Editing Orbital Drop Shock Troopers

{{Status|Canon}}
{{disambig header|the special forces group|other articles including "ODST"|ODST (disambiguation)}}
{{Military infobox
|name=Orbital Drop Shock Troopers
|image=[[File:ODST Crest.png|70px]]<br>The emblem of the ODSTs
[[File:ODSTs.png|300px]]<br>Two standard variants of ODST armor
|affiliation=[[Unified Earth Government]]{{Ref/Site|Id=FG|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo 3 ODST : Field Guide - ODST|D=25|M=05|Y=2013|LocalArchive=Archive:Bungie.net/Halo 3: ODST: Field Guide#Intel}}
|branch=*[[UNSC Marine Corps]]{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/odst|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=ODST|D=27|M=10|Y=2015}}
*<small>''Authority of:''</small><br>[[UNSC Navy]]
**[[Naval Special Warfare Command]]{{Ref/Reuse|FG}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
|type=Rapid reaction force{{Ref/Site|Id=CFLoW|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/log-of-war|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Log of War|D=19|M=03|Y=2017}}
|role=
* [[Wikipedia:Orbital warfare|Transorbital]] [[Wikipedia:Interdiction|interdiction]] [[Wikipedia:Shock troops|shock infantry]]
*[[Special operations]]
|formed=[[2163|December 2163]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|formed-title=Formed
|size=At least four [[division]]s<ref name="fs104">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 104'' (2003); ''page 130'' (2010)</ref>
|nicknames=Helljumpers{{Ref/Reuse|CFLoW}}
|notable-title=Notable commanders
|notable=*[[Colonel]] [[Audrey Lasky]]<ref name="corbulo">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/corbulo-academy '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Corbulo Academy of Military Science'']</ref>
*Colonel [[Kennedy Mehaffey]]{{Ref/Reuse|corbulo}}
*Colonel [[Felicia Sanderson]]
*Colonel [[Marmon Crowther]]
*[[Major]] [[Antonio Silva]]
*[[First Lieutenant]] [[Melissa McKay]]
*[[Gunnery Sergeant]] [[Edward Buck]]

}}
{{Quote|multi=yes|q1=Most of the crew—not to mention your fellow jarheads—will be leaving the ship in lifeboats. They'll ride to the surface in air-conditioned comfort, sipping wine, and nibbling on appetizers. Not you, however. Oh no, you're going to leave the Pillar of Autumn in a different method. Tell me boys and girls… how will you leave?|Major Antonio Silva|q2=We go feet first, sir!|Shock Troopers|[[Major (UNICOM)|Major]] [[Antonio Silva]] rousing his [[battalion]] aboard the ''[[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|Pillar of Autumn]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=TF1|HTF|Chapter=1}}''}}
The '''Orbital Drop Shock Troopers''' ('''ODST'''),{{Ref/Note|The plural form, when referring to the organization, is "ODST". However, individuals or small groups of troopers are addressed as "ODSTs".}} informally referred to as '''Helljumpers''',{{Ref/Game|Id=log odst|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=ODSTs}}{{Ref/Note|The first usage of the name "Helljumpers" in ''Halo: The Fall of Reach'' (Chapter 7) specifies it as the nickname of the [[105th Shock Troops Division]]. In most media (including a later reference in ''The Fall of Reach'' and the subsequent novels ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' and ''[[Halo: First Strike]]''), it is repeatedly used to refer to the ODST as a whole.}} are an elite [[UNSC Special Forces|special operations]]{{Ref/Reuse|log odst}}{{Ref/Novel|TFoR|Chapter=27}} component of the [[UNSC Marine Corps]] and the Corps' rapid reaction force specialized in [[Drop pod|transorbital support interdiction]] tactics.{{Ref/Reuse|CFLoW}} One of the primary special operations forces of the [[United Nations Space Command]], the ODST are under the administrative and operational control of [[Naval Special Weapons]].{{Ref/Reuse|FG}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG|EVG|Page=131}} The organization is headquartered in the [[Mars|Martian]] city of [[Kenosha]], [[Tanais]].{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} Its primary training facilities were located on [[Reach]] prior to the [[glassing]] of the planet.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=intel&cid=24020 '''Bungie.net''': ''CAA Factbook excerpt'']</ref>

==Roles and operations==
{{Quote|We had a damn hard job, and we did it better than anyone.|Spartan [[Edward Buck]], a former Shock Trooper, referring to the ODST.<ref name="nb6">'''[[Halo: New Blood]]''', ''pages 6-7'' (Google Play edition)</ref>}}

