Change of insignia and pennant between TOS and TMP/TWOK

[Mario de Monti]

Alternately and maybe, the circle (TMP) or the bar (TWOK) behind the Delta might represent / symbolize a scientific or technical achievement that had a major impact on the UFP?

I had similar thoughts But I thought a step further, that not just the "background" but the different insignia themselves stood for some "abstract" ideas, ideals or achievements among which Starfleet ultimately decided to exclusively use the delta shape ... whatever it stands for.

 

[J.T.B.]

How about this: Starfleet at the time was divided into broad functional commands, say Exploration Command, Patrol Command, and Defense Command, indicated by the Enterprise, Constellation and Exeter badges (not necessarily respectively). Because the fleet was stretched thin, starships did not always operate in their assigned command, but could be attached/detached to another as needed. Because of this muddying of the command divisions, Starfleet was eventually reorganized so there was only one big operational command, and one insignia, the arrowhead, was adopted for all and the other two dropped.

 

[Mario de Monti]

How about this: Starfleet at the time was divided into broad functional commands, say Exploration Command, Patrol Command, and Defense Command, indicated by the Enterprise, Constellation and Exeter badges (not necessarily respectively). Because the fleet was stretched thin, starships did not always operate in their assigned command, but could be attached/detached to another as needed. Because of this muddying of the command divisions, Starfleet was eventually reorganized so there was only one big operational command, and one insignia, the arrowhead, was adopted for all and the other two dropped.

Hmm ... while I quite like the idea of different fleet branches having different insignia, it does not explain, why the pennant on the exterior of the ships also changed (it was different from the Enterprise crew´s delta insignia).

Also, from what we get in TOS Starfleet seems to have a rather limited number of starships. Would dividing those into sub-commands/branches really be necessary or make sense?

 

[The Wormhole]

How about this: Starfleet at the time was divided into broad functional commands, say Exploration Command, Patrol Command, and Defense Command, indicated by the Enterprise, Constellation and Exeter badges (not necessarily respectively). Because the fleet was stretched thin, starships did not always operate in their assigned command, but could be attached/detached to another as needed. Because of this muddying of the command divisions, Starfleet was eventually reorganized so there was only one big operational command, and one insignia, the arrowhead, was adopted for all and the other two dropped.

The novels are kind of doing something similar to this. Specifically, the new Enterprise Rise of the Federation series has the various insignia related to the services of the other Federation member worlds. For example, the arrowhead belongs to UESPA, the insignia worn by Commodore Decker and the Constellation's crew is from the Andorian Guard and so on. Here's a diagram explaining things.

 

[J.T.B.]

Hmm ... while I quite like the idea of different fleet branches having different insignia, it does not explain, why the pennant on the exterior of the ships also changed (it was different from the Enterprise crew´s delta insignia).

No, it wouldn't account for that. I've always thought it was unfortunate that they changed the pennant.

Also, from what we get in TOS Starfleet seems to have a rather limited number of starships. Would dividing those into sub-commands/branches really be necessary or make sense?

Good point; presumably the bulk of each command would be smaller vessels with the "Starship Class" taking on the big or important assignments as needed.

 

[Robert Comsol]

For example, the arrowhead belongs to UESPA...

Sorry, but this is one thing I'm unable to believe, i.e. that UESPA had two different insignias at the same time.

United Earth Space Probe Agency (TOS) obviously looked like this at a time where other uniforms already had the delta insignia.

Bob

 

[T'Girl]

... only those ranking fleet captain and above ...

But that wouldn't explain why Tracey and Kirk wore different badges.

If Tracy were a "fleet captain" it would explain the difference.

Both Pike and Garth were fleet captains.

 

[J.T.B.]

But that wouldn't explain why Tracey and Kirk wore different badges.

If Tracy were a "fleet captain" it would explain the difference.

Both Pike and Garth were fleet captains.

But there's no reason to think Tracey was. He's never referred to as such and wears the same rank insignia as "plain old captain" Kirk.