GENERAL ORDERS

Starfleet’s General Orders are the basic guiding principles by which all Starfleet personnel are governed. Strict adherence to these General Orders is required. Failure to do so can result in serious consequences for the individual, Starfleet, and the United Federation of Planets.

Six General Orders were established when Starfleet was originally organized. Over time, another 19 were added. The increasing number of General Orders became unwieldy and excessively restrictive. A Blue Ribbon Panel of the Military Staff Committee was established to rewrite and consolidate these 25 General Orders into a more concise and comprehensive set of directives.

The following 10 General Orders were adopted in 2301. Any further modifications require approval by the Federation Council.

GENERAL ORDER #1

Starfleet personnel will not interfere with the cultural, social, scientific, or historical development of any sentient ethnic group which may be unaware of the existence of the United Federation of Planets. Such interference includes introducing superior knowledge or technology to that sentient ethnic group, informing that sentient ethnic group that worlds or life forms other than their own exists outside the confines of their own space, or any other action which would alter the normal development of that sentient ethnic group. This General Order supersedes all other General Orders and considerations except under those conditions specified in General Order #7.

GENERAL ORDER #2

Starfleet personnel will not use unnecessary force against any member of a sentient ethnic group nor deprive a member of a sentient ethnic group of life, liberty, or possessions except as directed by competent authority.

GENERAL ORDER #3

Starfleet personnel shall observe any and all statutes, laws, ordinances, rules of governance, and social customs in effect within the jurisdiction of any independent planetary system or government,. Any violation will be dealt with in accordance with local laws and customs. The senior Starfleet representative is required to extradite any person over whom jurisdiction is held upon the application of an authorized civilian official.

GENERAL ORDER #4

The commander of a Starfleet unit will immediately respond to any distress signal issued by a vessel, a planet, a planetary system, or any other competent government official, regardless of the political status of that vessel, planet, planetary system, or government with respect to the United Federation of Planets. For the purpose of this General Order, the provisions of General Order #1 are superseded.

GENERAL ORDER #5

Starship commanders are to consider their crew= s lives as sacred and will place the crew= s lives and well-being above the ship= s safety except under those conditions specified in General Order #1.

GENERAL ORDER 6

Starfleet personnel will employ any means necessary to prevent the possession, transportation, sale, or exchange of sentient beings against their wishes within the boundaries of Federation space.

GENERAL ORDER #7

Starfleet personnel will take any and all actions necessary to prevent the extinction of a sentient ethnic group when that extinction is due to circumstances beyond the control and/or knowledge of the sentient ethnic group. For the purpose of this General Order, the provisions of General Order #1 are superseded.

GENERAL ORDER #8

When verifiable proof is presented to the commander of any Starfleet unit that a Federation is violating, or has violated General Order #1, that officer will immediately take custody of and confine the individual pending an investigation by an appropriate governmental entity.

GENERAL ORDER #9

No Starfleet personnel will violate Neutral Zone boundaries or the territorial integrity of independent planetary systems or governments unless so ordered by competent authority.

GENERAL ORDER #10