Was Spock the First Vulcan in Starfleet?












33















The idea that Spock was the first Vulcan in Starfleet seems to be a bit of common cultural knowledge with little or no foundation.



The StarTrek.com biography states;




Because the young Vulcan chose to join Starfleet, he and Sarek opened an 18-year rift over Sarek's hope his son would attend the Vulcan Science Academy. Spock was the first Vulcan to enlist in the Federation Starfleet, serving aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise under Captain Christopher Pike as a lieutenant, and later for James T. Kirk.




But the presence of Admiral Patar in Discovery S02:E09 strongly suggests otherwise. However it is possible that more senior Vulcans transitioned from another service (such as the Vulcan Science Academy) after Spock joined.



T'Pol is another common problem with this, however my understanding at the moment is that Enterprise NX-01 is an Earth Starfleet, not a Federation Starfleet vessel and as such T'Pol, no matter what her status on Enterprise, would never have been a member of "Starfleet", as the organisation in question does not exist until after the end of the series Enterprise.



Is there any canonical data to confirm or categorically disprove the status of Spock as the first Vulcan in (Federation) Starfleet?










share|improve this question




















  • 1





    I also thought I saw another Vulcan or half Vulcan with Cornwall too at some point (not Patar), but I could be mistaken...

    – Darth Locke
    Mar 26 at 14:43






  • 1





    I'd like to point out that one the day that the Federation was formed, every member of the existing Vulcan fleet became a member of Starfleet.

    – Valorum
    Mar 26 at 14:53








  • 1





    @Valorum without being a Federation Lawyer I can't say for certain, but the passage quoted in the linked answer says "Shall initially be compromised of contingents assigned to it by members..." "Drawing upon the armament of any member" Which could be interpreted as having personnel and starships loaned to Star Fleet, without them actually joining the organisation, with the intention of them being returned when Star Fleet starts producing its own officers/enlisted etc.

    – Jontia
    Mar 26 at 16:09






  • 7





    Spock is a half-Vulcan, not Vulcan. So, your question is incorrect.

    – Avenge The Fallen
    Mar 26 at 19:20






  • 1





    "All Our Yesterdays" – Spock was in the starfleet in c. 2700 BC

    – Konchog
    Mar 27 at 13:13
















33















The idea that Spock was the first Vulcan in Starfleet seems to be a bit of common cultural knowledge with little or no foundation.



The StarTrek.com biography states;




Because the young Vulcan chose to join Starfleet, he and Sarek opened an 18-year rift over Sarek's hope his son would attend the Vulcan Science Academy. Spock was the first Vulcan to enlist in the Federation Starfleet, serving aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise under Captain Christopher Pike as a lieutenant, and later for James T. Kirk.




But the presence of Admiral Patar in Discovery S02:E09 strongly suggests otherwise. However it is possible that more senior Vulcans transitioned from another service (such as the Vulcan Science Academy) after Spock joined.



T'Pol is another common problem with this, however my understanding at the moment is that Enterprise NX-01 is an Earth Starfleet, not a Federation Starfleet vessel and as such T'Pol, no matter what her status on Enterprise, would never have been a member of "Starfleet", as the organisation in question does not exist until after the end of the series Enterprise.



Is there any canonical data to confirm or categorically disprove the status of Spock as the first Vulcan in (Federation) Starfleet?










share|improve this question




















  • 1





    I also thought I saw another Vulcan or half Vulcan with Cornwall too at some point (not Patar), but I could be mistaken...

    – Darth Locke
    Mar 26 at 14:43






  • 1





    I'd like to point out that one the day that the Federation was formed, every member of the existing Vulcan fleet became a member of Starfleet.

    – Valorum
    Mar 26 at 14:53








  • 1





    @Valorum without being a Federation Lawyer I can't say for certain, but the passage quoted in the linked answer says "Shall initially be compromised of contingents assigned to it by members..." "Drawing upon the armament of any member" Which could be interpreted as having personnel and starships loaned to Star Fleet, without them actually joining the organisation, with the intention of them being returned when Star Fleet starts producing its own officers/enlisted etc.

    – Jontia
    Mar 26 at 16:09






  • 7





    Spock is a half-Vulcan, not Vulcan. So, your question is incorrect.

    – Avenge The Fallen
    Mar 26 at 19:20






  • 1





    "All Our Yesterdays" – Spock was in the starfleet in c. 2700 BC

    – Konchog
    Mar 27 at 13:13














33












33








33








The idea that Spock was the first Vulcan in Starfleet seems to be a bit of common cultural knowledge with little or no foundation.



The StarTrek.com biography states;




Because the young Vulcan chose to join Starfleet, he and Sarek opened an 18-year rift over Sarek's hope his son would attend the Vulcan Science Academy. Spock was the first Vulcan to enlist in the Federation Starfleet, serving aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise under Captain Christopher Pike as a lieutenant, and later for James T. Kirk.




But the presence of Admiral Patar in Discovery S02:E09 strongly suggests otherwise. However it is possible that more senior Vulcans transitioned from another service (such as the Vulcan Science Academy) after Spock joined.



T'Pol is another common problem with this, however my understanding at the moment is that Enterprise NX-01 is an Earth Starfleet, not a Federation Starfleet vessel and as such T'Pol, no matter what her status on Enterprise, would never have been a member of "Starfleet", as the organisation in question does not exist until after the end of the series Enterprise.



Is there any canonical data to confirm or categorically disprove the status of Spock as the first Vulcan in (Federation) Starfleet?










share|improve this question
















The idea that Spock was the first Vulcan in Starfleet seems to be a bit of common cultural knowledge with little or no foundation.



The StarTrek.com biography states;




Because the young Vulcan chose to join Starfleet, he and Sarek opened an 18-year rift over Sarek's hope his son would attend the Vulcan Science Academy. Spock was the first Vulcan to enlist in the Federation Starfleet, serving aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise under Captain Christopher Pike as a lieutenant, and later for James T. Kirk.




But the presence of Admiral Patar in Discovery S02:E09 strongly suggests otherwise. However it is possible that more senior Vulcans transitioned from another service (such as the Vulcan Science Academy) after Spock joined.



T'Pol is another common problem with this, however my understanding at the moment is that Enterprise NX-01 is an Earth Starfleet, not a Federation Starfleet vessel and as such T'Pol, no matter what her status on Enterprise, would never have been a member of "Starfleet", as the organisation in question does not exist until after the end of the series Enterprise.



Is there any canonical data to confirm or categorically disprove the status of Spock as the first Vulcan in (Federation) Starfleet?







star-trek vulcan spock starfleet-command






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Mar 26 at 17:49









Machavity

25.1k576142




25.1k576142










asked Mar 26 at 14:23









JontiaJontia

5,38032245




5,38032245








  • 1





    I also thought I saw another Vulcan or half Vulcan with Cornwall too at some point (not Patar), but I could be mistaken...

    – Darth Locke
    Mar 26 at 14:43






  • 1





    I'd like to point out that one the day that the Federation was formed, every member of the existing Vulcan fleet became a member of Starfleet.

    – Valorum
    Mar 26 at 14:53








  • 1





    @Valorum without being a Federation Lawyer I can't say for certain, but the passage quoted in the linked answer says "Shall initially be compromised of contingents assigned to it by members..." "Drawing upon the armament of any member" Which could be interpreted as having personnel and starships loaned to Star Fleet, without them actually joining the organisation, with the intention of them being returned when Star Fleet starts producing its own officers/enlisted etc.

