sfa.gif (10725 bytes) Starfleet Academy Timeline & Overview
2250-2254

 

 

STARFLEET ACADEMY -- An Overview

Founded in 2161, Starfleet Academy is the military academy for Starfleet, the Federation's military and exploratory branch. The purpose of the Academy is to prepare its cadets for their duties as officers in Starfleet. There are eight major fields of study: Command, Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Law, Navigation, Technology and Security. Within each major, there are perhaps hundreds of minor fields of study. For example, in Sciences, there's Computer Science, Botany, Astrophysics, Geology, Biology, etc. In Command, there's Tactics, Diplomacy, Starbase Operations, etc. Cadets at Starfleet Academy are considered military personnel and may be deployed, trained, and disciplined as such, especially during times of war. Starfleet midshipmen are subject to the military code of justice. They can be court martialed for infractions of the military code same as anyone else in the military. Part of the Starfleet Academy code of conduct states: "I will not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do." The Starfleet Academy motto, Ex Astris, Scientia means "From the Stars, Knowledge."

Typical Senior Cadet (First Class Midshipman) QuartersThere are approximately 4000 cadets, broken down into 40 dormitories, each housing 100 students. The largest class is, of course, the freshman class with 1400 (35%, 14 dormitories, 4 cadets per room, 25 rooms each). There are approximately 1100 sophomores (27.5%, 11 dormitories, 3 cadets per room, 33 room each), 800 juniors (20%, 8 dormitories, 2 cadets per room, 50 rooms each). The smallest is the senior class with 700 students (17.5%) 7 dormitories, 2 cadets per double room, 50 rooms each). There are 6 battalions of 6 companies each. The battalions are named by Greek letters (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta) and numbered one through six. Dormitories generally are assigned to one battalion, but two or more companies may share a dormitory, but not a floor. The number in each company is approximately 110-112 and companies are usually broken into classes of 35% freshmen, 27.5% sophomores, 20% juniors and 17.5% seniors.

academy2.jpg (24060 bytes)All upperclassmen are referred to as "SIR" which is always said at attention. There's no saluting, but plebes are expected to snap to attention when being addressed by an upperclassman, an officer and/or an instructor. In general, cadets always address each other by their last name. No one is supposed to be on a first-name basis. Cadets wear a uniform consisting of a silver tunic, black slacks and boots. Students also wear pins to denote their class, insignia to denote their major field of study, and insignia to denote their battalion and company.

The classmen tend to separate by class. There is a subliminal tension between classes. If friendships develop across class, there is a suspicion that the upper classman is a bit of a loser and the lower classman is an opportunist. It is bad for morale. Generally, cadets tend to socialize with their peers (classmen). Fraternization between the members of different companies is unusual, but not frowned upon.

Cadets are subject to quarterly physical and annual mental evaluations. Those failing to meet certain levels of physical or mental preparedness are subject to dismissal from the Academy.

FRESHMAN YEAR: 2250-2251 -- Class Size: 1402

Notable Freshmen:

