What A Fleet Captain Is In Star Trek & Why Pike Doesn’t Become An Admiral Instead

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) becomes a Fleet Captain after his time in command of the USS Enterprise, raising questions about why didn't become an Admiral. As portrayed by Jeffrey Hunter, Captain Pike was originally going to be the leading man of Star Trek: The Original Series. However, NBC rejected Star Trek's original pilot, "The Cage," and most of the show's cast were replaced. The TOS two-parter, "The Menagerie" later reused footage from "The Cage," establishing Christopher Pike as the captain of the Enterprise prior to Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner).

By the time of "The Menagerie," Pike had suffered a horrific injury while rescuing several Starfleet cadets, leaving him confined to a wheelchair and barely able to communicate. At the time of his accident, Pike held the position of Fleet Captain and had already passed command of the Enterprise to Kirk. Pike learned of his fate in Star Trek: Discovery season 2, and the knowledge continues to shape many of his choices. This could be why Pike remains a Fleet Captain rather than an Admiral, but audiences will have to wait for more Strange New Worlds to see Pike's future play out.

The Difference Between Fleet Captain & Admiral In Star Trek Explained

An Admiral Ranks Considerably Higher Than A Fleet Captain

A Fleet Captain has different responsibilities than a regular ship's captain, often commanding several vessels or Starfleet facilities. The position of Fleet Captain allowed one officer to be placed in command of multiple vessels or stations, often making them the highest ranking officer during important missions. For example, Captain Pike was temporarily promoted to Fleet Captain in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 5, "Lost in Translation," taking over command of the USS Farragut and Bavali Station as it was brought online.

Fleet Captain is ultimately less of a rank and more of an honorary title given to particularly exceptional officers. Ranking just below a Commodore, it has a more active role in ongoing missions and training exercises than an Admiral. An Admiral is the highest normal rank in Starfleet and a considerably higher rank than a Fleet Captain. A Fleet Captain sometimes acts as a chief of staff for an Admiral, serving as an intermediary between the Admiral and the officers under their command. In Starfleet, a Fleet Captain might also oversee training exercises, as Captain Pike did before his accident.

Why Captain Pike Was Only A Fleet Captain Instead Of An Admiral

Captain Pike May Have Chosen To Remain A Fleet Captain

Star Trek has not yet revealed why Captain Pike was only a Fleet Captain at the time of his accident, rather than an Admiral. By the end of his tenure as Enterprise captain, Pike surely had the credentials to become an Admiral, but there are a few reasons why he might have remained a Fleet Captain. It's possible Pike chose to remain a Fleet Captain because he knows he has to save the cadets in the explosion that cripples him. Plus, like many Starfleet captains, Pike enjoys being on the bridge of a starship more than sitting behind a desk.

Knowing his time is short, Pike may have chosen to take on a more active role for the remainder of his Starfleet career. It's also possible that Strange New Worlds could alter the Star Trek timeline a bit, and have Pike's injury occur while he's still in command of the Enterprise. As seen in "Lost in Translation," Pike could have been temporarily promoted to Fleet Captain. Regardless, Captain Pike will go down in history as one of Starfleet's greatest captains, but it remains to be seen how Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will depict his future.