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Starfleet species

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Starfleet has always been a multiracial organization, composed of species from different worlds. The effort to integrate personnel from various cultural backgrounds and species was seen as a cornerstone of the organization, even predating its integration into the United Federation of Planets. (ENT: "Broken Bow" et al.; PIC: "Võx").

Although initially representing United Earth and then later the Federation, Starfleet personnel was not required to be Human or to represent Federation member worlds. (ENT: "Borderland"; TNG: "The Chase") Non-Federation citizens could join Starfleet, but this usually required the recommendation of a command level-level officer within the organization. (DS9: "Heart of Stone"; ST: "The Brightest Star"; DIS: "The Sound of Thunder", "An Obol for Charon")

At times, Starfleet excluded members of certain species to work for the organization. These bans could pertain to an entire species, such as the Illyrians until the mid-23rd century. (SNW: "Ghosts of Illyria", "Ad Astra per Aspera"). The exclusions could also be on a case-by-case basis, such as with liberated Borg drones in the late 24th century. (PIC: "Stardust City Rag", "The Star Gazer", "Hide and Seek", "The Next Generation") In addition, members of some species, such as Deltans, were required to suppress certain aspects of their culture or physiology in order to work for Starfleet. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

Still, Starfleet often allowed members from adversarial species to work as crew members, including the Klingon Worf during the Federation-Klingon War of the 2370s, Simon Tarses, who was part Romulan, as well as Icheb, a former Borg drone. (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior"; TNG: "The Drumhead"; PIC: "Stardust City Rag")

History[]

In April 2151, the launch of Enterprise NX-01 commenced the first inter-species mission of the then-United Earth Starfleet. Serving aboard the ship were the Denobulan Doctor Phlox through the Interspecies Medical Exchange as well as science officer T'Pol, a Vulcan advisor. (ENT: "Broken Bow"). Although the journey of this original Enterprise predated the foundation of the United Federation of Planets in 2161, because of its multi-species crew it was considered to be the origin of the Federation Starfleet by the early 25th century. Regularly, Frontier Day celeberations commemorated the anniversary. (PIC: "No Win Scenario", "Võx")

At least two Pandronians had been affiliated with Starfleet, to varying degrees: Honorary Commander Ari bn Bem, who briefly served as an independent observer aboard the USS Enterprise in 2270 and Shari yn Yem, who was employed by Starfleet as a drill instructor until 2381. (TAS: "Bem"; LD: "I, Excretus")

Until 2259, Una Chin-Riley, an Illyrian, hid her origin to serve in Starfleet, due to the Federation's ban on genetic engineering. However, Una later turned herself in, and, following a trial, was granted asylum, allowing her to serve openly in Starfleet. (SNW: "Ghosts of Illyria", "Ad Astra per Aspera")

In the 24th century, Arkarians provided baryon sweeps for Starfleet, and Bynars provided their technical services in upgrading the computers of Starfleet ships. (TNG: "11001001", "Starship Mine")

In 2369, there were seventeen representatives from non-Federation planets serving on the USS Enterprise-D. (TNG: "The Chase")

Dal R'El, due to his status as an Augment, was initially not considered eligible for Starfleet because of his origins. However, Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway successfully lobbied on Dal's behalf, particularly as Dal's physiology was comprised of numerous member species, much like the Federation itself. Dal was allowed to become a warrant officer in-training under Janeway's command, attended a Starfleet Academy prep school, and was eventually given a field commission as an ensign. (PRO: "Mindwalk", "Supernova, Part 2", "Into the Breach, Part I", "Ouroboros, Part II")

Especially during the 24th century, hostile infiltrators sometimes disguised themselves as members of known Federation-aligned species, even for extended periods, to covertly perform espionage or sabotage from within Starfleet's ranks. Examples include the Changeling who impersonated Julian Bashir, Commodore Oh, a Romulan who posed as a Vulcan, as well as Asencia, a Vau N'Akat who posed as a Trill. (DS9: "In Purgatory's Shadow"; PRO: "Masquerade"; PIC: "Maps and Legends")

In a few instances, Terrans from the mirror universe served in Starfleet by disguising themselves as their prime universe counterparts. However, some refugees who escaped the mirror universe also served in Starfleet as Humans without concealing their origins. (DIS: "Vaulting Ambition", "The War Without, The War Within", "Mirrors")

In 2401, Elnor became the first full Romulan accepted into Starfleet Academy. (PIC: "The Star Gazer")

Species in Starfleet[]

The following species have had members working for Starfleet:

Alternate timelines and realities[]

Appendices[]

Related topics[]

Background information[]

According to Ron D. Moore, the apparent predominance of Humans in Starfleet was due to budgetary reasons, and he presumed it to be far more heterogeneous than could normally be shown. (AOL chat, 1997)

External links[]

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