SPARTAN-II program: Difference between revisions

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===Human-Covenant War===

[[File:Spartan-II defense - 2.png|thumb|250px|A SPARTAN-II fireteam holding their ground against the Covenant]]

The [[Human-Covenant War]] marked a change in objectives for the program; originally intended to quell rebellions, the Spartans were now forced into battle against a superior opponent to the [[insurrectionist]]s: the [[Covenant]]. This new threat accelerated the Spartans' training to its final phase: Project MJOLNIR. With the MJOLNIR armor, the Spartans would be the first major UNSC response to the alien threat.<ref>''Halo: The Fall of Reach'' ''page 103''</ref> The Spartans continuously proved highly effective against all threats; their heroic rearguard and delaying actions saved countless human lives from the genocidal Covenant onslaught. In [[2547]]<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''' ''page 139''</ref>~~, The~~ SPARTAN-II program was revealed to the public in an effort to boost morale among the UNSC.<ref name="strike">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''' ''page 249''</ref> The Spartans' prowess was not lost on the Covenant, who came to fear, and in the case of the [[Sangheili]], respect the Spartans as [[Covenant religion#Demons|Demons]].

The [[Human-Covenant War]] marked a change in objectives for the program; originally intended to quell rebellions, the Spartans were now forced into battle against a superior opponent to the [[insurrectionist]]s: the [[Covenant]]. This new threat accelerated the Spartans' training to its final phase: Project MJOLNIR. With the MJOLNIR armor, the Spartans would be the first major UNSC response to the alien threat.<ref>''Halo: The Fall of Reach'' ''page 103''</ref> The Spartans continuously proved highly effective against all threats; their heroic rearguard and delaying actions saved countless human lives from the genocidal Covenant onslaught. In [[2547]],<ref name="goo139">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''' ''page 139''</ref> the SPARTAN-II program was revealed to the public in an effort to boost morale among the UNSC.<ref name="strike">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''' ''page 249''</ref> The Spartans' prowess was not lost on the Covenant, who came to fear, and in the case of the [[Sangheili]], respect the Spartans as [[Covenant religion#Demons|Demons]].

Inevitably the small number of SPARTAN-IIs dwindled as casualties were sustained. As the exploits of the Spartans were a major propaganda boom to the UNSC, Section II of the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] issued [[Office of Naval Intelligence Directive 930|Directive 930]]<ref name="strike"/>, which stated that Spartans killed or wounded would be listed as "[[missing in action]]" (MIA) or "[[wounded in action]]" (WIA), thus maintaining the illusion of the Spartans' invincibility. By [[2552#August|August 27, 2552]], twenty-five of the twenty-eight remaining NAVSPECWEAP-oriented SPARTAN-IIs,<ref name="DD5">[http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/ONI/577839090903298928/DDR-A340024-1115-08-27-52.pdf '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Data Drop 5'']</ref><ref>'''Halo Wars''' timeline</ref><ref>'''Halo: First Strike''' (2010), Adjunct</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/user/HaloWaypoint#p/a/DF8EE7CCE045CAA0/0/jh7Q3fjIIwc '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Defiant to the End'']</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''', [[Library (feature)|Library]] - Pelican</ref> except [[Gray Team]], had been recalled to Reach, some from combat,<ref name="DD5"/> to receive new orders for [[Operation: RED FLAG]], a mission that [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]] hoped would end the war.<ref name="fall">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''' ''page 240''</ref> They would commandeer a Covenant vessel, locate the Covenant homeworld, and return with captured [[San 'Shyuum|Covenant leadership]] to force a ceasefire. The [[artificial intelligence]] construct [[Cortana]], carried within [[John-117]]'s [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V MJOLNIR armor]], would serve as the strike force's hacker and technology specialist.

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==Facilities and organization==

[[File:FoR-Spartan_class.png|thumb|250px|Déjà instructing the Spartan-II children to their seats in a classroom.]]

The SPARTAN-II program was based in a dedicated compound within the [[Reach FLEETCOM Military Complex]]. Most of the Spartans' [[SPARTAN-II training|training]] was carried out in the various facilities within the complex as well as the surrounding wilderness of [[Reach]]'s [[Highland Mountains]], with classroom sessions provided by [[Déjà]] in the [[Reach Naval Academy]]. The [[SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures]] were conducted in an [[Unidentified ONI medical facility|ONI medical facility]] in orbit over Reach.

