From the time he was 5 years old Cain has been away from his parents, perhaps the leading reason for his disdain of them. Growing up without parents nearby lead to his largely independent attitude. From the time that sports were offered at school Cain was involved, and usually leading the way. He excelled at all sports, especially contact sports such as football and for a time considered playing professionally. When Cain graduated from secondary school he had no real idea of what he wanted to do. Ideas of playing professional sports ran through his head but he knew he had to go to university. Thus when Starfleet Academy offered him a position at their school and on their football team he jumped at the chance.
Starfleet Academy was not what Cain had expected. He constantly clashed with his instructors, his opinionated and independent attitude often getting him into trouble. After his first year he found that the only field he found himself able to seriously consider was being a fighter pilot. Flight school and Cain were made for each other where his independent style was fostered and molded into an effective fighter pilot. Where he once had instructors telling him to stay awake he instead had them commending him for his excellence both in the classroom and in the cockpit.
Upon graduation Cain and 3 other members from his class were nominated to attend the advanced fighter pilot school at Pensacola. Once again Cain found himself in over his head. It was not that he could not keep up with the other pilots, far from it he continued to excel, however the instructors at the advanced school would not put up with any of Cain's hotdogging or independent attitude. On 2 separate occasions he was reprimanded by the schools commanding officer, each time he narrowly avoided being sent home from the school.
On the night of his graduation, Cain and his former wingman got into a fist fight and the two spent the next 10 days in the stockade for their troubles. Afterwards both were sent off to their respective postings. Cain found that he was to be stationed aboard the USS Galaxy.
