Editing Spartan Operations

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Disambig header|the military branch|other uses|Spartan (disambiguation)}}
{{Military infobox
|name=Spartan Operations
|image=[[File:Spartan Branch insignia.png|100px|class=invert-dark]]<br>The [[Symbols of the UNSC|logo of Spartan Operations]]
[[File:H4-Fireteam Forest.jpg|300px]]<br>[[Fireteam Forest]] on [[Requiem]].
|formed=[[2553#January|January 2553]]{{Ref/Comic|Id=init1|HInit|Issue=1}}
|formed-title=Formed
|affiliation=[[Unified Earth Government]]{{Ref/Site|Id=unsc|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/unsc|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=UNSC|D=12|M=9|Y=2015}}
|branch=[[United Nations Space Command]]{{Ref/Reuse|unsc}}
*[[UNSC Armed Forces]]
|type=Independent branch
|role=[[Special operations|Joint special operations]]
|size=Several hundred Spartans {{C|[[2557]]}}{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=33}}
|nicknames=
|battles=*[[Insurrection]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|commanders=*[[Rear Admiral]] [[Musa Ghanem]]{{Ref/Game|Id=H5GLtd|H5G|Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition|Limited Edition|Detail=Spartan Locke's Classified Orders}}
*[[Chief of Staff (Spartan)|Chief of Staff]] [[Jun-A266]]{{Ref/Site|Id=memories of reach|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-5-guardians/updates/memories-of-reach|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Memories of Reach|D=17|M=6|Y=2016}}
*[[Spartan Commander]] [[Sarah Palmer]]
}}
{{Quote|Spartans, like Navy, or Army, or Marines, are UNSC. Spartans are humanity's first line of defense, against threats from within and without. Spartans are what will see us through the darkness ahead and into the dawn beyond.|Commander Musa Ghanem, to a board of UNSC Navy officers}}{{Ref/Comic|Id=init3|HInit|Issue=3}}
'''Spartan Operations''',{{Ref/Reuse|H5GLtd}}{{Ref/Comic|Id=he18|HE|Issue=18|Quote=…to Mr. Jun, Spartan Operations.}} also referred to as the '''Spartan branch'''{{Ref/Site|Id=vale|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/olympia-vale|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Olympia Vale|D=15|M=9|Y=2015}}{{Ref/Game|H4|Halo 4 Limited Edition|Limited Edition|Detail=Spartan armor customization schematic}} or simply the '''Spartans''',{{Ref/Site|Id=HW Story|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/intel/inteldetail/1d0a6d23-88a6-4f95-858d-29115ca16cf4/spartan-iv?category=story|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Spartan-IV|D=19|M=3|Y=2012}}{{Ref/SpOps|Departure|Quote=Navy disagrees with Spartans on this one.|Quotee=Thomas Lasky}}{{Ref/SpOps|Didact's Hand|Quote=I enlisted with the Spartans because…|Quotee=Gabriel Thorne}} is the fifth and newest branch of the [[United Nations Space Command]]'s [[UNSC Armed Forces|Armed Forces]], organized under both [[UNSC Naval Command]] and the [[Unified Ground Command]]. The branch is responsible for the command of [[special operations]] undertaken by all [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IVs]], with many [[SPARTAN-III program|Spartan-IIIs]] integrated into their ranks. However, the surviving [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-IIs]] and select Spartan-IIIs remain in the [[UNSC Navy]] branch's [[UNSC Special Forces#Naval Special Warfare Command|Special Forces]]. Although Spartan Operations has autonomy from the other four branches of the Armed Forces,{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/spartans|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Spartans|D=27|M=10|Y=2015}} the Spartans closely collaborate with the [[UNSC Navy]] and share assets with the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] and [[UNSC Army|Army]].{{Ref/Site|Id=CFReqlamation|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-reqlamation-begins|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Reqlamation Begins|D=23|M=12|Y=2019}} Additionally, they are excluded from FLEETCOM and Unified Ground Command under [[UNSC DIR 1100.D9]] and [[UNSC DIR 6899.01|6899.01]], respectively.{{Ref/Reuse|HLCDD1}}

