Were MACOs Special Operations Forces or regular infantry?

[Prax]

The MACO's are space marines simply by the role they play. No, they're not technically US Marines in universe, but out of universe they are based on US Marines. There's no need to get into complex definitions. Marines have existed since the days of Pharaoh. The NX-01 was based on the 21st century US Navy. The MACO's were based on the 21st century US Marine Corps. Especially, the uniform. It's so similar to the Marine Corps utilities rolled out in 2002 which were totally unique at the time.

Even if they weren't serving on the NX, they're still sort of fulfilling the role of space Marines by guarding offworld colonies or whatever it is that they do.

 

[GabyBee]

The NX-01 was based on the 21st century US Navy.

Is that why the opening montage of Enterprise features scores of U.S. Navy warships? Or does it feature the evolution of NASA and pioneers of mankind's exploration of space?

 

[Nerys Myk]

The NX-01 was based on the 21st century US Navy.

Well they took some inspiration from current submarine designs, but beyond that I don't think so.

 

[Prax]

Is that why the opening montage of Enterprise features scores of U.S. Navy warships? Or does it feature the evolution of NASA and pioneers of mankind's exploration of space?

The Producers have mentioned this many times. They wanted the ship interiors and uniforms to look and feel like a modern albeit somewhat futuristic submarine. They even used the baseball caps(yes, the airforce does the baseball cap thing too, at least air force engineers do)
Berman, Braga, and Herman Zimmerman apparently toured a nuclear submarine and also sought feedback Submarine servicemen while designing the sets, props, and creating the command structure and what not of the crew.

Doug Drexler, has said he wanted the hull plating on the outside of the ship to look like the steel riveted plating on a naval ship or submarine.

They also based the exterior design on a Ford Thunderbird, some ww2 dive bomber of which I can't remember the name, and of course, the infamous Akira class influence.

BTW, I love this ship

 

[Tenacity]

Is that why the opening montage of Enterprise features scores of U.S. Navy warships? Or does it feature the evolution of NASA and pioneers of mankind's exploration of space?

The montage images include:

The HMS Enterprize, a British Navy ship.
The Bell X-1, a joint US Army Air Force/NACA aircraft.
Astronaut Alan Shepard, a active duty US Navy officer.
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, a active duty US Air Force officer.

 

[Baxten]

MACO stands for Military Assault Command Operations.

Notice "(the other meaning)" in my post.

 

[GabyBee]

Notice "(the other meaning)" in my post.

Your so-called "other" meaning is fanon, at best. It is not supported by any on-screen canon dialogue or story material.

 

[Baxten]

Your so-called "other" meaning is fanon, at best. It is not supported by any on-screen canon dialogue or story material.

It's supported by their role as assault troops aboard a ship and guarding off-world colonies. Actions speak louder than words.

 

[Timo]

When we're splitting hairs, it does pay to be careful with the razor. Marines and Special Forces are very different beasts even if both might make sorties out of ships. That's basically what this entire thread is all about, of finding the telltale differences rather than staring at the similarities that offer us no information.

Incidentally, that's also where writer intent has very little significance, because generally the writers don't care, while a segment of the audience cares immensely, as evidenced by this thread. And the audience segment really knows much more about these matters than the writers, comically enough.

Where does the "guarding offworld colonies" bit come from? It's not indicated onscreen - indeed, it sounds as if the MACO force riding aboard the NX-01 has never been outside the Sol system before. And the Earth Embassy on Vulcan appears to be populated by people in Starfleet or civilian garb only, with no MACO uniforms in sight (although we could in theory speculate that the MACO force, or at least some part of the Military, has blue uniforms that are only distinguishable from Starfleet ones by small patches and other decorations we failed to spot).

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Prax]

When we're splitting hairs, it does pay to be careful with the razor. Marines and Special Forces are very different beasts even if both might make sorties out of ships. That's basically what this entire thread is all about, of finding the telltale differences rather than staring at the similarities that offer us no information.

Incidentally, that's also where writer intent has very little significance, because generally the writers don't care, while a segment of the audience cares immensely, as evidenced by this thread. And the audience segment really knows much more about these matters than the writers, comically enough.