    – Jontia
    Mar 26 at 16:09






  • 7





    Spock is a half-Vulcan, not Vulcan. So, your question is incorrect.

    – Avenge The Fallen
    Mar 26 at 19:20






  • 1





    "All Our Yesterdays" – Spock was in the starfleet in c. 2700 BC

    – Konchog
    Mar 27 at 13:13














  • 1





    I also thought I saw another Vulcan or half Vulcan with Cornwall too at some point (not Patar), but I could be mistaken...

    – Darth Locke
    Mar 26 at 14:43






  • 1





    I'd like to point out that one the day that the Federation was formed, every member of the existing Vulcan fleet became a member of Starfleet.

    – Valorum
    Mar 26 at 14:53








  • 1





    @Valorum without being a Federation Lawyer I can't say for certain, but the passage quoted in the linked answer says "Shall initially be compromised of contingents assigned to it by members..." "Drawing upon the armament of any member" Which could be interpreted as having personnel and starships loaned to Star Fleet, without them actually joining the organisation, with the intention of them being returned when Star Fleet starts producing its own officers/enlisted etc.

    – Jontia
    Mar 26 at 16:09






  • 7





    Spock is a half-Vulcan, not Vulcan. So, your question is incorrect.

    – Avenge The Fallen
    Mar 26 at 19:20






  • 1





    "All Our Yesterdays" – Spock was in the starfleet in c. 2700 BC

    – Konchog
    Mar 27 at 13:13








1




1





I also thought I saw another Vulcan or half Vulcan with Cornwall too at some point (not Patar), but I could be mistaken...

– Darth Locke
Mar 26 at 14:43





I also thought I saw another Vulcan or half Vulcan with Cornwall too at some point (not Patar), but I could be mistaken...

– Darth Locke
Mar 26 at 14:43




1




1





I'd like to point out that one the day that the Federation was formed, every member of the existing Vulcan fleet became a member of Starfleet.

– Valorum
Mar 26 at 14:53







I'd like to point out that one the day that the Federation was formed, every member of the existing Vulcan fleet became a member of Starfleet.

– Valorum
Mar 26 at 14:53






1




1





@Valorum without being a Federation Lawyer I can't say for certain, but the passage quoted in the linked answer says "Shall initially be compromised of contingents assigned to it by members..." "Drawing upon the armament of any member" Which could be interpreted as having personnel and starships loaned to Star Fleet, without them actually joining the organisation, with the intention of them being returned when Star Fleet starts producing its own officers/enlisted etc.

– Jontia
Mar 26 at 16:09





@Valorum without being a Federation Lawyer I can't say for certain, but the passage quoted in the linked answer says "Shall initially be compromised of contingents assigned to it by members..." "Drawing upon the armament of any member" Which could be interpreted as having personnel and starships loaned to Star Fleet, without them actually joining the organisation, with the intention of them being returned when Star Fleet starts producing its own officers/enlisted etc.

– Jontia
Mar 26 at 16:09




7




7





Spock is a half-Vulcan, not Vulcan. So, your question is incorrect.

– Avenge The Fallen
Mar 26 at 19:20





Spock is a half-Vulcan, not Vulcan. So, your question is incorrect.

– Avenge The Fallen
Mar 26 at 19:20




1




1





"All Our Yesterdays" – Spock was in the starfleet in c. 2700 BC

– Konchog
Mar 27 at 13:13





"All Our Yesterdays" – Spock was in the starfleet in c. 2700 BC

– Konchog
Mar 27 at 13:13










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















44














He is not the first Vulcan in Starfleet.



Star Trek Enterprise by itself puts a nail in the coffin: near the end of the third season, when the ship returns to Earth after having stopped the Xindi attack, T'Pol is formally inducted into Starfleet and given the rank of Commander.



In TOS, there was also a clear indication: in "The Immunity Syndrome", USS Intrepid is crewed entirely by Vulcans, so unless they transferred en masse from the Vulcan Expeditionary Group (which seems unlikely, given the apparently conservative nature of the organization as shown in Star Trek Discovery), that would imply the senior officers were, at least, Spock's peers. As good as Spock was, it's unlikely another Vulcan would make captain before him if he had a head start.



Star Trek Discovery simply adds to it in that they've shown Vulcan admirals in Starfleet, while Spock is still a lieutenant in his 20s.



NOTE:



Given the question change about "Earth Starfleet" or "Federation Starfleet", there is no difference. This is clearly demonstrated in Season 1 of Star Trek Discovery when Saru asks the computer to list the most decorated captains in Starfleet history, with no qualifications as to what organization he's talking about. Archer was listed, clearly indicating that as far as Starfleet was concerned there was no distinction.






share|improve this answer





















  • 4





    Nice reference that equates or at least links the two Star Fleet terminologies.

    – Jontia
    Mar 26 at 16:10






  • 9





    Hadn’t Spock served in Starfleet longer than James T. Kirk? Was Spock’s career goal to make Captain as soon as possible?

    – Davislor
    Mar 26 at 16:53













  • It's also possible that when the Federation was formed, the crew of the NX-01 Enterprise was transitioned into the Federation Starfleet formally. That would raise the possibility of T'Pol opting not to, but that seems unlikely.

    – jpmc26
    Mar 28 at 0:14













  • Some of the senior crew of the Intrepid, at least, likely trained in the Vulcan space service or whatever it was called, and may have joined Starfleet later. In any case, Spock was not aiming for the captaincy -- I think that is pretty clear during the series -- so it is not relevant whether someone 'made' captain before him. My impression until now (based on what I do not remember, so I will not try to write an answer :-) ) was that Spock was the first to go through the Academy, not necessarily the first to join Starfleet. Earlier Vulcans were otherwise trained.

    – Basya
    Mar 28 at 13:22











  • @Basya, it's never been stated in canon that Spock was first at anything fanon has claimed: he was never stated to be the first Vulcan-human hybrid, he was never stated to be the first to reject admission to the Vulcan Science Academy, he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan attending Starfleet Academy, and he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan in Starfleet.

    – Keith Morrison
    Mar 28 at 20:20



















14














I hazard that he was not. In the Original Series episode "Immunity Syndrome", we have the USS Intrepid. We are told the Starfleet vessel was crewed exclusively by Vulcans. To have 430-ish Vulcans, from the Captain down to the Assistant Dishwasher, would suggest several of his people were ahead of Spock in processing through the Academy to serve.






share|improve this answer


























  • I don’t have a copy at hand, but I seem to recall the novelization by James Blish reconciling this. If memory serves, the explanation was that Spock’s example inspired many other Vulcans to join Starfleet. The planetary government then asked that there be a starship with an entirely-Vulcan crew. And the USS Intrepid had another name in their language.

    – Davislor
    Mar 26 at 16:37











  • If so, this would imply that the captain of the USS Intrepid joined Starfleet after Spock—but then, so did James T. Kirk. It also would mean Starfleet was compelled to promote some Vulcan to command its all-Vulcan starship. Presumably one with relevant experience, such as in the Vulcan expeditionary service.

    – Davislor
    Mar 26 at 16:57






  • 1





    It’s also within the realm of possibility, albeit unlikely, that the crew of the USS Intrepid were all inexperienced. In its one canonical appearance, they all died.

    – Davislor
    Mar 26 at 17:02








  • 1





    @Davislor Inexperience seems improbable. In the episode, Kirk and Spock discuss how the "space amoeba" and its protective field might have been too illogical and weird for the Vulcan crew to deal with.

