Todas as cores representam diferentes tarefas e funções de serviço em um navio. A série de reinicialização adaptou as cores da série original.
Aqui está a lista do trabalho que cada cor representa.
The command division wore gold shirts. This includes Captain Kirk, Lieutenant Sulu, and Pavel Chekov.
The science and medical staff wore blue shirts. This includes Lieutenant Commander McCoy and Commander Spock.
The engineering and communications division wore red shirts. This included Chief Engineer Scotty and Communications Officer Uhura.
The security division also wore red shirts. You might know these people as the careless supporting characters that are immediately killed whenever the crew is confronted by a new enemy. We told you to avoid them.
source
Quando Kirk pede a Chekov que vista uma camisa vermelha, ele fez de Chekov seu novo chefe da divisão de Engenharia.
KIRK: Mister Chekov. You've been shadowing Mister Scott. You are familiar with the engineering systems of this ship?
CHEKOV: Affirmative, sir.
KIRK: Good. You're my new Chief. Go put on a red shirt.
Origem do Script
Conforme indicado na lista de cores uniformes, Chekov foi convidado a vestir uma camisa vermelha.