The branch was established in [[2553]], shortly after the end of the apocalyptic  [[Human-Covenant War]], a time which saw a dramatic increase in the numbers of Spartan supersoldiers upon the activation of the SPARTAN-IV program.{{Ref/Reuse|HW Story}} The operations conducted by these Spartans are collectively referred to as the '''Spartan Ops program'''.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-gb/games/halo-spartan-assault|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Halo: Spartan Strike|D=29|M=10|Y=2015|Quote=…the historic first missions of the Spartan Ops program…}}

==Roles and operations==
[[File:H5G-Rad.png|thumb|250px|left|Fireteam Osiris, a highly specialized fireteam.]]
Spartan Operations was created to serve as the most elite infantry force used by the [[United Nations Space Command]],{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} serving as a [[Special operations|joint special operations]] branch that often undertakes missions involving unconventional warfare. The primary mission of the branch is to secure peace throughout [[human]] space using elite soldiers to quell threats and other hostile factors.<ref name="nb50">'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 50-55'' (Google Play edition)</ref> With the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]], Spartan Operations played a large role in combating the hostile [[Covenant remnants]] to protect the [[Human colonies|colonies]] and citizens of the [[Unified Earth Government]], while also aiding other allied factions, such as the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].<ref name="nb146">'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 146-148'' (Google Play edition)</ref> In addition, the Spartan branch also combated [[insurrectionist]] factions with the continuing [[Insurrection]], most notably the [[United Rebel Front]] and [[New Colonial Alliance]].<ref name="nb139">'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 139-144'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

With the branch's activation in [[2553]], some of the UNSC's most prominent and effective personnel have been assigned to specialized combat and intelligence gathering teams, such as [[Fireteam Osiris]]. These teams are composed of highly proficient operators with varied skills to provide them with significant flexibility in carrying out their assigned missions. Such teams carry out challenging operations directly under the [[UNSC High Command]] and [[UNSC Security Council|Security Council]].{{Ref/Site|Id=osiris|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/fireteam-osiris|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Fireteam Osiris|D=24|M=11|Y=2015}}

==History==
===Origins and conception===
{{Quote|Realistically, the pervasiveness of the modern soldier will never be on the decline, at least not in our time. But ubiquity and numbers don't always guarantee operational success, something Naval Intelligence recognized long ago. Rather than drown out our enemies in an avalanche of bodies, we saw the value intrinsic in the specialization and refinement of a very select number of soldiers—a remarkably select number, actually. This is how the Spartan branch came to be.|[[Codename: SURGEON]]<ref name="11th hour">'''[[Eleventh Hour reports]]''', ''3 - THE NEW SOLDIER''</ref>}}
The production of large numbers of [[SPARTAN programs|Spartan supersoldiers]] with relative ease did not become possible in practice for the [[United Nations Space Command]] until the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Despite this, optimistic projections in [[2531]] suggested that one hundred thousand Spartans might be created in the following thirty years.{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=5}} Between 2531 and [[2552]], nearly one thousand Spartans were trained, augmented, and graduated as part of the [[SPARTAN-III program]], masterminded by [[UNSC Army|Army]] veteran and [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] confidant [[Colonel]] [[James Ackerson]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=GoO2|GoO|Chapter=2}}

The [[SPARTAN-IV program]] entered development on [[2552#September|September 20, 2552]],<ref name="GL 422">'''Halo: Glasslands,''' ''page 422''</ref> unknown to Ackerson.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} The project was conceived by [[Commander]] [[Musa Ghanem]], a former [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]] crippled by the [[SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures|augmentation process]] given an opportunity to relaunch the SPARTAN program. Despite believing that the methodology of the SPARTAN-II program was highly unethical, Musa was also adamant that the Spartans were critical for [[human]]ity's survival and would continue to be so in the following years.{{Ref/Reuse|init1}} Due to ethical factors, as well as advancements in technology now allowed the [[Human augmentation|augmentation]] of adult subjects without the major risks which necessitated the use of children in the preceding programs, it was decided that future Spartans would be consenting adults, all of whom handpicked for their exceptional service during the war, mainly from [[special operations]] units from across the UNSC.{{Ref/Reuse|HW Story}}<ref name="GL 434">'''Halo: Glasslands,''' ''page 434''</ref> This marked a return to the recruitment methodology of the [[ORION Project]], which had created bio-engineered soldiers to fight the growing [[Insurrection]] in the [[Outer Colonies]] over sixty years earlier. Coincidentally, the Spartan-IVs would come to serve in a similar capacity, fighting resurgent colonial rebellions.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

