Special Operations in the Star Wars and Star Trek Universes

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Overview

Trektards will often throw up a number of methods in which the UFP, and others, could resist an Imperial invasion of the Milky Way. Most of these unusual methods necessitate use of special operations-type forces, and when the displayed capabilities of the Star Wars Universe, and that of the Milky Way(of the TNG era) are compared some interesting conclusions can be drawn.

Jedi and Paramilitaries

During the Republic era, the primary law enforcement arm was the Jedi Order based on Coruscant. The Jedi operated as all-in-one Diplomats, Cops, Intelligence Agents, "Internal Security" (as inferred from the casualness of chopping arms off in crowded nightclubs) and Special Forces. Often times the Jedi would be augmented by paramilitaries such as Freedom's Son's, when an insufficient amount of Jedi needed backup.

Due to the extraordinary nature of the Jedi and their abilities they cannot be considered "true" special forces.

Clone Wars Era

When the Fett-strain clone army was being built by the Kaminoans, it was clear that the Jedi would be acting as the Generals, and would not be on hand in numbers to fulfill the special operations role. The so-called Republic Commandos operate in 4-man teams and took part in the full spectrum of special operations, to include hostage rescue, boarding of enemy vessels, snatch-and-grab, and sabotage behind enemy lines. Commandos were used extensively and to great success during the Clone Wars.

Imperial/Post Endor Era

The Galactic Empire stepped away from clones as the primary source for the military between the end of the Clone Wars and the destruction of the first Death Star at Yavin, and by the Thrawn era Imperial Commando teams consisted of traditional exceptional personnel drawn from the general military.

During this time the Empire utilized alien specialists known as Noghri for activities that required concealment of Imperial involvment. After it became clear that the Empire was intentionally dragging it's feet in restoring the Noghri homworld, the Noghri defected and joined the New Republic.

The Rebel Alliance (and later the New Republic) utilized their own specialized Commandos in the form of Page's Commandos and Wraith Squadron, to name two examples.

Star Trek Special Operations

The Federation as of the TNG era has been reduced to drafting unspecialized personnel off of starships to perform covert operations. In the course of the TNG and DS9 series there was one, count 'em, one Federation individual who's specialization was special operations. And his primary function was to recruit Dr. Julian Bashier into Section 31! For the most part there are no (public)Special Forces in the Federation, with the teams that are put together(whether for boarding ships or sent on recon missions) using standard Starfleet tools and equipment. Interestingly, there is at least one firearm that suggests it was designed for special operations, but it has been seen in only one DS9 episode.

The Cardassian Union and Romulan Star Empire had their own special operations agencies represented with the Obsidian Order and Tal'Shiar, respectively. While the Obsidian Order managed to produce some effective agents(Elim Garek), the substantial number of warships both agencies had suggests a more NKVD/SS role of protecting the regime from the regular military rather than straight unconventional warfare.