The SPARTAN-II program was based in a dedicated compound within the [[Reach FLEETCOM Military Complex]]. Most of the Spartans' [[SPARTAN-II training|training]] was carried out in the various facilities within the complex as well as the surrounding wilderness of [[Reach]]'s [[Highland Mountains]], with classroom sessions provided by [[Déjà]] in the [[Reach Naval Academy]]. They were also given training in various offworld locations, including [[Emerald Cove]] and [[Chiron|Chiron Station]]. The [[SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures]] were conducted in an [[Unidentified ONI medical facility|ONI medical facility]] in orbit over Reach.

The majority of the Spartan-IIs serve under Naval Special Weapons,<ref name="evg121"/><ref name="tfor175"/> a division of the [[UNSC Special Forces]] with heavy ties to [[Office of Naval Intelligence#Section Three|Section Three]] of the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], which initiated and operated the SPARTAN-II program.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 224'' (2001)</ref> This remains unchanged despite the formation of the new [[Spartan branch]] in the post-war era.<ref name="CatalogBlue"/> All Spartan-IIs graduated to the rank of [[UNSC rank structure|petty officer second class]] at the conclusion of their training,<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 99'' (2001)</ref> though many have since risen to a higher rank.

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{{Quote|Die? Didn't you know? Spartans never die.|[[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Kurt Ambrose]] to [[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree|'Mantakree]], referencing [[ONI Directive 930]]<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 372''</ref>}}

The identities of the Spartans' full names have been deleted from all military records. Only Dr. Halsey had secret files that contained the full names of all the Spartans on Reach; unfortunately, the records were destroyed after the the planet was [[Glassing|glassed]].<ref name="Sybex"/> The only other copy of these records is in the possession of [[Admiral]] [[Margaret Parangosky]].<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 433''</ref> Within the military and to the public the Spartans are only known by their service tags, consisting of "SPARTAN" followed by a numerical ID; only a select few outsiders know even their first names.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 90''</ref>

While the Spartan-IIs were highly publicized since [[2547]],<ref name="goo139"/> the supersoldiers' true origins remained classified. The 2547 [[CAA Factbook]] entry on the Spartans states that the supersoldiers are "recruited from all corners of UNSC governed space" and that "each of them is a highly decorated veteran with literal decades of combat experience", but omits the program's ethically problematic background.<ref name="bnet caa">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=intel&cid=24024 '''Bungie.net''': ''CAA Factbook: The Spartan Project'']</ref> However, as of [[2553]], there were pervasive rumors among the UNSC military that the Spartans had been kidnapped as children.<ref>'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 51-52'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Admiral Parangosky planned to unveil the SPARTAN-II program's classified aspects to the UEG defense committee by early 2553,<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 434''</ref> although any information on the Spartan-IIs origins remained unconfirmed among military personnel as of [[2555]].<ref>'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 128-129'' (Google Play edition)</ref> The information was not public knowledge by [[2558]],<ref>'''[[Halo 4 Limited Edition]]''', ''[[Infinity Briefing Packet]]''</ref> although some of the Spartan-IVs were made aware of their predecessors' origins.<ref group="notes">In ''Halo: New Blood'', in a scene set in 2555, Commander [[Musa-096]] casually tells [[Edward Buck]] that the Spartan-IIs were conscripted as children, confirming the rumors that had been circulating within the military for years. In ''Spartan Ops'', [[Anthony Madsen]] tells [[Paul DeMarco]] that Dr. Halsey kidnapped children to create the Spartan-IIs, with DeMarco being unaware of this beforehand. Whether Madsen actually knew the Spartan-IIs' origins for a fact or if he was merely citing the rumors is unclear.</ref>

===Psychology===

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The Spartan-IIs' training emphasized dedication to one's duty as well as winning at any cost, values most of the active Spartan-IIs remain committed to. They frequently ignore concerns over their personal health as long as there remains a mission to complete<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 124-125, 242'' (2003)</ref> and have shown to become incredibly frustrated when prevented from acting in a combat situation; because of this they prefer planetary operations to being based aboard starships with no way to contribute to an engagement.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 107'' (2001)</ref><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 157''</ref>