J. Al-Khatib (Major: Command) (It's Not Fair)
L'Orina Allai (Major: Sciences) Centaurian (First Contact 101)
P. Anderson (Major: Command) (It's Not Fair)
V. P. Banerjee
(Major: Command) (It's Not Fair)
E. Bar-Davi
(Major: Command) (It's Not Fair)
Harald Beornson (Major: Engineering or Security) Xartheb (First Contact 101)
J. Dall (Major: Command) (It's Not Fair)
Lystra Davis (Major: Command) (Victory, Salt, It's Not Fair, Chekov's Enterprise)
Deveroux (Major: Undeclared) (First Contact 101)
F. Guerrero (Major: Command) (It's Not Fair)
Deidre Holmes (Major: Command) (It's Not Fair)
Samuel Kelly-Romero (Major: Command) (It's Not Fair)
Thrax K'al Kevaran
(Major: Command) Andorian (Victory)
James T. Kirk
(Major: Command, Minor: History) Riverside, Iowa -- Terran (Where No Man Has Gone Before, Shore-leave, Victory, Salt, It's Not Fair)
Janice Lester
(Major: Command) (Turnabout Intruder, It's Not Fair)
Sarah Madison
(Major: Command) (It's Not Fair)
Ryanpo Mattias (Major: Command) (It's Not Fair)
Garrison K. Mitchell
(Major: Command) Eldman, New England -- Terran (Where No Man Has Gone Before, It's Not Fair)
Angeline Mosconi (Major: Undeclared) (First Contact 101)
Leon N'Khosa (Major: Command) (It's Not Fair)
X'kal H. Narvik-Loran (Major: Command) (It's Not Fair)
Donald O'Sullivan (Major: Sciences) (It's Not Fair)
Genevieve Remillard (Major: Sciences) (It's Not Fair)
Romano (Major: Undeclared) (First Contact 101)
Darian Ross (Major: Command) Terran (First Contact 101)
Spock ch'Sarek of Vulcan (Major: Sciences, Dual-Minor: Astrophysics, Computer Science) Vulcan (It's Not Fair)
Areel Shaw (Major: Law, Minor: Political Science (Court-martial, First Contact 101)
Chulan Sukarnoputri (Major: Sciences) (It's Not Fair)
J.A. Tetreault
(Major: Sciences) (It's Not Fair)
Thulan (Major: Security or Technology) Andorian (First Contact 101)
Patrick Tomas (Major: Sciences) (It's Not Fair)
Tomogawa Hiroyuki
(Major: Sciences) (It's Not Fair)
Red Tyler (Major: Security) Martian (First Contact 101)
Una of Clan Randall (Major: Sciences) (It's Not Fair)

Notable Upperclassmen:

Seamus Finnegan, Junior Year (Shore-leave)
Robert Wesley, Senior Year (Court-martial)

Notable Instructors:

Commodore Erik Von Steuben - Commandant of Starfleet Academy -- Berlin, German -- Terran (Victory)
Admiral Richard Benjamin - Dean of Starfleet Training Command (Victory)
Professor Montgomery Scott - Engineering Principles 401, 402, 403 Instructor and Supervisor of the Antares Two Million -- Edinburgh, Scotland -- Terran (Victory)
Captain Willis -- Flight Simulator 201, 202, 203 Instructor "Kobayashi Maru" (It's Not Fair)

Commander Raphael Mohonri Rodriguez -- Physical Readiness 251, 252, 253; Instructor -- Hispanic/Quechuan from Bolivia -- Terran (First Contact 101)
Lieutenant Benjamin Finney -- a Terran male; Personnel Management Instructor (Court Martial)
Professor John Gill -- History 101, 102, 103; 201, 202, 203 Instructor (
Patterns of Force)
Professor Dopher -- Organic Chemistry Instructor (Salt)

August-September 2250: PLEBE SUMMER

Nine weeks of torment as these freshmen are drilled and trained in military protocol, procedures and lots of physician training the second you get off the airtram. Each company has 38-42 plebes being conditioned by two seniors and five juniors. Their day begins at 0500AM with rollcall and physical training. It's followed by inspection at 0600 hours, breakfast at 0700 hours and academic classes from 0800 hours until 1200 hours. Lunch is at noon, followed by contemplative/meditative period. From 1300 hours until 1700 hours, students are subject to a variety of fleet-oriented classes. At 1700 hours, all plebes receive intensive physical instruction on the parade ground. At 1800 hours, dinner is served. From 1900 hours until 2100 hours, students are engaged in studying and workshops as well as the occasional drill conducted by their supervising Midshipmen. At 2100, lights out in all Freshmen dormitories.

This is the primary period where James T. Kirk has a personal tormentor in the form of Seamus Finnegan, a Midshipman Second Class whose sole purpose in life seems to make Kirk's life at the Academy unbearable. (Shore-leave)

October-December 2250: FALL QUARTER

After Plebe Summer, First Year Cadets are properly called Cadets, however, tradition still allows for upperclassmen to address them as Plebes or Freshmen. Students are allowed Saturday leave and Sunday leave, however, are restricted to San Francisco, and must return to the campus by 2000 hours. Recognized holidays are: Thanksgiving (2 days); Hanukah, Christmas, Festival of Lights, Ramadan or any other religious holiday (2 days maximum); Federation Day and Memorial Day.

