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

When Dr Cochrane spoke at the dedication ceremony for the Warp Five Complex in 2119, 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 civilisations 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 Seán 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 commuter's markets near Federation embassies, recruitment fairs attract not just Starfleet, but a wide range of curiosities from across the quadrants.

Don't get collected by the Collector's Guild but do hear out the purveyors of so-called 'conspiracies,' as there is some truth to the 'butt bugs,' after all. Where did those Admiral-entering alien parasites come from? Was Wolf 359 a hoax? Did the Dominion War really happen? GTN has been seeking answers for decades!

We know that Starfleet isn't above the use of trickery and deception. The organisation neither confirms nor denies it, but if, at any time in your career, you wake up one morning feeling unusually tired to find yourself under interrogation by 'Internal Affairs,' or if a mysteriously dressed individual offers you a 'special combadge,' it is likely that the shifty Section 31 is trying to enlist you. Run out of the holodeck immediately and don't look back!