The Spartan-IIs enjoy a great deal of solidarity and camaraderie within their group due to them having grown up together; indeed, they consider their fellow Spartans family,<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 123'' (2003)</ref><ref name="bl"/> something that was encouraged in their indoctrination from a young age.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 30'' (2001)</ref> Having been taught to refrain from overt emotional displays, the Spartan-IIs most commonly convey their emotions through subtle body language and cryptic gestures. They possess numerous unique internal habits and [[Spartan signals|signals]] conveyed through simple gestures or statements, making interactions among their group largely indecipherable to outsiders.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 120-121, 166, 268, 299'' (2003)</ref> Only a select few outsiders ~~are privy to some of the best-held secrets within the group~~, including [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Halsey]] and [[Déjà]]. Their familiarity with each other's body language allows the Spartan-IIs to function in perfect synergy in combat, their teamwork abilities having been described as borderline telepathic.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 74'' (2001)</ref> Although the Spartan-IIs often have difficulty socializing with baseline humans outside situations of a strictly military nature, they are rather gregarious among themselves and habitually cluster together while out of the battlefield, commonly engaging in activities such as playing cards, exercising together, reading, or maintaining their personal equipment.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 102, 276'' (2001)</ref>

The Spartan-IIs enjoy a great deal of solidarity and camaraderie within their group due to them having grown up together; indeed, they consider their fellow Spartans family,<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 123'' (2003)</ref><ref name="bl"/> something that was encouraged in their indoctrination from a young age.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 30'' (2001)</ref> Having been taught to refrain from overt emotional displays, the Spartan-IIs most commonly convey their emotions through subtle body language and cryptic gestures. They possess numerous unique internal habits and [[Spartan signals|signals]] conveyed through simple gestures or statements, making interactions among their group largely indecipherable to outsiders.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 120-121, 166, 268, 299'' (2003)</ref> Only a select few outsiders, including [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Halsey]] and [[Déjà]], are privy to some of the best-held secrets within the group. Their familiarity with each other's body language allows the Spartan-IIs to function in perfect synergy in combat, their teamwork abilities having been described as borderline telepathic.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 74'' (2001)</ref> Although the Spartan-IIs often have difficulty socializing with baseline humans outside situations of a strictly military nature, they are rather gregarious among themselves and habitually cluster together while out of the battlefield, commonly engaging in activities such as playing cards, exercising together, reading, or maintaining their personal equipment.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 102, 276'' (2001)</ref>

Most humans view the Spartan-IIs with awe, sometimes even revulsion, due to both their reputation and intimidating presence,<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 7, 174'' (2001)</ref> the latter complemented by the seemingly unnatural speed, precision and grace of their movements.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 173''</ref> Few outsiders are willing to as much as touch a Spartan, such as shaking one's hand.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 58''</ref>

