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Description
Centuries after its founding, Starfleet remains deeply rooted in military history and tradition. From the fundamental structure and ranking hierarchy to the names of some of its most famous vessels, this heritage has shaped the organization and, at several points in history, was a dominant factor in its policy.

Mandate
The mandate of the Strategy and Defense branch of Starfleet is the protection of the Federation and its member worlds. It is tasked both with addressing hostile forces from without and overseeing security agencies aboard starships and in Federation facilities.

Reputation
The military role of Starfleet has been a source of controversy throughout its history. Between being one of the central pillars of the organization and being viewed as little more than an uncomfortable necessity, the reputation of the Strategy and Defense branch has varied wildly in the past and at times created deep divisions within Starfleet and the Federation.
Within Starfleet, Strategy, and Defense is the most independent of the four main branches, with a notably different reading of some Starfleet protocols and command style. In the 24th century, this division was so strong, at times, that Starship crews typically assigned to other branches found themselves unable to serve effectively under a Strategy and Defense command, and vice versa. Eventually, these rifts in the organization had to be mended during the Dominion War, but the difference never fully disappeared.

Assets
Military Starships
"Starfleet builds no warships" is a phrase coined in the 24th century. The sentiment is rooted in the traumatic events of the Khitomer conspiracy, involving high-ranking admirals affiliated with the Strategy and Defense branch, that tried to provoke an open conflict between the Federation and Klingon Empire to ensure Starfleet's continued existence as a militarized organization. This was an incisive event in the history of the Strategy and Defense branch, leaving it with drastically reduced influence and public support.
As a consequence, Starfleet worked actively against the perception of a militarized force and in the coming decades would indeed put a stronger focus on Science and Exploration as its primary mandate. Military innovation in technology and ship-design would only return prominently to the public eye during the Dominion war with the introduction of experimental classes such as the Defiant and Prometheus.

However, while military assets were no longer overtly advertised as such, Starfleet did at all times continue to maintain a fleet of starships built and refitted for military operations and not even at this most critical time disband the Strategy and Defense Branch or its assets. Likewise, all Starships of the Fleet were developed and built with their role as tactical assets in mind.

Other Assets
Aside from rapid response fleets to address immediate threats and incursions, the Strategy and Defense Branch maintains a large network of military satellites, stations, and even starbases throughout Federation space. These are concentrated around areas of ongoing tension, such as the Neutral Zones, and areas of strategic importance within the Federation.

Starfleet's military presence near the homeworlds of Federation members largely depends on the request of local governments. While some rely wholly on Starfleet, others prefer equal cooperation, reliance on their own forces, or pacifism.

Supporters & Relations
There exists a long-standing rivalry between the Starfleet branches of 'Science and Exploration' and 'Strategy and Defense', with both sides claiming precedence over the other and accusing the other of inciting many of the crises and conflicts that have arisen throughout history. While these tensions rarely escalate, they do perpetuate a tendency of these two branches working in parallel with literal actual cooperation or interaction.

Depending on the political state of the Federation internally and externally, the Administration and Relations branch has been favoring both rivaling branches at different times. Many more conservative members and elements of the Federation tend to lend support to Strategy and Defense, with some considering its military strength as an invaluable asset in maintaining the Federation's strong diplomatic position in negotiations across the Quadrant.
The Research and Development branch of Starfleet cooperates with both branches in equal parts and at times ends up as a kind of mediator within the service.

The branches' image is also very different in various member worlds, with some martial cultures seeing it as the true core of Starfleet while others see in it a dangerous imperialist element that needs to be kept tightly in check.

History
At its inception, Starfleet combined the ideals and expertise of global scientific agencies and with manpower and industrial prowess of leftover militaries, creating a single entity with the resources to create interplanetary and, eventually, interstellar infrastructure and conduct deep space exploration. As a result, both the branches of 'Science and Exploration' and 'Strategy and Defense' were always part of Starfleet and with them, their rivalry.

