Star Trek: 10 Things You Should Know Before Applying To Starfleet Academy

So, you're thinking of applying to Starfleet Academy

It's an option considered by many of those coming of age across the Federation and beyond

Starfleet Academy offers a four-year training program for all those seeking a career in space

producing as many legends as it has lawbreakers over the years. Its main campus is situated just north of San Francisco on Earth and on over 80 worlds throughout the Federation

Given the recent Fleet-wide Frontier Day fiasco, you might be worried that signing up will get you assimilated by Transporter or replaced by a vengeful Changeling

The Galaxy Truth Network has been told that Starfleet Medical is rushing to gather a solution

There might be plenty of rewards, but risk has always been Starfleet's business

Don't say we didn't warn you. Using publicly available sources and our vast network of whistleblowers, GTN has compiled a list of 10 things you should consider before applying to one of the galaxy's most famous, now 250-year-old, institutions

So, arm yourself with the following facts that the Federation doesn't want you to know

I am Thomas C. Drexler for GTN with a special report, Things You Should Know Before Applying to Starfleet Academy

First up, the entrance exam. Getting a place at Starfleet Academy is tough

You should think about whether you want to put yourself or your child through the grueling application process in the first place

To apply as a non-Federation citizen, you'll need a letter of recommendation from a command-level officer

So start sucking up to anyone with a few pips on their collar. After that, you'll face the Starfleet Academy preparatory program, which, unironically, you'll have to prep for

All candidates must sit the entrance exam, a series of assessments so challenging they make the Klingon Rite of Ascension

look like a walk in the park. Someone once said, the only person you are truly competing against is yourself

When there are other people in the room and only one place at the academy up for grabs

that's clearly not the case. Don't worry though, it took some digging, but we found out that even the great Jean-Luc Picard

failed the first time. From what GTN could gleam from former students

you can expect the following during the exam. The hyperspace physics test

the dynamic relationships test, an interspecies interactions test, and to be quizzed on your knowledge

of everything from astrometrics to quantum theory. Last but not least, there's the dreaded and frankly traumatizing psych test

in which you have to overcome your biggest fear. Knowing all that, do you really want to take the entrance exam

Next, help, I'm genetically enhanced. A frequent question to our dear counsellor column

comes from readers worried that their genetic status will bar them from service in Starfleet

But what is the truth behind one of the Federation's most notorious policies

Officially speaking, no genetically modified augmented individual may become a Starfleet officer

and no species that uses genetic engineering may join the Federation. There have been exceptions to this blanket rule, however, there are signs that the higher-ups are reconsidering their rather draconian approach

GTN has obtained previously unseen documents revealing that the arrest of the Illyrian and genetically enhanced Unachin Riley

first officer of the Enterprise under Captain Pike in the 2250s. Little is known about her trial, as Starfleet has persistently stonewalled our request for further information

In 2373 it was discovered that serving Starfleet officer Dr Julian Bashir had undergone DNA re as a child and failed to disclose the fact Records show that Dr Bashir was able to maintain his commission and medical license after his father Richard Bashir agreed to accept a guilty plea in prison sentence for illegal

genetic engineering. In 2384, a major step was made for the differently-gened when Admiral

Janeway convinced the Starfleet Tribunal to allow so-called Augment Dahl to become a warrant officer

in training under her command. Let's hope Starfleet puts an end to genetic discrimination once and for

all. Next up, beware the butt bugs. When Dr. Cochran spoke at the dedication ceremony for the

Warp 5 complex in 2199, he laid the groundwork for what is still Starfleet's mission statement

at the dawn of the 25th century. To seek out new life and new civilizations and to go boldly

or split the infinitive if you prefer. Note that each year the Galaxy Truth Network offers the

chance to win a guided visit to Bozeman, Montana with Sean Blass. Was this the real site for first

contact, you decide. Some would say first contact was made in the 1940s with a group of Ferengi

