Lt.j.g Richard Kennedy was a fifth generation Star-Fleet brat. There was a Kennedy on NX-01, serving Jonathon Archer. The Kennedy's had a history of service, including Star-Fleet and the Federation Council. Kennedy's had been Captains and Admirals, Planetary Governors and Ambassadors, and even senators and presidents on old Earth.

Richard was 5'10", 165 pounds, fair skinned and blonde. Square-jawed and square-shouldered, he was a poster boy for Star-Fleet. He was an athlete, participating in a number of competitive sports. Hobbies included sailing and diving.

At the Academy, Richard trained to become a first contact specialist by studying sociology, linguistics and xenoanthopology. He was competent in all other fields of a star fleet science officer, but was unembarrassed to enlist help from anyone with more experience in a given scientific discipline.

Richard's ultimate career goal was to join the Federation's diplomatic corps, after learning everything he could serving in Star Fleet. He had no ambitions of command, but had considered the Counselor's position as a step toward the diplomatic service.