[[Admiral]] [[Margaret Parangosky]], the [[Commander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence]] who had previously authorized the second and third Spartan generations, approved of the new program, particularly because of its moral transparency in comparison to the previous iterations.{{Ref/Reuse|GL 434}} Originally Parangosky planned to give command of the SPARTAN-IV program, and ultimately the Spartan branch, to Colonel Ackerson. Serving under him, presumably in a scientific role to enhance the augmentation procedures and spearhead new technologies, would be Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]], matriarch of the SPARTAN-II program.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Gla6|Gla|Chapter=6}} However, neither would come to serve the project; Ackerson was executed as a [[prisoner of war]] aboard the [[Covenant]] [[Ket-pattern battlecruiser|battlecruiser]] ''[[Triumphant Declaration]]'' following his [[Battle of Mare Erythraeum|defeat]] on [[Mars]] in [[2552#November|November 2552]],{{Ref/Comic|Id=Uprising|HU|Issue=1}} while Halsey became trapped within the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] [[Trevelyan]] and was later exiled to [[Ivanoff Station]] orbiting [[Installation 03]] and then onboard {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} by Parangosky.<ref name="GL 341">'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 341''</ref>

===Formation and independence===
[[File:Initiation - Musa's declaration.jpg|thumb|250px|Musa declaring the branch's autonomy.]]
{{Quote|As of today Spartans stand on their own. Not as Navy or ONI assets. We are our own branch. As of now.|Commander Musa Ghanem, to a council of high-ranked officers at HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6{{Ref/Reuse|init3}}}}
On [[2553#January|January 7, 2553]], the first class of Spartan-IVs was selected, consisting of 145 candidates.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} Spartan-III [[Jun-A266]] was selected as the recruiter for the program, and Jun continued recruitment for the first class until [[2553#February|February 15, 2553]].{{Ref/Reuse|nb50}}{{Ref/X|bsangel|699269947944382464|Jessica Shea|Y=2016|M=2|D=15|Quote=#TodayInHalo 2/15/2553 E. Buck and V. Dare go on shore leave after the war. Buck is approached by Jun-A266 for integration into SPARTAN-IV.}} Although subsequent classes of Spartan-IVs were desirable, the initial class was required to prove itself effective.{{Ref/Reuse|nb50}} The first class of Spartans began training at several [[War Games]] sites, particularly aboard UNSC ''Infinity''.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} In January of 2553, five Spartan-IVs of the program's first class were aboard UNSC ''Infinity'' when Admiral [[Mattius Drake]]'s [[New Colonial Alliance]] [[Raid on UNSC Infinity|boarded]] the ship in the [[Sol system]]'s [[Oort cloud]] and briefly commandeered the [[warship]]; the hijacking was led by the [[Ilsa Zane]], a turncoat soldier who was rendered unstable due to experimental Spartan-IV augmentations. The Spartans' repelling of the takeover attempt also exposed Admiral Drake as a [[Treason|traitor]]. Following the incident, Musa Ghanem announced the establishment of the Spartans as their own distinct branch to a board of UNSC Navy officers at [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]] in [[Sydney]].{{Ref/Reuse|init3}}

