The Big Test

The Big Test is an unofficial test for command suitability given by Admiral Stahl. The test consists of Admiral Stahl placing a midshipman that had been pre-selected to spend their final year of initial officer training on board his ship (either the USS Devastator or USS Dominator.)

On average the period the midshipman is Acting Captain of one of the most famous ships of the United Stars Navy is 5 weeks, but overall the time period has lasted between two and eight weeks.

As a part of the test, the Acting Captain will encounter situations that someone who has gone through all the steps in becoming a Captain is expected to deal with. Most of those situations are planned as a part of the test such as unavailability of certain supplies, insubordination, interaction with other officers both above and below their acting rank, initiative within the confines of vague orders. The test also includes dealing with the unexpected such as combat,  or situations where combat is only one of the alternatives etc.

Those that pass the Big Test with Outstanding grades are not only expected to eventually get their own command - likely much earlier than most others in their midshipmen graduating class, but are likely to find themselves in command of one of the elite ships of the Union Navy. The rest that pass the Big Test are also likely to eventually command Capital Ships, but would not receive Admiral Shahl's endorsement to be a captain of one of the elite ships.

Those that barely fail the Big Test might eventually receive a command, but the journey they would have to undergo to reach command is a lot tougher than what those who didn't get the opportunity to take the Big Test would have to achieve.

A gross failure of the Big Test will limit the promotion opportunities of the testee for the rest of their carrier - if not bring it to an immediate end.