Starfleet's exploratory imperative means that they, usually a couple of unfortunate ensigns

will also seek you out for the academy at the recruitment booth. Often set up at busy commuters

markets near Federation embassies, recruitment fairs attract not just Starfleet, but a wide range

of curiosities from across the quadrants. Do hear out the purveyors of so-called conspiracies

as there is some truth to the butt bugs, after all. Was Wolf 359 a hoax

Did the Dominion War really happen? GTN has been seeking answers for decades

I'd also like my ex-wife to answer the phone every once in a while

We know that Starfleet isn't above the use of trickery and deception. The organization neither confirms nor denies it

And now, life hacks for no-win scenarios. Even if you didn't grow up around Starfleet

you've probably still heard of the Kobayashi Maru. The sore loser types especially might want to bone up on this command training conundrum

and other no-win scenarios before their application hits subspace. It is common knowledge by now that young cadet Kirk found a creative solution to the Academy's impossible test

by reprogramming the simulation to allow the rescue of the Kobayashi Maru from the Klingon neutral zone

Far from getting his marching orders for the crafty workaround, Kirk received a commendation for original thinking

Starfleet is unlikely to accept the computer trick twice, but the fact that Kirk beat it does prove that you can strategize your way through the seemingly inevitable and come off better for it

When another captain faced her own no-win scenario in the Delta Quadrant, she reportedly said to her crew

if you can't outthink the think tank, don't try. Sometimes it pays to completely switch tactics

However, don't go chasing Nausikens. They're bigger, stronger, meaner, and they won't hesitate to stab you in through the back

Red Squad, Red Flag There are those cadets who aren't content with being the second or third brightest star of the constellation

For elite cadets, Starfleet Academy offers special training programs, one of which is Red Squad

If you're approached to join during your studies, be warned, things have never gone well for this band of young upstarts

Whilst it has been difficult to gather any information about the group's origins, leaked reports suggest Red Squad was pretty new in 2372 at the time of Admiral Layton's failed coup

If you were on Earth that year, you may remember the lights going out and armed Starfleet officers beaming into every street corner

Well, as it turned out, Red Squad cadets were responsible for the global power failures

Although much like the rest of the planet as a result they were apparently in the dark about the true nature of their sabotage mission During the Dominion War reporter for the Federation News Service Jake Sisko and friend Ensign Nog were rescued by the USS Valiant behind enemy lines

The pair were shocked to learn that the advanced defiant class starship was crewed entirely by

Red Squad members. The story has a tragic conclusion as field-promoted Captain Waters

led all but one of his fellow cadets to their deaths in a futile quest for glory against an

enemy that outmatched them. A tale of hubris recounted in Jake Sisko's harrowing piece on

the incident. Would you want your child on a ship full of cadets in a war zone? I think bloody not

Next, who's the groundskeeper? His name is synonymous with the academy. The late great

Boothby was a fixture of the San Francisco campus for decades, serving not only as a diligent

groundskeeper, but as a sounding board for countless cadets who came to rely on his sage

advice. It is no exaggeration to say that many of today's most decorated Starfleet officers would

not be where they are without him. Such was the influence and aura of the man that when

as we found out from declassified logs, the starship Voyager, still stranded in the Delta

Quadrant, chanced upon the extremely detailed and lifelike recreation of Starfleet Command

and the academy that turned out to be the work of Species 8472. It was the Boothby Replicant who

was in charge of the whole operation. Events culminated in a standoff. As an attempt to

resolve the situation, Captain Janeway proposed a class reunion and Boothby settled on a truce

with a rose. So, for all those tough times at the Academy, and for when you just need a friendly

face to hear you out, we suggest you run the Boothby program on the holodeck. Next up

Zero-G is fun and other study tips. From the stars, knowledge. The Academy's motto

translated from the Latin, could not be more apt to describe an institution that must prepare its

cadets for all aspects of service in Starfleet. Sure, there will be a lot of practical training

and running, but ultimately, you're going to spend most of your time head firmly buried in a pad or

two. Taught courses range from astrophysics to warp theory through organic chemistry, xenobiology

interspecies ethics, and much, much more. In her autobiography, Catherine Janeway looks back at

her time as a cadet, recalling the coursework was a heavy burden. Janeway often had to pull an

all-nighter just to get through. As such, the now-admiral developed some handy revision

techniques to help her memorize all those complex facts. What are the four ytical aspects of the

subspace-infrared algorithm, you ask? The answer is zeta-particle derivation, gamma-wave frequency, ion distribution, flow rate of positrons. And how on Andoria is anyone supposed to remember that

