Should the new Enterprise have MACOS onboard?

[Silversmok3]

NO.

Star Trek is about the main characters interacting and solving problems. This means the characters have to do stuff, which requires some departure from the actual reality of how military officers do things.

A realistic portrayal of Star Trek officers with enlisted Marines on board would be Kirk ordering the MACO's to explore the strange new world, during which time he's signing backlogged Starfleet paperwork in his ready room . Something tells me that a movie of Kirk signing papers, McCoy issuing prescriptions, and random Marines exploring planets and meeting people wouldn't be much fun to watch.

 

[Sumghai]

NO.

Star Trek is about the main characters interacting and solving problems. This means the characters have to do stuff, which requires some departure from the actual reality of how military officers do things.

A realistic portrayal of Star Trek officers with enlisted Marines on board would be Kirk ordering the MACO's to explore the strange new world, during which time he's signing backlogged Starfleet paperwork in his ready room . Something tells me that a movie of Kirk signing papers, McCoy issuing prescriptions, and random Marines exploring planets and meeting people wouldn't be much fun to watch.

This, and very much so.

 

[Drago-Kazov]

NO.

Star Trek is about the main characters interacting and solving problems. This means the characters have to do stuff, which requires some departure from the actual reality of how military officers do things.

A realistic portrayal of Star Trek officers with enlisted Marines on board would be Kirk ordering the MACO's to explore the strange new world, during which time he's signing backlogged Starfleet paperwork in his ready room . Something tells me that a movie of Kirk signing papers, McCoy issuing prescriptions, and random Marines exploring planets and meeting people wouldn't be much fun to watch.

Kirk and a specialist could still go down with the marines.

 

[Romulus Prime]

I have no problem with a Marine contingent on the ship. But I don't like Enterprise and would prefer there are no further aspects of it in any further Star Trek productions.

Starfleet Marines > MACO

 

[R. Star]

I never really understood the need for the MACO's even in Enterprise. I like the concept of people with heavy weaponry, and equipment with tactics beyond point the phaser and shoot, but why can't that be security again?

TOS and early TNG were limited by budget limits to the equipment they used, that's less of a factor now to say the least. I still find it utterly hilarious the only example of artillery in the Trek universe was employed by the Klingons in DS9's Nor the Battle to the Strong.

 

[T'Girl]

I still find it utterly hilarious the only example of artillery in the Trek universe was ...

There was the mortar in Arena.

 

[F. King Daniel]

I never really understood the need for the MACO's even in Enterprise. I like the concept of people with heavy weaponry, and equipment with tactics beyond point the phaser and shoot, but why can't that be security again?

Because Starfleet security had been shown time and again to be utterly feckless. And they're not supposed to be military. To have them suddenly using actual tactics (incuding such highly advanced things like.... taking cover) would be a bit jarring.

Starfleet security are mall cops. MACOs are soldiers.

 

[F. King Daniel]

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVduvWTxQ5w[/YT]

 

[The Wormhole]

I never really understood the need for the MACO's even in Enterprise. I like the concept of people with heavy weaponry, and equipment with tactics beyond point the phaser and shoot, but why can't that be security again?

Since Enterprise's third season was all about the crew running off on a military mission to defend Earth, having a team of badass soldiers assigned to the ship helped sell this idea.

Also, in Enterprise's early planning stages they were considering having Marines look take care of shipboard security. Malcom Reed was even described as a Starfleet Marine in the early character outlines. For whatever reason they decided to make Reed and his staff typical Starfleet security officers. Of course, once the MACOs were introduced, they seemed to take over the NX-01's security anyway. In the MU they were the ships security force and Reed was a MACO there.

 

[Set Harth]

Uh-oh.

Better get MACOS.

 

[T'Girl]

Starfleet security are mall cops. MACOs are soldiers.

I think that's pretty close. Security are basically military police and body guards/protection details. They are not soldiers or marines.

Of course, once the MACOs were introduced, they seemed to take over the NX-01's security anyway.

Having the people who handle the weapons, and the people who handle the security be the same people has never made much sense to me. This is a area that TOS definitely got right, and the other series got wrong.

"Away team beaming down, head tactical officer, please leave the ship."