Serving as the rapid reaction force of the [[UNSC Marine Corps]],{{Ref/Reuse|CFLoW}}{{Ref/Book|Id=HE58|Enc11|Page=58-63}} Orbital Drop Shock Troopers are distinguished by their unconventional method of deployment, known as "transorbital support interdiction",{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} in which the troopers are dropped to the surface of a world aboard small, purpose-built [[drop pod|deployment vehicles]]. This allows them to conduct a variety of missions against targets that more conventional forces cannot approach undetected.{{Ref/Reuse|FG}} ODSTs—trained for any kind of landing operation—expect to arrive at a world with hellish conditions, only to enter incredibly difficult combat zones.{{Ref/Reuse|HE58}} ODST deployment via SOEIVs is often considered more effective than [[dropship]] deployment, as it allows for a spacecraft to make a quick pass over a world and deploy hundreds of ODSTs in SOEIVs in rapid succession. Additionally, since ODSTs are deployed separately, rather than together in one ship, the casualty rate of SOEIV deployment is lower than that of conventional dropship deployment.{{Ref/Site|Id=WPUNSC|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/tech/unsc-droppods|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=UNSC Drop Pods|D=27|M=10|Y=2015}}

Each ODST [[combat team]] specializes in a particular mission set, though they are expected to be flexible enough to adapt to any given situation. ODSTs are known for their unusual methods of insertion, dropping from orbit onto terrestrial environments.{{Ref/Reuse|FG}} Often landing behind enemy lines, ODSTs are sometimes ordered to eliminate enemy units and clear a [[landing zone]] for the wave of troops that follow.{{Ref/Reuse|nb6}} ODSTs also operate as the primary special forces raiding unit of the Marines, deployed to tip the scales in a close battle, raid enemy bases, capture strategically valuable points, and eliminate high-value targets.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFAoW|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/the-art-of-war-s|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - The Art of War(s)|D=19|M=03|Y=2017}} Similar to their infantry counterparts, the ODSTs maintain units of varying strength aboard many UNSC vessels and installations.{{Ref/Reuse|FG}} ODSTs may also occasionally serve as [[military police]] for UNSC installations.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 282'' (2010)</ref>

The ODSTs perform highly specialized, small-scale, high-risk operations including the following:{{Ref/Reuse|FG}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
 
*'''Deep ground surveillance''' ('''DGS''') and '''long range reconnaissance''': Patrols in small groups, in uniform, usually far behind the enemy lines. While direct ground surveillance units may direct air or artillery strikes against enemy positions, they strive to be unobserved, and have only self-defense, not direct action, capability. Groups engaging in surveillance deep behind enemy lines, are commonly known as [[Wikipedia:LRRP|Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols]].{{Ref/Reuse|FG}}
*'''Direct action''' ('''DA'''): Short-duration strikes and other small-scale offensive actions conducted as a special operation in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments and which employ specialized military capabilities to seize, destroy, capture, exploit, recover, or damage designated targets. Direct action differs from conventional offensive actions in the level of physical and political risk, operational techniques, and the degree of discriminate and precise use of force to achieve specific objectives.{{Ref/Reuse|FG}}
*'''Unconventional warfare''': Military and paramilitary operations, normally of long duration, predominantly conducted by indigenous or surrogate forces who are organized, trained, equipped, supported, and directed in varying degrees by an external source. It includes guerrilla warfare and other direct offensive, low visibility, covert, or clandestine operations, as well as the indirect activities of subversion, sabotage, intelligence gathering, escape and evasion.{{Ref/Reuse|FG}}
*'''Counter-terrorism operations''': The response to [[terrorist]] threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.{{Ref/Reuse|FG}}
*'''Counter-contraband operations''': Missions undertaking the recapturing of smuggled/stolen goods.{{Ref/Reuse|FG}}
*'''Personnel and special equipment recovery/capture''': The recovery/medical treatment of friendly personnel in combat environments, as well as the capability of capturing high valued individuals and any equipment.{{Ref/Reuse|FG}}

