Starfleet Uniform Code

[Six of Twelve]

Watching the TNG episode, Ensign Ro, tonight, Riker makes Ro take off her Bajoran earring the moment she beams aboard, telling her she will follow Starfleet Uniform Code while aboard Enterprise.

I figure that Riker is just giving her a hard time because he doesn't like her. After all, Worf is allowed to wear his baldric, which certainly isn't standard Starfleet issue, because it's part of his culture. Certainly a Bajoran earring meets that cultural standard as well.

On DS9, Nog is allowed to wear one of those back of the head shades that a lot of Ferengi wear, in a color that matches his uniform. Again, not standard issue,

And Speaking of earrings, Uhura wore those huge dangly earrings on TOS, and no one gave her any grief.

So, I think Riker was full it here and just wanted to give her a bad time.

Can anyone think of other characters who wore non standard items with their uniforms?

 

[Tosk]

Tuvok also makes a Bajoran crewmmember remove their earring, so it's not just Riker being a hard-ass. For some reason Worf's baldric is okay, earrings are not. (Except during the TOS era.)

Tuvok also forbids a "festive" headband and a necklace.

 

[Tracy Trek]

I thought Riker was being a total ass in that instance because, like you said, Worf was allowed his sash.

One of Chakotay's crew Mariah Henley was wearing a red headband which Tuvok made her remove because it was against the dress code.

 

[willg]

Did Kira keep the earring when she started wearing a Starfleet uniform late in DS9?

 

[retroenzo]

Well you've got the example of Deanna Troi too. She was out of uniform for five and a half years before Jellico eventually forced her into regulation uniform.

It's an interesting one though. What would Starfleet officers of 'tomorrow' do with the cultural/religious dressings of today? I'd be fascinated to see what Starfleet would make of Sikh turbans, or Muslim hijabs...

 

[fireproof78]

Tuvok also makes a Bajoran crewmmember remove their earring, so it's not just Riker being a hard-ass. For some reason Worf's baldric is okay, earrings are not. (Except during the TOS era.)

Tuvok also forbids a "festive" headband and a necklace.

I still think its an example of being a "hard-ass" both by Tuvok and Riker. Worf's baldric, Nog's earband, Scotty's kilt, among others, are example of cultural variation that I would expect. Even one of the Star Trek fan productions (Star Trek: Phase 2, I believe) had an alternate timeline where a Klingon bridge officer had a baldric in the TOS era.

Apparently Klingons are very persuasive in their dress code requirements.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I still think its an example of being a "hard-ass" both by Tuvok and Riker.

Exactly. And in both cases it's absolutely justified.

Tuvok did it because those Maquis crewmembers needed some extra discipline imposed on them.

Riker also felt the need to put Ro in her place, because she was an insufferable, arrogant jackass (who also happened to have gotten 8 people killed).

 

[fireproof78]

Exactly. And in both cases it's absolutely justified.

Tuvok did it because those Maquis crewmembers needed some extra discipline imposed on them.

Riker also felt the need to put Ro in her place, because she was an insufferable, arrogant jackass (who also happened to have gotten 8 people killed).

Which doesn't explain the inconsistent application in regards to Worf's baldric.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Worf's a suck up

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Worf can be allowed to wear the baldric, because 1) he's a senior officer, and 2) isn't subject to any special discipline like those others were.

The Maquis cadets, and Ro, deserved to be restricted in the manner that they were, because it was part of their "punishment". Worf wasn't being punished for anything, therefore he can wear what he wants.

 

[Nerys Myk]

1) he's a senior officer,

Wasn't he a Lt jg in the first season?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ True, but that in itself was a more senior rank than any of the other characters we're discussing. Ro was only an ensign*, and I don't think any of those Maquis types (not the ones Tuvok took charge of, anyway) were even officers.

And as I said, Riker wasn't hard on Ro simply because he didn't like her. He was hard on her because she deserved it. She was a rude, obnoxious, convicted felon, and had no respect for the chain of command.

I mean, come on, look how Ro acted the moment she beamed aboard. You just don't talk to senior officers like that. Ro needed to be taken down a peg or two right from the get-go.

If any of these people want the privilege of wearing those special uniform bits, they have to earn it.

* and yes I am aware of Nog. But as soon as Nog began his Starfleet career, he knew his place as a cadet. He acted like a cadet should act towards his superiors - he showed proper respect and deference. That probably impressed Sisko enough that it earned Nog the right to wear the headscarf.

 

[Lance]

As usual, Starfleet's talk about cultural respect and future humans being above such things as pettiness are proven to be complete hooey.

