It’s neat to see established characters discussing something we consider a given, but there’s nothing esoteric about it. Star Trek as a franchise has always been bald-faced about what the Kobayashi Maru test is and why every cadet has to take it.
“How we face death is at least as important as how we face life.” - Admiral Kirk, Wrath of Khan
“Furthermore, you have failed to divine the purpose of the test.”
“Enlighten me again.”
“The purpose is to experience fear - fear in the face of certain death. To accept that fear and maintain control of oneself and one’s crew. This is a quality expected in every Starfleet Captain” - Spock and Kirk, Star Trek 2009
Starfleet learns two important things about each officer-in-training during this test. Whether or not they choose to ignore standing orders and face certain destruction to do the right thing, and how well they handle it when that gamble causes them and everyone they are responsible for to lose.
I imagine stuff like that ends up in every officer’s permanent record. I imagine it determines if Ensign Skippy goes on to command a first-contact vessel carrying the banner of the Federation or a patrol ship in Sol Sector… or be a Captain at all.
It’s neat to see established characters discussing something we consider a given, but there’s nothing esoteric about it. Star Trek as a franchise has always been bald-faced about what the Kobayashi Maru test is and why every cadet has to take it.
“How we face death is at least as important as how we face life.” - Admiral Kirk, Wrath of Khan
“Furthermore, you have failed to divine the purpose of the test.”
“Enlighten me again.”
“The purpose is to experience fear - fear in the face of certain death. To accept that fear and maintain control of oneself and one’s crew. This is a quality expected in every Starfleet Captain” - Spock and Kirk, Star Trek 2009
Starfleet learns two important things about each officer-in-training during this test. Whether or not they choose to ignore standing orders and face certain destruction to do the right thing, and how well they handle it when that gamble causes them and everyone they are responsible for to lose.
I imagine stuff like that ends up in every officer’s permanent record. I imagine it determines if Ensign Skippy goes on to command a first-contact vessel carrying the banner of the Federation or a patrol ship in Sol Sector… or be a Captain at all.