==History==
===Origins and Interplanetary War===
{{Main|Interplanetary War}}
The idea of inserting highly trained troops behind enemy lines from high altitudes has its roots in the [[Wikipedia:Paratrooper|paratroopers]] of [[Wikipedia:20th century|20th]] and [[Wikipedia:21st century|21st century]] fame, who dropped frequently behind enemy lines to capture strategically important targets in anticipation for a larger advance by more conventional and numerous military forces. Although they were only marginally successful, they proved the concept of paratroops as useful and effective in large-scale warfare.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Site|Id=WP11|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/drop-pod/a37c6831-12e9-4a63-b546-08aeff5bfdc8|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Drop Pod|D=25|M=03|Y=2012|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Technology#Drop Pod}}

The [[United Nations]] created the first iterations of the ODST deployment concept in [[2129]];{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} these early incarnations were referred to as the [[Drop Jet Platoon]],{{Ref/Reuse|HE58}} members of which were known as "Drop Jet Jumpers".{{Ref/Site|Id=CFTomes|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-tasty-tomes|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Tasty Tomes|D=24|M=03|Y=2025}} The Orbital Drop Shock Troopers in their current form saw their advent in [[2163]] with the formation of the [[UNSC Marine Corps]] and the UNSC itself from [[Earth]]'s disparate national military forces.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}<ref>[http://halostory.bungie.org/oconnor_mclees_080508.html '''Halo.bungie.org''': ''Frank O'Connor/Robt McLees Interview - August 2008'']</ref> That year also saw the historic first extraterrestrial deployment of UNSC Marines in the [[Mars Campaign]] against the [[Communism|neo-communist]] [[Koslovics]]. With the conclusion of the [[Interplanetary War]] in [[2170]], along with the signing of the [[Callisto Treaty]] and the subsequent years of relative peace that followed, the ODST saw little action as more political and important issues such as overpopulation, famine, and a massive military with no purpose gripped the postwar nations of [[Earth]].{{Ref/Book|Id=enc|Enc09|Page=42}}

===Insurrection===
[[File:H4FUD UNSCTodayTomorrowForever.jpg|Right|thumb|A UNSC [[propaganda]] poster depicting an ODST on display at [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] in [[2526]].]]
{{Main|Insurrection}}
The first major combat re-emergence of the ODSTs occurred in [[2490]] during the beginnings of the civil conflict between the [[Unified Earth Government]] and the [[Insurrectionist]]s. Using the members of the [[ORION Project]] as exemplary models,{{Ref/Game|HR|Data pads|Data pad|Detail=11}} the reputation of the ODST, as well as their training, was restored and enhanced as time passed. For the years leading up to [[2525]], the ODST conducted high-risk operations against the Insurrectionists, to either stop the enemy before they could carry out attacks against supporters, and officials of the Unified Earth Government or to cut off major suppliers to the Insurrectionists.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

The ODSTs' [[10th Shock Troops Battalion]] was deployed to [[Jericho VII]] for over 131 days to put down local insurgent forces. Shortly after, the unit was sent to [[Arcadia]] to deal with Insurrectionist activity. In [[2526]], the battalion was deployed to [[Andesia]] to eliminate Insurrectionist strongholds on the planet. During the deployment, several members of the unit were killed by insurgent forces.{{Ref/Film|Id=FuD|H4FuD}}

===Human-Covenant War===
{{Main|Human-Covenant War}}
[[File:HSS-ODSTs.png|thumb|300px|left|The ODST squad, [[Alpha-Five]], during the [[Battle of Mombasa]].]]
On [[2525#November|November 1, 2525]], the UNSC moved to full alert status after the devastating [[First Battle of Harvest|first contact]] with the [[Covenant]] at [[Harvest]]; this marked a change in objectives for the ODST, who up until that point had been fighting the Insurrectionists.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 94''</ref> As humanity's military turned to meet the threat of the Covenant, divisions of ODSTs prepared to participate in the most critical engagements in the war and also to conduct the riskiest missions in the history of mankind. In [[2526|April 2526]], the [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] on [[Circinius IV]] came under attack by Covenant forces. ODSTs were deployed directly onto the campus to reinforce the already-present Marine garrison. But by the time [[Spartan-II]]s [[John-117]], [[Kelly-087]], and [[Frederic-104]] arrived, the deployed ODSTs, along with the entire academy's staff, students ([[Thomas Lasky|save]] [[Chyler Silva|for]] [[Michael Sullivan|four]] [[April Orenski|survivors]]), and garrison were slaughtered.{{Ref/Reuse|FuD}}

