Like other departments within the Federation, Starfleet is far too large for any one person to oversee directly, particularly someone with as many additional responsibilities as the Federation President. For the most part, Starfleet's day-to-day operations are conducted by a five-member panel known as the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Each of the five chiefs has his own sphere of authority. The Chief of Fleet Operations oversees fleet deployments, personnel assignments, and so forth. The Chief of Research and Exploration supervises Starfleet's scientific activity, technological investigations, and engineering activities. Starfleet's interplanetary initiatives, from first contact to diplomacy, are organized under the Chief of Interplanetary Affairs. The Chief of Strategic Operations is responsible for the Federation's overall strategic defense, coordinating with Fleet Operations to ensure adequate disposition. Overseeing and coordinating all of Starfleet's operations is the Chief-in-Command of Starfleet.

The Chiefs are chosen from among Starfleet's most capable and experienced officers. Whenever a vacancy exists among the Chiefs, the Federation President chooses a qualified candidate to fill the post. The Federation Council must ratify all appointments. Typically, a Chief is chosen from among Starfleet's most qualified admirals. The Federation's Security Council often requests a briefing from the Joint Chiefs on military matters.

AII Starfleet operations are decided in meetings of the Joint Chiefs. Each office brings its concerns and requirements to the meeting, for discussion. If Strategic Operations believes there is a need for additional starships, the Chief makes his request at a meeting of the Joint Chiefs. There, the other members discuss the relative merits of the request. Starfleet Medical may need a starship to transport a vaccine to a colony, while Exploration requires a ship in the same sector to explore a T Tauri star; the Joint Chiefs together prioritize such requests. Once a decision has been made, the Chief-in-Command enforces the committee's decisions.

Chief in Command: Ramius Easterwood

Chief of Fleet Operations: Jeffery Biedermann

Chief of Research and Exploration: Position Open

Chief of Interplanetary Affairs: Position Open

Chief of Strategic Operations: Position Open