2350's-2365 : Uniforms : Page 1

Scans and screenshots by Janet. Text - adapted from section sources. Optimum page viewing.

YELLOW ALERT This page and the next relate to uniform changes introduced by Starfleet during the early 2350's. The new-style uniforms are seen in Seasons 1 and 2 of [TNG], whose events are set in 2364 and 2365 respectively. The new uniforms system is markedly different from those of the Star Trek films, losing the 'chunky' look, and reverting to the original basic colour scheme for distinguishing divisions. A new starship, USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D, is now the star of the show and has its own series called [Star Trek: The Next Generation], [TNG] for short, together with a completely new crew that is commanded by Captain Jean-Luc Picard.* *Many would instead list the new crew first, then the ship.  P.S. It's a Freudian slip (a sort of undergarment which I'm wearing) that I list the starship first. This is in keeping with the joking comment by Jonathan Frakes (plays Will Riker) quoted on a celebration of Star Trek tv programme that the cast's contracts stipulate that the starship is the real star of the show.

PAGE CONTENTS

Divisions

Ranks and insignia

Descriptions and drawings

DIVISIONS

COMMAND	OPERATIONS	SCIENCE
The delta symbol badge of Starfleet is the same on all duty uniforms regardless of duty designation. The silver emblem is the same as, and derived from, USS Enterprise NCC-1701's individual starship symbol in use during the 2260's (in [TOS]). The insignia is placed on a metallic golden oval and, unlike in previous eras, acts as a communicator that is activated by tapping it and which enables a person's location to be pin-pointed by the ship's computer. These two changes significantly improve speed of communications and can greatly assist in search and rescue missions.

Rank and insignia

A different system of rank insignia is also introduced along with the change in uniform. A series of small circular pips, each just one centimetre in diameter, combine to indicate all ranks from warrant officer to fleet admiral. Pips, all worn on the right-hand side of the uniform collar, are either a solid gold colour, or black and ringed by a metallic circumference. The number and arrangement of these pips provide an immediate visual reference to the rank of the wearer - an important indicator when the uniform of an enlisted crewman and a captain could otherwise be identical. Rank pips are not worn on the dress uniform variants. Admirals wear rank pins indicating the admiral-grade; unlike rank pips, two pins are worn, one on each side of the collar.

gold pip

black pip

Full details, such as pips for individual ranks, are at 2350's to 2404 Rank And Insignia.

Descriptions and drawings

main crew on the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D bridge [TNG: Season 1: Lonely Among Us]

The standard duty uniforms of this era come in two basic unisex designs. There is an all-in-one suit with full length trousers and long sleeves, and a short-sleeved tunic version worn over bare legs. Most members of a starship crew wear the standard uniform whenever they are on duty, but there are exceptions. The uniforms worn by medical staff sometimes feature a blue jacket worn over the standard uniform, or a variant short tunic over black trousers.

Crew members holding specific jobs, such as that of ship's counsellor, are allowed to wear more individual outfits at the captain's discretion e.g. in [TNG: Chain of Command] Captain Jellico orders Counsellor Troi to wear more formal attire. Other forms of Starfleet uniform are also changed at this time. There are two variants of admirals' uniforms: a short red tunic, and a red jacket with a black diagonal sash. Both versions feature heavy gold braiding, as does the dress uniforms, which consist of a long tunic over black trousers. (See below: Drawings and descriptions: admiral's uniform.)

background: Lt. Yar, Counsellor Troi; foreground: Dr Crusher; publicity shot

COMMAND UNIFORM The red duty uniform denotes the command division. This command uniform is an all-in-one suit with full-length trousers. The trousers are worn over short black boots - note the neat upside-down V-shaped slit or vent to allow for that together with the edging detail. The kind of upward-pointing detail at the bottom of the trousers neatly matches the same upward-pointing styling just above the waist. The sleeves are long and bear no rank markings at all (see above, under 'Ranks and insignia'). The duty uniform has a collarless shirt, unlike the later versions which will have stand-up collars. As with other uniforms (except the duty coveralls - see below), rank is denoted by pips worn on the right-hand forward side of the collar (unlike in previous eras there are no markings on the sleeve cuffs), located between the braids on the collar. In addition, the new Starfleet insignia, which now does not vary from rank to rank, is worn on the left breast. The insignia incorporates a personal communicator, activated by tapping it. The command uniform is worn by USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D crew members such as Captain Picard and Commander Riker, his Number One - pictured below.

PICTURE A Captain Picard and Lt. Cmdr. Data [TNG: Season 1: The Naked Now]

PICTURE B Captain Picard and Chief Medical Officer Dr Crusher [TNG: Season 1: Too Short A Season]

Captain Picard [TNG: Season 2: Where Silence Has Lease]

[TNG: Season 1: Hide And Q]

[TNG: Season 1: Too Short A Season]

PICTURE C Cmdr. Riker and Lt. Worf [TNG: Season 2: Time Squared]

SECURITY/OPERATIONS Crew members who belong to the departments of engineering operations or security, such as Lieutenant Yar, wear gold-coloured duty uniforms. The all-in-one version of the uniform is mostly black with gold colouring on the sleeves and torso. See Lt. Cmdr. Data in PICTURE A above and Lt. Worf in PICTURE C above.

Counsellor Troi and Lt. Yar [TNG: Season 1: Angel One] Lt. Tasha Yar publicity shot

Lt. Geordi La Forge [TNG: Season 2: Q Who]