Fireteam
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A fireteam,[1] or fire team,[2] (UNSC symbol: Ø[1]) is the smallest organization utilised in the ground forces of the United Nations Space Command military. It is the foundational unit upon which the rest of the military structure is built, with the most common iteration used by Unified Ground Command typically consisting of four (though sometimes three) members led by a Corporal or Lance Corporal.[1]
Fireteams are also used within Spartan Operations, though the specifics of their use and deployment differ from those of UNICOM.
Overview[edit]
UNSC Marine Corps[edit]
The majority of known information about fireteams in UNSC service concerns their use in the UNSC Marine Corps. In the Marines, a fireteam (Ø) consists of 3-4 members typically led by a Corporal,[1] with a Lance Corporal serving as the assistant fireteam leader[3] (though in some cases, the Lance Corporal may be in command of the team instead[1]). The other two members of the team hold the rank of Private, First Class.[Note 1]
As the basic building block of the Marine Corps, the fireteam is drilled into every marine at every stage of training and work, with marines becoming naturally accustomed to working in fireteams for work parties, teaching and skill testing, administrative tasks, and working as a vehicle crew. In the absence of other direction, groups of disparate marines naturally organise into fireteams.[1]
Three fireteams are assembled into a single squad (••), consisting of around 13 marines led by a non-commissioned officer (NCO)[1] - typically a Corporal or Sergeant.[1][3] A typical rifle squad makes use of two fireteams supported by a heavy weapons fireteam, while a weapons squad contains all heavy weapons fireteams. Squads serve as the basic tactical building block of the Marine Corps (particularly for use as dropship combat teams), though the corps also makes use of sections (•) consisting of two fireteams/ 8 personnel for use in patrols and as starship security teams.[1]
A list of known Marine Corps fireteams can be found here.
Orbital Drop Shock Troopers[edit]
Although a subcomponent of the Marine Corps, the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers organise their fireteams differently to a standard marine fireteam. Instead of the marines' 3-4 operators, an ODST fireteam consists of 6-8. ODST fireteams are trained to be extremely aggressive and independent when the situation demands it, suiting their special forces deployments.[4] Instead of squads, ODSTs make use of combat teams of 10-14 operators as their basic unit,[5] though it is unclear how fireteams fit into this structure.
[edit]
Fireteams are used by the Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM) of the UNSC Navy, most predominantly by the SPARTAN-IIs, whose teams may be referred to as fireteams.[6] A list of SPARTAN-II teams can be found here.
Spartan Operations[edit]
As in the Army and Marines, fireteams are the core building block of the Spartan Operations division of the UNSC, though their use is different. Spartan fireteams consist of 4-5 SPARTAN-III or SPARTAN-IV supersoldiers[7] (though some may go as low as 3[8][9]), with each member of the team an experienced veteran holding the military title of "Spartan" (broadly equivalent to an O-2 First Lieutenant). The team leader is given the title of "Fireteam Leader" (broadly equivalent to an O-3 Captain).[7][8] Each fireteam, while on deployment, is assigned a Spartan Mission Handler (broadly equivalent to an O-4 Major) who provides them with intelligence and coordinates with other military units.[7][8]
Multiple Spartan fireteams are coordinated as a company commanded by a Spartan Commander (broadly equivalent to an O-6 Colonel[7]), though these are rarely deployed except for in the largest operations (such as Operation: WOLFE in 2559).[9]
Due to the preexisting veteran status of most Spartans, they are generally assumed to be omni-capable in basic military matters, and as such are also tasked with further training on specializations to hone their skillset in specific fields and focus their effectiveness.[8] Once a Spartan has graduated from the Spartan Training and Qualification Program, they are given an assignment (for example, to a starship or base like UNSC Infinity) and assigned to a fireteam, provided there is an open billet.[10][11] Spartans are generally expected to operate well in any fireteam, though specific units are maintained if interpersonal dynamics are good and combat efficiency remains high.[8] As such, Spartan Fireteams often develop their own emblems, and per UNSC Directive 10989.F11 are authorised to wear a pin with that logo as part of their general uniform.[11]
Spartan fireteam roles[edit]
All Spartans are expected to be omni-capable on any battlefield, though may also train in more specialised skillsets at the discretion of their Fireteam Leader.[12] Some typical skill groupings used to evaluate Spartans in a given fireteam include:
- Defensive: Spartans in a defensive role within the fireteam focus on acting as a bulwark in intense firefights, and recieve additional training in the art of combat engineering and the use of special equipment like portable shield generators (such as the drop shield or drop wall), Forerunner constructor beams, and structural hard light emitters. They excel in defensive engagement and preventing the enemy from being able to push on their fireteam's position.[12]
- Disruptive: Spartans in a disruptive role typically come from electronic warfare and more ambush or trap-based backgrounds, and tend to recieve additional training in the use of optical camouflage, sensor jammers, hologram decoys, and the use of unmanned drones (such as the TQ-8 Seeker) to strike enemies where least expected and weaken their defence.[12]
- Offensive: Spartans in this role serve as agile flankers or direct-action breachers, and tend to focus on heavy weapons and support weapons that allow them to control the battlefield. These may include prototype overshield capacitors and "overclock" software modules. They typically excel in providing suppressive firepower for their team, and keeping the enemy on the back foot.[12]
- Supportive: Spartans in this role focus on providing technical and logistical support for their fellows, including (but not limited to) the use of equipment such as the regeneration field, MediGel dispensers, and extra energy cells.[12]
Some Spartan fireteams may specialise for particular roles or deployments, such as containment fireteams designed specifically to engage the Flood.[13]
A list of Spartan fireteams can be found here.
Notes[edit]
- ^ In Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual, Private is noted as a rank only held during boot camp and basic training, with personnel promoted to Private, First Class upon recieving their initial assignment.
Sources[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 56-57
- ^ Halo: Last Light, chapter 19
- ^ a b Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual, page 142
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 58
- ^ Bungie.net, Bungie Weekly Update: 11/21/08 (Retrieved on Oct 13, 2014) [archive]
- ^ Halo: Evolutions - Blunt Instruments
- ^ a b c d Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual, page 32-33
- ^ a b c d e Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 65
- ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 73
- ^ Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual, page 11
- ^ a b Halo Legendary Crate, Data Drop 1
- ^ a b c d e Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual, page 31
- ^ Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual, page 175
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