Star Trek: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Soongs
2. Noonian Soong Didn't Want Data To Join Starfleet
After the Omicron Theta colony was destroyed and Noonian went into hiding, Data was recovered by a team of Starfleet Officers and began his new life as a free individual. Eventually, he made the decision to join Starfleet, which Noonian heard about while hiding on Terlina III.
When Data was finally reunited with Noonian in the Next Generation episode Brothers, Noonian shared his disappointment at his career decision, wishing that he had followed in his footsteps and became a scientist instead. This was, of course, another parallel between their relationship and that of a father and son.
Data explained that, after he was rescued by Starfleet Officers, he felt a desire to repay them. While Noonian respected Data's personal feelings, he hated the limitations that Starfleet placed on him and believed that he was capable of truly changing the galaxy if given the chance.