    – Blaze
    Mar 26 at 17:10











  • I would just like to note that we know from The Menagerie, Part 1 and Journey to Babel that Spock has been in Starfleet for 18 years. Accordingly, there has been ample time for other Vulcans to join in the interim, as indicated by events in The Immunity Syndrome.

    – Ed999
    Mar 28 at 18:50



















5














I don't think so.



Memory Alpha states that T'Pol joined Starfleet some time around 2154 as a commander on Captain Archer's Enterprise (the NX-01), though the wording is a bit ambiguous.




Following a Xindi attack on Earth on April 24, 2153, Enterprise was
recalled home and underwent a major refit in preparation for a mission
into the Delphic Expanse. Because this mission was seen by the Vulcan
High Command as being an Earth matter, Ambassador Soval ordered T'Pol
to return to Vulcan, to be reassigned to the Ministry of Information.
It was expected that, after a brief time at the Ministry, she would be
allowed to return to Earth to continue her diplomatic duties. However,
T'Pol resisted. As Enterprise set course for Vulcan to deliver T'Pol
home and proceed to the Expanse, she abruptly resigned her commission
and chose to remain aboard. (ENT: "The Expanse") During her tenure as
technically a civilian amongst the crew, T'Pol wore a variety of
bodysuits in a variety of different color schemes. These included
blue/grey, white, and muted pastel. T'Pol later continued to wear a
collection of bodysuits adorned with rank insignia, assignment patch
and so on when she joined Starfleet.




(Emphasis mine.)



Though Archer's starfleet is not the United Federation's Starfleet, Archer was present when the Federation was founded, and assuming Earth's Starfleet was entirely absorbed into the UFP's Starfleet, T'Pol was also a member of it.






share|improve this answer





















  • 1





    So... I've updated the question, but I think the Starfleet that T'Pol joins is not the Federation Starfleet, but Earth Startfleet (nice work using the same name guys!), but I'm ok with this being the right answer if we get some consensus on continuity of organisations.

    – Jontia
    Mar 26 at 14:42











  • @Jontia I don't see the distinction...

    – steenbergh
    Mar 26 at 14:44






  • 3





    In season 1 of Discovery, when Saru asks the computer to list the most decorated captains in Starfleet history, Archer is listed. He didn't have to specify a Starfleet because as far as Starfleet is concerned there has been only one.

    – Keith Morrison
    Mar 26 at 14:54






  • 1





    @KeithMorrison unless the computer just does a wide search, "Most decorated Navy Captain" in google returns results for US Navy and the Royal Navy on the first page, but they're not the same organisations.

    – Jontia
    Mar 26 at 16:13



















4














Although this just may prove to be another potential contradiction, since it is Star Trek Discovery that introduces him, there is Admiral Terral.



Terral




Terral was a Vulcan who served as an admiral in Starfleet during the
Federation-Klingon War of 2256-57.



In December of 2256, he attended a strategy briefing with Captain
Gabriel Lorca, Admiral Katrina Cornwell, and two other admirals. (DIS:
"Choose Your Pain")




It seems likely given that he is an admiral that he would have had to have gone through Star Fleet Academy and beyond to require such a rank. However, there is no background information on this character at this time to prove it as certain.






share|improve this answer

































    -3














    The VERY first Vulcan's were the ones that were in first-contact. First contract after ZC's first warp drive test... they detected it and then came down to Earth to see him...



    I'd believe they were the first. Riker even stated "Initially ignored as being too primative, however, the world suddenly gets bigger after the test."






    share|improve this answer








    New contributor




    Patrick Burdett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.
















    • 6





      Welcome to SciFi.SE! I'm not sure you've understood the question. Who were the first Vulcans to join Starfleet? If you believe that the Vulcans who made contact with Earth were part of Starfleet, could you provide evidence?

      – F1Krazy
      Mar 26 at 19:52












    Your Answer








    StackExchange.ready(function() {
    var channelOptions = {
    tags: "".split(" "),
    id: "186"
    };
    initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

    StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
    // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
    if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
    StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
    createEditor();
    });
    }
    else {
    createEditor();
    }
    });

    function createEditor() {
    StackExchange.prepareEditor({
    heartbeatType: 'answer',
    autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
    convertImagesToLinks: false,
    noModals: true,
    showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
    reputationToPostImages: null,
    bindNavPrevention: true,
    postfix: "",
    imageUploader: {
    brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
    contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
    allowUrls: true
    },
    noCode: true, onDemand: true,
    discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
    ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
    });


    }
    });














    draft saved

    draft discarded


















    StackExchange.ready(
    function () {
    StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fscifi.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f207924%2fwas-spock-the-first-vulcan-in-starfleet%23new-answer', 'question_page');
    }
    );

    Post as a guest















    Required, but never shown

























    5 Answers
    5






    active

    oldest

    votes








    5 Answers
    5






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    44














    He is not the first Vulcan in Starfleet.



    Star Trek Enterprise by itself puts a nail in the coffin: near the end of the third season, when the ship returns to Earth after having stopped the Xindi attack, T'Pol is formally inducted into Starfleet and given the rank of Commander.



    In TOS, there was also a clear indication: in "The Immunity Syndrome", USS Intrepid is crewed entirely by Vulcans, so unless they transferred en masse from the Vulcan Expeditionary Group (which seems unlikely, given the apparently conservative nature of the organization as shown in Star Trek Discovery), that would imply the senior officers were, at least, Spock's peers. As good as Spock was, it's unlikely another Vulcan would make captain before him if he had a head start.



    Star Trek Discovery simply adds to it in that they've shown Vulcan admirals in Starfleet, while Spock is still a lieutenant in his 20s.



    NOTE:



    Given the question change about "Earth Starfleet" or "Federation Starfleet", there is no difference. This is clearly demonstrated in Season 1 of Star Trek Discovery when Saru asks the computer to list the most decorated captains in Starfleet history, with no qualifications as to what organization he's talking about. Archer was listed, clearly indicating that as far as Starfleet was concerned there was no distinction.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 4





      Nice reference that equates or at least links the two Star Fleet terminologies.

      – Jontia
      Mar 26 at 16:10






    • 9





      Hadn’t Spock served in Starfleet longer than James T. Kirk? Was Spock’s career goal to make Captain as soon as possible?

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 16:53













    • It's also possible that when the Federation was formed, the crew of the NX-01 Enterprise was transitioned into the Federation Starfleet formally. That would raise the possibility of T'Pol opting not to, but that seems unlikely.

      – jpmc26
      Mar 28 at 0:14













    • Some of the senior crew of the Intrepid, at least, likely trained in the Vulcan space service or whatever it was called, and may have joined Starfleet later. In any case, Spock was not aiming for the captaincy -- I think that is pretty clear during the series -- so it is not relevant whether someone 'made' captain before him. My impression until now (based on what I do not remember, so I will not try to write an answer :-) ) was that Spock was the first to go through the Academy, not necessarily the first to join Starfleet. Earlier Vulcans were otherwise trained.

      – Basya
      Mar 28 at 13:22











    • @Basya, it's never been stated in canon that Spock was first at anything fanon has claimed: he was never stated to be the first Vulcan-human hybrid, he was never stated to be the first to reject admission to the Vulcan Science Academy, he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan attending Starfleet Academy, and he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan in Starfleet.

      – Keith Morrison
      Mar 28 at 20:20
















    44














    He is not the first Vulcan in Starfleet.



