John Kawolsky joined Starfleet to follow in his father's footsteps. At the age of 22, John graduated from the Starfleet Academy Tactical Course with the rank of Ensign and was assigned to the Intrepid class USS Allegiance as a security officer. After three years service onboard the Allegiance, Kawolsky was promoted to Lieutenant (Junior Grade) and assigned as Chief of Security aboard the Nebula class USS Apollo . as acting first officer, due to a personnel shortage, and the Galaxy class USS Challenger as Chief Tactical Officer. , under Captain Kayla Harper.