Editing Covenant army

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[[Image:Ntho.jpg|159px|thumb|right|The Sangheili were originally the commanders of the Covenant Army.]]The '''Covenant Army''' is a branch of the [[Covenant|Covenant Military]] responsible for land-based operations. It is the primary invasion force, and houses the numerous Special Operations units. <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=thesoundofsack] 
The Tru7h About Co-Op in Halo 3</ref>

==Function==
The Covenant Army comprises of the majority of the Covenant's ground-based infantry and units, and is asked with engaging the enemies of the [[Covenant]] in ground and air combat, using a diversity of equipment and weaponry. Primarily led by the Brutes, and formerly by the Elites, including former [[Arbiters]], the Army is comprised of most of the military-service races who act as infantry or, in the case of Hunters, as demolitions experts and shock troops.

Because Prophets do not hold military ranks, no Prophet is truly a "member" of the Army. Instead, they command its Brute leaders as either religious or militaristic tactician, who follow their orders and accomplish their objectives. Engineers, as primarily non-combatants, are also exempt from the Army.

==Species In The Covenant Army==

'''Pre Civil War'''
*[[Grunts]]
*[[Elites]]
*[[Jackals]]
*[[Drones]]
*[[Hunters]]
*[[Brutes]]
*[[Engineers]]

'''Post and During Civil War'''
*[[Grunts]]
*[[Jackals]]
*[[Drones]]
*[[Hunters]]
*[[Brutes]]

==Covenant Civil War==
During the [[Covenant Civil War]], or "Great Schism," the [[Covenant]] military was violently divided between the [[Covenant Loyalists]], who continued to believe in the [[Prophet]]'s wisdom, and the [[Covenant Separatists]], who followed the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] against them. The [[Covenant Separatists]] crushed the [[Covenant Loyalists]] at the [[Battle of Installation 00]] with their [[human]] allies.

==Known Units==
*[[Dn'end Legion]]
*[[E'Toro Warrior Crèche]]
*[[R'Lan Warrior Crèche]]
*[[N'Noro Warrior Crèche]]

==Equipment==
===Infantry Weapons===
*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol]]
*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle]]
*[[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher]]
*[[Type-51 Carbine]]
*[[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon]]
*[[Type-1 Antipersonnel Grenade]]
*[[Type-50 Sniper Rifle System]]
*[[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword]]
'''Introduced During [[Great Schism]] (to Loyalist forces)'''
*[[Type-25 Carbine]]
*[[Type-52 Pistol]]
*[[Type-25 Grenade Launcher]]
*[[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer]]
*[[Type-3 Antipersonnel/Antimatériel Incendiary Grenade]]

===Vehicles===
*[[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle]]
*[[Spectre]] Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (limited service)
*[[Type-25 Wraith]]
*[[Type-52 Anti Aircraft Artillery]]
*[[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft]]
*[[Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle]]
*[[Type-52 Infantry Support Vehicle]]
*[[Type-52 Troop Carrier]] - "Phantom"

==Ranks==
===Brute Military Hierarchy===
The Brute species is arranged in a pack society, based on a hierarchy determined by viciousness and number of war kills. In ''Halo 2'', Brute ranks were mostly determined by red flags on their backs, the amount of armor they wore and the color of their fur(sometimes even their weapons). Ranks in ''Halo 3'' are differentiated physically by armor, equipment and weaponry:

{{clear}}
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" width: 100%; border: 1px solid #999; margin: 0; ont-size: 95%; background-color: #000; ext-align: center; order-collapse: collapse;
|-
| '''Rank''' || '''Image''' || '''Description'''
|-
| colspan=3 | '''Brute Heroes'''

