Let's Equip Starfleet Security

[Vic]

I can see combining, say, Marine and Tactical Depts. This has benefits for both, the Security Dept. can operate like our (US) navy's Master at Arms. Individuals seconded from their home dept. to the MA for strictly internal security purposes.

[BigJKU316]

I can see combining, say, Marine and Tactical Depts. This has benefits for both, the Security Dept. can operate like our (US) navy's Master at Arms. Individuals seconded from their home dept. to the MA for strictly internal security purposes.

I suppose, but I still think they are very different jobs. The first is running a ships phasers and torpedoes during combat. The other is small arms, man to man warfare. The training does not really cross very well, at least when you expect high levels from both. I could see cross training a lot of people to provide internal security though.

[Mikey]

I suppose, but I still think they are very different jobs.

True, but that doesn't preclude a unified department. A USMC artillery spotter and a USMC helicopter technician have greater differences in their jobs than the one described above, but they're both marines. In fact, operating those things as a unified department can only benefit both.

[Tyyr]

It's easier to reallocate resources in a unified department. Sure, your combat specialist isn't a great policeman but he can be paired with a good cop as added muscle and you can make your cops go twice as far.

[Mark]

I can see combining, say, Marine and Tactical Depts. This has benefits for both, the Security Dept. can operate like our (US) navy's Master at Arms. Individuals seconded from their home dept. to the MA for strictly internal security purposes.

I suppose, but I still think they are very different jobs. The first is running a ships phasers and torpedoes during combat. The other is small arms, man to man warfare. The training does not really cross very well, at least when you expect high levels from both. I could see cross training a lot of people to provide internal security though.

First point....wouldn't Tactical SYSTEMS be run by Ops/Engineering personnel? So far on a GCS we've only seen one or two officers actually working the systems TOPS. That would reduce the workload sure enough.

A core of combat specialists focusing on protection, bodyguarding, and combat in a nessessity. Of course you can give damn near anybody a rifle and they can help out, but you need somebody to lead them. The idea of putting just ANY officer in charge no matter what their primary job is strikes me as a horrid idea. Putting one or two combat specialists in a team with random "draftees" would provide much needed expertiese and experience.

[Deepcrush]

We aren't talking about Ops or Tactical. We are covering Security only.

[Captain Seafort]

Part of the problem we have, I think, is that under most Starfleet organisational systems Engineering, Tactical, Ops and Security are all lumped under the same department - the Red/Goldshirts. Therefore, while it may appear minor, I think an important part of this should be to split them up a bit, as was done during the TOS film era, to emphasise the fact that they've all got different jobs, with different training, and to help establish a specific security esprit de corps.

[Deepcrush]

Agreed, Security and Tactical will be treated as their own separated departments instead of as a single lump. Also remember that Security, just like a modern day police force, will not be just guards with guns. So don't mistake them as such. Part of what we have to do is find a fair mix between combat ability (which seems to be a common need for SF) and simple patrol duties (a cop on a beat or the guy who stands against a wall and watches a door).

[Mikey]

Would, then, marines/SOF/whatever - those troops used for assaults, boarder repulsion, infiltration/exfiltration missions, etc. - fall under the aewgis of tactical or of security?

[Deepcrush]

Marines fall under Security.

[Captain Seafort]

I'd make them an independent force, under the Admiralty, but not part of Starfleet itself. Security should be limited to ship-centric duties - guarding sensitive areas, repel boarders, honour guard for VIPs, making up numbers for landing parties, etc. The Marines' job is to conduct full-scale warfare - either in the traditional amphibious assault role or as elite infantry.

[Deepcrush]

That would fall under the SWAT idea brought up before. If there is no objection, the next update will count the new Security force as a police arm, not a military arm. I will write up the update tonight so that people can review it and add anything they further wish.

[Mark]

I can live with that. That makes quite a bit more sense than the "jack of all trades" gold shirts of TNG, DS9, and VOY

[Deepcrush]

I think DS9 had it covered, at least somewhat. Odo's staff always seemed separate from the Ops staff. But like I said, I'll post up an update of everything to date. Then people can just say if they want anything added.

[Mark]

Granted with Odo........I was specifically referring to Starfleets "ground forces"