The Fleet Chain of Command is the basic structure of the TIE Corps. In all instances where a pilot has a routine question or a problem, that question should first be addressed to their immediate superior officer, regardless of where in the chain of command you are. In order to understand how Fleet Standing Orders works, the Chain of Command MUST be completely understood. TIE Corps Command Structure looks like this:

The only exception to this procedure is that Flight Members may bypass their Flight Leaders and go direct to Squadron Commanders with a routine question. It should be noted that the Chain of Command only applies to routine communications; that is, general questions of a procedural or personnel nature.

The Chain of Command is set up for a good reason. If you bypass it, the people directly above you will not know about your problems or questions and will not be able to help you when the person you went to questions them about your problem.

There are exceptional circumstances when it is considered proper to bypass the Chain of Command:

1.  When the problem is about your direct superior officer.
If, for example, you have a problem with your Squadron Commander, you should speak to your Wing Commander about it. In all cases like this, you should go to the direct superior of the person with whom you have a problem.

2.  Where cheating is concerned.
Squadron Commanders are authorized to contact the Fleet Tactical Officer immediately upon notification or discovery of a pilot editing or in other ways falsifying pilot files or scores. Wing Commanders and Commodores should be cc'd on the message to the TAC. The TAC will inform the Flight Officer only when there is considered sufficient evidence to suspend the accused pilot pending a Security Office investigation.

3.  Where the question cannot be answered by your direct superior officer.
If, for example, a Wing Commander wants to find out when one of his CMDRs was last promoted, then he should ask the Flight Officer.

The basic rule is that all questions should first be addressed to your direct superior wherever possible.  This way, Flag Officers are not kept busy answering emails that could have been best dealt with at Squadron or Wing level, and your Commanding Officers will get a better feel for what kind of problems you are experiencing, and will therefore be better equipped to prevent such problems from occurring in the future.

Learn YOUR place in the Chain of Command. Learn who stands above you - you report to them.  Learn who stands below you - you are responsible for their well-being.