|-
|-
| '''[[War Chieftain]]''' - Armor || [[Image:H3_Brute_Chieftain_Armor.gif]] || These Brute Chieftains rely upon powerful weapons like [[Portable Plasma Cannon]]s and [[Fuel Rod Cannon]]s to crush their foes, while often throwing or possessing [[Power Drainer]]s. Their [[Power Armor|armor]] cannot be stuck by [[Plasma Grenades|Plasma]] or [[Type-2 Antipersonnel Fragmentation Grenade|Spike]] Grenades or [[Needler]] needles. However, they can be stuck by [[Type-3 Antipersonnel/Antimatériel Incendiary Grenade|Incendiary]] Grenades. Identification: Golden armor.
|-
| '''[[Brute Chieftain]]''' - Weapon || [[Image:H3_Brute_Chieftain_Weapon.gif]] || These  Brute Chieftains are clad in crimson/black armor and wield close-ranged Melee weapons such as [[Gravity Hammer]]s and [[Energy Sword]]s(vidoc "Etu Brute?" only). They use [[Invincibility (Equipment)|Invincibility]] or a [[Flare]] and their [[Power Armor]] cannot be stuck by [[Plasma Grenade|Plasma]] or [[Type-2 Antipersonnel Fragmentation Grenade|Spike]] grenades or [[Needler]] needles. However, they can be stuck by [[Type-3 Antipersonnel/Antimatériel Incendiary Grenade|Incendiary]] Grenades. Identification: Black and red armor.
|-
| colspan=3 | '''Brute Leaders'''
|-
| '''[[Brute Captain Ultra]]''' || [[Image:H3_Brute_Captain_Ultra.gif]] || The Brute Captain Ultras are the highest captain rank and use heavier weapons, such as [[Brute Shot]]s and Fuel Rod Canons. Identification: Cyan armor.
|-
| '''[[Brute Captain Major]]''' || [[Image:H3_Brute_Captain_Major.gif]] || The Brute Captain Majors are even more experienced than their younger comrades and lead larger packs into battle. Also usually wield brute shots. Identification: Golden Armor
|-
| '''[[Brute Captain]]''' || [[Image:H3_Brute_Captain_Minor.gif]] || The Brute Captains are experienced Brutes who now lead their comrades and the lesser races into battle. Identification: Purple/Red armor.
|-
| colspan=3 | '''Brute Specialists'''
|-
| '''[[Brute Bodyguard]]''' || [[Image:H3_Bodyguard.gif]] || Brute Bodyguards are some of the Chieftain's most reliable warriors and not only protect their chieftain but enforce his tribal law. They seem to be the Brute counterparts of the '''[[Honor Guard Elite]]''' Unit. Identification: light blue armor.
|-
| '''[[Jump Pack Brute|Brute Jumppack]]''' || [[Image:H3_Brute_Jumppack.gif]] || These veteran Brutes utilize jumppacks to launch aerial attacks from afar, and use their enhanced mobility for guerrilla battle tactics. They seem to be the Brute counterparts of the '''[[Ranger Elite]]''' Unit. Identification: Jump pack, Blue armor.
|-
| '''[[Brute Stalker]]''' || [[Image:H3_Brute_Stalker.gif]] || Brute Stalkers are the secret police of the Brutes and specialize in stealth techniques with their [[Active Camouflage]] generators. They seem to be the Brute counterparts of the '''[[Stealth Elite]]''' unit.
|-
| colspan=3 | '''Brute Infantry'''
|-
| '''[[Brute Ultra]]''' || [[Image:H3_Brute_Ultra.gif]] || Brute Ultras are now armed with violet armor, they are comprised of the best of the regular infantrymen, showing tact, cunning skill and strength. Identification: purple-blue armor.
|-
| '''[[Brute Major]]''' || [[Image:H3_Brute_Major.gif]] || Brute Majors are clad in dark blue armor and are promoted in a similar fashion to the Elites. They are promoted on the casualties they inflict. Identification: blue armor.
|-
| '''[[Brute Minor]]''' || [[Image:H3_Brute_Minor.gif]] || Brute Minors are the lowest rank of the Brute race, clad in turquoise armor and typically armed with the [[Type-25 Carbine]]. Not only do they compete for their posting but also for their equipment. Identification: teal armor, unarmored in ''Halo 2''.
|}

====Other Brute Ranks====
'''[[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] - The Leader of the entire [[Jiralhanae]] race.

'''[[Brute Ship Master]]/Alpha Jiralhanae''' - Commanders of ships. They may be equivalent to Chieftains of the Jiralhanae.

