No way Raffi is the XO under Seven. Too many issues with nepotism and command decisions being affected b y emotion.
Which means that that’s exactly what will end up happening. How did Seven become a commander so fast when she wasn’t even in Starfleet the last time we saw her?
Wasn't Kirk a CADET when he became Captain of the Enterprise? At least Seven had 18+ years of military experience behind her. To answer your question, Starfleet may have given her a direct commission. Starfleet is modeled on the U.S. Navy; the Navy directly commissions officers who possess specialized skills -- physicians, lawyers, chaplains, engineers, unconventional warfare experts (like Seven). https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_commission_officer
In an alternate universe. nuKirk also had the rank of lieutenant in Starfleet Academy at the time. What military experience? They don't make them XOs of naval vessels.
Eighteen years with the Borg, during which time she commanded troops ("Survival Instinct," VOY). She was Queen of a Borg cube ("Broken Pieces," PIC S1). She knows her way around a battlefield. She has a lot to offer Starfleet. It was clearly good enough for Starfleet to commission her. Terry Matalas has said they're going to do a time jump this season. She's going to have been in Starfleet some years.
All of that is just speculation (and I'm not really buying the flimsy 'being a Borg was good enough for Starfleet' premise.) But we'll see in February.
She did seem to be a kind of leader in the Fenris Rangers for several years. That may count for something.
"Memory" kept running through my mind. S1 ended with Data dying for good. It would be good for S3 to give him new life (albeit in a different form): The Titan-A could be an experimental sentient ship (which would explain Commander Seven being put in command). It would be something along the lines of Zora on Disco.
From Teh Wikiz: So, despite their appearance as vigilantes, they still fill a hole in policing vulnerable regions where Starfleet no longer operates. I think "anarchist" may be too harsh a word in this context, but there it is. Their "non-hierarchical" nature may make for poor leadership skill growth, but I figure it's better than sitting on a beach at Risa all day.
Perhaps. At the end of the day, I think we can probably chalk it up to Seven finally accepting Janeway's offer and subsequent string-pulling. I honestly don't think it will be any more elaborate than that. It will be a small lampshade throw-away line in the premiere episode and they'll move on with the main story. I envision something along these lines: PIC: "Seven! I see you've decided to join Starfleet!" Seven: "Yes, Admiral Janeway blah-dee-blah-dee-blah and blah blah." PIC: "Excellent! Shall we proceed to planet such-and-so to begin the mission?" Seven: "Yes sir. Right this way to the bridge." Aaaaaand... scene.
Oh, I have no doubt that they will gloss over it, just like they glossed over Jurati willfully killing Maddox.
I guess more mind meld induced schizophrenia, though that is probably a less accurate explanation. But, her mind was altered leading her to kill Maddox. Pretty standard Trek defense.