Riker is being a hardass, yes. But he's also being a jackass.

Either that or the uniform code discriminates.

I find it hard to believe 'enlightened' 24th century types would really look at the future equivalents of the hijab and say, "Not in OUR service, matey."

 

[fireproof78]

^ True, but that in itself was a more senior rank than any of the other characters we're discussing. Ro was only an ensign*, and I don't think any of those Maquis types (not the ones Tuvok took charge of, anyway) were even officers.

And as I said, Riker wasn't hard on Ro simply because he didn't like her. He was hard on her because she deserved it. She was a rude, obnoxious, convicted felon, and had no respect for the chain of command.

I mean, come on, look how Ro acted the moment she beamed aboard. You just don't talk to senior officers like that. Ro needed to be taken down a peg or two right from the get-go.

If any of these people want the privilege of wearing those special uniform bits, they have to earn it.

* and yes I am aware of Nog. But as soon as Nog began his Starfleet career, he knew his place as a cadet. He acted like a cadet should act towards his superiors - he showed proper respect and deference. That probably impressed Sisko enough that it earned Nog the right to wear the headscarf.

While I can agree with your points, in the episode, it feels rather nitpicky by Riker and Tuvok.

It's just an odd way to approach it. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing something along the lines of what my uncle encountered in the Army, with individuals finding ways to express themselves, if under the radar a bit, like his NCO instructor who wore rainbow suspenders under his camouflage BDUs.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Riker is being a hardass, yes. But he's also being a jackass.

He is being a hardass, true, but since he is a senior officer, he's entitled to be.

And like I just said, he's only doing this to Ro because she deserves it. If it had been any other Bajoran, Riker would have let them wear the earring. Ro hasn't earned the right to wear it, because she committed serious crimes (getting 8 of her crewmates killed) and clearly has a problem with the chain of command. Given this, why should she be allowed to wear the earring? How has she earned that privilege?

Same goes for Tuvok. He treats those Maquis cadets especially harsh, because that's part of their discipline and punishment. He wouldn't do that for ALL of the crew, just them. Because, just like Ro, they deserve it.

 

[Takeru]

The Maquis cadets, and Ro, deserved to be restricted in the manner that they were, because it was part of their "punishment".

I agree with Ro deserving it, disagree about the Maquis. The Maquis crewmembers weren't Starfleet, they were pretty much drafted against their will and depending on wether there's a draft in the 24th century federation or not they could have been well within their rights to tell Tuvok to suck it when it came to the dress code especially with Neelix and Kes serving aboard the ship wearing whatever they want. So it's obvious Janeway doesn't have a problem with civilians serving on the ship, she even lets them sit in on senior staff meetings.
If Tuvok had given me shit about my earring I would have shown up in one of Neelix's ensembles for my next shift, I would have liked to see Tuvok's reaction to that.

"Neelix isn't a part of starfleet, Mr. Takeru"
"Neither am I, Lieutenant"
"You were given a field commission to ..."
"I'm resigning my commission and being a crewman or a civilan doesn't make much of a difference when it comes to the command structure of the ship, right?"
" ... right ..."

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

The Maquis crewmembers weren't Starfleet, they were pretty much drafted against their will and depending on wether there's a draft in the 24th century federation or not they could have been well within their rights to tell Tuvok to suck it when it came to the dress code

No, not really, since even Chakotay was in favor of the Maquis integrating with the crew. He even threatened to toss two of them in the brig for mutiny. If Chakotay says the Maquis are to join the crew, then they damn well better do it. And Chakotay let Tuvok discipline those "Learning Curve" types any way he chose, so that gives Tuvok the right.

 

[cultcross]

The implication of the episode was that exceptions to uniform code have to be earned, and are a privilege not a right.

From the perspective of a paramilitary organisation being portrayed in the 80s, there was nothing remarkable about that. To modern civilian eyes where religious sensitivity is more at the forefront, it appears somewhat more problematic - after all, the Bajorans earring is implied to be at least partly religious in nature while Worfs baldric is not. It doesn't fit with the trend towards greater freedom in religious dress in uninformed services we see today. For example, this month, Police Scotland changed its uniform code to allow the hijab.

 

[Retu]

I think Worf's baldric, Ro's earring etc. fall into one of those things that are left for the CO's disretion. Royal Navy does the same with beards. And even then the CO can order people to shave off their beard if all they can grow is a stubble.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I suspect Riker clamped down on Ro due to her disgracing of the uniform, to show that she'd be kept on a short leash whilst onboard. Either that or he was just being a dick.