STARFLEET CHIEF OF STAFF
The Starfleet Chief of Staff is the senior most officer of the Earth Starfleet and the authority to which Starfleet division chiefs report. The position was created in June 2145; the first Starfleet Chief of Staff was Rear Admiral Thomas Nelson, promoted as the first Starfleet Vice Admiral, who had formerly served as the first Chief of Starfleet Operations. The Chief of Staff also serves as Chairman of the Starfleet Command Council.
STARFLEET COMMAND COUNCIL
The Starfleet Command Council is a senior body of Starfleet flag officers who consult to issue Starfleet wide policies and directives. Decisions of the Command Council are generally decided by vote; however, the Chairman of the Council may override any motion with an absolute veto power. The current Starfleet Command council is comprised of seven members: the Starfleet Chief of Staff as Council Chairman, the Chief of Operations as Vice Chairman, and five rotating flag officers who serve as voting members. Rotations to the Command Council are normally two years in length.
COMMAND COUNCIL HISTORY
The Starfleet Command Council was established in March 2143. Originally, the Chief of Starfleet Operations served as Chairman of the Command Council while the remaining Starfleet flag officers comprised the council members. This was changed in June 2145 with the creation of the office of Starfleet Chief of Staff, after which the Chief of Staff served as Chairman with the Chief of Operations as Vice Chairman. The original council comprised ten voting members; this was changed in 2148 to seven members in order to reduce the chance of tie votes.