I'm under the impression that Worf's uniform change from gold to red was due to accepting the Strategic Operations Officer position aboard DS9 but I thought red was for those on the command track, not operations, and it would seem that coordinating "strategic operations" for Starfleet would be an operations position.

What about this particular position change prompted the uniform change? Or was there another reason for the change unrelated to his new job title?

worf red uniform

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    Variety is the spice of life, man. – Slacklord the Terrible Apr 18 '17 at 15:26
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    "What colour of uniform does a Klingon Warrior wear when he joins Starfleet?" - whatever colour he wants. – Steve-O Apr 18 '17 at 15:34
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    I sort of suggest the question be changed to something like "Why does Strategic Operations imply a Command uniform rather than Operations?" which seems to be the real crux of the question you mean. – ThePopMachine Apr 18 '17 at 16:34
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    I think I'd prefer to leave it Worf-centered because I'm specifically looking at him. For all I know, the reason he wears red has more to do with his duties aboard the Defiant rather than his "coordinating Starfleet activity" or whatever the job description is for Strategic Operations Officer. – TheIronCheek Apr 18 '17 at 18:44

You've mistaken "Operations" (those responsible for the conduct and good running of a ship or station) with "Strategic Operations" (those responsible for managing the disposition of fleets, ships and defence stuff).

Although the names are superficially similar, one is a Command role and the other is not.

The original screenplay from "Way of the Warrior" makes it abundantly clear that he's moved back into a Command-track role.

166 INT. OPS

Close on Worf, as he steps out of the turbolift. He's now wearing a Deep Space Nine jumpsuit in Command red, along with his usual sash.


O'BRIEN: You look good in red.

WORF: It feels good. But I have much to learn about Command.

O'BRIEN: (re: Sisko) Well, you couldn't ask for a better teacher.

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    O'BRIEN: (re: Sisko) Well, you couldn't ask for a better teacher....... previous Starship Captains served under excluded, of course. – PhasedOut Apr 18 '17 at 19:07
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    @PhasedOut - A guy who nearly quit Starfleet and who punched an alien capable of snuffing out humanity on a whim. – Valorum Apr 18 '17 at 19:18
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    @Valorum - Come on Kirk was worse, he pissed off god or something, still not really sure on that. About the only one what didn't come close actually causing humanities destruction was Sam Beckett, may be, and I'm pretty sure that's cause he couldn't figure out how. Poor guy, only actor to do more time traveling then Dr. Who. – coteyr Apr 18 '17 at 19:35
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    "O'BRIEN: (re: Sisko) Well, you couldn't ask for a better teacher." Someone send the Burn Unit to Capt Picard's ready room. – Joe Apr 18 '17 at 20:52
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    Perhaps Worf specifically couldn't ask for a better teacher, Sisko having a temperament a bit closer to Worf than Picard. – Stephen Collings Apr 19 '17 at 12:46

You're right to infer that it's related to taking on a different role, that of Strategic Operations Officer (That is essentially spelt out in the transcript others have provided) and that that role falls under the Command division. As @Valorum points out, the mere fact that the position contains the word operations doesn't make it an Operations role.

The word you should be concentrating is strategic. In some respects strategy is the defining feature of what Command does.

From Wikipedia:

The terms tactic and strategy are often confused: tactics are the actual means used to gain an objective, while strategy is the overall campaign plan, which may involve complex operational patterns, activity, and decision-making that govern tactical execution.

That is not run of the mill Operations which essentially means the branch responsible for making things happen and keeping things running.

I would also note, the Operations in Strategic Operations may be in the sense of a military operation. In other words, he works on operations (actions) of a strategic kind (i.e. not strictly military). That may include actions of a Special Operations nature:

Special operations (S.O.) are military operations that are "special" or unconventional and carried out by dedicated special forces and other special operations forces units using unconventional methods and resources. Special operations may be performed independently of or in conjunction with, conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does not exist or might adversely affect the overall strategic outcome. Special operations are usually conducted in a low-profile manner that aims to achieve the advantages of speed, surprise, and violence of action against an unsuspecting target. Special ops are typically carried out with limited numbers of highly trained personnel that are adaptable, self-reliant and able to operate in all environments, and able to use unconventional combat skills and equipment. Special operations are usually implemented through specific, tailored intelligence.

In fact, on a number of occasions, we have specifically seen Worf involved in planning and executing special ops.


From the script when his post is announced:

Worf enters in red shouldered DS9 uniform and his sash)

WORF: Lieutenant Commander Worf reporting for duty.

SISKO: Well, you all know our new strategic operations officer.

SISKO: Assume your post, Mister Worf.

WORF: Yes, sir.

O'BRIEN: You look good in red.

WORF: It feels good. But I have a lot to learn about Command.

We can infer from the dialog that the strategic operations officer was considered a command position.

In Worf's job as strategic operations officer he coordinated all Starfleet activity within the sector. We see Worf doing several traditional command roles including:

  • Captaining the Defiant
  • Commanding other security and intelligence officers
  • Fleet liaison officer.

It was a command position because he was coordinating activity a vast and strategically important area. You can see that he was regularly meeting with captains, admirals, and ambassadors in his role.

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