Formed in 1974.
974: STARFLEET Is Founded

On May 23, 1974, the first issue of the organization’s newsletter (then called STARFLEET Communications) announced that “The USS Enterprise has been reorganized, effective Stardate 2538.0. It will henceforth be known as STARFLEET, due to directives determined during reorganization.”

This began the process of setting up the paramilitary structure of the organization. And though that system has evolved over the years, it has indeed proven to be an effective and fun way to make things work.

The first chapter of STARFLEET was commissioned as the USS Enterprise under the command of Captain Jay Wallace in Lufkin, Texas, which also became the location of STARFLEET Headquarters. Two more chapters were quickly commissioned: the USS Constellation in Memphis, TN, and the USS Constitution in Coppel, TX.

As the organization began to grow by leaps and bounds, STARFLEET soon reached the end of their first year of operations. John Bradbury (holding the rank of Commodore) continued to command the organization and, at the end of the first year, proudly stated that STARFLEET was doing so well that Fleet Command had never had to dip into their own pocket books to cover operation costs and the treasury was well into the black. By the end of 1975, there were 14 chapters across the country.

STARFLEET was very alive and healthy!