Editing UNSC Army

*[[Requiem campaign|2nd Requiem]]

The '''UNSC Army''' is a branch of the [[UNSC Armed Forces]], and is primarily responsible for land-based military operations under the direction of the [[Unified Ground Command]] alongside the [[UNSC Marine Corps]] and other land-based forces. Unlike the Marine Corps, which is typically deployed in expeditionary operations across the galaxy in conjunction with the [[UNSC Navy]], the Army is primarily implemented in ground combat operations and garrison duties, serving as a major part of the UNSC Defense Force alongside the [[UNSC Air Force]].<ref name="interview">[http://halostory.bungie.org/oconnor_mclees_080108.html '''Halo.bungie.org:''' ''Interview with Frank O'Connor and Robert McLees'']</ref>  

The UNSC Army operated Insurrection, at least until the early years of [[Operation: TREBUCHET]].{{Ref/Reuse|cuttingroomlore}}

===Human-Covenant war===

{{Main|Human-Covenant war}}

On [[2552#April|April 22, 2552]], UNSC Army personnel supported [[SPARTAN programs|SPARTAN]] [[Noble Team]] in [[Battle of Fumirole]] against [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] forces.<ref>''Deliver Hope''</ref>

Between [[2552#July|July 23]] and [[2552#August|August 30, 2552]], thousands of Army personnel defended the fortress world [[Reach]] during the Covenant's [[Fall of Reach|invasion of the planet]].{{Ref/Reuse|reach}} Trooper fireteams dispatched by [[Colonel]] [[Urban Holland]] initiated first contact with the Covenant at the UNSC [[Visegrád Relay|communications relay]] at [[Visegrád]] on the night of July 23.<ref>''Patrol''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Noble Actual]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Winter Contingency]]''</ref> On July 26, Army troopers stationed near the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[Sword Base]], with ''crucial'' assistance from SPARTAN Noble Team, defended against Covenant attackers.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[ONI: Sword Base]]''</ref> Following these early engagements, Army personnel continued to combat the Covenant's advance invasion force for several weeks. On August 12, three Army [[brigade]]s served as part of a large [[Order of battle (Viery, Reach)|joint UNSC force]] during the battle for the [[Viery Territory]]. Part of this force was used to eliminate a series of Covenant [[deployment spire]]s during the [[Battle at Szurdok Ridge]].<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Tip of the Spear]]''</ref> Two days later, UNSC Army [[pilot]]s joined Noble Six in [[Operation: UPPER CUT]], flying [[FSS-1000 Sabre]] fighters to help disable and board the ''[[Ardent Prayer]]''.<ref name="ardent">''[[Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo|Halo: Warfleet]]'', p. 76-77</ref> Shortly after, a much larger Covenant fleet arrived at Reach.<ref name="lnos">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]''</ref> By August 23, Army forces had attempted to break the Covenant's [[Siege of New Alexandria|siege of]] [[New Alexandria (location)|New Alexandria]] for some time. With the assistance of [[SPARTAN-B312]], they were able to evacuate most of the civilians and military personnel from the city, though some stragglers remained.<ref name="Exodus">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Exodus]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[New Alexandria]]''</ref> On August 29 and 30, the few Army personnel remaining on the [[Eposz]] continent attempted to rally at the area's [[Asźod ship breaking yards|ship-breaking facilities]], which served as the only evacuation area left on the continent. There, they engaged in a [[Battle of Asźod|large-scale battle]] against the Covenant, who had arrived on Reach in force and had begun [[glassing]] the area. Most of the convoys on the way to the evacuation zone were destroyed by the Covenant.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]''</ref>

During the [[Battle of Earth]] on [[2552#October|October 20, 2552]], an Army convoy was sent to [[New Mombasa]] to aid the Marines and civilians stationed there; the unit was destroyed in the attempt.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', "Palace Hotel", ''page 356''</ref> Later, during the [[Battle of Mare Erythraeum]] on [[Mars]], [[Colonel]] [[James Ackerson]] led Army personnel against Covenant forces led by the [[Jiralhanae]] commander [[Lepidus]].<ref>'''Halo: Uprising''', ''[[Halo: Uprising Issue 1|Issue One]]''</ref>

[[File:Battle at Red Slate.png|thumb|250px|right|UNSC Scorpion tanks engage Merg Vol's Covenant faction during the [[Battle of Draetheus V]].]]

