Spartan Operations: Difference between revisions

==Roles and operations==

{{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-096, to a board of UNSC Navy officers<ref name="init3">'''Halo: Initiation''', ''[[Halo: Initiation Issue 3|Issue #3]]''</ref>}}

Spartan Operations was created to serve as the most elite infantry force used by the [[United Nations Space Command]],<ref name="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>

===Formation and independence===

{{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-096, to a council of high-ranked officers at HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6<ref name="init3"/>}}

On [[2553#January|January 7, 2553]], the first class of Spartan-IVs was selected, consisting of 145 candidates.<ref name="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 name="nb50"/><ref>[https://twitter.com/bsangel/status/699269947944382464 '''Twitter''': ''Today in Halo 2/15/2553'']</ref> Although subsequent classes of Spartan-IVs were desirable, the initial class was required to prove itself effective.<ref name="nb50"/> The first class of Spartans began training at several [[War Games]] sites, particularly aboard UNSC ''Infinity''.<ref name="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 brief 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 traitor. Following the incident, Musa-096 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 name="init3"/>

===Combat deployments===

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>'''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'''</ref> 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>'''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 171''</ref>

==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>}}

Personnel of Spartan Operations are [[SPARTAN-IV Augmentation Program|biologically and cybernetically enhanced]], heavily armored [[human]] supersoldiers.<ref name="universe"/> The Spartan branch recruits adult men and women from across all of [[Unified Earth Government]]'s [[Human colonies|colonies]].<ref name="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 name="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 name="init3"/> [[Jun-A266]], former sniper of [[NOBLE Team]];<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2994218_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2994218 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction (Page 43)'']</ref> 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 name="lessons">'''Halo: Fractures''', ''Lessons Learned''</ref> Some Spartans, such as [[Jared Miller]], also serve as mission handlers for Spartan detachments.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[Departure/Land Grab|S1E1 ''Land Grab'']]</ref>

===Selection and recruitment===

{{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 name="HitD78"/> Spartan candidate recommendations are made from [[commanding officer]]s directly to recruiter Jun-A266.<ref name="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 name="11th hour"/> Each recommended candidate is meticulously examined by Jun and Musa with the aid of a dedicated, cutting-edge [[artificial intelligence]],<ref name="nb106"/> as well as a thorough background check and a physiological evaluation. The candidate's communications records and past associations are also examined.<ref name="nb113"/>

===Rank structure===

{{Quote|You are Spartans now. You stand side by side with your Spartan brothers and sisters. You march into battle together—you do not charge ahead. You do not grab glory for yourself. Spartans don't have ranks because Spartan is your rank.|Commander Musa-096, addressing Spartan-IV trainees<ref name="init2">'''Halo: Initiation''', ''[[Halo: Initiation Issue 2|Issue #2]]''</ref>}}

Unlike the other four branches of the UNSC, which maintain hierarchical [[UNSC rank structure|rank structures]], all personnel of Spartan Operations are considered equal and lack formal ranks,<ref name="universe"/> a view especially emphasized by [[Rear Admiral]] Musa-096. However, some personnel within the branch wield far more authority than others, with Musa himself a rear admiral and considered the commander of the Spartans.<ref>'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 7-8'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Standing and specialization within the Spartan branch is also determined by the personal skill of the individual alone, demonstrated both in combat in the field and in training exercises.<ref name="universe"/> This skill is reflected by "Spartan Rank", which has an alphanumeric value between SR1 and SR130. Spartans who meet or exceed SR50 are allowed to join one of eight wings of the branch known simply as "specializations"; a Spartan's choice of specialization ideally reflects the participant's [[Military Occupational Specialty]], such as engineering or vehicle operation.<ref name="Infinity Briefing"/>

===Training===

{{Quote|You are Spartans when you graduate this program. And you graduate this program when I say so. Do you know what that means? It means you're not a goddamn Spartan until I say you're a goddamn Spartan! You might feel like a superhero, but right now you're as useless as a baby—and the UNSC doesn't need any goddamn babies!|Captain O'Day, to complaining Spartan-IV trainees<ref>'''Halo: New Blood''', ''page 125'' (Google Play edition)</ref>}}

Directly after augmentations, Spartan personnel immediately begin their training.<ref name="nb113"/> One of the training facilities used by the branch was a secret, dedicated [[space station]] orbiting an otherwise unimportant dwarf planet. In training, an important emphasis is placed on breaking the bad habits the older or more experienced personnel may have built over the years of their service, as well as giving the Spartans practice with their newly acquired augmentations.<ref name="nb122">'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 122-126'' (Google Play edition)</ref> The training also serves to teach the Spartans to work together among each other as equals.<ref name="init2"/> The Spartans are trained by [[drill instructor]]s hand-picked by ONI. [[Captain]] [[O'Day]] was the drill instructor that trained the second class of Spartans. As part of the training, the Spartans compete in [[War Games]] simulations and are pitted against automated weaponry—that utilize non-lethal, yet still painful, ammunition—guided by the UNSC's sharpest combat veterans.<ref name="nb122"/> All Spartans receive training on how to use [[jetpack]]s in-atmosphere.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/tech/jetpack '''Halo Waypoint''': ''UNSC Jet Pack'']</ref> Spartans of the first class also faced off against UNSC Marines armed with weapons using stun rounds, in which the Spartans had to navigate and complete an obstacle course.<ref name="init2"/> After the Spartans completed training, they were then allowed to select their armor.<ref name="nb122"/> The training of the Spartans is overseen by the branch's [[Spartan Training and Education]] department.<ref name="lootcrate1"/>