Unveiling the Legendary Starfleet Academy Cadets: A Glorious Journey through 9 Historic Moments in Star Trek

Summary

Graduating from Starfleet Academy is a significant achievement and signifies being among the best and worthy of becoming a Starfleet Officer.

Starfleet Academy offers comprehensive training in diverse aspects of space life, equipping cadets for a bright future in Starfleet. Throughout the history of Star Trek, numerous remarkable characters have emerged as graduates of Starfleet Academy, leaving an indelible mark on Federation history by shattering barriers and attaining extraordinary accomplishments.

To embark on a journey as a Starfleet Officer in Star Trek, one must first graduate from Starfleet Academy. Throughout the franchise, a number of beloved characters have made their mark in the academy's history. Starfleet Academy is the ultimate aspiration for countless young humans and extraterrestrials who dream of exploring the galaxy or rising to the rank of starship captain. While it is possible to join Starfleet as a non-commissioned officer, graduating from Starfleet Academy signifies that you are among the elite, deserving of the prestigious title of Starfleet Officer.

Located in San Francisco on Earth, Starfleet Academy serves as the gateway to a career in Starfleet. Over the course of a rigorous 4-year training program, cadets undergo intensive learning to fully grasp the responsibilities and intricacies of being a part of Starfleet. They are prepared for various aspects of space life, from serving on a starship and piloting shuttlecraft to understanding the warp core and surviving on Class M planets during away missions. Additionally, the academy imparts the knowledge and skills required for commanding a starship. By equipping cadets with such comprehensive training, Starfleet Academy ensures that they are ready to embrace a career that involves exploring new and unfamiliar worlds, as well as defending the United Federation of Planets against hostile races like the Borg and the Romulans.

In Star Trek: Discovery's 32nd century, after a century of The Burn, Starfleet Academy has reopened and is now situated in space alongside Federation headquarters. In light of this, let's take a look at nine noteworthy graduates of Starfleet Academy who have left an indelible mark on Federation history.

9 Una Chin-Riley - First Illyrian To Graduate From Starfleet Academy (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds)

Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) became the first Illyrian to complete her training at Starfleet Academy. Later, she assumed the role of First Officer aboard the USS Enterprise, serving alongside Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). However, it wasn't until Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 that Una's true identity as a genetically enhanced Illyrian was revealed. This revelation led to a court-martial, as she had concealed her Illyrian heritage on her application due to the Federation's ban on genetic modifications. Despite the challenge, Una successfully defended herself and was permitted to rejoin the Enterprise, proud that her honesty prevailed. One of her admirers, Lt. Brad Boimler (Jack Quad) from Star Trek: Lower Decks, was profoundly influenced by Una and her personal motto, "Ad Astra Per Aspera."

8 Saru - First Kelpien To Graduate From Starfleet Academy (Star Trek: Discovery)

Saru, portrayed by Doug Jones, stands out as a significant character in Star Trek: Discovery. Not only is he the first Kelpien to venture away from his homeworld of Kaminar, but he is also the inaugural Kelpien member of Starfleet. Initially, Saru was taken off-world by Lt. Philippa Georgiou, played by Michelle Yeoh, who served aboard the USS Archimedes. Subsequently, he underwent processing at Starbase 7 before commencing his studies at Starfleet Academy on Earth.

During his time at the Academy, Saru dedicated himself to mastering an impressive total of 94 Federation languages. This linguistic expertise prepared him for a future of space exploration. He advanced through the ranks and served as a Lieutenant and Science Officer aboard the USS Shenzhou before his transfer to the position of First Officer aboard the USS Discovery.

Following his prominent role in leading Discovery into the 32nd century, Saru's efforts were recognized with a promotion to Captain of the Discovery. However, he graciously passed on the responsibility of commanding the starship to his successor, Captain Michael Burnham, portrayed by Sonequa Martin-Green.

7 James T. Kirk - First Starfleet Academy Cadet To Beat The Kobayashi Maru (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan/Star Trek 2009)

6 Valeris - First Vulcan To Graduate Top Of Her Class At Starfleet Academy (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan unveiled that Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) was the initial cadet from Starfleet Academy to conquer the Kobayashi Maru test. Rejecting the concept of a scenario with no possibility of victory, Cadet Kirk altered the simulation, finding a way to rescue the Kobayashi Maru freighter and earning recognition for his innovative thinking. In the altered Kelvin Timeline depicted in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek 2009 film, James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) similarly defied the Kobayashi Maru, becoming the first Starfleet Cadet to triumph over the no-win situation, provoking the frustration of its programmer, Commander Spock (Zachary Quinto).