Like the [[UNSC Marine Corps]], the UNSC Army is organized under the [[Unified Ground Command]]. The branch maintains a [[UNSC Army Corps of Engineers]].<ref name="tanaka universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/holly-tanaka '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Holly Tanaka'']</ref>

===Infantry===

The majority of the UNSC Army's infantry force is made up of riflemen, who are often supported by heavy weapon infantry. Army Fire Support Teams are specialized units which assist standard infantry and are allocated as part of their battalion's offensive or defensive plans, providing overwatch and combating heavy enemy forces.<ref name="CU">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/community-update-summer-red-summer-blue '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Community Update - Summer Red, Summer Blue'']</ref>

===Special forces===

The UNSC Army operates [[UNSC Army Rangers|Ranger units]] who serve as advance scouts on occupied human worlds, conducting counterinsurgency missions and organizing resistance groups.<ref name=OSFM134>'''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''' p. 134</ref>  

Prior to the development of [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IVs]], Rangers were exclusively recruited into ONI Section 3 [[Delta-6 Division]] as non-augmented personnel to conduct operations outside the capacity of conventional warfighters.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=061}}

[[File:Halo Reach - UNSC Army Infantryman (Standing).png|thumb|right|150px|A UNSC Army trooper.]]

The personnel of the UNSC Army are described as well-trained, disciplined, and motivated men and women.{{Ref/Reuse|CU}} Service people hold ranks, which are divided between officers and enlisted. The rank structure of the UNSC Army is based around that of the [[Wikipedia:US Army|United States Army]]. For a list of ranks within the Army, see [[UNSC rank structure]].

UNSC Army personnel wear distinctive uniforms. The [[UNSC Army Dress Uniform|dress uniform]] is worn outside combat,<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'''</ref> while [[UNSC Army Battle Dress Uniform|battledress]] is worn in combat.<ref>'''[[Halo Reach]]'''</ref> The  Battle Dress Uniform incorporates many modular components shared by other branches of the [[UNSC Armed Forces]], including the [[CH252 Helmet|CH252 combat helmet]]. UNSC Army pilots employ grey flight suits.{{Ref/Reuse|ardent}}{{Ref/Reuse|lnos}}

===Combat roles===

UNSC Army ground forces are led by their commanding officers. Often seasoned and battle-hardened veterans, UNSC officers are trained to maintain a calm demeanor, inspire their men, and deliver a sound tactical perspective while on the battlefield. They also ensure that combined-arms operations are carried out efficiently and safely by controlling the unit's shard of the [[UNSC battle network]].{{Ref/Reuse|CU}}

The core fighting units of the Army consist of riflemen, who are equipped with a wide variety of small arms. When available, they can also be reinforced with heavy weapon units.{{Ref/Reuse|CU}}

 

Army [[Fire Support Team]]s are allocated as part of their battalions offensive or defensive strategies. In defensive operations, they provide overwatching support-by-fire, while on the offense they engage enemy vehicles and heavy infantry, as such, their loadout is usually tailored to their mission, terrain, and expected enemy composition.{{Ref/Reuse|CU}}

Along with their Marine counterparts, UNSC Army infantry played a pivotal role in humanity's fight against the Covenant hegemony,{{Ref/Reuse|CU}} engaging the enemy in small arms combat, and often in close proximity.{{Ref/Reuse|Exodus}} Their tenacity during combat was one of the major factors that decided humanity's continued survival against the overwhelming technological and numerical advantage of the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|CU}}

[[File:UNSC Army variations.png|thumb|right|250px|Several armor variants and weapons used by the UNSC Army.]]

The Army and Marine Corps share many matériel assets, though some of their weapons differ. The Army fields the [[MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System]] instead of the [[MA5B assault rifle|MA5B]] and [[MA5C assault rifle]]s as the standard [[assault rifle|assault weapon]]. By [[2557]], this would be ultimately replaced by the [[MA5D assault rifle]] when it was made the UNSC's standard-issue assault rifle. UNSC Army MA5Ds are typically fitted with [[recon sight]]s.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''[[List of REQ cards/Loadout Weapons|Recon AR REQ description]]''</ref> The Army prefers to use the [[M392 Designated Marksman Rifle]] for medium-range suppression, which has been replaced in all other branches of service by the [[BR55 battle rifle]]. DMRs were commonly used by Army scouts and squad marksmen since [[2512]], and still remain in service with the branch's sharpshooters  due to the weapon's reliability and use of standard [[7.62x51mm|7.62×51mm M118 FMJ-AP]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/dmr '''Halo Waypoint''': ''DMR'']</ref> However, by [[2558]], the [[BR85 battle rifle]] equipped with the [[COG sight]] was undergoing final Army SPECWARCOM trials.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''[[List of REQ cards/Loadout Weapons|COG Battle Rifle REQ description]]''</ref>