    Star Trek Enterprise by itself puts a nail in the coffin: near the end of the third season, when the ship returns to Earth after having stopped the Xindi attack, T'Pol is formally inducted into Starfleet and given the rank of Commander.



    In TOS, there was also a clear indication: in "The Immunity Syndrome", USS Intrepid is crewed entirely by Vulcans, so unless they transferred en masse from the Vulcan Expeditionary Group (which seems unlikely, given the apparently conservative nature of the organization as shown in Star Trek Discovery), that would imply the senior officers were, at least, Spock's peers. As good as Spock was, it's unlikely another Vulcan would make captain before him if he had a head start.



    Star Trek Discovery simply adds to it in that they've shown Vulcan admirals in Starfleet, while Spock is still a lieutenant in his 20s.



    NOTE:



    Given the question change about "Earth Starfleet" or "Federation Starfleet", there is no difference. This is clearly demonstrated in Season 1 of Star Trek Discovery when Saru asks the computer to list the most decorated captains in Starfleet history, with no qualifications as to what organization he's talking about. Archer was listed, clearly indicating that as far as Starfleet was concerned there was no distinction.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 4





      Nice reference that equates or at least links the two Star Fleet terminologies.

      – Jontia
      Mar 26 at 16:10






    • 9





      Hadn’t Spock served in Starfleet longer than James T. Kirk? Was Spock’s career goal to make Captain as soon as possible?

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 16:53













    • It's also possible that when the Federation was formed, the crew of the NX-01 Enterprise was transitioned into the Federation Starfleet formally. That would raise the possibility of T'Pol opting not to, but that seems unlikely.

      – jpmc26
      Mar 28 at 0:14













    • Some of the senior crew of the Intrepid, at least, likely trained in the Vulcan space service or whatever it was called, and may have joined Starfleet later. In any case, Spock was not aiming for the captaincy -- I think that is pretty clear during the series -- so it is not relevant whether someone 'made' captain before him. My impression until now (based on what I do not remember, so I will not try to write an answer :-) ) was that Spock was the first to go through the Academy, not necessarily the first to join Starfleet. Earlier Vulcans were otherwise trained.

      – Basya
      Mar 28 at 13:22











    • @Basya, it's never been stated in canon that Spock was first at anything fanon has claimed: he was never stated to be the first Vulcan-human hybrid, he was never stated to be the first to reject admission to the Vulcan Science Academy, he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan attending Starfleet Academy, and he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan in Starfleet.

      – Keith Morrison
      Mar 28 at 20:20














    44












    44








    44







    He is not the first Vulcan in Starfleet.



    Star Trek Enterprise by itself puts a nail in the coffin: near the end of the third season, when the ship returns to Earth after having stopped the Xindi attack, T'Pol is formally inducted into Starfleet and given the rank of Commander.



    In TOS, there was also a clear indication: in "The Immunity Syndrome", USS Intrepid is crewed entirely by Vulcans, so unless they transferred en masse from the Vulcan Expeditionary Group (which seems unlikely, given the apparently conservative nature of the organization as shown in Star Trek Discovery), that would imply the senior officers were, at least, Spock's peers. As good as Spock was, it's unlikely another Vulcan would make captain before him if he had a head start.



    Star Trek Discovery simply adds to it in that they've shown Vulcan admirals in Starfleet, while Spock is still a lieutenant in his 20s.



    NOTE:



    Given the question change about "Earth Starfleet" or "Federation Starfleet", there is no difference. This is clearly demonstrated in Season 1 of Star Trek Discovery when Saru asks the computer to list the most decorated captains in Starfleet history, with no qualifications as to what organization he's talking about. Archer was listed, clearly indicating that as far as Starfleet was concerned there was no distinction.






    share|improve this answer















    He is not the first Vulcan in Starfleet.



    Star Trek Enterprise by itself puts a nail in the coffin: near the end of the third season, when the ship returns to Earth after having stopped the Xindi attack, T'Pol is formally inducted into Starfleet and given the rank of Commander.



    In TOS, there was also a clear indication: in "The Immunity Syndrome", USS Intrepid is crewed entirely by Vulcans, so unless they transferred en masse from the Vulcan Expeditionary Group (which seems unlikely, given the apparently conservative nature of the organization as shown in Star Trek Discovery), that would imply the senior officers were, at least, Spock's peers. As good as Spock was, it's unlikely another Vulcan would make captain before him if he had a head start.



    Star Trek Discovery simply adds to it in that they've shown Vulcan admirals in Starfleet, while Spock is still a lieutenant in his 20s.



    NOTE:



    Given the question change about "Earth Starfleet" or "Federation Starfleet", there is no difference. This is clearly demonstrated in Season 1 of Star Trek Discovery when Saru asks the computer to list the most decorated captains in Starfleet history, with no qualifications as to what organization he's talking about. Archer was listed, clearly indicating that as far as Starfleet was concerned there was no distinction.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Mar 26 at 14:57

























    answered Mar 26 at 14:51









    Keith MorrisonKeith Morrison

    9,25211834




    9,25211834








    • 4





      Nice reference that equates or at least links the two Star Fleet terminologies.

      – Jontia
      Mar 26 at 16:10






    • 9





      Hadn’t Spock served in Starfleet longer than James T. Kirk? Was Spock’s career goal to make Captain as soon as possible?

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 16:53













    • It's also possible that when the Federation was formed, the crew of the NX-01 Enterprise was transitioned into the Federation Starfleet formally. That would raise the possibility of T'Pol opting not to, but that seems unlikely.

      – jpmc26
      Mar 28 at 0:14













    • Some of the senior crew of the Intrepid, at least, likely trained in the Vulcan space service or whatever it was called, and may have joined Starfleet later. In any case, Spock was not aiming for the captaincy -- I think that is pretty clear during the series -- so it is not relevant whether someone 'made' captain before him. My impression until now (based on what I do not remember, so I will not try to write an answer :-) ) was that Spock was the first to go through the Academy, not necessarily the first to join Starfleet. Earlier Vulcans were otherwise trained.

      – Basya
      Mar 28 at 13:22











    • @Basya, it's never been stated in canon that Spock was first at anything fanon has claimed: he was never stated to be the first Vulcan-human hybrid, he was never stated to be the first to reject admission to the Vulcan Science Academy, he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan attending Starfleet Academy, and he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan in Starfleet.

      – Keith Morrison
      Mar 28 at 20:20














    • 4





      Nice reference that equates or at least links the two Star Fleet terminologies.

      – Jontia
      Mar 26 at 16:10






    • 9





      Hadn’t Spock served in Starfleet longer than James T. Kirk? Was Spock’s career goal to make Captain as soon as possible?

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 16:53













    • It's also possible that when the Federation was formed, the crew of the NX-01 Enterprise was transitioned into the Federation Starfleet formally. That would raise the possibility of T'Pol opting not to, but that seems unlikely.

      – jpmc26
      Mar 28 at 0:14













    • Some of the senior crew of the Intrepid, at least, likely trained in the Vulcan space service or whatever it was called, and may have joined Starfleet later. In any case, Spock was not aiming for the captaincy -- I think that is pretty clear during the series -- so it is not relevant whether someone 'made' captain before him. My impression until now (based on what I do not remember, so I will not try to write an answer :-) ) was that Spock was the first to go through the Academy, not necessarily the first to join Starfleet. Earlier Vulcans were otherwise trained.

      – Basya
      Mar 28 at 13:22











    • @Basya, it's never been stated in canon that Spock was first at anything fanon has claimed: he was never stated to be the first Vulcan-human hybrid, he was never stated to be the first to reject admission to the Vulcan Science Academy, he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan attending Starfleet Academy, and he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan in Starfleet.