With the creation of the branch, most of the surviving Spartan-III supersoldiers were requested by Admiral Parangosky and Naval Intelligence for reassignment to Spartan Operations in early 2553. The active Spartan-IIs were given the choice of "pulling together" the remaining Spartan-IIIs and integrating them into the SPARTAN-IV program.<ref name="glass435">'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 435''</ref> At least Spartan-II [[Blue Team]] continued to operate outside the branch, within [[UNSC Special Forces|Naval Special Warfare Command]] operational control, as of most recent knowledge. Their operations remained highly secretive.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/spoilers-john-117-is-no-longer-blue-leader/00e462e3-9293-42ac-8f61-12c0dcc878df/posts|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=John-117 is no longer blue leader|D=29|M=12|Y=2019|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#John-117 is no longer blue leader}} On [[2554|January 3, 2554]], after the critical success of the first class, a second class of Spartan-IVs was created for the branch and Jun launched a new recruiting drive. With increased funding, Spartan Operations was able to include a larger amount of candidates, though continued to ensure that all were of high quality with strong loyalties to the UEG and UNSC.<ref name="nb105">'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 105-107'' (Google Play edition)</ref> However, [[Rudolf Schein]] of the [[United Rebel Front]] managed to infiltrate the branch and attempted to destroy the [[space station]] hosting the entire second class, as well as several members of the branch's leadership and administrative staff. However, this attempt was foiled by Jun and Musa. The incident was kept a secret, with Musa fearing that the event would compromise the Spartan branch's independence.{{Ref/Reuse|nb139}}

===Combat deployments===
[[File:H4 SOS1 Sniper Team.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Spartans of Fireteam Majestic on Requiem.]]
Since its instatement in early 2553, the Spartan branch has seen a number of engagements in both the resurgent [[Insurrection]] and [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|the continuing hostilities]] against [[Covenant remnants|rogue Covenant factions]]. Sometime during [[2554]], two of the first Spartan-IVs, [[Edward Davis]] and [[Sarah Palmer]], were present in a [[Battle of Draetheus V|battle]] against [[Merg Vol's Covenant]] on the former [[Forerunner]] world and UNSC research colony of [[Draetheus V]].{{Ref/Game|HSA}} Spartans participated in numerous other conflicts, such as the [[Draco III rebellion|rebellion]] on [[Draco III]] or the numerous revolts on [[Talitsa]], both launched by the URF.<ref name="nb22">'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 22-24'' (Google Play edition)</ref>{{Ref/Book|Id=Halo 4 page 171|H4EVG|Page=171}}

During an exploration mission in [[2557#July|July 2557]], UNSC ''Infinity'' was pulled into [[Requiem]], an ancient Forerunner [[shield world]], by a [[Cryptum]]-occupying [[Promethean]] known as the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]] and his forces. Led by Commander Palmer, the Spartans, aided by ''Infinity''{{'}}s [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]], would assist [[John-117|MCPO John-117]] in [[Battle of Requiem|his fight against]] the Prometheans, as well as the distracting [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant]] which had followed the beleaguered Spartan-II to Requiem.{{Ref/Level|H4|H4:Infinity|Infinity}} The Spartans teamed with John-117 to destroy the [[Gravity well|gravity well generator]] and to defend ''Infinity'' from attacks by the Didact, but left with ''Infinity'' when [[Captain]] [[Andrew Del Rio]] chose not to stay and stop the Didact, an order John-117 disregarded.{{Ref/Level|H4|H4:Shutdown|Shutdown}} In [[2558#February|February 2558]], eight months after John-117 [[New Phoenix Incident|defeated the Didact]] and saved [[Earth]], ''Infinity'' returned to Requiem and deployed forces from all five branches of the [[United Nations Space Command]] armed forces, including numerous Spartan fireteams. On Requiem, fighting both Covenant forces and the Prometheans, the UNSC sought to [[Requiem Campaign|capture]] the shield world. Despite the efforts of numerous Spartans, the Covenant destroyed Requiem after retrieving half of the [[Janus Key]], while the UNSC held the other half.{{Ref/SpOps}}