Try Janeway's neat mnemonic, Zero-G-Is-Fun or Z-G-I-F. Next up, just say no to the Locarnos

If your application is successful, you pass the entrance exam with flying colours and secure a place at the academy

then, first of all, congratulations. Prepare yourself, however, to meet a cast of characters during your studies

Not all of them will end up serving you well like a Tom Paris. You are also likely to encounter the Nicholas Locarnos of the universe

It happened over three decades ago, but the Nova Squadron accident and cover-up of 2368 cast a long shadow over the Presidio

That year, Locarno was head of the prestigious five-cadet flight team, including Enterprise D Golden Boy Wesley Crusher and cadet Seto Jaxer, who graduated but was sadly later killed in the line of duty

Locarno persuaded the team to perform the band Colvord Starburst Maneuver for the Academy graduation ceremony but a crash during training cost the life of cadet Joshua Albert In interviews given to other whistleblowers at the time Locarno was said to have had an emotional hold over the group convincing them to lie about the accident until the truth was finally revealed

And damn do I love truth. James T. Kirk also suffered a troublesome fellow cadet at the academy

Obnoxious upperclassman prankster Finnegan reportedly made the legendary captain's first year a living hell, with bowls of soup and buckets of cold water. And now, Shea, Sandrin

or Sisko's Creole Kitchen. The Sol System is a great place to study whether you are applying to

Starfleet Academy or not. Earth and Luna, or simply the Moon to the locals, have a lot to offer

with some of the galaxy's hottest tourist attractions to knock off your bucket list whilst

you're there. Four years is a long time after all. As Admiral Jane Ray might say, you've got to let

your hair down. For all those coming to the Sector 001 for the first time, note that there's always a

chance of a boar cube hidden inside a gas giant, and let's not forget that the Utopia Planitia

shipyards are still in ruins. One of the most important decisions you'll make as a cadet

if not for the rest of your Starfleet career, is where you choose to eat and drink. Earth has

enough bars and restaurants to mean you never have to go near a replicator, but pick your regular

haunt wisely as these are networking opportunities. 10 Forward Avenue is best if you want some advice

from John Luke over his fish and chips. Sisko's Creole Kitchen speaks for itself, especially in

the hope that a certain captain returns from his heavenly duties, if he even is in the Celestial

Temple. What Sector 001 really needs is a franchise license for quarks in Roswell. And lastly, you can

always go traveling instead. Despite what some pushy parents would have you believe, there's more

to life than Starfleet. The Federation alone is a vast and diverse union of planets, b with

career opportunities and experiences to be had. Sure, you'll get to see a lot of the galaxy if you

don the uniform. You'll also spend quite a while with a pretty lousy view from the lower decks

Before applying to the Academy, it is important that you consider all of your options. Why not go

study in London and get a British accent. Perhaps try your hand at writing a holonovel. If you've

not heard of the adventures of Flotter, Captain Proton, or even Photons Be Free, then you've been

living under a rock. Speaking of rocks, archaeology can be far more exciting than it sounds, especially

with a generous benefactor, and you might just make a discovery with cosmic conclusions. If none

of this is tempting, you can try Xenobotany, Teaching on a Space Station, Temporal Investigations

the Federation Diplomatic Corps, Fenris Ranging, and the list goes on. It's the 25th century. Ignore your folks and become a writer-slash-journalist if you want

Even if you do enter the Academy, you can leave any time if you reach your journey's end

Resley Crusher made headline news when he quit to go travelling, only to return to Starfleet in time for 2379's Most Talked About Wedding

though our sources tell us he is now back to the ways of Tau Alpha C

That was Things You Should Know Before Applying to Starfleet Academy. Are you sure you still want to reply

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Thanks for watching. I'm Thomas C. Drexler for GTN and there are wasps in my brain