CAPTAIN: I need phasers, now!
ENGINEER: They're broke.
CAPTAIN: Fix them.
ENGINEER: Don't know how. They didn't teach us that at the Academy.
Starfleet is a Space Navy (military fleet)
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ENGINEER: They're broke.
CAPTAIN: Fix them.
ENGINEER: Don't know how. They didn't teach us that at the Academy.
Precisely. Starfleet has had many working definitions, from writers to producers, etc, that it evolves to suit the needs of the story. Starfleet was a military when Kirk was a soldier, and it wasn't one when GR decided that he didn't want it to be a military any more. Nicholas Meyer decided it was more naval, while TNG gave us a more pacifist tone.
Individuals will continue to define according to their own sense and perspective. Stafleet doesn't "have to be" a military, but, for me, it feels more a military than not one. Perhaps the Federation, when it declares war, commissions Starfleet as its military. When the war is done, then it moves back to exploration duties as its primary mission.
Plus, we know that Starfleet officers are given combat training, including hand to hand combat training. We see Starfleet beating up Klingons, Casdassians, Nausicans, etc...twice their size, regularly.
Just think of the Picard double fisted ground pound to the back. It's like a sledgehammer, and leaves it's unfortunate victims unconscious.
Or the particularly devastating Kirk karate chop to the neck. Lights out, Andorian!
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The military, consisting of the Army, Navy and Air Force, and also called the armed forces, are forces authorised to use lethal and / or deadly force, and weapons, to support the interests of the state. By which definition Starfleet often acts as and so is a military. But by observation we know that it's primary goal is scientific and exploratory. Why can't it just be both?
Defend a mining colony from Klingons today and advise the same colony on how to coexist with the major planetary lifeform tomorrow.
Defend a mining colony from Klingons today and advise the same colony on how to coexist with the major planetary lifeform tomorrow.
You know, I'm too lazy to review the dozen or so pages of this thread at the moment, but has anyone here pointed out the fact that Starfleet ships have the capability to annihilate all life on an inhabited and technologically developed planet, and there's even a Starfleet directive authorizing captains to do such a thing? Pretty sure that has merit to this discussion.
They were all complete morons, on a ship whose only contemporary was a prototype that an Irishman cobbled together properly. Starfleet likes to clean house like everyone else.
Only peaceful annihilation was permitted. QED
We come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill....
Eddington had a point.
That speech where he compares the Federation to the Borg is disturbingly accurate on so many levels.
Expand Human knowledge?
Really puts the other Federation members in their place doesn't it?
Tellarites aren't interested in expanding their knowledge. They're perfectly okay wallowing in ignorance.
Indeed.
It's amazing how often the writers forgot the UFP included more than humans.
Expand Human knowledge?
Really puts the other Federation members in their place doesn't it?
This thread is like a Tellarite counselling session. Who could've thought arguing could be so much fun!
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STAR TREK WRITERS/DIRECTORS GUIDE (The Original Series)
STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION WRITERS/DIRECTORS GUIDE (Page 2)
Is the starship U.S.S. Enterprise a military vessel?
Yes, but only semi-military in practice -- omitting features which are heavily authoritarian. For example, we are not aware of "officers" and "enlisted men" categories. And we avoid saluting and other annoying medieval leftovers. On the other hand, we do keep a flavor of Naval usage and terminology to help encourage believability and identification by the audience. After all, our own Navy today still retains remnants of tradition known to Nelson and Drake. (Page 27)
. . .
YEOMAN --- Played by a succession of young actresses, always lovely. One such character has been well established in the first year, "YEOMAN JANICE RAND", played by the lovely Grace Lee Whitney. Whether Yeoman Rand or a new character provided by the writer, this female Yeoman serves Kirk as his combination Executive Secretary-Valet-Military Aide. (Page 14)
Yes, but only semi-military in practice -- omitting features which are heavily authoritarian. For example, we are not aware of "officers" and "enlisted men" categories. And we avoid saluting and other annoying medieval leftovers. On the other hand, we do keep a flavor of Naval usage and terminology to help encourage believability and identification by the audience. After all, our own Navy today still retains remnants of tradition known to Nelson and Drake. (Page 27)
. . .
YEOMAN --- Played by a succession of young actresses, always lovely. One such character has been well established in the first year, "YEOMAN JANICE RAND", played by the lovely Grace Lee Whitney. Whether Yeoman Rand or a new character provided by the writer, this female Yeoman serves Kirk as his combination Executive Secretary-Valet-Military Aide. (Page 14)
STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION WRITERS/DIRECTORS GUIDE (Page 2)
SHIP'S MISSION
Therefore, Starfleet is a space navy and a military organization at all times. - To expand the body of human knowledge.
- To provide assistance as required to Earth/Federation colonies, commerce and travelers.
- To provide for Earth/Federation security.
- To seek out new life, new civilizations.
- To provide further understanding of the universe and humanity's place in it. "Who are we? Where have we come from? What are we about? And where are we going?"
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