Enlisted crew are just as likely to have duties that require them to wear more rugged uniforms as they are to be working in an office. As the technical specialists of Starfleet, enlisted personnel are generally required to be very hands-on with the equipment they maintain. They are also typically the first to respond to a variety of crises such as damage control, security breaches and dangerous away missions. To that end, they'll typically wear the tactical uniform for its utility and protection.

Tactical uniforms are mean to protect the wearer from harm while also providing relative comfort and offering a wide range of motion. They might be worn on a dangerous away mission, as a flight suit by shuttle pilots, while working in the bowels of starships, or as the standard duty uniform on a backwater starbase or colony world.