      – Keith Morrison
      Mar 28 at 20:20








    4




    4





    Nice reference that equates or at least links the two Star Fleet terminologies.

    – Jontia
    Mar 26 at 16:10





    Nice reference that equates or at least links the two Star Fleet terminologies.

    – Jontia
    Mar 26 at 16:10




    9




    9





    Hadn’t Spock served in Starfleet longer than James T. Kirk? Was Spock’s career goal to make Captain as soon as possible?

    – Davislor
    Mar 26 at 16:53







    Hadn’t Spock served in Starfleet longer than James T. Kirk? Was Spock’s career goal to make Captain as soon as possible?

    – Davislor
    Mar 26 at 16:53















    It's also possible that when the Federation was formed, the crew of the NX-01 Enterprise was transitioned into the Federation Starfleet formally. That would raise the possibility of T'Pol opting not to, but that seems unlikely.

    – jpmc26
    Mar 28 at 0:14







    It's also possible that when the Federation was formed, the crew of the NX-01 Enterprise was transitioned into the Federation Starfleet formally. That would raise the possibility of T'Pol opting not to, but that seems unlikely.

    – jpmc26
    Mar 28 at 0:14















    Some of the senior crew of the Intrepid, at least, likely trained in the Vulcan space service or whatever it was called, and may have joined Starfleet later. In any case, Spock was not aiming for the captaincy -- I think that is pretty clear during the series -- so it is not relevant whether someone 'made' captain before him. My impression until now (based on what I do not remember, so I will not try to write an answer :-) ) was that Spock was the first to go through the Academy, not necessarily the first to join Starfleet. Earlier Vulcans were otherwise trained.

    – Basya
    Mar 28 at 13:22





    Some of the senior crew of the Intrepid, at least, likely trained in the Vulcan space service or whatever it was called, and may have joined Starfleet later. In any case, Spock was not aiming for the captaincy -- I think that is pretty clear during the series -- so it is not relevant whether someone 'made' captain before him. My impression until now (based on what I do not remember, so I will not try to write an answer :-) ) was that Spock was the first to go through the Academy, not necessarily the first to join Starfleet. Earlier Vulcans were otherwise trained.

    – Basya
    Mar 28 at 13:22













    @Basya, it's never been stated in canon that Spock was first at anything fanon has claimed: he was never stated to be the first Vulcan-human hybrid, he was never stated to be the first to reject admission to the Vulcan Science Academy, he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan attending Starfleet Academy, and he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan in Starfleet.

    – Keith Morrison
    Mar 28 at 20:20





    @Basya, it's never been stated in canon that Spock was first at anything fanon has claimed: he was never stated to be the first Vulcan-human hybrid, he was never stated to be the first to reject admission to the Vulcan Science Academy, he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan attending Starfleet Academy, and he was never stated to have been the first Vulcan in Starfleet.

    – Keith Morrison
    Mar 28 at 20:20













    14














    I hazard that he was not. In the Original Series episode "Immunity Syndrome", we have the USS Intrepid. We are told the Starfleet vessel was crewed exclusively by Vulcans. To have 430-ish Vulcans, from the Captain down to the Assistant Dishwasher, would suggest several of his people were ahead of Spock in processing through the Academy to serve.






    share|improve this answer


























    • I don’t have a copy at hand, but I seem to recall the novelization by James Blish reconciling this. If memory serves, the explanation was that Spock’s example inspired many other Vulcans to join Starfleet. The planetary government then asked that there be a starship with an entirely-Vulcan crew. And the USS Intrepid had another name in their language.

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 16:37











    • If so, this would imply that the captain of the USS Intrepid joined Starfleet after Spock—but then, so did James T. Kirk. It also would mean Starfleet was compelled to promote some Vulcan to command its all-Vulcan starship. Presumably one with relevant experience, such as in the Vulcan expeditionary service.

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 16:57






    • 1





      It’s also within the realm of possibility, albeit unlikely, that the crew of the USS Intrepid were all inexperienced. In its one canonical appearance, they all died.

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 17:02








    • 1





      @Davislor Inexperience seems improbable. In the episode, Kirk and Spock discuss how the "space amoeba" and its protective field might have been too illogical and weird for the Vulcan crew to deal with.

      – Blaze
      Mar 26 at 17:10











    • I would just like to note that we know from The Menagerie, Part 1 and Journey to Babel that Spock has been in Starfleet for 18 years. Accordingly, there has been ample time for other Vulcans to join in the interim, as indicated by events in The Immunity Syndrome.

      – Ed999
      Mar 28 at 18:50
















    14














    I hazard that he was not. In the Original Series episode "Immunity Syndrome", we have the USS Intrepid. We are told the Starfleet vessel was crewed exclusively by Vulcans. To have 430-ish Vulcans, from the Captain down to the Assistant Dishwasher, would suggest several of his people were ahead of Spock in processing through the Academy to serve.






    share|improve this answer


























    • I don’t have a copy at hand, but I seem to recall the novelization by James Blish reconciling this. If memory serves, the explanation was that Spock’s example inspired many other Vulcans to join Starfleet. The planetary government then asked that there be a starship with an entirely-Vulcan crew. And the USS Intrepid had another name in their language.

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 16:37











    • If so, this would imply that the captain of the USS Intrepid joined Starfleet after Spock—but then, so did James T. Kirk. It also would mean Starfleet was compelled to promote some Vulcan to command its all-Vulcan starship. Presumably one with relevant experience, such as in the Vulcan expeditionary service.

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 16:57






    • 1





      It’s also within the realm of possibility, albeit unlikely, that the crew of the USS Intrepid were all inexperienced. In its one canonical appearance, they all died.

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 17:02








    • 1





      @Davislor Inexperience seems improbable. In the episode, Kirk and Spock discuss how the "space amoeba" and its protective field might have been too illogical and weird for the Vulcan crew to deal with.

      – Blaze
      Mar 26 at 17:10











    • I would just like to note that we know from The Menagerie, Part 1 and Journey to Babel that Spock has been in Starfleet for 18 years. Accordingly, there has been ample time for other Vulcans to join in the interim, as indicated by events in The Immunity Syndrome.

      – Ed999
      Mar 28 at 18:50














    14












    14








    14







    I hazard that he was not. In the Original Series episode "Immunity Syndrome", we have the USS Intrepid. We are told the Starfleet vessel was crewed exclusively by Vulcans. To have 430-ish Vulcans, from the Captain down to the Assistant Dishwasher, would suggest several of his people were ahead of Spock in processing through the Academy to serve.






    share|improve this answer















    I hazard that he was not. In the Original Series episode "Immunity Syndrome", we have the USS Intrepid. We are told the Starfleet vessel was crewed exclusively by Vulcans. To have 430-ish Vulcans, from the Captain down to the Assistant Dishwasher, would suggest several of his people were ahead of Spock in processing through the Academy to serve.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Mar 26 at 20:08









    V2Blast

    15619




    15619










    answered Mar 26 at 14:47









    BlazeBlaze

    1,818717




    1,818717













    • I don’t have a copy at hand, but I seem to recall the novelization by James Blish reconciling this. If memory serves, the explanation was that Spock’s example inspired many other Vulcans to join Starfleet. The planetary government then asked that there be a starship with an entirely-Vulcan crew. And the USS Intrepid had another name in their language.

