The Redshirts

[Mithrandir]

I always wondered: What are the functions of the "Redshirts" in TNG/DS9/VOY - era. I mean, red means command, doesn't it? Why do only the CO, XO, the helmsmen and some other unnamed crewmen/women wear red? Shouldn't all departement heads wear red uniforms? In the "Staff Breakdown - Thread", about 100 Redshirts are estimated - what are they doing all day?

[katefan]

I always wondered: What are the functions of the "Redshirts" in TNG/DS9/VOY - era. I mean, red means command, doesn't it? Why do only the CO, XO, the helmsmen and some other unnamed crewmen/women wear red? Shouldn't all departement heads wear red uniforms? In the "Staff Breakdown - Thread", about 100 Redshirts are estimated - what are they doing all day?

Good question. In TOS red was engineering, communications and security, gold command and helm/navigation, and blue science and medical. It was a nice balance to the three colors. Red denoted support functions, yellow ship command and guidance, and blue mission and crew support. Although, now that I think of it, at least one scientist was in red (Khan's woman).

Looking at it, really the only change is the red and gold colors, along with the creative decision to put a single helmsman up front. Also, Ops seemed to take over navigation which meant one less redshirt on the bridge. I think if they were going to go that route they might as well have eliminated red altogether save for command.

[Teaos]

I think it would get to confusing having department heads being red rather than their department colour.

[Bryan Moore]

I don't see the illogic of the current design.

[Mithrandir]

It may not be illogical - I just do not understand it! What are the functions of the redshirts?

[Bryan Moore]

Solely command, as best as I know. At least according to Memory Alpha.

[Sionnach Glic]

They probably function as officers.

[Mark]

Solely command, as best as I know. At least according to Memory Alpha.

As I understand it, command and administration. Also, junior officers on a "command" track as well (ie season 1 Work and LaForge).

[Mithrandir]

Ok. Administration. Why is Data in gold. I mean, isn't ships operations also an administrative service?

[Mark]

Ok. Administration. Why is Data in gold. I mean, isn't ships operations also an administrative service?

Not really. Operations is actually what they call the day to day running of the ship if I understand correctly. All three Operations officers we've seen; Data, O'Brian, and Kim all wore gold.

[Mikey]

Exactly. Day-to-day services - ops, engineering, security - wear gold. The dept. heads wear their branch colors, not red, because that's technically where they're assigned. Being CMO, for example, doesn't mean that you're no longer a doctor.

[Mark]

Exactly. Day-to-day services - ops, engineering, security - wear gold. The dept. heads wear their branch colors, not red, because that's technically where they're assigned. Being CMO, for example, doesn't mean that you're no longer a doctor.

Which also explains why Operations Officers, Security Chiefs, Chief Engineers, and Science Officers (like Dax) still wear their dept color)

[Mikey]

Exactly. A chief of engineering is still assigned to the Engineering branch.

[Mithrandir]

I still do not see what's left to do for the redshirts, but I am after all only an unenlightened guy from "old europe".

[Mikey]

*bites knuckle, avoids making shirt-color joke*