From: ph9991_manfr@rivers.acc.uwrf.edu
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current
Subject: Re: Uniform Colors in TNG
Date: 28 Dec 92 11:40:48 -0600
Organization: University of Wisconsin - River Falls

In article <1992Dec28.055354.11179@mercury.cair.du.edu>, mwasserm@diana.cair.du.edu (MARC Y. WASSERMAN) writes:
> In article <gV1FwB1w165w@Micor.OCUnix.on.ca> vincent@Micor.OCUnix.on.ca (Victor W. Wong) writes:
>>So the new colors are:
> 
>>Maroon/Red  Command
>>Blue        Biosciences
>>Gold        Applied sciences/Engineering/Logistics
> 
> 
> Well, one problem; Troi was wearing a blue uniform and psychology
> is sort of an applied science.  I'd say that all blue uniforms
> are associated with science (Psych, Bio, Chem, what have you).
> I think but I'm not sure that the Engineering/Logistics difference
> is determined by pips on the collar.

Here's a handy-dandy guide to uniform conventions as used in TNG, as far
as I can understand it.

A uniform's color determines which of the three major divisions you are
associated with, which are Sciences, Operations, and Command.  
Science is blue, Operations is yellow and Command is red/maroon.  
The number of pips on the collar determines the person's rank.
No pips at all appears to be an enlisted person, and there seems to be no
insignia to differentiate the low enlisted ranks, until you get up to 
Chief Petty Officer.  This season we have learned that CPO is designated
by a single hollow (black) pip when it was settled once and for all that
O'Brien is a CPO and he now wears this insignia to make it doubly clear.
Previous to this he wore a Lieutenant's pips, so we thought, but now we've
been told that his pips then were silver as opposed to the gold ones 
everyone else wears.  Given the nature of the film it is difficult for 
anyone to tell this, so they say.  What it also could be is just a recurring
mistake in the costume department.  :)
Anyway, here's a rank guide:
single solid = Ensign
	(Wesley Crusher, Ro Laren)
solid and hollow = Lieutenant Junior Grade
	(Worf in the first two seasons, Geordi in the first season, 
	Barclay currently)
solid and solid = Lieutenant
	(Worf currently, Geordi in the second season, Tasha Yar)
solid, solid, and hollow = Lieutenant Commander
	(Data, Troi, Geordi since the third season)
solid, solid, and solid = Commander
	(Riker, Dr. Crusher)
solid, solid, solid, solid = Captain
	(Picard, Riker during "Best of Both Worlds" part II)
In the original series there was a rank of Commodore, but we have yet to 
see the same in the new series, which may be to parallel the US Navy's
abolishment of the rank in their forces.  If there were one it would
perhaps be honorary, and my guess would be one solid pip encased in a box.
two boxed solids = Vice Admiral
	(head of the Academy in "The First Duty," and Nachayev in "Chain
	of Command")
three boxed solids = Fleet Admiral
	(Shonti (spelling?) in "Redemption II", others...)
Above this we have not seen.

Admiral's uniforms have changed several times over the series, but seem
to have finally settled on the format I listed above.  We have never seen
an Admiral, or indeed anyone above the rank ofCmdr. in anything
other than Command colors.

A uniform's color is an indication of an officer's expertise and of their
jurisdiction.  This is important should a conflict between certain officers
of equal rank occur, for then the officer with more jurisdiction over the
certain case would seem to be the "more senior" if that term can be applied.
For example, Geordi and Troi could disagree over Barclay's mental state for
a mission.  Geordi could protest that he absolutely needs Barclay, but in
such a medical/psychological decision, Troi has the jurisdiction and could
hold Barclay back.  This jurisdiction *may* even stretch slightly over someone
of higher rank, such as Riker when in "Hollow Pursuits" we see him and 
perhaps more importantly, the computer aceed to her request that they not
destroy Barclay's fantasy before finding Barclay.  

However, even with all of this, rank by position is the dominant rule on
the ship, i.e. if a person is put in charge of something, no matter what
their rank or experience or who is under them, THEY are in charge.
Case in point, Wesley being put in charge of the mineral surveys in "Pen Pals"
when he is only an Acting Ensign (at the time) and the officers he must
order are full-fledged Ensigns.  
Better case in point, Geordi in "The Arsenal of Freedom." At the time, he
is the Duty Officer, the officer given command of the Bridge and thus the
ship by the Commanding Officer.  At this time he is also only a Lieutenant
Junior Grade.  Chief Engineer Logan is a full Lieutenant, and he thinks
he should take command of the ship when a crisis arises, but Geordi refuses,
as is his right, since he is still Duty Officer.  
ANother case in point, in "Disaster," Troi takes command the ship due to
very unusual circumstances.  In this case the Duty Officer is killed, 
leaving two Ensigns in the command divisions, a CPO in the operations 
division, and a Lieutenant Commander in the science division.  Because
Troi outranks everyone else so severly, she takes command even though it
is outside her normal duties.  However, had Worf perhaps shown up I think
she may have deferred to him, even though he is of lower rank.  



> 
> Marc
> mwasserm@diana.cair.du.edu
>  
> -- 
> "So you're choosing to run from your own people in a rackety old TARDIS?"
> 		     D  O  C  T  O  R     W  H  O
> 				30 Years
>            "Why not?  After all, that's how it all started!"

The Doctor, of course, was the Lord President of Gallifrey for a time, 
but that's another story....

Steven.K.Manfred



Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current