Thomas Ryback

Thomas Ryback is a decorated combat veteran human Starfleet officer in the late 24th century.

As of 2385, he holds the rank of Commander and leads the Starfleet Commando Force units assigned to the starships of the Vanguard Fleet.

Childhood
Ryback was born on 2335 in Alaska, Earth and was a childhood friend of William Riker. Although both boys were large, robust and physical. Ryback had faster reflexes and sharper senses.

Early Starfleet career
Ryback joined the Starfleet Technical Services Academy at the age of 18 and showed a high level of proficiency in more combat-oriented fields such as hand-to-hand combat, weapons and explosives, intelligence gathering, and reconnaissance.

Ryback spent four years taking up advanced courses in the Academy and ended up with the non-commissioned rank of Petty officer third class. He was quickly assigned to Starfleet Intelligence and was frequently deployed on dangerous missions.

By 2360, he was considered a master sniper, an expert fighter pilot, and an expert in explosives, special-weapons, tactics, and all forms of unarmed combat. He had also received a direct commission to the rank of Ensign.

Starfleet Commando Force
Ryback was instrumental in conceptualizing and developing Starfleet Commando Force as a direct action sub-unit of Starfleet Intelligence.

Using as reference the commando units of Earth's 21st century Delta Force, Navy SEALS, Marine Force Recon, and the Army Rangers, Ryback recruited and trained a select group of Starfleet personnel and led them on several covert and clandestine missions to hostile territories. This unit proved successful during the Cardassian War.

Because of the Dominion War, Starfleet Command approved the expansion of Starfleet Commando Force and, beginning 2380 made it an official sub-unit of Starfleet Intelligence, designating Rear Admiral Quintin Beckett as its Flag Officer-in-Command.

Eventually, all starships on deep space assignments or are combat-oriented, were required to have an unit of Starfleet Commando Force operatives onboard.

Vanguard Command
In 2385, with the establishment of Vanguard Command, Ryback was assigned to lead the portion of the Commando Force that was deployed to its starships. He was promoted to the rank of Commander and made to directly command the commando company assigned to the USS Invincible.