Why doesn't Starfleet Officers Salute?
- Thread starter Photon
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Thespeckledkiwi
Vice Admiral
Picard saluted whenever he said Make it So 
Starfleet is based on Naval tradition
At the time of TOS, as now, the US Navy does not salute when uncovered, and they are only covered when outside.
At the time of TOS, as now, the US Navy does not salute when uncovered, and they are only covered when outside.
I have no idea why they doesn't.
--Ted
--Ted
In science fiction terms, it's pretty easy to see how a tradition of non-saluting could evolve. That is, early spacecraft would not have room for such things - especially if they lack artificial gravity. Flipping your arm for no good reason will only inconvenience everybody around you, send you spinning, and risk hitting the big red button.
Of course, hutt359 already sort of pre-empted this by the real-world precedent: it was, and in many places remains, highly unusual for military people to salute by hand movements if they are not wearing the hats for which the symbolic hand movements originally were intended. You'd simply look idiotic trying to tip an invisible hat.
The standard form of salute when not wearing a hat, the small bow, is indeed something we see in Trek every now and then. They do the "Atteen-hup!" thing, too, even if their "attention" may look a bit more relaxed than today's standard poses.
As for Roddenberry thinking that Starfleet was not a military organization, that's probably something he never seriously tried to portray on screen. Showing Starfleet as the spatial US Navy was just too darn fun, and popular, and salable.
Timo Saloniemi
Of course, hutt359 already sort of pre-empted this by the real-world precedent: it was, and in many places remains, highly unusual for military people to salute by hand movements if they are not wearing the hats for which the symbolic hand movements originally were intended. You'd simply look idiotic trying to tip an invisible hat.
The standard form of salute when not wearing a hat, the small bow, is indeed something we see in Trek every now and then. They do the "Atteen-hup!" thing, too, even if their "attention" may look a bit more relaxed than today's standard poses.
As for Roddenberry thinking that Starfleet was not a military organization, that's probably something he never seriously tried to portray on screen. Showing Starfleet as the spatial US Navy was just too darn fun, and popular, and salable.
Timo Saloniemi
To me, I've always thought that Starfleet chose to honor some naval traditions and ignore others. 'Nuff said.
IMO, that's the only way that Starfleet differs from a real military--it doesn't follow all the protocols of one...
IMO, that's the only way that Starfleet differs from a real military--it doesn't follow all the protocols of one...
Kirk did let off a quick salute in Star Trek V after speaking with 'Bob'.
Yeap, that's how I've always figured it. I guess you could argue that they're wearing a cover while out in space (one that covers their whole body
), so they should salute then, but its probably rather awkward. 
I think ENT was the only Trek show where they actually had covers (civilian term: 'hats') with a uniform, now that I think of it...
Cheers,
-CM-
Colonel Midnight said:
Yeap, that's how I've always figured it. I guess you could argue that they're wearing a cover while out in space (one that covers their whole body
I think ENT was the only Trek show where they actually had covers (civilian term: 'hats') with a uniform, now that I think of it...
Cheers,
-CM-
Didn't Pike's quarters feature a military combination cap as set dressing?
sbk1234 said:
Colonel Midnight said:
Yeap, that's how I've always figured it. I guess you could argue that they're wearing a cover while out in space (one that covers their whole body
I think ENT was the only Trek show where they actually had covers (civilian term: 'hats') with a uniform, now that I think of it...
Cheers,
-CM-
Didn't Pike's quarters feature a military combination cap as set dressing?
It was a marine 8-point cover in an odd shade of blue/gray which looked to be the same as the shade of blue/gray which the cage field jackets where. It's unsure whether it was a dress or field cover. I like to think it's a field cover myself, but either way... :thumbsup:
Almost if we are talking US armed forces. You only salute when you are covered. And you only salute higher ranking commissioned and warrent officers. If the commissioned officer is not you release the salute without him returning the honor.
Lower ranking commissioned officers salute higher ranked ones. And one of those special circumstances like saluting the drill instructor in formation or the civilian commander in chief is that everybody salutes a Medal of Honor wearer nomatter what the relative rank.
Allow me to second that thank you. It meant I didn't have ask Mr. Whoa Nellie and endure that loving, but long suffering eye roll that men with military experience often give their wives when asked such questions.
There were some interesting little tidbits of information in this thread.
:thumbsup:Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie
^ & cultcross ~
No worries! I'm good for a few odd things, here and there, around this place. Covered or uncovered.
Cheers,
-CM-
No worries! I'm good for a few odd things, here and there, around this place. Covered or uncovered.
Cheers,
-CM-
It turned out that every time someone saluted, giant force waves would ripple in an alternate hypospace dimension messing up their tv reception. The federation tried to outfit starfleet officers with triple hinged arms that would fold inwards to deal with it, but in the end they just decided it was best to stop saluting all together. The klingons and romulans didn't care because all they watch in hypospace is reality tv anyways.
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