5 of Star Trek’s Best Admirals Were Company Captains

Five USS Enterprise captains became admirals in Star Trek. As the flagship of the United Federation of Planets, the Starship Enterprise is perhaps the most coveted mission for a Starfleet Captain. Commanding the Enterprise means being part of a historic legacy that began in the 22nd century of Star Trek: Enterprise and continues until the 32nd century of Star Trek: Discovery. Unsurprisingly, distinguished and exemplary performance in the center seat of the Enterprise can lead to career advancement to the rank of Starfleet Admiral.

Becoming an admiral is not necessarily the goal of the captains of the USS Enterprise. Giving up the thrill of exploring strange new worlds and the chance to make history to become a decision-maker at Starfleet headquarters doesn’t always sit well with Enterprise captains-turned-admirals. While certain captains proved eligible for change to become flag officers, Other Enterprise chiefs grew restless and longed to return to the captain’s chair. However, each Enterprise captain who became admiral was great in his own way.

Admiral Archer from Star Trek: Enterprise

Archer was also the first president of the Federation

Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) was the first captain of the Starship Enterprise to be promoted to admiral. Star Trek: Enterprise chronicled just four years of Captain Archer’s ten-year stint commanding the NX-01 Enterprise. As seen in Star Trek: EnterpriseIn the controversial series finale, “These Are The Voyages”, Captain Archer made the crucial comments that began the founding of the United Federation of Planets in the 22nd century. Archer’s historic travels formed the crucial alliances that formed the ancient Federation.

Star Trek did not canonically show Jonathan Archer as a Starfleet admiral in a TV series or film. JJ Abrams’ Star Trek (2009) name mentioned Admiral Archer in the alternate Kelvin timeline. However, as Archer becoming an admiral preceded the creation of the Kelvin Timeline, this makes Admiral Archer official Star Trek canon. Jonathan Archer is also recognized as the first president of the United Federation of Planets after becoming an admiral.

Admiral Robert April from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

April was the first captain of the 23rd century Enterprise

In Star Trek: Strange New WorldsAdmiral Robert April (Adrian Holmes) is the first captain of the Constitution-class USS Enterprise in the 23rd century. April commanded the Enterprise on a solitary five-year mission before accepting a promotion to admiral. and passing the captaincy of the ship to its first officer (Christopher Pike). In Strange new worldsApril is Captain Pike’s immediate superior and takes on the burden of Starfleet’s most crucial operations, such as preventing a potential war with the Gorn.

Captain Robert April was introduced in Star Trek: The Animated Seriesalthough the cartoon version was an older Caucasian man. Strange new worlds canonically reimagined April as a Black Admiral. Regardless, Admiral April is an intelligent and efficient leader and a trusted defender of Captain Pike and the starship Enterprise. Admiral April’s first priority is to safeguard Starfleet and the Federation, but he is willing to look the other way and trusts Pike to do what needs to be done in a crisis.

Admiral Christopher Pike from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek Into Darkness

Pike only becomes an admiral in alternate realities

In Star Trek’In the main timeline, Captain Christopher Pike does not become a Starfleet admiral. Pike’s highest rank is Starfleet Captain.as established in Star Trek: The Original Series‘two parts, “The Menagerie”. After giving up being Captain of the Enterprise, Starfleet Captain Pike (Sean Kenney) is seriously injured by delta rays while saving a group of Starfleet cadets. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and the USS Enterprise commanded by Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) delivered Fleet Captain Pike to Talos IV to live out the rest of his life.

However, Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood) is promoted to admiral in Star Trek in the Dark‘alternative Kelvin timeline. Mentor of Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Admiral Pike is murdered by Khan Noonien Singh (Benedict Cumberbatch). Star Trek: Strange New WorldsThe Season 1 finale introduced an alternate future timeline where Admiral Pike (Anson Mount) fights a generational war against the Romulans. However, that future was erased by the actions of Captain Pike from the Prime timeline.

Admiral James T. Kirk from Star Trek: The Movie for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Kirk is the only admiral who has been demoted back to captain

Star Trek: the movie introduced Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner). Promoted to Rear Admiral after completing Star Trek: The Original SeriesOn the five-year mission, Kirk became Chief of Starfleet Operations. However, Admiral Kirk longed to be back in the center seat of his beloved starship Enterprise. Kirk abused his power as Admiral to install himself as Captain of the Enterprisecommanding the refurbished Constiution Class ship in Star Trek: the movie and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Admiral Kirk stole the USS Enterprise and self-destructed it to prevent his ship from falling into Klingon hands. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. After saving Earth in Star Trek IV: The Voyage HomeAdmiral Kirk was held accountable for his crimes, and Starfleet Command demoted Kirk to captain. Jim was assigned to the USS Enterprise-A and continued his heart’s desire to command a starship. Ultimately, Kirk was not suitable for the Admiraltyand being captain of the Enterprise was his first and best destiny.

Admiral Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: Picard

Picard becomes Chancellor of Starfleet Academy

Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) commanded the USS Enterprise-D and E for seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation and four TNG films. Star Trek: Picard season 1 revealed that Starfleet promoted Picard to admiral in 2381 after Star Trek: Nemesis. Admiral Picard’s mission was to lead the Federation’s evacuation of the Romulans from their sun going supernova. However, Picard left Starfleet in protest when the Federation revoked his mission.

In Star Trek: Picard In Season 2, Admiral Picard was named Chancellor of Starfleet Academy, a position he retained in Star Trek: Picard season 3. Admiral Picard has proven to be restless in retirement, but he’s also past his prime as a starship captain. Yet, Admiral Picard had the desire and ability to continue saving the galaxyand Jean-Luc commanded the USS Enterprise-D to defeat the Borg one last time in Star Trek: Picard season 3. Which future Enterprise captain will follow Jean-Luc Picard to become a Star Trek The admiral remains to be seen.