Though I dare say that Commander Evans has also had a tour of duty out in the fleet. After all, you can't realize the real requirements unless you've lived with the equipment.
Author's response
Well When I have him showing up, he's done several tours with the fleet as well as teach for a few years. Now I'm planning on having him as Chief engineer on a Testbed starship. Think of all the fun he would be having trying to break new engines and machinery well before it goes into the prototype ships or out to the fleet itself.