Lt. Valeris (Kim Cattrall), mentored by Captain Spock (Leonard Nimoy), made history as the first Vulcan graduate to excel at Starfleet Academy. Regrettably, her subsequent betrayal in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country stained the reputation of Starfleet, the Federation, and Spock himself. Aligned with renegade factions within Starfleet, the Klingons, and the Romulans, Valeris conspired to assassinate Klingon Chancellor Gorkon (David Warner) and disrupt the potential peace between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Eventually, Captain Kirk unraveled Valeris' deceitful involvement, leading to her apprehension and the exposure of the conspiracy by the Enterprise crew.

5 Data - First Android In To Graduate From Starfleet Academy (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Data (Brent Spiner), the first android to graduate from Starfleet Academy, was assigned to the USS Enterprise-D in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Created by Dr. Noonian Soong (Brent Spiner), Data's admission to Starfleet Academy faced opposition from Dr. Bruce Maddox (Brian Brophy), who argued that the android was "not a sentient being." However, Data's full rights were eventually recognized in the TNG season 2 episode, "The Measure of a Man." Throughout his time in Starfleet, the esteemed android received numerous medals and awards, until his demise in Star Trek: Nemesis and subsequent resurrection in Star Trek: Picard season 3.

4 Worf - First Klingon To Graduate From Starfleet Academy (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Worf (Michael Dorn), the first Klingon to join Starfleet, was raised on Earth by human foster parents, the Rozhenkos. During a visit to the Klingon homeworld Q'onoS in his teenage years, Worf had a vision of Kahless the Unforgettable, who prophesied that he would accomplish what no Klingon had ever done before. Taking this to heart, Worf enrolled in Starfleet Academy and embarked on a turbulent career within Starfleet. He served on the USS Enterprise-D and E in Star Trek: The Next Generation and its movies, as well as on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In addition to his starship duties, Worf has held the positions of Federation Ambassador to Q'onoS and Captain of the Enterprise-E. In the third season of Star Trek: Picard, we see a more introspective Captain Worf as he operates within Starfleet Intelligence.

3 Wesley Crusher - First Crusher Not To Graduate From Starfleet Academy (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Introduced as Star Trek: The Next Generation's resident prodigy, Wesley Crusher appeared poised to fulfill his destiny by enrolling in Starfleet Academy with the sponsorship of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). However, his involvement in concealing the death of a fellow classmate in Nova Squadron hindered his progress. Wesley admitted his wrongdoing, resulting in the nullification of his academic year and the need to retake his courses. Subsequently, Wesley made the decision to resign from Starfleet Academy in order to uncover his true purpose as a member of the interstellar beings known as the Travelers. Notably, Wesley became the first of his family, which included his father Lt. Commander Jack R. Crusher (Doug Wert), his mother Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), and his half-brother Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), to not successfully graduate from Starfleet Academy.

2 Nog - First Ferengi To Graduate From Starfleet Academy (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) defied his doubters, including his own sponsor, by proving them wrong. Nog (Aron Eisenberg), the first Ferengi to join Starfleet in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, especially stood out. Nog effortlessly adapted to the discipline and structure of Starfleet Academy, excelling in his assignments in the field on DS9. During the Dominion War, he courageously fought on the front lines, even after tragically losing his leg in the Siege of AR-558. Ensign Nog continued his remarkable journey as a Starfleet success story, earning a promotion to Lieutenant, junior grade by the end of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

1 Elnor - First Full-Blooded Romulan To Graduate From Starfleet Academy (Star Trek: Picard)

The Romulan refugee Elnor, as a young boy, found acceptance among the Qowat Milat, a sect of Romulan warrior nuns. Admiral Jean-Luc Picard became his friend during this time. As an adult, Elnor took it upon himself to be Jean-Luc's protector in the first season of Star Trek: Picard. When Picard became Chancellor of Starfleet Academy, he sponsored Elnor's application. In the second season of Star Trek: Picard, Chancellor Picard proudly acknowledged Elnor as the first fully Romulan individual to graduate from Starfleet Academy, and he was assigned to the USS Excelsior. Showrunner Terry Matalas confirmed that Elnor survived Frontier Day and was not on board the Excelsior when it was destroyed by the Borg-assimilated Starfleet. This leaves open the possibility of Elnor's return if the proposed spinoff, Star Trek: Legacy, featuring Picard, becomes a reality.