With a long history and many people coming to SFC over the decades, there can often be a lot of curiosity for members – both old and new – about various subjects. From questions about our base structure, how to get four pips, how Q2 and Q1 diverged many moons ago…. even questions on the curse of the Daring. Sometimes we have questions where the answers are as mundane as the question. One of the most common…. what is my serial number and why do I have it?
Like any account number in the known universe – whether it’s your broadband provider or local Blockbusters – your service ID is a unique membership number that helps us identify each member whether we’re updating a record or assessing a Fleet Support application form.
With our structure and organisational systems based on Starfleet, SFC has always issued a ‘service ID’ for every member. Even if we’re not assigning you to a far away outpost to find out why cat eating seashell’s are causing subspace rifts, membership account numbers have always been a logical part of any club or organisation. Ours being called a Service ID just fits with the theme.
Upon processing a new member, a Service ID is generated while we create a membership record for you. This ID is then used as a reference for every promotion, certification, communication and administrative process we have.
Format for the ID has varied over the years. For a long while it was all based on Kirk’s service number seen in TOS episode Court Martial: SC937-0176CEC. Replicating the SC, which conveniently fits into Starfleet Command, our format would contain a series of numbers followed by a three letter assignment pin. Just as the Star Trek productions would switch up the number format, we would too.
While it’s changed over time, the formats remained roughly the same through several variations of our membership services. For most of the 2000’s the numerical portion would be split between regions and admin processing identifiers. In 2021 the current format was introduced splitting the serial generation into three segments to help identify a member by the year they were processed, and by whom for future reference.
As an example, someone joining this year may receive the service ID SC-795899-DVN. Which would break down as:
- SC: Easy Starfleet Command shorthand.
- 79: Corresponds to Stardate (2025/2402 becomes 79000)
- 58: Generated with basic telephone keypad lettering for JT.
- 99: Ascending from 01; 99 would be the 99th person processed that year.
- DVN: Unit identifier (DVN for Devonport)
When checking for membership information, we can see the year that person joined, who processed their membership and what unit they are or were assigned to. Members of the Administration would typically receive the Unit Identifier SSC or SSCO for former commanding officers. Returning members have the option of being assigned anew Service ID or retaining their old one if they still have a record.
Of course, there is the fun of having a link to Starfleet, especially with Service ID’s getting more prominence on screen in recent years thanks to productions showing us props such as Picard and Georgious’s insignia backings as well as service records shown in Strange New Worlds. But for all the wonder of what the Service ID may be, or why it’s used for, there is a logic beyond immersion to make sure all your achievements and time in SCF is all handled under your own unique reference!
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