Is Starfleet a military organization?

[Shamrock Holmes]

I consider them to be paramilitary, which is basically the same thing.

As a Brit, I see "paramilitary" as something of a negative term, and etymologically such organisations are considered:

A group of civilians trained and organized in a military fashion,

Starfleet are described as "not civilian" at least as often and more plausibly given the broader range of definitions as it is "not military", although they are more or less "organised in military fashion".

but which do not represent the formal forces of a sovereign power.

This however is explicitly not the case as Starfleet are consistently depicted as not just a formal uniformed force for the Federartion but either the main or only such force that is permenantly mobilised.

Therefore, I prefer the term "militarised police/naval force" and speculate that Starfleet is something similar to what the US Coast Guard would have become if they had remained the US naval force after the end of the 18th Century.

But YMMV.

 

[fireproof78]

So NASA + Space Force = Star Fleet?

"Combined service" indeed.

Makes the short film "NASA SEALS" sound more plausible now

 

[oberth]

"Combined service" indeed.

Makes the short film "NASA SEALS" sound more plausible now

short? it will make the stargate franchise look tiny

 

[fireproof78]

short? it will make the stargate franchise look tiny

???

There's a short film called "NASA SEALS" released in 2007.

 

[oberth]

???

There's a short film called "NASA SEALS" released in 2007.

oops - i didn't klnow that

 

[fireproof78]

oops - i didn't klnow that

No worries. Hard to believe its been so many years that it was released. Just one of those oddities that stands out inside my head.

 

[The Wormhole]

Makes the short film "NASA SEALS" sound more plausible now

Don't make me turn pedantic and lecture you about how it makes no sense for a special forces unit operating in space to be called "SEALs."

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Don't make me turn pedantic and lecture you about how it makes no sense for a special forces unit operating in space to be called "SEALs."

Spacesuits have seals. Quite a few!

Space stations, also.

 

[The Wormhole]

Hey, now, none of that. *Wags finger.*

 

[fireproof78]

Don't make me turn pedantic and lecture you about how it makes no sense for a special forces unit operating in space to be called "SEALs."

Technically, you are correct...however, I didn't name the film...

???

There's a short film called "NASA SEALS" released in 2007.

 

[The Wormhole]

Technically, you are correct...however, I didn't name the film...

I know. But it triggers me all the same.

 

[fireproof78]

I know. But it triggers me all the same.

Hmmm...and how do you feel about that?

 

[The Wormhole]

how do you feel about that?

I repress the feeling in the proper Vulcan way.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Don't make me turn pedantic and lecture you about how it makes no sense for a special forces unit operating in space to be called "SEALs."

Space Forces' team will be called "STARS" Special Tactical Astro Response

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Astro

+1

 

[fireproof78]

I repress the feeling in the proper Vulcan way.

Ah, you're a Vulcan.

 

[JesterFace]

Like @Maurice showed us, there it is

"semi-military defence-science exploration unit"

Gene Roddenberry put it like that and he knew it best.

There are militarish qualities but it's not a straightforward army. The question has been answered, no, Starfleet is not military although it could be viewed that way. When needed Starfleet can act as the military. When there is no need for an army Starfleet does other things, science, research, negotiations and/or peace talks, protects borders and Federation citizens, first contacts and so on. Or that's how Gene planned it, who knows how the writers treated or saw Starfleet over the years.

 

[The Wormhole]

There are militarish qualities but it's not a straightforward army.

Well, yeah. Starfleet's more of a navy than an army.

When needed Starfleet can act as the military. When there is no need for an army Starfleet does other things, science, research, negotiations and/or peace talks, protects borders and Federation citizens, first contacts and so on.

Wouldn't protecting borders and citizens be a military duty rather than something done "when there is no need for a military?"

 

[Tim Thomason]

Well, yeah. Starfleet's more of a navy than an army.

Wouldn't protecting borders and citizens be a military duty rather than something done "when there is no need for a military?"

In the US, border protection and law enforcement are done by non-military groups. Well, it's supposed to be. There may be some militarization among those that would make Archer faint.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Well, yeah. Starfleet's more of a navy than an army.

Wouldn't protecting borders and citizens be a military duty rather than something done "when there is no need for a military?"

Yep.