Spartan Operations: Difference between revisions
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{{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 name="init3">'''Halo: Initiation''', ''[[Halo: Initiation Issue 3|Issue #3]]''</ref>}} | {{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 name="init3">'''Halo: Initiation''', ''[[Halo: Initiation Issue 3|Issue #3]]''</ref>}} | ||
'''Spartan Operations''',{{Ref/Reuse|H5GLtd}}<ref name="he18">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 18|Issue #18]]'' ("''...to Mr. Jun, Spartan Operations.''")</ref> also referred to as the '''Spartan branch'''<ref name="vale">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/olympia-vale '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Olympia Vale'']</ref><ref>[[Halo 4 Limited Edition|'''Halo 4 Limited Edition''', ''Spartan armor customization schematic'']]</ref> or simply the '''Spartans''',<ref name="HW Story">[http://halo.xbox.com/halo4#!an-epic-universe/story/6eeabce4-dc80-4aa3-b2aa-2f5d123b7514 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Story''] (defunct)</ref><ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[Departure|E01 ''Departure'']] ([[Thomas Lasky]]: ''"Navy disagrees with Spartans on this one."'')</ref><ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[Didact's Hand|E4 ''Didact's Hand'']] : ([[Gabriel Thorne]]: ''"I enlisted with the Spartans because..."'')</ref> 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 name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/spartans '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Spartans'']</ref> the Spartans closely collaborate with the [[UNSC Navy]] and share assets with the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] and [[UNSC Army|Army]].<ref name="reqt">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/ | '''Spartan Operations''',{{Ref/Reuse|H5GLtd}}<ref name="he18">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 18|Issue #18]]'' ("''...to Mr. Jun, Spartan Operations.''")</ref> also referred to as the '''Spartan branch'''<ref name="vale">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/olympia-vale '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Olympia Vale'']</ref><ref>[[Halo 4 Limited Edition|'''Halo 4 Limited Edition''', ''Spartan armor customization schematic'']]</ref> or simply the '''Spartans''',<ref name="HW Story">[http://halo.xbox.com/halo4#!an-epic-universe/story/6eeabce4-dc80-4aa3-b2aa-2f5d123b7514 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Story''] (defunct)</ref><ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[Departure|E01 ''Departure'']] ([[Thomas Lasky]]: ''"Navy disagrees with Spartans on this one."'')</ref><ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[Didact's Hand|E4 ''Didact's Hand'']] : ([[Gabriel Thorne]]: ''"I enlisted with the Spartans because..."'')</ref> 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 name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/spartans '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Spartans'']</ref> the Spartans closely collaborate with the [[UNSC Navy]] and share assets with the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] and [[UNSC Army|Army]].<ref name="reqt">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-reqlamation-begins '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Reqlamation Begins'']</ref> 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|lootcrate1}} | ||
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>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-gb/games/halo-spartan-assault '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: Spartan Strike''] ("''...the historic first missions of the Spartan Ops program...''")</ref> | 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>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-gb/games/halo-spartan-assault '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: Spartan Strike''] ("''...the historic first missions of the Spartan Ops program...''")</ref> | ||
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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>'''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 171''</ref> or the [[Asymmetrical Action Group]].<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''Legendary visor description''</ref> 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 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>'''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 171''</ref> or the [[Asymmetrical Action Group]].<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''Legendary visor description''</ref> 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>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/ | 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>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Have S'moa'']</ref> | ||
==Personnel== | ==Personnel== | ||
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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>[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> | 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>[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> | ||
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>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/ | 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>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-armory-amore '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Armory Amore'']</ref> | ||
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 name="he3">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]''</ref> | 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 name="he3">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]''</ref> | ||
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Directly after augmentations, Spartan personnel immediately begin their training.{{Ref/Reuse|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/Reuse|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/Reuse|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/Reuse|init2}} After the Spartans completed training, they were then allowed to select their armor.{{Ref/Reuse|nb122}} The training of the Spartans is overseen by the branch's [[Spartan Training and Education]] department.{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate1}} | Directly after augmentations, Spartan personnel immediately begin their training.{{Ref/Reuse|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/Reuse|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/Reuse|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/Reuse|init2}} After the Spartans completed training, they were then allowed to select their armor.{{Ref/Reuse|nb122}} The training of the Spartans is overseen by the branch's [[Spartan Training and Education]] department.{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate1}} | ||
After the initial training, Spartans are expected to continue practicing and remain combat-ready by participating in War Games, competitive combat training simulations that utilize [[holography]] and millions of pneumatic risers.<ref name="fieldguide">[http://halo.bungie.org/misc/ExpertZone_Halo4_Guide.pdf '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Halo 4 Field Guide'']</ref> Wars Games allows Spartans to compete among each other in various gamemodes and simulations based off of numerous locations or events, thus allowing the Spartans to train and prepare for similar situations. UNSC ''Infinity'' hosts a massive War Games combat deck for the Spartans, as do other modern [[warship]]s. Space stations—such as [[Anvil Station]] and the [[Munera Platform]]s—and terrestrial [[military base]]s are also home to War Games facilities.<ref name="needle me this">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/ | After the initial training, Spartans are expected to continue practicing and remain combat-ready by participating in War Games, competitive combat training simulations that utilize [[holography]] and millions of pneumatic risers.<ref name="fieldguide">[http://halo.bungie.org/misc/ExpertZone_Halo4_Guide.pdf '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Halo 4 Field Guide'']</ref> Wars Games allows Spartans to compete among each other in various gamemodes and simulations based off of numerous locations or events, thus allowing the Spartans to train and prepare for similar situations. UNSC ''Infinity'' hosts a massive War Games combat deck for the Spartans, as do other modern [[warship]]s. Space stations—such as [[Anvil Station]] and the [[Munera Platform]]s—and terrestrial [[military base]]s are also home to War Games facilities.<ref name="needle me this">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-needle-me-this '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Needle Me This'']</ref> | ||
Several Spartan-IIs have also assisted with the training of the personnel of the Spartan branch.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} The [[ANVIL initiative]] indicates a number of very select joint training engagements between Spartans of the branch and [[Sangheili]] of [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]'s Swords of Sanghelios aboard Anvil Station.<ref name="Have S'moa">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/ | Several Spartan-IIs have also assisted with the training of the personnel of the Spartan branch.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} The [[ANVIL initiative]] indicates a number of very select joint training engagements between Spartans of the branch and [[Sangheili]] of [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]'s Swords of Sanghelios aboard Anvil Station.<ref name="Have S'moa">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Have S'moa'']</ref> | ||
==Equipment== | ==Equipment== | ||
