Manic Monday Bonus--Yeah, I Still Haven't Forgiven JJ Abrams

In the letters page of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy #18 (1998), Andrew Hogan of South Glen Falls, NY had a very interesting question:

Well, since this was the penultimate issue, no, they wouldn't. 

Still, a serious question deserves a serious answer:

That's right--of course cadets can't get starships of their own!! That's the most ridiculous idea I've ever--

Oh.

Damn. I guess cadets do get starships of their own, promoted to Captain straight out of the Academy. Seems like a silly way to run a Starfleet, if you ask me...