Wesley Crusher question

[Dr Dave]

So I'm watching season three of TNG. Wesley gets a field promotion to ensign. Yet the next season (or whenever it was), he goes off to Starfleet Academy.

Here's the thing... What was the point of him resigning his field commission to go to the academy?

Would it have not been more logical for him to continue his field promotion till it was deemed he was ready for a full commission? He was basically getting field training instead of actually being at the academy. Eventually he would have done the equivalent of what he would have done at Star Fleet Academy.

He would not have had to stay on the Enterprise to do it either, as Picard could have probably pulled in a favour to get Wesley on a different posting.

While not cannon, the various Voyager crew members who got field promotions were eventually given non field commissions by Starfleet upon their return.

 

[Cassie]

Well, the Voyager crew didn't have the option of going to Starfleet, so maybe that's why? I DON'T KNOW. Maybe it's because WESLEY'S BUM.

 

[Eggs Mayonnaise]

Many of the Maquis crew on Voyager were former Starfleet personnel who defected.

 

[Dr Dave]

Not all of them though.

(I'm guessing)

 

[Eggs Mayonnaise]

Troo.

 

[Fuddlemiff]

I know that Starfleet's based somewhat on the US Navy, which I'm not that knowledgeable about, but iirc, if you don't go to the Academy, then you're counted as enlisted personnel? I remember in one episode (The Ship, I think) where O'Brien made a point that he and most of his engineering crew were enlisted and therefore didn't have Academy training and couldn't attain the rank of officer. So maybe Wesley had to go to the Academy so he'd be able to officially be recognised as a commissioned officer and progress through the ranks in the future. I mean, a field commission is all very well, but unless he's going to classes on board the Enterprise, he's not going to be learning everything he would at the Academy, such as how to sleep around or get your friends killed in dumb attempts to show off.

 

[Donovan]

Plus every time Picard called him to the ready room...there was touching.

 

[Dr Dave]

I know that Starfleet's based somewhat on the US Navy, which I'm not that knowledgeable about, but iirc, if you don't go to the Academy, then you're counted as enlisted personnel? I remember in one episode (The Ship, I think) where O'Brien made a point that he and most of his engineering crew were enlisted and therefore didn't have Academy training and couldn't attain the rank of officer. So maybe Wesley had to go to the Academy so he'd be able to officially be recognised as a commissioned officer and progress through the ranks in the future. I mean, a field commission is all very well, but unless he's going to classes on board the Enterprise, he's not going to be learning everything he would at the Academy, such as how to sleep around or get your friends killed in dumb attempts to show off.

That is a good possibility.

 

[Consumer]

If I put my Military Logic hat on:

Westly had to resign his field commission and be "demoted" to cadet to attend the academy. However, he might get "time in grade" credit for the time served as a brevetted ensign, putting him more senior than the rest of his graduating class, allowing him to advance more quickly.

One note from cannon, however: officers can and do attend the academy. In the opening of TWOC, Lt. Savvak was a full LT going for her command rating. I'm not sure if that's a graduate course or not, but there's an example of a "full" officer attending the academy as a student.

In a Naval tradition an enlisted person can simply advance in the enlisted ranks (including a "chief" petty officer in the Navy or Coast Guard), go Warrant Officer, or go to OCS (or on rare occasions, a service academy) and become a regular officer. Such people are often called "Mustangs" and get a LOT more respect as Jr. officers. You can usually tell by the medals they wear (for example, a good conduct medal, which is only awarded to enlisted people), not to mention they tend to be a little older than your typical ensign. In Trek, with all of the racial differences, the age thing probably won't apply.

There's my useless speculation on a fantasy Universe thread for the day!

 

[Dr Dave]

I think Wesley did get credit for his time on The Enterprise.

Instead of going in as a freshman, he got a year or two credit, or some such.

 

[Consumer]

Why are only enlisted people eligible for a good conduct medal?

Because officers are expected to behave themselves, a hold over from "Officer and a Gentleman" while us low-life enlisted types are expected to go off to drink, whore, and fight. It was felt that if we could restrain ourselves somewhat we'd get a reward (as opposed to the Officers who did the same things, but in the O-club and away from the prying eyes of the public).

 

[Donovan]

Helloooo? Touching?

 

[Consumer]

(sigh)

Yes, yes, if you let the Commanding officer touch you, you get a Good Conduct medal too.