It is during this period that Kirk begins a relationship with Lystra Davis. (First Contact 101)

January-March 2251: WINTER QUARTER

In February, Kirk beats Spock at chess. Lystra Davis dumps Kirk. (First Contact 101).

April-June 2251: SPRING QUARTER

History Instructor John Gill is issued a warning in the middle of the third quarter for his curriculum. The student body is unaware of this warning.

July 2251: SUMMER VACATION

academy1.jpg (21052 bytes)

SOPHOMORE YEAR: 2251-2252

August 2251-September 2251: THIRD CLASS MIDSHIPMEN'S CRUISE

Cadets serve aboard a starship, a system patrol ship or even a cargo ship learning the basics of sailing the stars.

October-December 2251: FALL QUARTER

After their freshman year, Second Year Cadets are properly called Third Class Midshipmen, however, tradition still allows for upperclassmen to address them as Thirdies or Sophomores. Students are allowed Friday evening leave, Saturday leave and Sunday leave, however, are restricted to San Francisco, and must return to the campus by 2100 hours. Lights out is at 2200 for Third Class Midshipmen Dorms. In addition to this, students are allowed three liberty weekends per quarter.

In December, Kirk Invites Spock for Christmas dinner. Offer declined. (First Contact 101)

January-March 2252: WINTER QUARTER

Students taking Understanding Principles of Command, Command 202, begin undergoing tests in the Kobayashi Maru simulators.

In March, Kirk cheats on the Kobayashi Maru and is called before a Cadet Review Board. He takes up with Areel Shaw (First Contact 101) because she defended him in this proceeding, and he wins. By May, he takes up with Janice Lester.

April-June 2252: SPRING QUARTER

History Instructor John Gill is dismissed in the middle of the third quarter under less than honorable circumstances and volunteers to be a cultural observer for Starfleet's First Contact division of the Planetary Relations department. He recommends James T. Kirk to assume instruction for the class for the following year.

In April, postings to the various schools are published. Janice Lester did not make it to the Command School training, and loses her tenuous grasp on sanity. (It's Not Fair).

July 2252: SUMMER VACATION

 

JUNIOR YEAR: 2252-2253

August 2252-September 2252: SECOND CLASS MIDSHIPMEN'S CRUISE

Cadets serve aboard a system patrol or cargo ship learning the technician and specialist ("the enlisted") functions of Starfleet, including serving as engineering and bridge officers. Kirk goes to Axanar as a part of a peace-envoy mission. Some cadets remain at the Academy to assist in Plebe Summer. (Whom Gods Destroy) Spock ships out on the U.S.S. Enterprise under the command of Christopher Pike.

October-December 2252: FALL QUARTER

After their sophomore year, Third Year Cadets are properly called Second Class Midshipmen, however, tradition still allows for upperclassmen to address them as Deuces or Juniors. Students are allowed Friday evening leave, Saturday leave and Sunday leave, however, are restricted to North America, and must return to the campus by 2200 hours. Lights out is at 2300 for Second Class Midshipmen Dorms. In addition to this, students are allowed six liberty weekends per quarter.

Majors are now decided. Some have had their hopes dashed (Janice Lester), but others are eager for the challenge as they enter Command, Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Law, Navigation, Technology and (God help 'em ) Security. Some Second Class Midshipmen actually instruct freshman-level courses in subjects such as History, Political Science, depending on the recommendations of their instructors.

January-March 2253: WINTER QUARTER

April-June 2253: SPRING QUARTER

In April, Kirk takes up with Ruth, the wife of a prominent Academy Instructor. She is a much older woman than he usually falls for. By the end of June, she dumps him. (Twixt and Tween)

July 2253: SUMMER VACATION

 

SENIOR YEAR: 2253-2254

August 2253-September 2253: FIRST CLASS MIDSHIPMEN'S CRUISE

Cadets serve aboard a system patrol or cargo ship learning the roles of junior officers aboard Starfleet vessels. Spock ships out on the U.S.S. Enterprise under the command of Christopher Pike a second time. Some cadets remain behind and assist in the Plebe Summer activities.