==Organization==
{{Quote|Word was that Musa had used the incredible success of the first class of Spartan-IVs to divorce the program from the Navy and, more specifically, Naval Intelligence. While the SPARTAN program worked in concert with both of those groups—and recruited heavily from them—the Spartans became their own branch of the UNSC's military. That gave them a lot more leeway with their missions, and it meant they weren't under anyone's thumb.|Spartan Edward Buck<ref name="nb130">'''Halo: New Blood''', ''page 130'' (Google Play edition)</ref>}}
[[File:Halo Loot crate Apollo.jpg|250px|thumb|A Spartan-IV fireteam.]]
Spartan Operations is an independent, and the most recently established, branch of the [[United Nations Space Command]]'s [[UNSC Armed Forces|Armed Forces]]. As is the state of the [[UNSC Marine Corps]], the Spartan branch is organized under both the [[Unified Ground Command]] and [[UNSC Naval Command]], specifically [[UNSC Fleet Command|Fleet Command]].{{Ref/Generic|Id=HLCDD1|Heading=[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Subheading=[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #1]]}} Although originally under the jurisdiction of the [[UNSC Navy]], particularly the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], Spartan quickly evolved into an organization of its own,{{Ref/Reuse|11th hour}} until then-[[Commander]] [[Musa Ghanem]] went before a board of naval officers and proposed the branch's autonomy.{{Ref/Reuse|init3}} The success of the first class of Spartan-IVs led to UNSC leadership accepting Musa's proposal. The branch's independence offers them more freedom with its operations.{{Ref/Reuse|nb130}} Spartan Operations, while technically autonomous, maintains close relationships and often works in collaboration with the Navy and other branches when needed, most often in administrative capacities.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} Because of this and the [[SPARTAN programs]]' history, the Spartans are still commonly viewed as a "Navy project" by the UNSC armed forces at large.{{Ref/Game|Id=Infinity Briefing|H4|Halo 4 Limited Edition|Limited Edition|Detail=[[Infinity Briefing Packet]]}} ONI has the ability to requisition the service of Spartan personnel for specific, high-importance [[operation]]s.<ref name="HitD78">'''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''', ''pages 78-79''</ref> For example, when [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]] [[Blue Team]] became absent-without-leave, Spartan [[Fireteam Osiris]] was placed under the Navy's [[Naval Logistical Operations Command]] operational command when deployed to retrieve the Spartan-IIs.{{Ref/Reuse|H5GLtd}} The branch is headed by the [[Chief of Staff (Spartan)|Chief of Staff]] of Spartan Operations; the office is currently held by [[Jun-A266]].{{Ref/Reuse|memories of reach}} As of [[2558]], Spartan Operations does not hold a seat on the [[UNSC Security Council]], unlike the other four branches of the Armed Forces and even ONI.{{Ref/Comic|HE|Issue=1}} The branch also maintains the [[Spartan Training and Education]] department.{{Ref/Reuse|HLCDD1}}

Spartan personnel are typically organized into [[fireteam]]s, consisting of five or four Spartans, led by a Spartan designated as team leader.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} Most Spartan combat units are composed of personnel which would complement each other's skillsets and abilities, mitigating any individual deficiencies.{{Ref/Reuse|osiris}} Some Spartans operate in smaller or even individual units. All detachments of Spartans operate under a Spartan Commander.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} Although most Spartan-IVs are attached to the Spartan branch, several still serve directly under the Office of Naval Intelligence's divisions, such as the [[Delta-6 Division]]<ref name="Halo 4 page 171"/> or the [[Asymmetrical Action Group]].{{Ref/Game|H5G|Armor customization (Halo 5: Guardians)|Armor Hall|Detail=Legendary visor description|Quote=The Beta-5 Asymmetrical Action Group has adopted the Legendary VISR for their Spartan units, albeit with custom plugins developed by ONI's internal teams.}} The Spartan branch has a dedicated facility on [[Mars]], where personnel undergo their [[SPARTAN-IV Augmentation Program|augmentations]].<ref name="nb113">'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 113-120'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

Spartan Operations retains the Spartan-IIIs' [[Headhunters]] program, though it has since undergone various changes and adjustments to its structure. The program now consists of a select list of Spartan-III and Spartan-IV operatives that are deployed in either single or two-person teams.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFHaveSmoa|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Have S'moa|D=28|M=03|Y=2019}}

