You have a good point, you would think engineer based off the name would take care of repairs. To me the discription given to each class didnt really match up with that idea. I looked at it as the enginner had the ability to maximize performance, like maybe even a skill that increases your total HP by a % per level, making it the tank since you could have at lvl 9 say 20% more HP then any other class. Obviously I have not played engineer to even know if such skills excist..

I am happy with the responses I have gotten, I at least know what I need to do to head in the right direction of playing the role I wanted to in this game. Who knows in time maybe they will make it so that each class is able to support themselves while playing other roles.

I believe there is also a "Medical Team" space ability, that can accelerate the recovery of crewman on your own ship or an ally's ship

Just my 2 cents:

Science ships can really be specced (spec for me refers to BO skills, captain choice, equipment choice) as a shield tank or healer.

Escorts can be specced as a dps. You can get some defense and/or healing with some different choices, but really that's it. That's what you get though for being able to use MKIII+ cannons.

Cruiser can be a hull tank (and a shield tank too, but science does that better) or a heal tank.

I'm not really sure if there is an advantage for healing between cruisers and science ships end-game. They can opt for very similar BO slots. Only potential difference is you get the option for an additional science BoFF instead of an engineer with science ships. If there's a difference in end-game abilities for healing between science and engineer BoFFS, that would prob. be the difference.

Take a look at this thread someone composed. It is very helpful for all those who wish to be space priests!

http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=95051

Thank you for the link, this is the type of information I have been looking for. Now my next step will be to find a fleet to fly along side