The [[Battle of Hat Yai]] marked one of the first deployments of ODSTs against Covenant ground forces; although the planet was lost in the ensuing conflict, the ODSTs were successfully extracted before the UNSC retreated.{{Ref/Anthology|Id=Dirt|Evo|Story=Dirt}} Not long after the [[Harvest campaign]], the ODST participated in the [[Battle of Arcadia]], where they assisted [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine forces]] and SPARTAN-II [[Red Team]] in defending the [[Pirth City|capital city]] from Covenant ground forces, thus allowing the evacuation of the civilian population. Having successfully kept Covenant forces from occupying the city, the Corps began launching multiple assaults on the Covenant's bases of operations to reclaim the planet.{{Ref/Level|HW|HW:Arcadia City|Arcadia City}}{{Ref/Level|HW|HW:Arcadia Outskirts|Arcadia Outskirts}}{{Ref/Level|HW|HW:Dome of Light|Dome of Light}}{{Ref/Level|HW|Scarab}} Several ODST platoons joined {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}{{'}}s rescue operation after retaking the planet and soon participated in the [[Battle of Trove]].{{Citation needed}}

[[File:HLC battle for earth.png|thumb|250px|ODSTs during the [[Battle of Earth]].]]
Following the enactment of the [[Cole Protocol]] in [[2535]], ODST combat teams were tasked with boarding commercial and private vessels and purging their navigation databases.{{Ref/Novel|Id=TCP2|TCP|Chapter=2}} During one of these routine operations, a group of ODSTs aboard the ''[[UNSC Midsummer Night]]'' were captured and taken to the [[The_Rubble|Rubble]]. They, in conjunction with SPARTAN-II [[Gray Team]], would later [[Battle of Metisette|defeat]] a [[Kig-Yar]] plan to trick the inhabitants of the Rubble out of their navigation data, which could compromise the location of Earth.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 312-317''</ref> As the Human-Covenant War progressed, the ODST would participate in many engagements; among these were the [[Battle of Jericho VII]],{{Ref/Novel|Id=TFoRP|TFoR|prologue}} an [[Raid on Heian|assassination mission]] on [[Heian]],{{Ref/Film|HLeg|Story=The Babysitter}} the [[Battle of Skopje]],{{Ref/Reuse|Dirt}} the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]], the [[Battle of New Jerusalem]], the [[Battle of Tribute]],{{Ref/Marketing|Id=interview|ODST|Halo 3: ODST Pre-mission Evaluation|pre-mission evaluations}} and the [[Battle of Ariel]].{{Ref/Comic|HHj}} The numerous campaigns and operations in which the ODST participated throughout the long war all pale in comparison to the [[Fall of Reach]] in [[2552]], during which countless ODSTs lost their lives defending strategic locations on the planet.{{Ref/Level|Id=tots|HR|Reach:Tip of the Spear|Tip of the Spear}}

During the initial invasion of Reach, a large contingent of ODSTs participated in the [[Battle of Viery]], assisting the Army in repelling the Covenant forces from the planet. Throughout the course of the battle, the UNSC formed joint-forces to combat against the overwhelming Covenant forces.{{Ref/Reuse|tots}} Some time during the event, several battalions were stationed on ''[[UNSC Pillar of Autumn]]''. As the planet fell to the Covenant onslaught, the vessel made a blind slipspace jump away from the [[Epsilon Eridani]] system, discovering the long-abandoned [[Installation 04]]. During the [[Battle of Installation 04]], shock troopers led by [[Major]] [[Antonio Silva]] and [[First Lieutenant]] [[Melissa McKay]], operated as a guerrilla force by conducting hit-and-run operations against the forces of the Covenant's [[Fleet of Particular Justice]].{{Ref/Novel|HTF}}