SPARTAN-II program: Difference between revisions

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@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 ===Human-Covenant War===
 [[File:Spartan-II defense - 2.png|thumb|250px|A SPARTAN-II fireteam holding their ground against the Covenant]]
-The [[Human-Covenant War]] marked a change in objectives for the program; originally intended to quell rebellions, the Spartans were now forced into battle against a superior opponent to the [[insurrectionist]]s: the [[Covenant]]. This new threat accelerated the Spartans' training to its final phase: Project MJOLNIR. With the MJOLNIR armor, the Spartans would be the first major UNSC response to the alien threat.<ref>''Halo: The Fall of Reach'' ''page 103''</ref> The Spartans continuously proved highly effective against all threats; their heroic rearguard and delaying actions saved countless human lives from the genocidal Covenant onslaught. In [[2547]]<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''' ''page 139''</ref>, The SPARTAN-II program was revealed to the public in an effort to boost morale among the UNSC.<ref name="strike">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''' ''page 249''</ref> The Spartans' prowess was not lost on the Covenant, who came to fear, and in the case of the [[Sangheili]], respect the Spartans as [[Covenant religion#Demons|Demons]].
+The [[Human-Covenant War]] marked a change in objectives for the program; originally intended to quell rebellions, the Spartans were now forced into battle against a superior opponent to the [[insurrectionist]]s: the [[Covenant]]. This new threat accelerated the Spartans' training to its final phase: Project MJOLNIR. With the MJOLNIR armor, the Spartans would be the first major UNSC response to the alien threat.<ref>''Halo: The Fall of Reach'' ''page 103''</ref> The Spartans continuously proved highly effective against all threats; their heroic rearguard and delaying actions saved countless human lives from the genocidal Covenant onslaught. In [[2547]],<ref name="goo139">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''' ''page 139''</ref> the SPARTAN-II program was revealed to the public in an effort to boost morale among the UNSC.<ref name="strike">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''' ''page 249''</ref> The Spartans' prowess was not lost on the Covenant, who came to fear, and in the case of the [[Sangheili]], respect the Spartans as [[Covenant religion#Demons|Demons]].
 Inevitably the small number of SPARTAN-IIs dwindled as casualties were sustained. As the exploits of the Spartans were a major propaganda boom to the UNSC, Section II of the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] issued [[Office of Naval Intelligence Directive 930|Directive 930]]<ref name="strike"/>, which stated that Spartans killed or wounded would be listed as "[[missing in action]]" (MIA) or "[[wounded in action]]" (WIA), thus maintaining the illusion of the Spartans' invincibility. By [[2552#August|August 27, 2552]], twenty-five of the twenty-eight remaining NAVSPECWEAP-oriented SPARTAN-IIs,<ref name="DD5">[http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/ONI/577839090903298928/DDR-A340024-1115-08-27-52.pdf '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Data Drop 5'']</ref><ref>'''Halo Wars''' timeline</ref><ref>'''Halo: First Strike''' (2010), Adjunct</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/user/HaloWaypoint#p/a/DF8EE7CCE045CAA0/0/jh7Q3fjIIwc '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Defiant to the End'']</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''', [[Library (feature)|Library]] - Pelican</ref> except [[Gray Team]], had been recalled to Reach, some from combat,<ref name="DD5"/> to receive new orders for [[Operation: RED FLAG]], a mission that [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]] hoped would end the war.<ref name="fall">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''' ''page 240''</ref> They would commandeer a Covenant vessel, locate the Covenant homeworld, and return with captured [[San 'Shyuum|Covenant leadership]] to force a ceasefire. The [[artificial intelligence]] construct [[Cortana]], carried within [[John-117]]'s [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V MJOLNIR armor]], would serve as the strike force's hacker and technology specialist.
@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 ==Facilities and organization==
 [[File:FoR-Spartan_class.png|thumb|250px|Déjà instructing the Spartan-II children to their seats in a classroom.]]
-The SPARTAN-II program was based in a dedicated compound within the [[Reach FLEETCOM Military Complex]]. Most of the Spartans' [[SPARTAN-II training|training]] was carried out in the various facilities within the complex as well as the surrounding wilderness of [[Reach]]'s [[Highland Mountains]], with classroom sessions provided by [[Déjà]] in the [[Reach Naval Academy]]. The [[SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures]] were conducted in an [[Unidentified ONI medical facility|ONI medical facility]] in orbit over Reach.
+The SPARTAN-II program was based in a dedicated compound within the [[Reach FLEETCOM Military Complex]]. Most of the Spartans' [[SPARTAN-II training|training]] was carried out in the various facilities within the complex as well as the surrounding wilderness of [[Reach]]'s [[Highland Mountains]], with classroom sessions provided by [[Déjà]] in the [[Reach Naval Academy]]. They were also given training in various offworld locations, including [[Emerald Cove]] and [[Chiron|Chiron Station]]. The [[SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures]] were conducted in an [[Unidentified ONI medical facility|ONI medical facility]] in orbit over Reach.
 The majority of the Spartan-IIs serve under Naval Special Weapons,<ref name="evg121"/><ref name="tfor175"/> a division of the [[UNSC Special Forces]] with heavy ties to [[Office of Naval Intelligence#Section Three|Section Three]] of the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], which initiated and operated the SPARTAN-II program.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 224'' (2001)</ref> This remains unchanged despite the formation of the new [[Spartan branch]] in the post-war era.<ref name="CatalogBlue"/> All Spartan-IIs graduated to the rank of [[UNSC rank structure|petty officer second class]] at the conclusion of their training,<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 99'' (2001)</ref> though many have since risen to a higher rank.
@@ Line 82: / Line 82: @@
 {{Quote|Die? Didn't you know? Spartans never die.|[[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Kurt Ambrose]] to [[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree|'Mantakree]], referencing [[ONI Directive 930]]<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 372''</ref>}}
