Even without an amendment though, Garos IV votes in favor of this act.

For this reason I have included provisions to prevent these individuals befalling an injustice which might result in their undergoing hardship. Hence worlds have the option of continuing to employ these Individuals if they wish, but so that their overall effectiveness is not reduced thanks to the inclusion of well trained aides or transfer to a part of the military which doesnt require the course.

Also, will failed officers be entitled to retake the course after a specified period of time, or will he simply have to accept his one failure as the bane of his career? For personally, I believe that an examination should not be the only thing standing between a naturally competent officer, and his duties.
I will withhold voting until my queries have been addressed.

I vote in favor.

I believe that as with any other academic institution, so long as the funding is available, the institution willing, and the individual willing, that they could retake the course if neccessary. Also, to alay your concerns a single examination would not determine failiure (unless on medical grounds), but a progressive system with a grade average over multiple examinations would determine success or failiure in the course.

Also it should be noted that if the officer fails and is unable to retake the course there are other options made available in order to assure they are not left without employment such as the attachment of an Imperial Aide to them or their transfer to a position where the course is not required.

For example, if an officer showed little aptitude for military tactics, or was found to be incompetant in a battle situation in the exams and so failed, there is nothing to prevent him from pursuing his career as an Administration officer, which may indeed be better suited to his talents than being a command officer.

We are all sent here for two major purposes, to represent the people of our planets and to work to strengthen the Empire. And so now, I put the question to you senator how does continuing to take the rights from planets strengthen the Empire or represent the populace of the world?

Now I will grant you that being a part of the Empire does entail some compromises, that in exchange for the security of worlds we must give up a few freedoms and liberties, but there is a point where it goes to far Senator. Where we must say hither to and no further. Your bills have pushed that line, leaping across it as if it were a great chasm when in truth it was the finest of lines. Instead you take the right to self determine from planets. The sacred right of EVERY world to determine its own fate, to set its own laws and prepare its own defenses. If they fail in one spot then it is a failure of a planet that had made a mistake and will, hopefully, look to correcting the problems where they may lay, and if they do not then it is up to the people of that world to take the responsibility to either change what has failed, put new leadership up that will change it, or to live with the consequences. It is not YOUR role to tell these planetary governments how they should be run, but rather these planetary governments that should be telling US how THEY want to be represented.

We are a part of the Empire, yes, and our loyalty must be to support it in every way we can, to help it grow and become stronger, but we can not abandon thinking and acting for ourselves. The Empire, is made stronger when we blaze our own paths of security and not when they have to baby sit worlds. We pay our taxes, send men and women to fight alongside theirs, and do what is asked of us by the empire so that it can be strong enough to deal with the threats individual planets can not.

It is YOUR policies which weaken the Empire, Senator. It is YOUR policies which continue to push the line until planets can no longer choose their own destinies.

So where will it stop senator? When you tell local planets they can no longer choose who is capable of leading their own militias? When you tell planets who can no longer be in charge of their government? Where does it stop Senator Oriel? Where is the line drawn for you?

And I know what you will try to say to dismiss my arguements here that I endanger worlds with this, but the truth is I am trying to protect worlds from YOU. And if it isn't perfectly clear I am voting against this piece of legislation."

That being said, I will make it clear, however, that I am not overly opposed to the idea of examining existing officers, if only to keep their minds keen and address any areas of concern. I do not, however, think the answer is to demote and humiliate the officers that have adequately and uncompromisingly defended this Empire since its birth based on legislation put forth by those of us without military or naval minds. I would hardly expect an Admiral to come in here and begin telling us how we should screen and select our Senators.
Perhaps, with a few revisions made, we could both compromise on this matter?

I propose the following:

-That officers failing one or more areas are put under review of their practical application in the field, rather than demoted outright or placed under care of an advisor.
-That officers taking the test be allowed to determine the date of the test at any time within 3 months of completing the course, so as to present their best work rather than be caught unawares or be subjected to examination during stressful periods.
-That officers failing the examination be provided a re-sit, with their final assessment being drawn from both sets of results.
- That officers failing even after a resit be put through re-training, before re-assessment of their capabilities for the job in question.
- Alternatively, failing officers be offered an alternative role more befitting their strengths, if re-training is not desired.

Please take a deep breath and calm yourself. You appear to, once again, have got all hot and bothered over a relatively minor issue. This is a motion to ensure all officers are well trained and equipped to participate in joint operations with the Empire, if required. It does not exclude anyone from service, and includes specific measures for those unable to pass the relavent tests.

Allow me to quote you Senator Star "When they are forced to bow down to every whim of a senator"... I believe this may be a trace of resentment and upset after twice leading the opposition to pieces of my legislation in the past. May I remind the Senator from Volus that when the Senate gives its support to a motion, it is called democracy. When the Senate refuses a repeal by a supermajority, it is also called Democracy.

My policies do not weaken the Empire, and evidently, by the passage of my legislation, a majority of worlds agree with me.

To answer your questions.
The Empire has a perfect right to dictate whom may command its own Auxilliaries (planetary forces). Allow me to quote the Capital Ships Act, recently passed by a majority of worlds "8. Planetary forces will be considered to be an auxilliary to the Imperial Navy and Sector Fleets, they may be commanded and mobilised by an Imperial Officer of appropriate rank (0-3, with the signed orders of an officer ranking at least 0-7). "

It is perfectly reasonable to dictate that senior Auxilliary officers must be educated to a certain level. It is perfectly reasonable that they should be trained for the rigours of cooperation with the Imperial Military.

I would also remind Senator Star, that to an extent we do instruct worlds whom it is appropriate to have rule them. For example noone who is a member of a proscribed organisation (such as the Jedi Order) would be considered eligible by the Empire to hold a planetary rulership, or someone convicted of a felony.

I see no reason to draw "a line" between the Empire and Individual Worlds, we are one Empire, united in security and stability. Why do you wish to draw "lines" between the Empire and its worlds? Can we not just be one, in the secure embrace of the Empire.

Added (15 Nov 2010, 5:59 PM)
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Senator Lohden. To answer your points. This is not a motion relating to the Imperial Navy, its methods or personnel. This is a motion concerning only the training of local militia forces in Imperial Methods and Ideology, to assure their suitability to hold office in the Emperor's Auxilliary Forces. The Imperial Navy itself has its own, excellent training methods, as do all the other branches of the Imperial Military. I simply am proposing that we extend these high standards into the forces of Individual worlds, since forces from each world may be required to cooperate with the Imperial Military in joint operations.

I'd like to see some compromise here, as too often we've been coming up against permacrete walls where your bills are concerned, Senator Oriel. That some provisions be made for the failing officers, such as alternatives to examination, or offers to re-sit or relocate be made, rather than outcomes being forced upon them.