In the wake of the destruction of the 12 Colonies of Kobol, humanity was reduced to a fleeing
collection of refugees.
In a motley fleet of starships, they ventured out into the unknown searching for a mythical
planet named Earth, lead onwards by the last remaining Battlestar and its commander;
William Adama.
Adama was born in a small coastal community on Caprica, yet raised in the tradition of
Tauron and his early years here instilled within him a deep love of the sea and its ships.
His father Joseph was a prominent attorney who specialized in civil liberties and his
mother Evelyn was an accountant.
From his parents he inherited a passion for the rule of the law and the freedoms it enshrined
as well as a deeply analytical and contemplative mind.
After his parents divorced, Bill Adama applied for and was accepted into the Colonial Fleet Academy.
At the outbreak of the Cylon War, Adama was still a midshipman, eventually entering flight
training as the need for pilots increased.
By the time he had earned his wings though, the Cylon War was approaching its end.
Nevertheless, Adama saw action in some of the final battles of the war, earning the
nickname “Husker”, due to his reputation of being something of a farm boy.
Serving as a Raptor and then Viper pilot aboard the Battlestar he would one day command, Adama
displayed a natural aptitude for aerospace combat, scoring a victory against a Cylon
raider during his first combat mission.
When the Armistice was declared, Adama was mustered out of the service as part of the
overall Colonial demobilization and he returned home to Caprica where he eventually married
his high school sweetheart Carolanne.
He fathered two sons with her, Zak and Lee, but unable to find steady work as a pilot,
Bill Adama signed up as a deckhand within the merchant marine.
It was here that Adama met Saul Tigh, another former pilot and the two became lasting friends.
Adama resolved to rejoin the Colonial military and he consistently applied for a regular
commission each year, until finally, thanks to his wife’s connections in the Defense
Subcommittee his request was granted.
The demands of the service put considerable strain on Adama’s marriage, when he and
his wife eventually separated, custody of their two children was left to Carolanne.
Adama steadily climbed the ranks of the Colonial Fleet, serving aboard the Battlestar Atlantia
and skippering three smaller vessels before being assigned as commanding officer of the
Battlestar Valkyrie, where he reunited with his old friend, Saul Tigh.
A secret mission past the Cylon armistice line that resulted in the death of a Colonial
pilot lead to Adama being transferred to the aging Battlestar Galactica to serve out the
remainder of his career.
Despite having been removed from frontline service and restricted to mostly public relations
and inter-system patrols, command of the Galactica had always been Adama’s dream, and he was
grateful for the opportunity to end his career aboard her.
During this this time Adama was surprised to learn that despite never having been particularly
close to his sons, both had decided to enter the military service as Viper pilots.
When Zak was killed in a training accident, Lee placed the blame on his father and the
two would remain estranged for the next two years.
The death of his son brought Adama into contact with Zak’s fiancé who would soon be assigned
under Adama’s command and Kara “Starbuck” Thrace quickly become something of a surrogate
daughter to him.
During the fall of the 12 Colonies, the Battlestar Galactica had only just completed its decommissioning
ceremonies, but was quickly brought back up to combat readiness intending to take part
in a planned counter-attack.
When it became apparent that such an action would only risk the scattered survivors of
the human race to extinction, Adama, together with the newly appointed President of the
Colonies, Laura Roslin instead abandoned the remains of the colonies in search of a
new home for mankind.
As the highest remaining military officer in the colonial fleet, Adama demonstrated
on countless occasions a powerful strength of character, leading and protecting what
remained of the human race.
Adama is in many ways the quintessential Battlestar Commander and displays the ideal traits and
personality found in effective leaders.
He is first and foremost a pragmatist, methodical and highly objective.
A keen strategic thinker, Adama rarely lets his emotions interfere with difficult decisions
and this stoicism allows him to maintain a calm and professional attitude even during
intense or seemingly impossible situations.
This level of emotional maturity is evident in his command style, Adama rarely raises
his voice and only loses control in private, where such displays can not impact the morale
aboard his ship.
His time serving first as a Viper pilot and then as a crewman in the merchant marine has
afforded Adama a unique understanding into the lives and struggles of his enlisted crew.
He expects efficiency and professionalism, but is also realistic, willing to extend second
chances and seldom holds grudges.
This straightforward approach to command has earned him a level of respect from his crew
that borders on unabashed reverence, referred to fondly as “The Old Man” aboard Galactica
and the rest of the fleet.
Adama is highly attuned to the mood aboard his ship, providing inspiration when required
and discipline when necessary.
In his numerous engagements against the Cylons, Adama demonstrated ingenuity and flexibility,
both necessary qualities when consistently facing a numerically superior foe.
While steadfast in his execution once a course of action has been determined, Adama is willing
to hear all points of view and will often defer to the judgement of those he respects.
Above all, Adama values loyalty, trust and integrity and will refuse to associate himself
with anyone unable or unwilling to live up to these values.
While the journey undertaken by the survivors of the 12 colonies was nearly impossible to
endure, there can be no question that such an exodus was only possible due to the unwavering
ability, commitment and determination of Admiral William Adama.
In Dossier, the Templin Institute investigates legendary figures from alternate worlds.
Dossier is the second of four new pilots releasing day by day this week,
until our patrons cast their vote to decide which series is added to our regular schedule.
If you'd like to see episodes on Grand Admiral Thrawn, Captain James T. Kirk,
or the rightful Lord of the Seven Kingdoms Stannis Baratheon,
a pledge of just $1 a month will get you access to the polls when they open this Friday (Feb 23, 2018).