 The identities of the Spartans' full names have been deleted from all military records. Only Dr. Halsey had secret files that contained the full names of all the Spartans on Reach; unfortunately, the records were destroyed after the the planet was [[Glassing|glassed]].<ref name="Sybex"/> The only other copy of these records is in the possession of [[Admiral]] [[Margaret Parangosky]].<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 433''</ref> Within the military and to the public the Spartans are only known by their service tags, consisting of "SPARTAN" followed by a numerical ID; only a select few outsiders know even their first names.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 90''</ref>
+While the Spartan-IIs were highly publicized since [[2547]],<ref name="goo139"/> the supersoldiers' true origins remained classified. The 2547 [[CAA Factbook]] entry on the Spartans states that the supersoldiers are "recruited from all corners of UNSC governed space" and that "each of them is a highly decorated veteran with literal decades of combat experience", but omits the program's ethically problematic background.<ref name="bnet caa">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=intel&cid=24024 '''Bungie.net''': ''CAA Factbook: The Spartan Project'']</ref> However, as of [[2553]], there were pervasive rumors among the UNSC military that the Spartans had been kidnapped as children.<ref>'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 51-52'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Admiral Parangosky planned to unveil the SPARTAN-II program's classified aspects to the UEG defense committee by early 2553,<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 434''</ref> although any information on the Spartan-IIs origins remained unconfirmed among military personnel as of [[2555]].<ref>'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 128-129'' (Google Play edition)</ref> The information was not public knowledge by [[2558]],<ref>'''[[Halo 4 Limited Edition]]''', ''[[Infinity Briefing Packet]]''</ref> although some of the Spartan-IVs were made aware of their predecessors' origins.<ref group="notes">In ''Halo: New Blood'', in a scene set in 2555, Commander [[Musa-096]] casually tells [[Edward Buck]] that the Spartan-IIs were conscripted as children, confirming the rumors that had been circulating within the military for years. In ''Spartan Ops'', [[Anthony Madsen]] tells [[Paul DeMarco]] that Dr. Halsey kidnapped children to create the Spartan-IIs, with DeMarco being unaware of this beforehand. Whether Madsen actually knew the Spartan-IIs' origins for a fact or if he was merely citing the rumors is unclear.</ref>
 ===Psychology===
@@ Line 87: / Line 89: @@
 The Spartan-IIs' training emphasized dedication to one's duty as well as winning at any cost, values most of the active Spartan-IIs remain committed to. They frequently ignore concerns over their personal health as long as there remains a mission to complete<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 124-125, 242'' (2003)</ref> and have shown to become incredibly frustrated when prevented from acting in a combat situation; because of this they prefer planetary operations to being based aboard starships with no way to contribute to an engagement.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 107'' (2001)</ref><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 157''</ref>
-The Spartan-IIs enjoy a great deal of solidarity and camaraderie within their group due to them having grown up together; indeed, they consider their fellow Spartans family,<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 123'' (2003)</ref><ref name="bl"/> something that was encouraged in their indoctrination from a young age.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 30'' (2001)</ref> Having been taught to refrain from overt emotional displays, the Spartan-IIs most commonly convey their emotions through subtle body language and cryptic gestures. They possess numerous unique internal habits and [[Spartan signals|signals]] conveyed through simple gestures or statements, making interactions among their group largely indecipherable to outsiders.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 120-121, 166, 268, 299'' (2003)</ref> Only a select few outsiders are privy to some of the best-held secrets within the group, including [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Halsey]] and [[Déjà]]. Their familiarity with each other's body language allows the Spartan-IIs to function in perfect synergy in combat, their teamwork abilities having been described as borderline telepathic.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 74'' (2001)</ref> Although the Spartan-IIs often have difficulty socializing with baseline humans outside situations of a strictly military nature, they are rather gregarious among themselves and habitually cluster together while out of the battlefield, commonly engaging in activities such as playing cards, exercising together, reading, or maintaining their personal equipment.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 102, 276'' (2001)</ref>
+The Spartan-IIs enjoy a great deal of solidarity and camaraderie within their group due to them having grown up together; indeed, they consider their fellow Spartans family,<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 123'' (2003)</ref><ref name="bl"/> something that was encouraged in their indoctrination from a young age.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 30'' (2001)</ref> Having been taught to refrain from overt emotional displays, the Spartan-IIs most commonly convey their emotions through subtle body language and cryptic gestures. They possess numerous unique internal habits and [[Spartan signals|signals]] conveyed through simple gestures or statements, making interactions among their group largely indecipherable to outsiders.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 120-121, 166, 268, 299'' (2003)</ref> Only a select few outsiders, including [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Halsey]] and [[Déjà]], are privy to some of the best-held secrets within the group. Their familiarity with each other's body language allows the Spartan-IIs to function in perfect synergy in combat, their teamwork abilities having been described as borderline telepathic.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 74'' (2001)</ref> Although the Spartan-IIs often have difficulty socializing with baseline humans outside situations of a strictly military nature, they are rather gregarious among themselves and habitually cluster together while out of the battlefield, commonly engaging in activities such as playing cards, exercising together, reading, or maintaining their personal equipment.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 102, 276'' (2001)</ref>
 Most humans view the Spartan-IIs with awe, sometimes even revulsion, due to both their reputation and intimidating presence,<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 7, 174'' (2001)</ref> the latter complemented by the seemingly unnatural speed, precision and grace of their movements.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 173''</ref> Few outsiders are willing to as much as touch a Spartan, such as shaking one's hand.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 58''</ref>