Throughout the franchise, and even out of canon from the mouths of various writers and producers over the years, Starfleet claims time and time again that it is not military. Rather, they are an exploration and science organization. This raises a lot of questions, however. If they are as they claim not the military, then who is? Is no other organization present within the universe able to fulfill this requirement? Starfleet is shown to be the primary means of both defense and attack for the Federation (highlighted during the Dominion war), as well as their main method of foreign diplomacy. Their ships are heavily armed at all times, even the smallest vessel in their fleet. Every Starfleet officer is required to have at least basic combat training. While Starfleet does center heavily on scientific research, exploration, and humanitarian aid, these are hallmarks, even today, of military organizations.
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It is worth noting, though, that military organizations throughout history have also played a part in science and discovery. One of the many examples includes the exploration of the Pacific coast of Asia and Alaska by the Russian navy in the 1700s. And now, modern-day US military plays a vital part in the scientific expeditions in the Antarctic and the mapping of the ocean floor. A military’s main focus is to protect and adequately defend, through warfare if necessary, the state. However, it is also often used as a tool for political stability and foreign policy.
Starfleet is no exception to this rule. Not only do Starfleet’s operational similarities point to them being a military organization, but the entire way they are built displays it. They use military ranks such as Captain, Vice Admiral, and Lieutenant, and follow military styled regulations. This includes not only the chain of command, but they even conduct court-martial of those who break the rules. This term literally refers to military court.
For many, the parallels with a military organization are too numerous to ignore. However, it’s important to remember that military in the world of Star Trek might not mean the same thing as it does in the here and now. Today, when the military is mentioned, many think of an organization focused on warfare, defense, and perhaps even infiltration. However, this ignores the biggest influence of the franchise and where the inspiration for Starfleet comes from.
Modern military is not an adequate term for Starfleet; rather, they are more like the military of the 18th and 19th centuries. During this time, Royal Navy vessels such as the US Enterprise (no coincidence here) served as Britain’s military, but back, then the military were the primary organization that dealt with trade missions, exploration, scientific discovery, and diplomacy. They, like Starfleet, provided foreign aid, and even policed the waters from pirates. They protected the innocent and even made first contact with new cultures they discovered along the way. Big explorers and scientists of the time, Darwin for example, made their discoveries from the decks of military vessels. Back then, this was not seen as unusual.
When looking at it through this lens, the term is much more favorable for Starfleet, and something the writers and producers should not be afraid to embrace. They perhaps wanted to avoid the violent connotation of modern-day militaries. Being unable to make such a distinction easily, they went on to say that Starfleet was something else, which in many ways is true. The important distinction is that while they may be a military on paper, they do not recognize themselves as such or act with a general militaristic viewpoint, at least not by today’s standard. They do not prioritize warfare over their mission to explore and protect. There are, of course, exceptions, but this is the consensus and mindset throughout the origination. This is why each vessel that Starfleet builds is multipurpose, rather than purely combat-focused like the Klingon Warships.
Whatever the conclusion, and whatever fans choose to believe about Starfleet, it is fairly immaterial in the grand scheme of things. The organization is defined by the people within it, the array of different faces. From science officers to engineers, ensigns to Captains, the majority of members are good people with a strong sense of right and wrong. They strive for the best, and often put the needs of others ahead of their own. While there will always be expectations at various points in the chain of command, their actions show that Starfleet is a force for good in the galaxy, whether it is military or not.
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