Starfleet Uniform Question

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Even before Seven of Nine, Voyager did not seem very interesting in character development, though, when I see parts of the reruns, it had - but unfortunately, they ignored some characters (Once again my favourite example: Ensign Kim, the poor boy, has served 100% correctly and perfect for seven years, was never promoted...)...

All in one, they could have done much better with the characters.

When I am looking the reruns of DS9, I come even to enjoy the first, sometimes weaker episodes of the series, and I can really say great character interaction and development.

For the uniforms, most have been said (well, actually, this applies also about the qualities of the Startrek series - there are dozens of threads here about it )

But for (made up) "ingame" (as we would call it in roleplaying games ) reasons for the Voyager/TNG/DS9:
Probably at some time the Starfleet decided that the different colouring of the "branches" didn`t make sense, because the officers all had the same training, and everybody did their duty (usually, in formidable ways), so everybody should wear the same uniform. And they decided (because most of the "deciders" work aboard space stations and liked their uniform) to use the "space station branch" uniform
The later chaning of uniforms might be explained by this, too.

A note about the TOS: Every ship was meant to have its own emblem, but that later changed (at time of the movies).
Maybe they reorganized Starfleet, and decided they wanted a sign for the whole fleet, and since the Enterprise was the most famous ship, they used that.

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[Darius101]

The reason that they went with the Enterprise Symbol (chevron actually)was they the Enterprise was the only ship to return to Starfleet After the 5 year mission. It was a Homage to the ship and crew. The Franz Joeseph Tech manual was incorrect about many many things and should not be considered a good reference. The making of Star Trek By Roddenberry and Whitfield is a more accurate source of information on old Trek. There are many references and explanations in print for the movies and various T.V shows. I would direct you to Roddenberry.com for the uniform guides they sell that tell the provenence and thoughts of the designers of those costumes.
Roddenberry Store ---Look under Costumes for the guide----

I like the idea that each ship had their own symbol but it makes more sense to me that they would have one symbol for the entire fleet.
You guys bring up some interesting points about the costumes. A few are incorrect but good just the same.
For information about the uniforms:
Starfleet Uniforms and Wearables thread....Click Here
The guys here have had access to and are currently working on Trek and can answer any question you have about the uniforms. Including why they changed or didn't change uniforms.

Later,
Darius

 

[JacktheRabbit]

My vote is Seven of Nine.

Ever since she came aboard, almost every episodes is about her, or spotlighting her, or in almost every scene, ... courtesy of Braga, who became her boyfriend after her divorce is final. I mean, "excuse me, I'm trying to watch Star Trek here and you're using the show to court her?"

Kidding aside, I don't mind having Seven onboard, but don't neglect the rest of the original cast, which sadly, Braga did.

Ummm, well ,maybe that has to do with the fact that she was in real life sleeping with someone rather important.

 

[Tauric]

Back to the original question, and the subsequent points about different branches sharing uniforms, consider this:

In the Vietnam era, Marine and Army uniforms (excluding SOG and other Special Forces units) were the standard olive drab. Then, (I don't know exactly when) both branches switched to the camo that most everyone is familliar with.

Now, however, the Marines are switching to a new uniform design, which the Army may or may not adapt and adopt.

While all these changes in uniform were being phased in, the older uniforms were still being worn, if not issued. The new recruits get the new uniforms right out, but the established soldiers need to buy them on their own. There is usually a set period in which both uniforms are allowed.

 

[Viking Bastard]

Ummm, well ,maybe that has to do with the fact that she was in real life sleeping with someone rather important.

I think that was pretty much Ranger's point.

 

[Kilmore]

The red movie uniform lasted dozens of years or so because it was the only Starfleet issued uniform that wasn't ridiculous looking.

Send me out for five years in that other crap and see what I come back dressed in. That damn red shirt will be the FIRST to go!!

If you wanted my opinion...

P.S. How about a poll on favorite uniform?

 

[Starman]

My favorite costume is easily the ones featured in Treks II-VI. Those things rocked!

Starman

 

[Orius]

I've also noticed that Enterprise and TOS had Command colour as Yellow (the stripe surrounding the shoulder in Enterprise, and the shirt colour in TOS), with Red being Engineering, etc. and Blue as Sciences.

However, when TNG rolled around, Red was Command, Yellow was Engineering, and Blue was sciences.

Can anyone answer this one?

I don't know. It was called to attention in the DS9 episode "Trials and Tribulations". After they change into TOS uniforms to blend in on the original Enterprise, Bashir looks at Sisko and O'Brien and comments that their colors are backwards.

 

[Orius]

The reason red was command in the TNG era was because of the red TOS movie uniforms.

When ENT was developed they went back to the TOS colours because the fans asked for it.

Really? Interesting.

Of course, I thought they went back to the original colors for Enterprise either for continuity with TOS (hah!), or as a sort of tribute.

 

[jasper]

No no no the reason the uniform changed between the classic and ng is to confuse the monsters. look at the first season and see how many red shirt get kill.
To me it never made sense that in one of old tech books of the classic replicators make the uniform. toss your muddy uniform in the chute press button boom new uniform press and fitted in the morning.
Then people put out well newbies get issued new uniform yada yada yada . wait a minute they getting downloads of new command codes, encyrption codes etc but not the new uniform instructions during the down load.
And voyager ok we don't have enough energy to run the replicators but the holodeck is open 24/7. Hmm
No consistent.
Then all the Trekiees um Trekers um Trek people come up with huge bs reasons why instead of ITS a TV SHOW DAM****.
Makes me glad I dumped all my star trek collection 400 + books starting in the 70's last week. Got tried of same story with cardboard characters (gee we can't change a character even after the show is cancelled) series of books where the last book is hardback etc.
I did keep the biographies, and the final reflection.
jasper who likes the theme music of enterprise and watches it for the popcorn it is.