Where does the "guarding offworld colonies" bit come from? It's not indicated onscreen - indeed, it sounds as if the MACO force riding aboard the NX-01 has never been outside the Sol system before. And the Earth Embassy on Vulcan appears to be populated by people in Starfleet or civilian garb only, with no MACO uniforms in sight (although we could in theory speculate that the MACO force, or at least some part of the Military, has blue uniforms that are only distinguishable from Starfleet ones by small patches and other decorations we failed to spot).

Timo Saloniemi

Someone mentioned it earlier in the thread, a page or two ago. I don't know where it's said on screen. I know they do training on Mars.

As far as "Special Forces" go, that can get really confusing. They certainly don't have much in common with "Army Special Forces." "Special Operations" includes many different types of forces. The MACO's do a lot of direct assault, and hostage rescue, so maybe they have capabilities like the S.A.S/S.B.S, or the elusive Army/Navy C.A.G.

I still say they are Space Marines, and based on USMC, be it recon or otherwise. All those other SF and SOF don't wear uniforms. They grow their hair longer. They don't shave. Even when they're "stateside" they just wear civilian clothes.

 

[Shamrock Holmes]

Someone mentioned it earlier in the thread, a page or two ago. I don't know where it's said on screen. I know they do training on Mars.

As far as "Special Forces" go, that can get really confusing. They certainly don't have much in common with "Army Special Forces." "Special Operations" includes many different types of forces. The MACO's do a lot of direct assault, and hostage rescue, so maybe they have capabilities like the S.A.S/S.B.S, or the elusive Army/Navy C.A.G

I personally think that Hayes' unit could be a modelled on a "demi-squadron" of SAS, specifically including the Boat Troop (for shuttlecraft) and Air Troop (EVA, Orbiting Skydiving and Zero Gee Combat), but omitting the Desert and Mountain/Polar Warfare Troops (which is why his Lieutenant is missing?)

I still say they are Space Marines, and based on USMC, be it recon or otherwise. All those other SF and SOF don't wear uniforms. They grow their hair longer. They don't shave. Even when they're "stateside" they just wear civilian clothes.

Grooming standards are certainly looser in SF and most of the rest of Special Operations compared to the Marines (this is also true to a lesser extent with USN, USAF and Army regulars) but I think the only general exception to beards are medical (skin condition prevents regular shaving) or 'operation needs' in the field (for instance, clean-shaven, short-haired men in the Middle Western will be flagged as Western military very easily so beards are premitted to 'blend in'). As of Dec 2014, religious reasons were not excepted by US Armed Forces (however I believe the reverse is true of the British military).

As far as uniforms go, Special Forces and Delta mostly don't (or wear generic "sanitized" uniforms if needed), no specific info on Pararescue and Combat Controllers but as they mostly do 'green' operations, they probably wear standard or at most sanitized uniforms. Navy SEALs definately do wear uniforms (though potentially sanitized depending on op) as they have a specific exception to wear Type II & III Navy Working Uniforms (based on MARPAT) whereas regular Navy were until recently limited to the Type I "Camo Blue" NWUs. UKSF forces - including SAS and SBS - also wear regular combat uniforms (and service appropriate dress uniforms) unless the specific mission requires it.

 

[Prax]

They wear combat gear in the field, but when they're back on base, they rarely wear uniforms, and when they do, there's no name tapes or anything on them. Yeah, they grow beards for missions to Islamic countries, but even when that's no the case, they don't have to shave or follow regulation mustaches, hair length etc. And they just wear civilian clothes on base mostly. Major Hayes & Crew are tidy, sharp, and clean cut.

but I think the only general exception to beards are medical (skin condition prevents regular shaving

Yea, a lot of black people have shaving profiles. They still have to keep it to stubble.

 

[Shamrock Holmes]

Major Hayes & Crew are tidy, sharp, and clean cut.

So are most of the Starfleet officers. Hoshi's about the only one of the regulars who doesn't fall within general appearance guidelines AFAIK (for USN, USAF or Army, Marines are stricker).