As humanity took its first steps in interstellar space under the guidance of the Vulcans, the full extent of the scientific potential was revealed. At the same time, those early missions also exposed the dangers of the galaxy and with them, the need for Earth's protection.
While the dangerous nature of deep space exploration was known to the higher echelons of Starfleet all along, the true extent of that danger was tragically brought to the forefront of the public's perception with the Xindi Attack on Earth. This act of terror caused the first major shift from Starfleet's focus on exploration to one of defense. In the aftermath of the attack, military technologies and armament programs were prioritized and military units such as the MACOs began service aboard Starfleet vessels.

During this early time of conflict, Starfleet reached its arguably greatest achievement in managing to maintain a strong exploratory mandate despite prominent calls for full militarization both from governments and the general public. Its stalwart stands against full militarization would come under further strain with the on-set of the Romulan War. Ironically, it was this war and its subsequent leadup to the founding of the Federation, that cemented Starfleet's place as an organization devoted to both defense and exploration. The Coalition and following Federation was only possible precisely because Starfleet was not committed to being a sole military force and had its scientific and research potential to offer the founding members.

The first golden era of Starfleet as an agency of exploration came to an abrupt end with the outbreak of the Klingon War. Heavy early losses on the Federation's side strengthened the position of the Strategy and Defense branch immensely, and as a new generation of Starfleet officers ranked up during and shortly after the war, the branch was firmly entrenched in the inner circle of Starfleet Command.
The following cold war between the Klingon Empire and the Federation saw Starfleet keeping a stronger military streak, with the Strategy and Defense branch maintaining their influence. However, despite the ongoing tensions, the Federation pushed for exploration and diplomacy wherever it could.
When the big chance for a diplomatic breakthrough came, the 'old guard' of Strategy and Defense felt its grip on power already weakening. It was likely the long ongoing frustration with the Federations tendency towards exploration that fueled some of the high-ranking members of the Admiralty who were part of the Khitomer Conspiracy.

In the aftermath of this mistake, Starfleet shifted drastically away from its military roots and, for the first time, tried not only to limit its military role but actively promoted its image as a solely civilian organization.
Only the onset of another war would change this new dynamic, but not before the Federation had to endure yet again massive losses at the hands of both the Borg and the Dominion.

Star Trek Eclipse - Star Trek fan art.

More updates and interactions:
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Description
Centuries after its founding, Starfleet remains deeply rooted in military history and tradition. From the fundamental structure and ranking hierarchy to the names of some of its most famous vessels, this heritage has shaped the organization and, at several points in history, was a dominant factor in its policy.

Mandate
The mandate of the Strategy and Defense branch of Starfleet is the protection of the Federation and its member worlds. It is tasked both with addressing hostile forces from without and overseeing security agencies aboard starships and in Federation facilities.

Reputation
The military role of Starfleet has been a source of controversy throughout its history. Between being one of the central pillars of the organization and being viewed as little more than an uncomfortable necessity, the reputation of the Strategy and Defense branch has varied wildly in the past and at times created deep divisions within Starfleet and the Federation.
Within Starfleet, Strategy, and Defense is the most independent of the four main branches, with a notably different reading of some Starfleet protocols and command style. In the 24th century, this division was so strong, at times, that Starship crews typically assigned to other branches found themselves unable to serve effectively under a Strategy and Defense command, and vice versa. Eventually, these rifts in the organization had to be mended during the Dominion War, but the difference never fully disappeared.

Assets
Military Starships
"Starfleet builds no warships" is a phrase coined in the 24th century. The sentiment is rooted in the traumatic events of the Khitomer conspiracy, involving high-ranking admirals affiliated with the Strategy and Defense branch, that tried to provoke an open conflict between the Federation and Klingon Empire to ensure Starfleet's continued existence as a militarized organization. This was an incisive event in the history of the Strategy and Defense branch, leaving it with drastically reduced influence and public support.
As a consequence, Starfleet worked actively against the perception of a militarized force and in the coming decades would indeed put a stronger focus on Science and Exploration as its primary mandate. Military innovation in technology and ship-design would only return prominently to the public eye during the Dominion war with the introduction of experimental classes such as the Defiant and Prometheus.

However, while military assets were no longer overtly advertised as such, Starfleet did at all times continue to maintain a fleet of starships built and refitted for military operations and not even at this most critical time disband the Strategy and Defense Branch or its assets. Likewise, all Starships of the Fleet were developed and built with their role as tactical assets in mind.