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 16:37











    • If so, this would imply that the captain of the USS Intrepid joined Starfleet after Spock—but then, so did James T. Kirk. It also would mean Starfleet was compelled to promote some Vulcan to command its all-Vulcan starship. Presumably one with relevant experience, such as in the Vulcan expeditionary service.

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 16:57






    • 1





      It’s also within the realm of possibility, albeit unlikely, that the crew of the USS Intrepid were all inexperienced. In its one canonical appearance, they all died.

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 17:02








    • 1





      @Davislor Inexperience seems improbable. In the episode, Kirk and Spock discuss how the "space amoeba" and its protective field might have been too illogical and weird for the Vulcan crew to deal with.

      – Blaze
      Mar 26 at 17:10











    • I would just like to note that we know from The Menagerie, Part 1 and Journey to Babel that Spock has been in Starfleet for 18 years. Accordingly, there has been ample time for other Vulcans to join in the interim, as indicated by events in The Immunity Syndrome.

      – Ed999
      Mar 28 at 18:50



















    • I don’t have a copy at hand, but I seem to recall the novelization by James Blish reconciling this. If memory serves, the explanation was that Spock’s example inspired many other Vulcans to join Starfleet. The planetary government then asked that there be a starship with an entirely-Vulcan crew. And the USS Intrepid had another name in their language.

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 16:37











    • If so, this would imply that the captain of the USS Intrepid joined Starfleet after Spock—but then, so did James T. Kirk. It also would mean Starfleet was compelled to promote some Vulcan to command its all-Vulcan starship. Presumably one with relevant experience, such as in the Vulcan expeditionary service.

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 16:57






    • 1





      It’s also within the realm of possibility, albeit unlikely, that the crew of the USS Intrepid were all inexperienced. In its one canonical appearance, they all died.

      – Davislor
      Mar 26 at 17:02








    • 1





      @Davislor Inexperience seems improbable. In the episode, Kirk and Spock discuss how the "space amoeba" and its protective field might have been too illogical and weird for the Vulcan crew to deal with.

      – Blaze
      Mar 26 at 17:10











    • I would just like to note that we know from The Menagerie, Part 1 and Journey to Babel that Spock has been in Starfleet for 18 years. Accordingly, there has been ample time for other Vulcans to join in the interim, as indicated by events in The Immunity Syndrome.

      – Ed999
      Mar 28 at 18:50

















    I don’t have a copy at hand, but I seem to recall the novelization by James Blish reconciling this. If memory serves, the explanation was that Spock’s example inspired many other Vulcans to join Starfleet. The planetary government then asked that there be a starship with an entirely-Vulcan crew. And the USS Intrepid had another name in their language.

    – Davislor
    Mar 26 at 16:37





    I don’t have a copy at hand, but I seem to recall the novelization by James Blish reconciling this. If memory serves, the explanation was that Spock’s example inspired many other Vulcans to join Starfleet. The planetary government then asked that there be a starship with an entirely-Vulcan crew. And the USS Intrepid had another name in their language.

    – Davislor
    Mar 26 at 16:37













    If so, this would imply that the captain of the USS Intrepid joined Starfleet after Spock—but then, so did James T. Kirk. It also would mean Starfleet was compelled to promote some Vulcan to command its all-Vulcan starship. Presumably one with relevant experience, such as in the Vulcan expeditionary service.

    – Davislor
    Mar 26 at 16:57





    If so, this would imply that the captain of the USS Intrepid joined Starfleet after Spock—but then, so did James T. Kirk. It also would mean Starfleet was compelled to promote some Vulcan to command its all-Vulcan starship. Presumably one with relevant experience, such as in the Vulcan expeditionary service.

    – Davislor
    Mar 26 at 16:57




    1




    1





    It’s also within the realm of possibility, albeit unlikely, that the crew of the USS Intrepid were all inexperienced. In its one canonical appearance, they all died.

    – Davislor
    Mar 26 at 17:02







    It’s also within the realm of possibility, albeit unlikely, that the crew of the USS Intrepid were all inexperienced. In its one canonical appearance, they all died.

    – Davislor
    Mar 26 at 17:02






    1




    1





    @Davislor Inexperience seems improbable. In the episode, Kirk and Spock discuss how the "space amoeba" and its protective field might have been too illogical and weird for the Vulcan crew to deal with.

    – Blaze
    Mar 26 at 17:10





    @Davislor Inexperience seems improbable. In the episode, Kirk and Spock discuss how the "space amoeba" and its protective field might have been too illogical and weird for the Vulcan crew to deal with.

    – Blaze
    Mar 26 at 17:10













    I would just like to note that we know from The Menagerie, Part 1 and Journey to Babel that Spock has been in Starfleet for 18 years. Accordingly, there has been ample time for other Vulcans to join in the interim, as indicated by events in The Immunity Syndrome.

    – Ed999
    Mar 28 at 18:50





    I would just like to note that we know from The Menagerie, Part 1 and Journey to Babel that Spock has been in Starfleet for 18 years. Accordingly, there has been ample time for other Vulcans to join in the interim, as indicated by events in The Immunity Syndrome.

    – Ed999
    Mar 28 at 18:50











    5














    I don't think so.



    Memory Alpha states that T'Pol joined Starfleet some time around 2154 as a commander on Captain Archer's Enterprise (the NX-01), though the wording is a bit ambiguous.




    Following a Xindi attack on Earth on April 24, 2153, Enterprise was
    recalled home and underwent a major refit in preparation for a mission
    into the Delphic Expanse. Because this mission was seen by the Vulcan
    High Command as being an Earth matter, Ambassador Soval ordered T'Pol
    to return to Vulcan, to be reassigned to the Ministry of Information.
    It was expected that, after a brief time at the Ministry, she would be
    allowed to return to Earth to continue her diplomatic duties. However,
    T'Pol resisted. As Enterprise set course for Vulcan to deliver T'Pol
    home and proceed to the Expanse, she abruptly resigned her commission
    and chose to remain aboard. (ENT: "The Expanse") During her tenure as
    technically a civilian amongst the crew, T'Pol wore a variety of
    bodysuits in a variety of different color schemes. These included
    blue/grey, white, and muted pastel. T'Pol later continued to wear a
    collection of bodysuits adorned with rank insignia, assignment patch
    and so on when she joined Starfleet.




    (Emphasis mine.)



    Though Archer's starfleet is not the United Federation's Starfleet, Archer was present when the Federation was founded, and assuming Earth's Starfleet was entirely absorbed into the UFP's Starfleet, T'Pol was also a member of it.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 1





      So... I've updated the question, but I think the Starfleet that T'Pol joins is not the Federation Starfleet, but Earth Startfleet (nice work using the same name guys!), but I'm ok with this being the right answer if we get some consensus on continuity of organisations.

      – Jontia
      Mar 26 at 14:42











    • @Jontia I don't see the distinction...

      – steenbergh
      Mar 26 at 14:44






    • 3





      In season 1 of Discovery, when Saru asks the computer to list the most decorated captains in Starfleet history, Archer is listed. He didn't have to specify a Starfleet because as far as Starfleet is concerned there has been only one.

      – Keith Morrison
      Mar 26 at 14:54






    • 1





      @KeithMorrison unless the computer just does a wide search, "Most decorated Navy Captain" in google returns results for US Navy and the Royal Navy on the first page, but they're not the same organisations.

      – Jontia
      Mar 26 at 16:13
















    5














    I don't think so.



    Memory Alpha states that T'Pol joined Starfleet some time around 2154 as a commander on Captain Archer's Enterprise (the NX-01), though the wording is a bit ambiguous.




