The two missions are not mutually exclusive.
Starfleet is a Space Navy (military fleet)
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Kirk asked for him specifically. It's in the dialogue.
I think they are equal, both in training, armament, and capability.
Exploration is not antithetical to a military, or a Navy. Starfleet is not a descriptor, it is the organization's title. Starfleet is NOT a civilian organization. It is an armed force, and a projection of power. It's presence keeps the Federation safe. This is the exact function of a Navy. If Starfleet didn't exist, or was some other unarmed force, The Federation would NOT exist, or it would have to really on member world's armed forces to keep it's sovereignty.
There's an 'or' in that sentence too. Not every Navy historically is the military, and not every military has a navy as discussed elsewhere on the thread. Naval traditions are a wholeness cultural study by themselves. This is all inference, which is difficult to weight against clear cut statement.
The statement by Picard that "Starfleet is not a military organization; its purpose is exploration" explicitly identifies its primary mission.
I have little regard for Picard or his words, so you'll excuse me if I don't take that at face value, but political propaganda.
Also, since Starfleet can step right up and defend the Federation in an official capacity, with requiring prior authorization, I would continue with the attitude that both exploration and defense are their primary mission. Like most government jobs, there's the one you talk about and the one you don't.
No, I'm taking Picard's statement based upon what I know of Picard and his point of view. I am not "ignoring canon" I am applying my rational thinking skills of observation to Picard, and the behaviors of Starfleet as a whole.
The statement is a false dichotomy within itself. Everything Picard does with his ship falls within the purview of either a military or naval organization. This makes him a bald faced hypocrite(sorry Picard, that came out wrong.) Janeway, who does the most exploration, would never have survived if she didn't have a ship "built for combat."
Perhaps it's not "military" that needs to be redefined. Perhaps "Exploration" needs a new 24th century definition. Or maybe we need to look at the old one.
Perhaps it's not "military" that needs to be redefined. Perhaps "Exploration" needs a new 24th century definition. Or maybe we need to look at the old one.
And there is what ends upon on screen.There is also this:
Unless diplomacy is defined as "with phasers first."
When has Starfleet EVER shown that it has a "phasers first" policy when it comes to conflict resolution?
I believe when Kirk says 'combined service' he means that Starfleet isn't a normal military outfit, but also serves as an interplanetary police force. As such, Starfleet is somewhere between a military institution as we know it today and a civilian authority. The reason I don't think he means the Navy has combined with the space program is simple. The U.S. Air Force started out as part of the Army, and it's considered a specialized branch similar to the Navy, i.e. an entity all its own. Something similar would happen with the space program, and it has ties to the Air Force, not the Navy. Since Starfleet doesn't go around using USAF conventions, it doesn't descend from the space program.
Nevertheless, Starfleet's Naval conventions are strongly enforced, and I do think of them as being more like a military branch than a civilian one. Having served in the Air Force, this is very clear to me. The only real difference I see is that in this far flung future, the Fleet does not represent a war machine but a peacekeeping force.
Nevertheless, Starfleet's Naval conventions are strongly enforced, and I do think of them as being more like a military branch than a civilian one. Having served in the Air Force, this is very clear to me. The only real difference I see is that in this far flung future, the Fleet does not represent a war machine but a peacekeeping force.
It's a joke....I do that.
Other jokes I considered was "aggressive negotiations...negotiations with a phaser." and "We come in peace, shoot to kill."
Not allowed at the altar of the Almighty Canon!
We saw neither the Cardassian nor the Tzenkethi wars.
Kirk witnessed a woman feeding coins into a newspaper vending machine. His comments wasn't "They're still paying for things," but (imo) he was noting the use of physical currency in the purhase. It wasn't a case of Kirk commenting on the newspaper not being free.
And just for fun, there's a bit of dialog from Journey's End;
NECHEYEV: You'll notice a demilitarised zone has also been created along the border. Neither side will be permitted to place military outposts, conduct fleet exercises, or station warships anywhere in the demilitarised area.
Necheyev using the phrase "neither side," means Necheyev is subsequently referring to Starfleet starships as "warships."
Now not all fans like the Cardassians, but I don't think the Cardassians would be so stupid as to agree to a treaty where their warships couldn't enter a certain area, but Starfleet could enter that same area freely, because Starfleet vessels aren't considered "warships."
Under the terminology of a treaty signed by the Federation, Starfleet has "warships."
It definitely implies the Federation has a military. Since we've seen no one fight wars for the Federation, except Starfleet (they are even charged with holding ground planetside), I would have to come to the conclusion that Starfleet is the Federation military.
Or, Picard and Scott are simply wrong.
At least to my simple mind.
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