In addition, the [[M6G Personal Defense Weapon System|M6G pistol]] is the standard sidearm before being superceded by the [[M6H magnum]] by [[2555]],<ref name="O+A">[http://halo.xbox.com/halo4#!an-epic-universe/ordnance-armor/cbbca9b3-5108-41aa-aa21-9b523de68266 '''Halo 4 Official Site''' ''Ordnance + Armor'']</ref> while the [[M45 Tactical Shotgun]] is used for close-quarters combat. The Army is the only branch of the UNSC to make use of the [[M6J/C carbine|M6J carbine variant]] of the M6 series.<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/magnum/f4c403d6-269e-499a-ac14-9a696e0a5b27 '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Magnum'']</ref><ref>'''[[Bungie.net]]:''' [http://halo.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx ''M6C/SOCOM'']</ref><ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3pistol '''Bungie.net:''' ''Halo 3'' pistol]</ref> The [[M247H Heavy Machine Gun]] serves as a heavy suppression weapon.{{Ref/Reuse|reach}}

Snipers operate the [[SRS99-AM sniper rifle]] for long-range suppression and anti-matériel operations. The [[M319 grenade launcher]] is used for medium-range suppression and anti-fortification duties. The Army also operates the [[M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose Grenade]]. Anti-armor fire is provided by the [[M41 rocket launcher]] and the [[Model 6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle]] [[directed energy weapon]].{{Ref/Reuse|reach}} Around [[2558#October|October 2558]], the M41 SPNKR was phased out in favour of the cheaper, lighter [[M57 Pilum]].<ref name="universeM57">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/rocket-launcher '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Rocket Launcher'']</ref>

The Army's standard vehicle is the [[M12 Force Application Vehicle]], which is used for armored patrols and personnel mobility. The M12 FAV is produced in several variants. The most common of these variants is the [[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle]], which is armed with an [[M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]]. Light anti-vehicle support is provided by the [[M12R Light Anti-Armor Vehicle]], which features an [[M79 Multiple Launch Rocket System]]. The [[M274R Mongoose|M247R]] and Urban [[M290 Mongoose]]s,<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''[[List of REQ cards/Loadout Weapons|Urban Mongoose REQ description]]''</ref> which are commonly used for scouting and light target interdiction. Army scouts also employ the [[M290-M Gungoose]], in the Urban and Woodland variants.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''[[List of REQ cards/Loadout Weapons|Urban Gungoose REQ description]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''[[List of REQ cards/Loadout Weapons|Woodland Gungoose REQ description]]''</ref> The [[M650 Mastodon]] was an armored personnel carrier used by the Army.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/know-scope '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Know-Scope'']</ref>{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=143}}

For heavy engagements, the Army operates the [[M808 Main Battle Tank]], which is armed with an [[M512 Smooth Bore High Velocity Cannon]] and an [[M247T Medium Machine Gun]], though by 2558 the Army was utilising the [[M820 Scorpion]], with units expected to fight insurrection forces in urban environments provided the "Urban" tactical upgrade for their tanks.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''[[List of REQ cards/Vehicles|Urban Scorpion REQ description]]''</ref>  The Army retained [[M850 Grizzly]] units for planetary defense, following the [[Human-Covenant War]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/grizzly '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Grizzly'']</ref> From between the latter years of the ''Domus Diaspora'' and the early years of Operation: TREBUCHET, the Army operated the [[M700 Viper]].{{Ref/Reuse|cuttingroomlore}}

The [[UH-144 Falcon]] is the iconic aerial vehicle of the Army, and is used to transport both regular infantry as well as Spartans across the battlefield. It can hold up to six occupants total, and is armed with various weapons, including machine gun turrets, grenade launcher turrets, and a chin mounted turret for the pilot's use. There are also variants that have no armaments and are completely dedicated as troop transports.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/falcon '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Falcon'']</ref> The [[AV-19 SkyHawk]] was also used by the Army.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=154}} Following the dissolution of the CMA, the [[JOV-99 Kestrel]] was originally earmarked for UNSC Army service, but lobbying by [[Misriah Armory]] caused those to be replaced by the [[AV-49 Wasp]].{{Ref/Reuse|cuttingroomlore}} As well, some [[MV-29 Wyvern]]s were given to some Army units.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=156}}

The Army also makes use of the [[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Mantis|Mantis]], with the Army and Marine Corps upgrading their Mantis units by themselves.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''[[List of REQ cards/Vehicles|Urban Mantis REQ description]]''</ref>

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*''[[Winter Contention]]''