===Battle for Earth and Fall of the Covenant===
[[File:Rymann and Hartley.jpg|thumb|200px|[[T. Rymann]] and [[S. Hartley]] at [[Sector Six]] in the [[Pakistan]]-Afghanistan border region.]]
Following the disastrous loss of Reach and their massive casualties during the [[Battle of Installation 04]] - where all but [[Locklear|one]] of the troopers deployed were killed in action,{{Ref/Novel|HFS}} either on the ring itself or aboard the [[Flood]]-infested [[Ket-pattern battlecruiser|Covenant cruiser]] ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]'' when it was destroyed by [[First Lieutenant]] [[Melissa McKay]] to contain the outbreak{{Ref/Novel|Id=flood332|TF|Chapter=12}} - the ODST participated in the most significant battle of the entire war: the [[Battle for Earth]].{{Ref/Site|Id=bwu11|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16271|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Bungie Weekly Update: 11/21/08|D=13|M=10|Y=2014}} The battle began on [[2552#October|October 20, 2552]], when a [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration|smaller-than-expected Covenant fleet]] led by the [[Prophet of Regret]] jumped into the Solar System.{{Ref/Level|Id=H2CS|H2|H2:Cairo Station|Cairo Station}} ODST combat teams, along with the Marines, began engaging Covenant forces on the Orbital Defense Platforms ''[[Cairo Station|Cairo]]'', ''[[Athens Station|Athens]]'', and ''[[Malta Station|Malta]]''. Despite the ODSTs' valiant efforts, ''Malta'' and ''Athens'' were destroyed.{{Ref/Reuse|H2CS}} As the [[Solemn Penance|Covenant ship]] carrying the Prophet of Regret landed over the African mega-city of [[Mombasa]], teams of ODSTs were deployed over the city from orbit in [[Operation: BUMRUSH|an attempt to board the carrier]]; before the teams could reach the target, however, the [[CAS-class assault carrier|carrier]] jumped into Slipspace. Only [[Alpha-Nine|a single squad]] managed to safely land in the city to carry out the retrieval of the [[Superintendent]]'s data.{{Ref/Level|Id=H3RDrop|ODST|Prepare To Drop}}

After Regret's unexpected retreat from New Mombasa, members of the [[7th Shock Troops Battalion]] would later drop from the ''[[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]]'' onto [[Installation 05]] during the [[Battle of Installation 05|operation]] to capture the Prophet of Regret. Most of these troopers would perish during the initial firefights against the Covenant, and only a few would escape back to [[Earth]] with [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] to lead a resistance against the Covenant occupation forces.{{Ref/Reuse|TGJ}}{{Ref/Reuse|h3ark}}

Overall, the defense of Earth was one of the largest campaigns the ODST fought in during the entire war. The fighting spread across the globe and in space as newly-arrived [[Covenant fleet]]s of [[warship]]s scattered the Orbital Defense Grid. The fleets deployed troops throughout the continents of [[North America]], [[South America]], [[Europe]] and [[Wikipedia:Asia|Asia]] and a multitude of other locations, including many parts of the [[Sol system]].{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=23}}{{Ref/Generic|Id=lootcrate2|Heading=[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Subheading=[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]}} The [[Battle of Cleveland]] is one example of the ODSTs' participation during the war on Earth.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HUI2|HU|Issue=2}} On [[2552#November|November 17, 2552]] after the orbital defense grid was almost completely overwhelmed by [[Prophet of Truth]]'s [[Truth's fleet|own massive loyalist armada]] and too much of UNSC planetside forces was overrun during the same day,{{Ref/Level|Id=H3CN|H3|H3:Crow's Nest|Crow's Nest}}{{Ref/Level|Id=TGJ|H2|H2:The Great Journey|The Great Journey}} two ODSTs from the [[2nd Shock Troops Battalion]] fought alongside a detachment of Marines in the [[Battle of Sector Six]].{{Ref/Film|Id=arms|HLa|Story=[[Halo: Arms Race|Arms Race]]}} Troopers [[T. Rymann]] and [[S. Hartley]] were tasked with calculating the crash site of John-117 on Earth, while a Marine battalion was tasked with defending a narrow corridor between Covenant and UNSC forces in [[Pakistan]].{{Ref/Film|Id=combat|HLa|Story=[[Halo: Combat|Combat]]}} Bravo-21 and numerous [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] were killed in the clash, while Bravo-22 was injured along with some of the other surviving Marines. Their actions successfully allowed [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]] to track and locate the Spartan.{{Ref/Film|Id=lastone|HLa|Story=[[Halo: Last One Standing|Last One Standing]]}}

