William T. Riker is a commander and the first officer of the USS Enterprise-D. He is adventurous, charismatic, and brave. Where his captain, Jean-Luc Picard, is more reasoned and diplomatic, Riker can be brash and impulsive, but he provides a strong counter-balance. Riker is known for outside-the-box thinking and creative problem solving on the fly.A virtual duplicate of Riker was created by a transporter accident on Nervala IV. The duplicate went by Thomas Riker and eventually got involved with the rebel Maquis group.Background: Riker was born August 19, 2335 in Valdez, Alaska to Kyle and Betty C. Riker. His mother died when he was two, leading to a falling out with his father when Riker was 15. He is a descendant of Thaddeus Iron Boots Riker, who was part of Sherman's March to Atlanta in 1864.He graduated eighth in his class from Starfleet Academy in 2357. His first assignment was as an ensign aboard the USS Pegasus under Capt. Erik Pressman. In 2361, he was stationed with a Starfleet detachment on Betazed, after which he was assigned to the USS Potemkin and promoted to Lt. Commander. He was later named first officer of the USS Hood under Capt. Robert DeSoto. Picard selected him for the USS Enterprise-D on the strength of his r