Combat Information Center

The Commanding Officer of a Battlestar must satisfy two requirements: He must be an unrestricted line officer and he must be an aviator. He is at least the rank of Colonel (O-5). The ship’s Commanding Officer (CO), is ultimately responsible for the entire ship and the accomplishment of its assigned mission. Through his XO, the CO runs the ship via its various departments.

The Battlestar battlegroup’s primary mission is power projection to targets anywhere in the Colonies. The central element of the Battlestar’s offensive punch is its embarked air wing . The typical Battlestar air wing normally consists of several squadrons (Depending on Ship Class), each with individual missions, which join the Battlestar while it is deployed.

On any Colonial Defense Force Ship, a Department is a section devoted to one of several major tasks. Most Ships have Operations, Engineering, Deck or Weapons, and Medical Departments. Battlestars, Gunstars, and some large landing vessels (troop ships) have an Aviation wing. This is how it works for BSR-37.

Administration (ADMIN)—the record keepers of the ship and oversees personnel, maintenance, logistics, financial and other records. The Department Head (DH) was a Lieutenant (O-3).
Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Division (AIMD)—provides spares, maintenance facilities and support personnel for the Battlestars Air Wing. The DH was a Major.
Air Department (AIRCOMM)—oversees operations on the flight deck, hangars and air-space near the ship. The DH is known as the "Air Boss" and is a Major; his assistant is called the "Mini Boss" and is usually a Lieutenant.
Command Religious Ministries Department (CRMD)—looks after the crew's spiritual and moral welfare. The DH was a Captain and the Command Chaplin of the ship.
Deck Department (DECK)—handles lines, moorings and a range of other traditional crewmen's duties. The Deck Department is headed by a Major.
Medical Department (MEDICAL)—OiC: Chief Medical Officer (CMO) a Medical Corps MAJOR.
Dental Department (DENTAL)—provides dental services to the crew of the carrier and battle group. The DH was a Dental Corps MAJOR. After the First Cylon War the CDF began to merge Battlestars’ Medical & Dental Dept's into a single "Health Services Dept" under the CMO. This process began aboard the Battlestar Atlantia. This combined HS Dept is still colloquially known as the Medical Dept. And continuing a longtime tradition, the main spaces occupied by the Med Dept is still known as Sickbay.
Engineering Department (CRMD)—responsible for most systems on board the ship from electrical power to sewage treatment. The Chief Engineer (CHENG) is usually a Major. On a Battlestar, the reactors are maintained by the Reactor Department (REACTOR). The head of the Reactor Department is the ship's Reactor Officer (RO) and was a Captain.
Combat Systems Division (CSD)—OiC: Combat System Officer (CSO) a MAJOR.
Legal Department (LEGAL)—OiC: Ship's Legal Officer a JAG Corps Major.
Marine Detachment (MARDET)—OiC: Marine 1st Lieutenant.
Navigation Department (NAV)—OiC: Navigation Officer ('GATOR') a MAJOR.
Operations Department (OPS)—OiC: Operations Officer (OPSO) a MAJOR.
Safety Department (SAFETY)—OiC: Safety Officer (SAFETYO) a MAJOR.
Supply Department (SUPPLY)—OiC: Supply Officer (SUPPO) a Supply Corps MAJOR.
Training Department (TRAINING)—OiC: an LT (O-3).
Weapons Department (WEPS)— OiC: the 'Gunner' or "Gun Boss," a MAJOR. Firing weapons controlled by the Tactical Action Officer (TAO) .