squadron, the RAF's "Dambusters". I usually find it more satisfying to continue actual historic traditions than it is to try to invent my own.

[Antonsb214]

Most pilots have a "handle", a nickname used in the unit. Callsigns are usually used on radios so the unit doesn't tell the enemy who is flying in the AO. So a pilot might have the handle "Maverick" and the callsign "Ghostrider". Handles come from many sources, the pilots name (David Merit= D. Merit= Demerit), a prominent physical feature (a 6'2" pilot= "Too Tall"), etc. Handles are given at meetings of the squadron, the veteran pilots name the newbies. Callsigns are mainly used to maintain security and not broadcast who or what unit is flying to deny the enemy useful intelligence (if the enemy knows a certain squadron is flying in their AO, they might know which carrier it flew from and then they might know the capabilities of the carrier's battle group and then be able to gauge what the fleet's capabilities are and help them in planning their attack). Hope this babbling is useful.