Nitpicking Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – Security and Engineering?

OOU (Out of Universe) Strange New Worlds Does a FAR better job of presenting the Kirk/Pike era of Starfleet using early 21st century production techniques to reimagine what was first presented as futuristic using mid 20th century production techniques than Discovery EVER did. That said, there are some things that are still blatant “What?” moments. This is one.

Back IU (In Universe) As seen in the Original Series and Animated Series, Helm and Navigation (the two forward stations) normally manned by Lt. Sulu and Lt. Chekov are crewed by members from the Command (yellow shirt) division. This is consistent through seasons one through three of the original series and the animated series as well (2266 – 2270). Though I DO recall some redshirts sitting at navigation prior to Chekov’s arrival.

Yet, in 2259 during Pike’s tenure as Captain of the Enterprise, Lieutenants Ortegas and Mitchell are wearing red. I guess in 2259 Helm and Navigation were sorted into the Security/Engineering division.

{Edit 8/9/2025} Many comments at the Facebook group along the lines of “So, Helm and Navigation were sorted in Engineering/Security in 2259, what’s the big deal?”

That screenshot from “The Cage” takes place in 2254, five years before Ortegas and Mitchell would be wearing Red Uniforms. We can clearly see Lt. Tyler and Number One at Helm and Navigation wearing Command Gold.

Kirk and Yoeman Smith are clearly wearing command gold. Whoever is at communications is wearing sciences blue as are Dr. Dehner, Dr. Piper and Sulu and whoever is at the Engineering station. Commander Mitchell, Lt. Kelso and Scotty are wearing some sort of mustard color uniform.

What we have here is clear evidence that Starfleet had NO idea what they were doing and shuffled Helm and Navigation from Command, to Engineering/Security and back again. (Thank you Robert G. for pointing some of this out)

Robert G. also points out the the badge insignia are all over the place. So not only does Starfleet not care where Helm and Navigation fall in the command structure, but Pike isn’t a stickler for proper badges either.

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