Odd Things about Starfleet
- Thread starter David.Blue
- Start date
"why would Uhura deign being a just and honest person?"
So this is a sarcastic question?
More diverse perhaps, but not exactly viewed with favor, at least as we saw in In A Mirror Darkly. Primarily relegated to subservient roles, with a few exceptions, and even those often being reminded of their inferior status as members of species from conquered worlds of the Empire, and being under greater scrutiny than Terrans, because of their presumed incipient untrustworthiness and potential disloyalty. Archer's intention was to get rid of the lot of them on the Avenger, save Phlox who was seen as harmless in regards to being a threat. It didn't seem like an ideal working environment for off-worlders, especially if you were looking for much in the possibility of advancement as opposed to servitude.
Segregation by species does seem to be a feature, and Mirror Archer's policies appear to have taken care of the "alien problem" by the time of Mirror TOS...
OTOH, the Mirror Starfleet is diverse in another fashion, apparently having a "don't ask but do tell" policy in place!
Timo Saloniemi
OTOH, the Mirror Starfleet is diverse in another fashion, apparently having a "don't ask but do tell" policy in place!
Timo Saloniemi
True since Mirror TOS had more Vulcans roaming the hallways than Prime TOS so either the Prime world practises species segregation or the Mirror TOS despite its many flaws, at least has a semi equal rights policy for all species. (Of course we know the real reason why TOS Starfleet was a Terrans only club..makeup is not cheap)
Again, just because there may have been more of them, doesn't equate in any way to an egalitarian philosophy or mindset. Much more in the way of using subject cultures for the capabilities they possessed, while at the same time, making them fully aware of their inferior and subjugated nature. Perhaps, additionally, a means of keeping a very close eye on some of the cream of the crop of these species, so as to make sure that they wouldn't be part of any insurrection or revolt, a threat the Terrans commonly and rightfully perceived as always a likely possibility.
Oh get that, but taking the way how TOS Starfleet (before the movies) was presented from an non humans perspective this is what they see from a TIC pov:-
Recruitment office
'Prime - Welcome to Starfleet, the exploration and defense arm of the Federation. Humans to the right, Everyone else go home, we have one alien already and one is enough.
Mirror - Welcome to Starfleet, the exploration and defense arm of the Terran Empire. Humans to the right, Everyone else stand behind them.'
They had the Galatic Association for the Advancement of Alien Peoples on their case
Hasn't this conversation in the thread, been primarily, if not entirely focused, on the exemplars of Starfleet's ships throughout different eras, be they Constitution, Nebula, Galaxy? How much evidence do we witness that there might not have been a much larger cohort of non-Terrans on smaller, specialized, supply, or non-frontline vessels otherwise? While it wouldn't necessarily redound to Starfleet's credit to have such a glass ceiling, as it were, at least it might be a hopeful sign that other races are gaining a body of experience that will inevitably lead to posts, even command, among the elites of the fleet, even though such a reality may be long, long overdue.
How is that odd? Saluting is useless + unnecessary.
How are the TNG uniforms with the pips difficult to understand? And with Admirals/Commodores, they are on both sides of the collar.
Since humans are the 'new kids on the block' in the galaxy having a glass ceiling for aliens who were technically and socially advanced when Humans were still killing each other would be odd and illogical.
I don't really agree with your conclusion, because, in a slightly different take on an age old dictum, to one of the most important co-founders, go the spoils. However, I do concur that such a conclusion doesn't make the situation objectively justifiable, especially given the fact that the Federation is supposedly an organization that espouses that its members are co-equals, this further tars what seems to be a very sad state of affairs. I worded my statement inaptly by suggesting that such a ceiling might be an immutable condition of staffing within Starfleet, indefinitely resistant to change. Rather, that if it's plausible that the far greater diversity I offered might be the case in the ranks of these other classes of vessels is factual, that such a continuing reality, very likely would lead to an ever growing and irreversible momentum of individuals of any race, who have solidly proved themselves with their service, would soon start making their presence felt in those front line ships that garner the lion share of our attention.
Or we can assume Starfleet was an equal opportunity defence force ( it needs the suport of the Federation council and other member states who are not human) , therefore:-
1. The Enterprise was a human only ship with one token alien as an experiment
2. There were other aliens on board but just off screen, after all there are 400 crew members,
3. The Admiralty had non human officers but each race dealt with their own people therefore
4. Kirk only reported to human Admirals since he was the Captain of the human ship Enteprise
1. The Enterprise was a human only ship with one token alien as an experiment
2. There were other aliens on board but just off screen, after all there are 400 crew members,
3. The Admiralty had non human officers but each race dealt with their own people therefore
4. Kirk only reported to human Admirals since he was the Captain of the human ship Enteprise
Indeed! It's not really that odd. Certain specialties like Doctors, Lawyers, and Chaplains, in the present day military are given a direct commission without having to attend a 4 year military academy. They are given a very abbreviated training on military customs, etc. They are considered staff officers as opposed to line officers and are not in the military chain of command.
Good point. Up until WW1 the Scottish troops wore kilts for combat. They have since been relegated to "dress" (pun not intended) occasions only.
And would Spock have been there at all if his mother hadn't been Human?
Small, difficult to make out at a moderate distance and invisible if the individual is turned away from you. Also, exactly how do the pips work with enlist personnel?
†
O'Brien wore an enlisted rank pin in seasons 4-7 of DS9 which used chevrons, much like the enlisted ranks of many modern day militaries.
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