    Following a Xindi attack on Earth on April 24, 2153, Enterprise was
    recalled home and underwent a major refit in preparation for a mission
    into the Delphic Expanse. Because this mission was seen by the Vulcan
    High Command as being an Earth matter, Ambassador Soval ordered T'Pol
    to return to Vulcan, to be reassigned to the Ministry of Information.
    It was expected that, after a brief time at the Ministry, she would be
    allowed to return to Earth to continue her diplomatic duties. However,
    T'Pol resisted. As Enterprise set course for Vulcan to deliver T'Pol
    home and proceed to the Expanse, she abruptly resigned her commission
    and chose to remain aboard. (ENT: "The Expanse") During her tenure as
    technically a civilian amongst the crew, T'Pol wore a variety of
    bodysuits in a variety of different color schemes. These included
    blue/grey, white, and muted pastel. T'Pol later continued to wear a
    collection of bodysuits adorned with rank insignia, assignment patch
    and so on when she joined Starfleet.




    (Emphasis mine.)



    Though Archer's starfleet is not the United Federation's Starfleet, Archer was present when the Federation was founded, and assuming Earth's Starfleet was entirely absorbed into the UFP's Starfleet, T'Pol was also a member of it.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 1





      So... I've updated the question, but I think the Starfleet that T'Pol joins is not the Federation Starfleet, but Earth Startfleet (nice work using the same name guys!), but I'm ok with this being the right answer if we get some consensus on continuity of organisations.

      – Jontia
      Mar 26 at 14:42











    • @Jontia I don't see the distinction...

      – steenbergh
      Mar 26 at 14:44






    • 3





      In season 1 of Discovery, when Saru asks the computer to list the most decorated captains in Starfleet history, Archer is listed. He didn't have to specify a Starfleet because as far as Starfleet is concerned there has been only one.

      – Keith Morrison
      Mar 26 at 14:54






    • 1





      @KeithMorrison unless the computer just does a wide search, "Most decorated Navy Captain" in google returns results for US Navy and the Royal Navy on the first page, but they're not the same organisations.

      – Jontia
      Mar 26 at 16:13














    5












    5








    5







    I don't think so.



    Memory Alpha states that T'Pol joined Starfleet some time around 2154 as a commander on Captain Archer's Enterprise (the NX-01), though the wording is a bit ambiguous.




    Following a Xindi attack on Earth on April 24, 2153, Enterprise was
    recalled home and underwent a major refit in preparation for a mission
    into the Delphic Expanse. Because this mission was seen by the Vulcan
    High Command as being an Earth matter, Ambassador Soval ordered T'Pol
    to return to Vulcan, to be reassigned to the Ministry of Information.
    It was expected that, after a brief time at the Ministry, she would be
    allowed to return to Earth to continue her diplomatic duties. However,
    T'Pol resisted. As Enterprise set course for Vulcan to deliver T'Pol
    home and proceed to the Expanse, she abruptly resigned her commission
    and chose to remain aboard. (ENT: "The Expanse") During her tenure as
    technically a civilian amongst the crew, T'Pol wore a variety of
    bodysuits in a variety of different color schemes. These included
    blue/grey, white, and muted pastel. T'Pol later continued to wear a
    collection of bodysuits adorned with rank insignia, assignment patch
    and so on when she joined Starfleet.




    (Emphasis mine.)



    Though Archer's starfleet is not the United Federation's Starfleet, Archer was present when the Federation was founded, and assuming Earth's Starfleet was entirely absorbed into the UFP's Starfleet, T'Pol was also a member of it.






    share|improve this answer















    I don't think so.



    Memory Alpha states that T'Pol joined Starfleet some time around 2154 as a commander on Captain Archer's Enterprise (the NX-01), though the wording is a bit ambiguous.




    Following a Xindi attack on Earth on April 24, 2153, Enterprise was
    recalled home and underwent a major refit in preparation for a mission
    into the Delphic Expanse. Because this mission was seen by the Vulcan
    High Command as being an Earth matter, Ambassador Soval ordered T'Pol
    to return to Vulcan, to be reassigned to the Ministry of Information.
    It was expected that, after a brief time at the Ministry, she would be
    allowed to return to Earth to continue her diplomatic duties. However,
    T'Pol resisted. As Enterprise set course for Vulcan to deliver T'Pol
    home and proceed to the Expanse, she abruptly resigned her commission
    and chose to remain aboard. (ENT: "The Expanse") During her tenure as
    technically a civilian amongst the crew, T'Pol wore a variety of
    bodysuits in a variety of different color schemes. These included
    blue/grey, white, and muted pastel. T'Pol later continued to wear a
    collection of bodysuits adorned with rank insignia, assignment patch
    and so on when she joined Starfleet.




    (Emphasis mine.)



    Though Archer's starfleet is not the United Federation's Starfleet, Archer was present when the Federation was founded, and assuming Earth's Starfleet was entirely absorbed into the UFP's Starfleet, T'Pol was also a member of it.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Mar 26 at 20:51









    V2Blast

    15619




    15619










    answered Mar 26 at 14:40









    steenberghsteenbergh

    3,44841432




    3,44841432








    • 1





      So... I've updated the question, but I think the Starfleet that T'Pol joins is not the Federation Starfleet, but Earth Startfleet (nice work using the same name guys!), but I'm ok with this being the right answer if we get some consensus on continuity of organisations.

      – Jontia
      Mar 26 at 14:42











    • @Jontia I don't see the distinction...

      – steenbergh
      Mar 26 at 14:44






    • 3





      In season 1 of Discovery, when Saru asks the computer to list the most decorated captains in Starfleet history, Archer is listed. He didn't have to specify a Starfleet because as far as Starfleet is concerned there has been only one.

      – Keith Morrison
      Mar 26 at 14:54






    • 1





      @KeithMorrison unless the computer just does a wide search, "Most decorated Navy Captain" in google returns results for US Navy and the Royal Navy on the first page, but they're not the same organisations.

      – Jontia
      Mar 26 at 16:13














    • 1





      So... I've updated the question, but I think the Starfleet that T'Pol joins is not the Federation Starfleet, but Earth Startfleet (nice work using the same name guys!), but I'm ok with this being the right answer if we get some consensus on continuity of organisations.

      – Jontia
      Mar 26 at 14:42











    • @Jontia I don't see the distinction...

      – steenbergh
      Mar 26 at 14:44






    • 3





      In season 1 of Discovery, when Saru asks the computer to list the most decorated captains in Starfleet history, Archer is listed. He didn't have to specify a Starfleet because as far as Starfleet is concerned there has been only one.

      – Keith Morrison
      Mar 26 at 14:54






    • 1





      @KeithMorrison unless the computer just does a wide search, "Most decorated Navy Captain" in google returns results for US Navy and the Royal Navy on the first page, but they're not the same organisations.

      – Jontia
      Mar 26 at 16:13








    1




    1





    So... I've updated the question, but I think the Starfleet that T'Pol joins is not the Federation Starfleet, but Earth Startfleet (nice work using the same name guys!), but I'm ok with this being the right answer if we get some consensus on continuity of organisations.

    – Jontia
    Mar 26 at 14:42





    So... I've updated the question, but I think the Starfleet that T'Pol joins is not the Federation Starfleet, but Earth Startfleet (nice work using the same name guys!), but I'm ok with this being the right answer if we get some consensus on continuity of organisations.

    – Jontia
    Mar 26 at 14:42













    @Jontia I don't see the distinction...

