I received several applications today via sub-space. As I read through them, it is becoming readily apparent that a lot of people want to serve on board the USS Galaxy. I will have to examine all of the applications before making my choices.

Received yet more applications for postings on the 'Galaxy. I have made my choice for First officer, a Lt. Commander Carla Gael. She is a Joined Trill, who shows remarkable command abilities. I am hoping to get her assigned here as soon as possible to help me weed through the volumes of applications I am facing. I have also made my choice in a Chief Medical Officer. Doctor Jacqueline Rousseau. She comes highly recommended from the Head of Starfleet Medical. I'm hoping Dr. Rousseau can report for duty this Monday since she is stationed on Earth.

Dr. Rousseau reported for duty this morning. She seems very pleasant and I look forward with working with her. I had her settle into Sickbay and have assigned her the task of staffing the medical personnel. After briefing her on the upgrades to the ship, which include the new medical program "Zimberman", I explained that I intend on enlisting most of the graduating Starfleet cadets from the class of '72. Dr. Rousseau said she'd consider some of the cadets when she puts her staff together. I received word from my new XO, Commander Gael. She has accepted the promotion and is scheduled to report to duty in four days when the USS Excaliber returns to Earth.

I am some what disappointed at the lack of qualified applicants for the counseling department. Most of the applicants are too new and inexperienced to deal with and manage such an important department. I have placed one applicant, a Bajoran named Taryn, Rose. She applied for the Ship's counselor position, but frankly, she doesn't have the experience to head that department. Her credentials were impressive, however, so I offered her a counselor position on the staff. In doing some snooping around Starfleet records, I was very impressed with the service record of a Vulcan officer, Mr. Shivok. From his service record I see he has phenomenal telepathic abilities due to his unique Vulcan / Betazoid heritage. I believe I will prepare the Counselor an offer for the Chief Counselor position and see what happens. G'day.

Mr. Shivok has accepted the Chief Counselor position. I understand he had an offer from Starfleet Intelligence as well, but choose the USS Galaxy instead. I'd like to think it was my magnetic personality that made Mr. Shivok choose, but with his Vulcan heritage, I doubt it. Still, I am very pleased to add such a distinguished member to the crew. I am sure he will be a terrific asset.

I thought Dr. Rousseau was gung-ho, but Mr. Shivok is something else! He has barely gotten here, and already he is reorganizing the Counseling department and has suggested expanding his position to encompass handling the schooling of the children as well. I gave him the go ahead to assemble a teaching staff, and briefed him on the class of graduating cadets that I plan to enlist. He's already making calculations to anticipate class size and personnel requirements. Now I am beginning to understand why Captain Namar said he couldn't remember ever seeing Shivok sleep.

Commander Gael, my new XO, has reported for duty. She seems a little too "starchy" at the moment, but that could be because she wants to make a good impression. Hopefully we can break her in so she's a little more relaxed. I put the Commander in charge of weeding through all of the accumulated applications I have received. Having received word from Starfleet that I can have as many graduates from the Academy as I like, we can now rest assured we will have a full crew when we leave space dock. I have instructed the Commander to narrow down the applications to only the best possible candidates.

Commander Gael presented me with the best candidate for the Chief of Security position. Lieutenant Commander Christopher Mark Shelby. It came in as a priority request, so all it requires is my approval. After reading Christopher's Bio, I signed the request. He should be reporting for duty on Monday.

I look forward to seeing Chris Shelby again. He and I graduated from Starfleet Academy together. He's a fine officer and a good friend. I am only sorry that he hadn't placed his request sooner, or I could have offered him the XO position.

Lt. Commander Shelby reported for duty this morning at 07:00. I briefed him on the current ship status, and have placed him in charge of staffing the Security department.

Today I officially requested that Ensign T'Nevin be assigned to the USS Galaxy. The young officer showed great promise while assigned to the ship during the field testing of Dr. Brahms system modifications, and I feel he will make a fine Science officer.

With most of the key ship positions filled, the USS Galaxy will exit space dock and begin her second tour with light patrol duty in the Alpha quadrant. I still expect to receive a few more personnel transfers, but in the mean time, we will see how well these young Starfleet Ensigns work out.

Dr. Brahms evaluation of the new systems refit is now complete. She says she gained valuable data while on board these last few weeks, and looks forward to analyzing it in preparation for the next generation designs of Starships. She has requested to be returned to Planitia Utopia Fleetyards, so we are in route now.

We arrived at Planitia Utopia Fleetyards, Mars today and transported Dr. Brahms and her remaining equipment to he laboratory there. We need to swing by Earth to transport on board some last minute personnel.

Captain's Log Supplemental:

As we achieved normal planetary orbit around Earth, we got a good view of the new Earth Orbital Station 2. It seemed bustling with activity as it is now on active duty as the final phases of the project are completed. Once we finish transporting the last of the crew and supplies on board, we are scheduled to begin patrolling in the sectors near the Romulan Neutral zone. I have given the coordinates to Ensign Jiron. I expect to depart within the hour.

We are currently on patrol near the Federation Outpost stations near the Romulan Neutral zone. So far it has been a very peaceful assignment. I have the crews running system diagnostics and executing drills. I am hoping that we can use this easy assignment to hone the skills of the young Starfleet graduates and familiarize everyone with the USS Galaxy's new systems.

We've been on patrol in this sector of the Romulan Neutral zone for over a week. So far no signs of any activity, so if anyone is out there watching, they surely must be cloaked. The drills seem to be paying off. The crews response times have dropped drastically since we began the exercises. I believe we have the makings of a fine crew.

While conducting more drills, Ensign T'Nevin detected a faint warp trail signature just on the Romulan side of the Neutral Zone. Further analysis was inconclusive, but it's a fair bet that it was from a cloaked Romulan ship. Someone is out there watching.

Personnel continue to be shuffled around from one department to another as each of my executive staff try to build the best departments they can. We are still receiving requests from officers wishing to be posted to the USS Galaxy. I have reminded my staff that we will still be picking up more crewmen when we return to Sector 1.

We have received orders to head for Starbase 219 to pick up an Andorian ambassador for transport to Earth. W are in route to the Starbase at Warp 5.

We have arrived at Starbase 219. The Andorian Ambassador has transported on board. I have asked Mr. Shivok to see to the Ambassador's needs while on board the USS Galaxy.

Captain's Log Supplemental:

We are in route for Earth, Warp factor 5. I am told we have a few more officers that will be transporting on board when we arrive. I have arranged a formal dinner for the Ambassador and all of my Senior Staff, full dress uniforms. It should be interesting seeing what everyone looks like all dolled up.

We have arrived back at Earth. The Andorian Ambassador transported to the planet about an hour ago. He was very complimentary of Mr. Shivok, a fact I have noted in his personnel records. Starfleet Command has ordered the USS Galaxy to remain in orbit for a few days. It seems some of the top brass want to tour the ship to inspect the new systems. Unfortunately, that means me and my 'mates will have to put on the dress uniforms again.

The dog and pony shows have ended. I think I speak for the all of my 'mates when I say it's good to get the regular duty uniforms back on. We will remain in orbit for the next day to recall those officers that are on shore leave and transport on board the last of the new reassigned officers and their families.

The Ship and crew have shaped up nicely. It is good to be in command of such a fine crew. I look forward to receiving orders and breaking Earth orbit tomorrow.