After the opening of [[Excession|the Portal]] on November 17, 2552, the [[11th Marine Force Reconnaissance/ODST]], stationed aboard the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, fought alongside Spartan [[John-117]], during [[Operation: BLIND FAITH]].{{Ref/Book|Id=encyclopedia|Enc09|Page=56-57}} Men and women from this battalion were also some of the first modern [[human]]s to travel outside the [[Milky Way|Milky Way Galaxy]], during the [[Battle of Installation 00]].{{Ref/Reuse|h3ark}} One such assault happened during a mission to destroy numerous Covenant [[Skar'wa-pattern Mantis|anti-aircraft artillery platforms]] overlooking a desert. These AA guns were destroyed by the ODSTs, allowing the ''[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn]]'' to successfully land near the [[Cartographer|Cartographer building]].{{Ref/Level|Id=h3ark|H3|The Ark}} During the [[Battle of the Citadel|last battle]] of the Ark campaign—the last battle of the war—ODSTs were again airlifted into combat. This time, they punched holes in Covenant armor and artillery positions to allow John-117 and the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]] to eliminate the [[Prophet of Truth]].{{Ref/Level|Id=TheCovenant|H3|H3:The Covenant|The Covenant}} After the battle, the surviving ODSTs were taken back to Earth aboard the [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili]] [[flagship]] ''[[Shadow of Intent]]''.{{Ref/Level|Id=Halo|H3|H3:Halo|Halo}}
{{Clear}}

===Post-war===
[[File:HW2-Odsts-1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Sunray 1-1 squad fighting the Banished during the Second Ark Conflict.]]
Some ODSTs were recruited into the [[SPARTAN-IV program]] after the war ended, prompting the development of a [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|MJOLNIR (GEN2)]] [[ODST armor#MJOLNIR GEN2 variant|variant]] of the ODST BDU.<ref>[http://worthplaying.com/article/2013/7/6/news/89850/ '''Worthplaying''' ''Halo 4 (X360) Champions Bundle To Add New Maps, Mode, Skins, Armor, Bonus Upgrades'']</ref> The ODSTs remain an active military unit, with the [[3rd Platoon|3rd Helljumper Platoon]] participating in the [[Battle of Draetheus V]] against [[Merg Vol's Covenant]] in [[2554]].{{Ref/Level|SA|Mission 11: Descend from the Perch|Descend from the Perch}} In [[2555]], a small fireteam pulled from ODST squad [[Alpha-Nine]] participated in a mission at an unknown [[United Rebel Front]] facility on the moon [[Talitsa]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=New Blood|NB|Chapter=18}} There was a battalion of ODSTs aboard the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} as of [[2558]].{{Ref/Comic|HE|Issue=3}}

The ODST's [[9th Shock Troops Battalion]] aboard {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} saw action against the [[Banished]], an anti-Covenant mercenary organization, during the [[Second Ark Conflict]] in the spring of [[2559]].{{Ref/Game|HW2}} The ODST squad [[Sunray 1-1]], the command element of [[Boomerang Company]] under the command of [[Major]] [[Elijah Vaughan]], [[Operation: SPEARBREAKER|managed to prevent]] Banished forces led by the [[Mgalekgolo]] pair known as [[Colony]] from gaining control over Forerunner [[Despair-class fighter]], which they planned to use against the ''Spirit of Fire''.{{Ref/Level|HW2|Section=Halo Wars 2: Operation: SPEARBREAKER|SectionLinkText=Operation: SPEARBREAKER|HW2:Not on My Watch|Not on My Watch}} Later on, Sunray 1-1 participated in numerous operations in the most hostile, Banished-occupied areas of Installation 00, terminating some of the most valuable of the Banished commanders.{{Ref/Site|Id=CF100|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/sweet-centennial|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Sweet Centennial|D=24|M=02|Y=2018}}

ODSTs continued to play a pivotal role in UNSC operations throughout the [[Created uprising]] from [[2558]]-[[2560]]. These included a massive deployment of ODSTs from UNSC ''Infinity'' to Reach during [[Operation: WOLFE]] in October 2559,{{Ref/Novel|SoR|Chapter=13}} a full battalion deployed from {{UNSCShip|Hidden Point}} during the [[Battle of Netherop (2559)|battle of Netherop]] in November,{{Ref/Novel|Out|Chapter=8}} and the use of ODST teams from {{UNSCShip|Victory of Samothrace}} to support [[Gray Team]] during the [[battle of Boundary]] in December.{{Ref/Novel|ET|Chapter=22}}{{Ref/Site|Id=CFFeetFall|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-feet-first-into-fall|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Feet First Into Fall|D=29|M=09|Y=2025}} 

In mid-December of 2559, a slimmed-down element of the [[86th Shock Troops Battalion]] was present aboard UNSC ''Infinity'' when it was attacked and destroyed during the [[battle over Installation 07]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=EOD18|EOD|Chapter=18}} During the battle the 86th deployed in their drop pods onto [[Installation 07]] and now make up parts of the various UNSC survivor groups [[Battle for Zeta Halo|operating on the ring]] in a guerilla war against the Banished occupation there.{{Ref