James T. Kirk was assigned to the U.S.S. Republic, a great honor for any cadet, and possibly one given to him because of who his father was. Given a temporary rank of Ensign, Kirk was put in Engineering. While on duty one night, he discovered a circuit open to the atomic matter piles of the ship's fusion engines. Had the ship engaged its impulse engines, the ship would've exploded. Kirk did not report the incident, but logged the matter in the engineering logs, hoping not to draw attention to the matter. But the Chief Engineer did notice, and Finney received a reprimand and was moved to the bottom of the promotions list. Finney never forgave his former student and old friend. (Court-martial)

October-December 2253: FALL QUARTER

After their junior year, Fourth Year Cadets are properly called First Class Midshipmen, however, tradition still allows for upperclassmen to address them as Firsties or Seniors. Students are allowed Saturday leave and Sunday leave, however, are restricted to Earth, and must return to the campus by 2300 hours. Lights out is at 0000 for First Class Midshipmen Dorms. In addition to this, students are allowed nine liberty weekends per quarter.

Many First Class Midshipmen actually instruct freshman-level and sophomore-level courses in subjects such as History, Political Science, Biology, depending on the recommendations of their instructors.

In October, Kirk and Thrax team up to go for the Antares Two Million competition. Gary Mitchell is annoyed by being excluded, but he knows Kirk hates to lose. Lystra Davis teams up with Spock. (Victory) Also, Gary is further annoyed at Kirk's instruction of a remedial history class. He decides its because Ruth will have nothing to do with Kirk, so he arranges for a little blonde lab technician to distract Kirk. (Twixt and Tween, Salt) His plan works extremely well. (Salt)

January-March 2254: WINTER QUARTER

After spending Christmas together with Jim Kirk, Carol Marcus discovers she's pregnant with his baby. (Salt)

April-June 2254: SPRING QUARTER

In May, the Antares Two Million is run. Kirk and Thrax win. (Victory)

In June, the final Kobayshi Maru test is given. The results of this test usually determine postings. Commencement ceremonies. (Salt)

July 2254: SHIP ASSIGNMENTS

James T. Kirk ships out on the U.S.S. Farragut under the command of Captain Garrovick. (Obsession)
Spock ships out on the U.S.S. Enterprise under the command of Christopher Pike. (The Menagerie)

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

March 25th 2254 - Facing a divorce from his wife, Leonard McCoy joins Starfleet. (The Anniversary Gift)

September 2254 - Kirk given shore-leave to visit Carol and baby. She tells him to leave. (Salt)

 

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION

academy3.jpg (61047 bytes)After their senior year, Graduate Level Cadets are properly called by their ranks (Ensign, etc.) as they have been commissioned as officers upon graduation. However, tradition still allows for professors to address them as "Grad Students." Students are allowed weekend leave, however, are restricted to the Sol system, and must return to the campus by midnight Sunday night. Lights out is at 0100 for Grad Student Dorms.

Many grad students actually instruct junior-level and senior-level courses in subjects such as History, Political Science, Biology, depending on the recommendations of their instructors.

The Starfleet Academy is a four-year program designed to create junior officers for the crew. It is by no means the end of a Starfleet officer's education. Starfleet Training Command offers graduate level courses for all Starfleet officers, regardless of field. It is required that starship personnel continue their quest for self-improvement by taking at least 10 quarter hours of graduate classes each year. It is also expected that Starfleet officers spend at least one quarter every two years as an instructor either at Starfleet Academy or instructing classes aboard ships and stations, or at settlements, colonies and starbases.

In an unusual move, Benjamin Finney (who taught a number of classes during his Senior Year) was retained an additional year at Starfleet Academy as an instructor on Computer Sciences, Personnel Records and Accounting. During this time, he instructed several of the class of 2254 and befriended James T. Kirk. He named his daughter "Jamie" after James Kirk. Thus he was heart-broken when it was James T. Kirk who logged his mistake on the Republic. (Court-martial)


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