Jean-Luc Picard was a celebrated and well-respected Starfleet officer who served during the latter half of the 24th century. The highlights of his career are his positions as commanding officer of the following Federation starships: first, the USS Stargazer, followed by the USS Enterprise-D, and then the USS Enterprise-E. In these roles, Picard not only witnessed the major turning points of recent galactic history, but played a key role in them also, from making first contact as captain of the Federation's flagship with no fewer than 27 alien species, including the Ferengi and the Borg, as well as becoming the chief contact point with the Q Continuum, to serving as Arbiter of Succession, choosing the former leader of the Klingon Empire, Chancellor Gowron, and exposing the Romulan Star Empire as backers of his chief rivals, later aiding an underground movement of dissidents to gain a toehold on the Romulan homeworld. He continued to serve as captain of the Enterprise-E, the sixth starship to bear the name, until at least 2379.

After the Academy

Shortly after graduation in 2327, Picard's promising career nearly ended during a layover at Starbase Earhart. During a bar brawl over a rigged game of dom-jot, he was stabbed through the heart by a Nausicaan, and had to undergo emergency surgery to replace his heart. He later related to Wesley Crusher that he laughed after looking down to see the knife protruding through his chest. This event helped him realize how fragile life could be, and thus made him more willing to take risks and make his mark on the universe, which he only realized when Q offered to change this event in 2369.

Childhood

Born in La Barre, France on Earth on July 13, 2305. With his brother, Robert, spent their childhood tending to the family vineyards with father, Maurice. Concerned about keeping their familial values, Maurice and his wife, Yvette, educated their sons in the ancient traditions, avoiding any superfluous technologies. Jean-Luc took piano lessons, but eventually gave it up because he dreaded performing in front of an audience. Later in life he would regret it as his playing pleased his mother.

He dreamed of adventure and exploration. Fond of starships he liked to build models. He was captivated by the Phoenix, the first Human warp-capable starship, which he admired several times at the Smithsonian Institution. Like his nephew René, Jean-Luc wrote a ribbon-winning report on starships.