Covenant military

The Covenant military refers to the armed forces branch of the Covenant and was considered the largest military force in the Milky Way before the outbreak of the Covenant Schism.

History
In the early centuries of the Covenant, the Writ of Union established the Sangheilian armed forces of their own as the sole military force, with the San 'Shyuum having little part in its day-to-day operation. As the Covenant conquered and assimilated various species for its cause, members of each race were incorporated into the Covenant military to perform different roles, adding their own unique advantages and disadvantages.

The Covenant military was under the jurisdiction of the High Council, formerly composed of Sangheili Councilor who oversaw the operation of the military. Following the Covenant Schism and the Flood outbreak on High Charity, it is unknown if there is a functioning Covenant military due to the absence of a structured Covenant government.

Organization
The Council of Deed and Doctrine is the highest command organisation within the Covenant military and aids the Hierarchs with military tactics and strategy. During major conflicts the Council of Deed and Doctrine creates a Council of Masters to directly oversee operations. Because San 'Shyuum do not hold military ranks, no San 'Shyuum is truly a "member" of the Army. Instead, they are responsible for strategic decision-making, but also travel with Covenant military units as religious or political overseers.

The Covenant military is organised based on the Covenant's caste system. The officer corps is primarily staffed by Jiralhanae (and formerly by Sangheili), while the Unggoy and Kig-Yar generally fill menial or infantry roles. Ranks are denoted by the color and type of armor worn for Sangheili and Unggoy, shield color for Kig-yar, and accessories for Jiralhanae.

Member races

 * Sangheili - dominant military caste prior to the Covenant Schism
 * Jiralhanae - dominant military caste following the Covenant Schism
 * Mgalekgolo - personal guards for Ship Masters, shock-infantry, heavy-weapons platforms
 * Yanme'e - airborne infantry, combat engineers
 * Kig-Yar - scouts/snipers, police force
 * Unggoy - majority of infantry, "cannon-fodder"
 * Huragok - combat engineers, medics, suicide bombers

Subdivisions

 * Navy - responsible for the coordination of the Covenant's numerous fleets and naval personnel. Primarily staffed by Sangheili with Unggoy, Yanme'e, and Huragok maintenance staff. After the Great Schism, the Hierarchs have taken direct control over Covenant military operations.
 * Army - responsible for most ground-based combat operations, incorporating most of the Covenant's client races. Mostly comprised of Unggoy, Yanme'e, and Kig-yar infantry, with Sangheili or Jiralhanae officers.
 * Special Warfare Group - responsible for small-scale, high-priority high-risk operations against specific points of interest, mostly comprised of Sangheili and Unggoy commandoes.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Combat Evolved
 * Halo: The Flood
 * Halo: First Strike
 * Halo 2
 * Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
 * Halo 3
 * Halo Legends
 * Halo 3: ODST
 * Halo: Reach