Constantly fascinated with outside projects, Dale gave only so much of his attention to his academy curriculum to demonstrate slightly above-average grades, despite his intellect. This resulted in his being passed over for an assigment in Engineering on board the USS Enigma, instead being given the lower post of Shuttle Bay Chief. He remains slightly bitter about the 'treatment', but has adapted and now set his sights on Operations. He distinguished himself well aboard the USS Scotland, but requested transfer to the Excelsior upon learning the ship's mission to push the boundaries of unexplored worlds and lifeforms.