    – steenbergh
    Mar 26 at 14:44





    @Jontia I don't see the distinction...

    – steenbergh
    Mar 26 at 14:44




    3




    3





    In season 1 of Discovery, when Saru asks the computer to list the most decorated captains in Starfleet history, Archer is listed. He didn't have to specify a Starfleet because as far as Starfleet is concerned there has been only one.

    – Keith Morrison
    Mar 26 at 14:54





    In season 1 of Discovery, when Saru asks the computer to list the most decorated captains in Starfleet history, Archer is listed. He didn't have to specify a Starfleet because as far as Starfleet is concerned there has been only one.

    – Keith Morrison
    Mar 26 at 14:54




    1




    1





    @KeithMorrison unless the computer just does a wide search, "Most decorated Navy Captain" in google returns results for US Navy and the Royal Navy on the first page, but they're not the same organisations.

    – Jontia
    Mar 26 at 16:13





    @KeithMorrison unless the computer just does a wide search, "Most decorated Navy Captain" in google returns results for US Navy and the Royal Navy on the first page, but they're not the same organisations.

    – Jontia
    Mar 26 at 16:13











    4














    Although this just may prove to be another potential contradiction, since it is Star Trek Discovery that introduces him, there is Admiral Terral.



    Terral




    Terral was a Vulcan who served as an admiral in Starfleet during the
    Federation-Klingon War of 2256-57.



    In December of 2256, he attended a strategy briefing with Captain
    Gabriel Lorca, Admiral Katrina Cornwell, and two other admirals. (DIS:
    "Choose Your Pain")




    It seems likely given that he is an admiral that he would have had to have gone through Star Fleet Academy and beyond to require such a rank. However, there is no background information on this character at this time to prove it as certain.






    share|improve this answer






























      4














      Although this just may prove to be another potential contradiction, since it is Star Trek Discovery that introduces him, there is Admiral Terral.



      Terral




      Terral was a Vulcan who served as an admiral in Starfleet during the
      Federation-Klingon War of 2256-57.



      In December of 2256, he attended a strategy briefing with Captain
      Gabriel Lorca, Admiral Katrina Cornwell, and two other admirals. (DIS:
      "Choose Your Pain")




      It seems likely given that he is an admiral that he would have had to have gone through Star Fleet Academy and beyond to require such a rank. However, there is no background information on this character at this time to prove it as certain.






      share|improve this answer




























        4












        4








        4







        Although this just may prove to be another potential contradiction, since it is Star Trek Discovery that introduces him, there is Admiral Terral.



        Terral




        Terral was a Vulcan who served as an admiral in Starfleet during the
        Federation-Klingon War of 2256-57.



        In December of 2256, he attended a strategy briefing with Captain
        Gabriel Lorca, Admiral Katrina Cornwell, and two other admirals. (DIS:
        "Choose Your Pain")




        It seems likely given that he is an admiral that he would have had to have gone through Star Fleet Academy and beyond to require such a rank. However, there is no background information on this character at this time to prove it as certain.






        share|improve this answer















        Although this just may prove to be another potential contradiction, since it is Star Trek Discovery that introduces him, there is Admiral Terral.



        Terral




        Terral was a Vulcan who served as an admiral in Starfleet during the
        Federation-Klingon War of 2256-57.



        In December of 2256, he attended a strategy briefing with Captain
        Gabriel Lorca, Admiral Katrina Cornwell, and two other admirals. (DIS:
        "Choose Your Pain")




        It seems likely given that he is an admiral that he would have had to have gone through Star Fleet Academy and beyond to require such a rank. However, there is no background information on this character at this time to prove it as certain.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Mar 26 at 16:47









        Lightness Races in Orbit

        9,84533866




        9,84533866










        answered Mar 26 at 14:51









        Darth LockeDarth Locke

        1,057421




        1,057421























            -3














            The VERY first Vulcan's were the ones that were in first-contact. First contract after ZC's first warp drive test... they detected it and then came down to Earth to see him...



            I'd believe they were the first. Riker even stated "Initially ignored as being too primative, however, the world suddenly gets bigger after the test."






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            Patrick Burdett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.
















            • 6





              Welcome to SciFi.SE! I'm not sure you've understood the question. Who were the first Vulcans to join Starfleet? If you believe that the Vulcans who made contact with Earth were part of Starfleet, could you provide evidence?

              – F1Krazy
              Mar 26 at 19:52
















            -3














            The VERY first Vulcan's were the ones that were in first-contact. First contract after ZC's first warp drive test... they detected it and then came down to Earth to see him...



            I'd believe they were the first. Riker even stated "Initially ignored as being too primative, however, the world suddenly gets bigger after the test."






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            Patrick Burdett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.
















            • 6





              Welcome to SciFi.SE! I'm not sure you've understood the question. Who were the first Vulcans to join Starfleet? If you believe that the Vulcans who made contact with Earth were part of Starfleet, could you provide evidence?

              – F1Krazy
              Mar 26 at 19:52














            -3












            -3








            -3







            The VERY first Vulcan's were the ones that were in first-contact. First contract after ZC's first warp drive test... they detected it and then came down to Earth to see him...



            I'd believe they were the first. Riker even stated "Initially ignored as being too primative, however, the world suddenly gets bigger after the test."






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            Patrick Burdett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.










            The VERY first Vulcan's were the ones that were in first-contact. First contract after ZC's first warp drive test... they detected it and then came down to Earth to see him...



            I'd believe they were the first. Riker even stated "Initially ignored as being too primative, however, the world suddenly gets bigger after the test."







            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            Patrick Burdett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.









            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer






            New contributor




            Patrick Burdett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.









            answered Mar 26 at 19:11









            Patrick BurdettPatrick Burdett

            1




            1




            New contributor




            Patrick Burdett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.





            New contributor





            Patrick Burdett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.






            Patrick Burdett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.








            • 6





              Welcome to SciFi.SE! I'm not sure you've understood the question. Who were the first Vulcans to join Starfleet? If you believe that the Vulcans who made contact with Earth were part of Starfleet, could you provide evidence?

              – F1Krazy
              Mar 26 at 19:52














            • 6





              Welcome to SciFi.SE! I'm not sure you've understood the question. Who were the first Vulcans to join Starfleet? If you believe that the Vulcans who made contact with Earth were part of Starfleet, could you provide evidence?

              – F1Krazy
              Mar 26 at 19:52








            6




            6





            Welcome to SciFi.SE! I'm not sure you've understood the question. Who were the first Vulcans to join Starfleet? If you believe that the Vulcans who made contact with Earth were part of Starfleet, could you provide evidence?

            – F1Krazy
            Mar 26 at 19:52





            Welcome to SciFi.SE! I'm not sure you've understood the question. Who were the first Vulcans to join Starfleet? If you believe that the Vulcans who made contact with Earth were part of Starfleet, could you provide evidence?

            – F1Krazy
            Mar 26 at 19:52


















            draft saved

            draft discarded




















































            Thanks for contributing an answer to Science Fiction & Fantasy Stack Exchange!


            • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

            But avoid



            • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

            • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


            To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




            draft saved


            draft discarded














            StackExchange.ready(
            function () {
            StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fscifi.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f207924%2fwas-spock-the-first-vulcan-in-starfleet%23new-answer', 'question_page');
            }
            );

            Post as a guest















            Required, but never shown





















































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown

































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown







            Popular posts from this blog

            Plaza Victoria

            Puebla de Zaragoza

            Musa