==Personnel==
{{Quote|We hailed from all walks of the UEG. Human men and women of all races, from colonies of all sizes. The only things we had in common were our total commitment to the UNSC—and our humanity.|Spartan Edward Buck, on the personnel recruited by the branch<ref name="nb115">'''Halo: New Blood''', ''page 115'' (Google Play edition)</ref>}}
[[File:H4 SO Madsen Grant Thorne2.png|thumb|250px|left|Fireteam Majestic in combat on Requiem.]]
Personnel of Spartan Operations are [[SPARTAN-IV Augmentation Program|biologically and cybernetically enhanced]], heavily armored [[human]] supersoldiers.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} The Spartan branch recruits adult men and women from across all of [[Unified Earth Government]]'s [[Human colonies|colonies]].{{Ref/Reuse|nb115}} A majority of the Spartan branch's personnel are [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IVs]], though several [[SPARTAN-III program|Spartan-III]] personnel have also joined the branch,{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} excluding those of [[SPARTAN-III Gamma Company|Gamma Company]] who were reassigned to the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] on [[Admiral]] [[Margaret Parangosky]]'s orders.<ref name="hll330">'''[[Halo: Last Light]]''', ''pages 330-331'' (Google Play edition)</ref> A handful of Spartans serve in the branch in administrative roles; these include the branch's creator [[Musa-096]];{{Ref/Reuse|init3}} [[Jun-A266]], former sniper of [[NOBLE Team]];{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/catalog-interaction/4c3e1c6f-6519-4ee0-83a4-4bac13bf07a3/posts?page=43|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=Catalog Interaction|D=13|M=04|Y=2016|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Post_.2311|Quote=[frumentarii] records indicate queried individual maintains a [command and control] role in Human [exploratii] security forces.}} and the two [[SPARTAN-III Beta Company|Beta Company]] survivors, [[Tom-B292]] and [[Lucy-B091]], who served as instructors for Spartan-IV recruits between 2553 and 2554.{{Ref/Anthology|Id=lessons|HFra|Story=Lessons Learned}} Some Spartans, such as [[Jared Miller]], also serve as mission handlers for Spartan detachments.{{Ref/SpOps|Departure|Land Grab}}

Spartan-IVs of the branch undergo augmentation procedures involving gene therapies, artificial organ implants, and cybernetic enhancements. Each augmentation is custom-tailored to each individual Spartan.{{Ref/Reuse|nb113}} Most of these augmentations are irreversible, and only a handful of personnel within the UEG and UNSC have truly considered the future impact these men and women will have when they leave military service and re-enter [[civilian]] life. There also exists developing concerns relating to the possibility of potentially unstable, partially augmented retired Spartans that lack the training and support available to former Spartan personnel.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFAmore|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-armory-amore|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Armory Armore|D=24|M=10|Y=2016}}

During the [[Human-Covenant War]], Spartan fatalities were always listed as [[missing in action]] or [[wounded in action]] in accordance with [[ONI Directive 930]] in order to bolster morale by maintaining a myth of invincibility around the almost legendary supersoldiers. This practice was not carried over to the Spartan branch following the Covenant War, allowing the deaths of Spartans to be formally acknowledged.{{Ref/Comic|Id=he3|HE|Issue=3}}

===Selection and recruitment===
[[File:Jun SarahPalmer.png|thumb|170px|Jun recruiting Sarah Palmer into the SPARTAN-IV program.]]
{{Quote|I'm a good judge of character, Buck. Add in the fact that I have a cutting-edge AI on my side, and it's rare that I make a mistake about someone.|Spartan Jun-A266 to Edward Buck, commenting on his selection process<ref name="nb106">'''Halo: New Blood''', ''page 106'' (Google Play edition)</ref>}}
Individuals are recruited into the branch based on their achievements and skills as soldiers in other branches of service.{{Ref/Reuse|HitD78}} Spartan candidate recommendations are made from [[commanding officer]]s directly to recruiter Jun-A266.{{Ref/Reuse|he18}} Each candidate for the Spartan branch is heavily screened, both career military veterans and younger soldiers who demonstrate promising careers. After passing a rigorous series of tests, the candidate is given the non-compulsory option of enlisting in the branch and undergoing Spartan-IV augmentations.{{Ref/Reuse|11th hour}} Each recommended candidate is meticulously examined by Jun and Musa with the aid of a dedicated, cutting-edge [[artificial intelligence]],{{Ref/Reuse|nb106}} as well as a thorough background check and a physiological evaluation. The candidate's communications records and past associations are also examined.{{Ref/Reuse|nb113}}

Despite these efforts, [[Rudolf Schein]] of the [[United