Perhaps the most renowned starfleet officer currently serving, Jean Luc Picard has a Starfleet career stretching back for over half a century. Although he failed to gain entry to Starfleet Academy on his first attempt, he subsequently became one of the most outstanding Cadets in his year group. Graduating in 2327, Picard rose to Captain within six years - making him one of the youngest ever to attain the position. Picard remained in command of the Stargazer for twenty two years, the longest continuous Captaincy on record. The Stargazer itself was seriously damaged in a battle with an unknown enemy vessel, later discovered to be a Ferengi ship, in 2355. Picard managed to destroy the enemy ship, but was forced to abandon the Stargazer. His actions during the battle where called into question by Starfleet prosecutor Phillipa Louvois, but he was exonerated by the inquiry board.

In 2364 Picard was assigned command of the newly commissioned Starship Enterprise-D, the most prestigious captaincy in Starfleet. He commanded the ship for seven years, participating in many important missions. Included amongst these where the defeat of the Borg invasions of 2366 and 2369 and Picard's command of the fleet which blockaded the Klingon-Romulan border during the Klingon civil war. The Enterprise-D was destroyed in 2371 by a Klingon Bird of Prey. Picard and his officers where subsequently cleared of any blame in loss, and Picard was offered command of the Sovereign class USS Enterprise-E. He appointed the Enterprise-D's entire senior staff to the ship, along with as many of the officers and crew as was practical. After a one year shakedown cruise, the Enterprise-E's first mission involved yet another Borg attack; Picard was instrumental in defeating both the main invasion and an attempt by the Borg to prevent the formation of the Federation by altering history. Later, Captain Picard traveled to the Ba'ku home world in the Briar Patch when it appeared that his Operations officer, Lieutenant Commander Data, had malfunctioned and assaulted members of the research team there. Picard was able to capture Data, and uncovered a plot by Admiral Dougherty and some in the Federation Council to re-locate the Ba'ku against their wishes. Picard rebelled against Dougherty, bringing word of his actions to the Federation people and thus ending the project. Picard continued in command of the Enterprise-E through 2378, when the ship was sent to Romulus after the coup by Shinzon. Shinzon was a clone of Picard created by a former Romulan government; they intended to replace Picard with a spy of their own. When the government changed the plan was abandoned, and Shinzon was sent to Remus to die. Instead he prospered, becoming a highly successful leader during the Dominion war. Shinzon used a Thalaron weapon to eradicate the Romulan senate in 2378 and had planned to do the same to Earth; he needed Picard in order to repair faults in his own genetic makeup. In a pitched battle between the Enterprise-E, and Shinzon's flagship the Scimitar, Picard was eventually able to board the enemy ship and kill Shinzon. Picard's life was saved by Data, who transported him back to the Enterprise before firing on the Thalaron weapon, sacrificing himself to destroy the Scimitar.

Captain Picard continues in command of the Enterprise-E.