Nathan Longstreet Benoit was the youngest child of Rhett and Melanie Benoit. His father was a geologist working for Tulane University. His mother was a circuit Judge who worked in the parishes of south Louisiana. Both sides of his family, have Cajun ancestry. The family has the distinction of having many ancestors who fought in various wars throughout the past several centuries. Typically, they fought on the losing side. Notable among the ancestors� lost causes was the Civil War. Nathan�s middle name comes from his distant ancestor, the Confederate General James Longstreet.

Education

Starfleet Academy Loyola University, New Orleans Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Pre-Starfleet History

Nathan, or �Banjo� as almost everyone calls him, was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was the youngest of four siblings. His parents were both very career oriented and as a result he was mostly reared by his Grandfather who lived deep in the bayou. It was his grandfather who taught him about his Cajun heritage and taught him Creole French. His family came from a long line of Cajun ancestry, of which Nathan and his Grandfather, but not his parents were quite proud. Cajun French sometimes slips into his vocabulary. This sometimes gets him into trouble, like when he starts referring to women as �Mon cher�. He did inherit his fathers interest in geology, but differentiated himself by also having a strong interest in Physics and Astronomy. He got his undergraduate degree in Geology and Astrophysics at Loyola University in New Orleans. He then went on to get a Masters in both disciplines at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He goes by �Banjo� to his friends, as he has a strong interest in the instrument. (See below Hobbies.) He was only the second member of his family to enlist in Starfleet. However, he was the first to graduate from the academy. His father, Rhett Benoit, attended Star Fleet Academy for 2 weeks until he had to drop out due to acute agoraphobia. (Obviously incompatible with Space Travel.) Interestingly, his father roomed for those 2 weeks with Benjamin Sisco of DS9 fame. That�s not the only connection to the Sisco family. Nathan as an undergraduate at Loyola, worked as a waiter and entertainer at Sisco�s in New Orleans.

Starfleet History

Medical History

He is basically healthy, unlike his father, he does not suffer from agoraphobia. Because he grew up in the humid swampy deep south, he has never quite gotten used to the dry sterile constant temperature aboard starships. This however, causes him no discomfort, as it is only a personal preference. He is somewhat allergic to cat dander.

Skills

He is quite skilled in Astrophysics and Navigation. He is also very learned in the Planetary Sciences, notably geology. He always had a chunk of Obsidian, which he used as a paperweight. Through Starfleet Academy, he studied and was certified in several engineering disciplines as well as astronavigation. As such he is a competent engineer. However, Science Officer, is his primary discipline. In addition he is a world class Banjo Player. (See below hobbies.) Although he is a decent shot with a weapon, his one weak area would be as tactician. During his time in Starfleet, the joke going around the class was the only time you would want �Banjo Benoit� as TO, would be if your ship were being attacked by the �Grand Ole� Opry!