Other Assets
Aside from rapid response fleets to address immediate threats and incursions, the Strategy and Defense Branch maintains a large network of military satellites, stations, and even starbases throughout Federation space. These are concentrated around areas of ongoing tension, such as the Neutral Zones, and areas of strategic importance within the Federation.

Starfleet's military presence near the homeworlds of Federation members largely depends on the request of local governments. While some rely wholly on Starfleet, others prefer equal cooperation, reliance on their own forces, or pacifism.

Supporters & Relations
There exists a long-standing rivalry between the Starfleet branches of 'Science and Exploration' and 'Strategy and Defense', with both sides claiming precedence over the other and accusing the other of inciting many of the crises and conflicts that have arisen throughout history. While these tensions rarely escalate, they do perpetuate a tendency of these two branches working in parallel with literal actual cooperation or interaction.

Depending on the political state of the Federation internally and externally, the Administration and Relations branch has been favoring both rivaling branches at different times. Many more conservative members and elements of the Federation tend to lend support to Strategy and Defense, with some considering its military strength as an invaluable asset in maintaining the Federation's strong diplomatic position in negotiations across the Quadrant.
The Research and Development branch of Starfleet cooperates with both branches in equal parts and at times ends up as a kind of mediator within the service.

The branches' image is also very different in various member worlds, with some martial cultures seeing it as the true core of Starfleet while others see in it a dangerous imperialist element that needs to be kept tightly in check.

History
At its inception, Starfleet combined the ideals and expertise of global scientific agencies and with manpower and industrial prowess of leftover militaries, creating a single entity with the resources to create interplanetary and, eventually, interstellar infrastructure and conduct deep space exploration. As a result, both the branches of 'Science and Exploration' and 'Strategy and Defense' were always part of Starfleet and with them, their rivalry.

As humanity took its first steps in interstellar space under the guidance of the Vulcans, the full extent of the scientific potential was revealed. At the same time, those early missions also exposed the dangers of the galaxy and with them, the need for Earth's protection.
While the dangerous nature of deep space exploration was known to the higher echelons of Starfleet all along, the true extent of that danger was tragically brought to the forefront of the public's perception with the Xindi Attack on Earth. This act of terror caused the first major shift from Starfleet's focus on exploration to one of defense. In the aftermath of the attack, military technologies and armament programs were prioritized and military units such as the MACOs began service aboard Starfleet vessels.

During this early time of conflict, Starfleet reached its arguably greatest achievement in managing to maintain a strong exploratory mandate despite prominent calls for full militarization both from governments and the general public. Its stalwart stands against full militarization would come under further strain with the on-set of the Romulan War. Ironically, it was this war and its subsequent leadup to the founding of the Federation, that cemented Starfleet's place as an organization devoted to both defense and exploration. The Coalition and following Federation was only possible precisely because Starfleet was not committed to being a sole military force and had its scientific and research potential to offer the founding members.

The first golden era of Starfleet as an agency of exploration came to an abrupt end with the outbreak of the Klingon War. Heavy early losses on the Federation's side strengthened the position of the Strategy and Defense branch immensely, and as a new generation of Starfleet officers ranked up during and shortly after the war, the branch was firmly entrenched in the inner circle of Starfleet Command.
The following cold war between the Klingon Empire and the Federation saw Starfleet keeping a stronger military streak, with the Strategy and Defense branch maintaining their influence. However, despite the ongoing tensions, the Federation pushed for exploration and diplomacy wherever it could.
When the big chance for a diplomatic breakthrough came, the 'old guard' of Strategy and Defense felt its grip on power already weakening. It was likely the long ongoing frustration with the Federations tendency towards exploration that fueled some of the high-ranking members of the Admiralty who were part of the Khitomer Conspiracy.

In the aftermath of this mistake, Starfleet shifted drastically away from its military roots and, for the first time, tried not only to limit its military role but actively promoted its image as a solely civilian organization.
Only the onset of another war would change this new dynamic, but not before the Federation had to endure yet again massive losses at the hands of both the Borg and the Dominion.

Star Trek Eclipse - Star Trek fan art.

More updates and interactions:
Facebook // Twitter // Reddit