===Grunt Ranks===

[[Grunt]]s have five classes, which are easily identifiable by the color of their armor:
{{clear}}
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" width: 100%; border: 1px solid #999; margin: 0; ont-size: 95%; background-color: #000; ext-align: center; order-collapse: collapse;
|-
| '''Rank''' || '''Image''' || '''Description'''
|-
| colspan=3 | '''Grunt Leaders'''
|-
|-
| '''[[Grunt Ultra]]''' || [[Image:Grunt Ultra H3.jpg|150-px]] || These Grunts appear to be field [[commander]]s for other Grunts, and wear distinctive pearlescent white armor reminiscent of the [[Ultra Elite]]s. While they appear to have some authority over lesser-ranked Grunts (besides Special Operations Grunts, who are of a different jurisdiction), although they have no control whatsoever over the other Covenant races. Grunt Ultras are also stronger opponents than their subordinates, and are more accurate with firearms, throw [[Plasma Grenades]] often, and have heavier armor, making them able to sustain more damage than most other Grunts. They very rarely run, and when present, other Grunts do not run either. Grunt Ultras mostly sided with the [[Covenant Separatists]]. There are two on Halo 3 that can be seen wielding [[Brute Spikers]].
|-
| colspan=3 | '''Grunt Specialists'''
|-
| '''[[Special Operations Grunt]]''' || [[Image:Spec-Ops grunt.gif]] || Experienced and specially-chosen Grunts that wear distinctive jet-black armor and are commanded by [[Special Operations Elite]]s. They are part of the [[Covenant Special Operations]] division of the Covenant Separatists [[Special Warfare Group]]. They also have an [[Active Camouflage]]. Special Operations Grunts are extremely skilled in warfare compared to the Grunt species, and don't panic too often in combat situations, if they do at all. They are sometimes seen wielding [[Fuel Rod Cannon]]s, and they throw Plasma Grenades more often than lesser Grunt ranks, as well as throwing them more accurately. Almost all, if not all of the Special Operations Grunts sided with the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]] and Covenant Separatists during the [[Covenant Civil War]], although some were seen during the [[Battle of Installation 00]]. These Grunts will not flee when their commander is killed, but rather seek revenge, often utilizing excessive use of grenades.
|-
| '''[[Grunt Heavy]]''' || [[Image:Heavy grunt.gif]] || Specialized Grunts wearing green armor often deployed in defensive actions<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Gravemind (Level)]]''</ref> whose primary purposes are to deploy [[Plasma Cannon]]s and man them, but occasionally wield Fuel Rod Cannons as well. Additionally, they also have been seen operating/driving [[Ghost]] vehicles and [[Shade|Shades]]. They can also rarely be seen wielding a Brute Spiker, such as on [[the Ark (level)|the Ark]] above the tunnel where the human vehicles come out from just before the [[Scarab]] fight.
|-
| colspan=3 | '''Grunt Infantry'''
|-
| '''[[Grunt Major]]''' || [[Image:Major grunt.gif]] || Veteran Grunts that wear crimson armor. They sometimes command several Grunt Minors and are slightly more skilled in combat and courageous than Grunt Minors, though this difference is not always substantial. In Halo:CE they take two sniper shots in the chest to die (on legendary), which means that they have similar base health than Elite minors who also require two chest shots, when their shields are fully charged to be killed.
|-
| '''[[Grunt Minor]]''' || [[Image:Minor grunt.gif]] || The lowest-ranked Grunts, these wear orange armor. They are often the least dangerous and most cowardly, and are often inaccurate marksmen. When their commanding [[Elite]] or [[Brute]] is killed, they almost always break formation and flee, but sometimes they come back and start firing at you again. It is to be noted that Grunts under the command of [[Brutes]] are substantially more aggressive.
|}
====Other ranks====

'''[[Deacon]]''': The only position open to the Grunts in the [[Ministry of Tranquility]]. This rank doesn't involve combat or hard manual labor, possibly meaning it is the lowest position on the Covenant hierarchy. But as seen in ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'' the [[Dadab|Deacon]] ordered around other Unggoy whenever it came to matter of religion.

'''Curl-Back Grunts''': In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', there was an alternate suit for the Grunt Infantry. It was a slightly larger mask that covered more of the face and a methane tank that curled upwards instead of it sticking out. The reason for this is unknown, as this variation is only seen in Halo: Combat Evolved. It is possible that the curl-back design would denote that the wearer was a Grunt Heavy. This could have been used before an actual rank and suit were made for the heavy grunts. This is supported by the fact that most [[Shade|Turrets]] in Halo: Combat Evolved are controlled by curl-backs (on higher difficulties), and that there are screenshots depicting them on turrets in [[Halo Wars]]. But if the player looks closely, he/she will find that ALL Grunt ranks on Halo: Combat Evolved have this armor design, including Minor Grunts, Major Grunts and SpecOps Grunts. Also some people think that the methane tanks on the "Curl-Back Grunts" could have not been refilled unlike the other grunts methane tanks in the Halo series. Curl-back design could also be a type of out-dated suit that was slowly being removed from the Grunt military. The curl-back design could have been for females, however this is unlikely due to the fact that they can be heard with mostly male voices. The reason for the curl-back methane tank is that it was in fact, a different version, which would contract for easier transportation as it ran out of methane. 
[[Image:gruntybomb.PNG|150px|right|thumb|A [[Kamikaze Grunt]] charging his [[Human|foes]].]]

===Jackal Ranks===
{{clear}}
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" width: 100%; border: 1px solid #999; margin: 0; ont-size: 95%; background-color: #000; ext-align: center; order-collapse: collapse;
|-
| '''Rank''' || '''Description'''
|-
| colspan=3 | '''Command'''||
|-
| '''[[Shipmaster|Shipmaster/mistress]]''' || An unusual rank for Jackals. The only [[Chur'R-Yar|shipmistress]] seen was the commander of a [[Minor Transgression|small artifact retrieval ship]]. They are officially sanctioned to prey on human shipping. 
|-
| colspan=3 | '''Jackal Specialists'''||
|-
|-
| '''[[Jackal Ranger]]''' || Jackal Rangers are now a defunct section of the Covenant ranks. They once operated alongside [[Ranger Elite]]s, but it is speculated they have since been replaced by [[Drones]]. In [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] there are Jackals with helmets on, who could be related to this class .
|-
| '''[[Jackal Sniper]]''' || Jackal Snipers have gray armor and do not carry energy shields, as both their hands are used to operate [[Beam Rifle]]s or [[carbines]], the [[Covenant]] long range sniper weapon. On the [[Heroic]] and [[Legendary]] difficulties, one shot may be all it takes for a beam rifle to kill the player. However, if sufficient distance is closed, they may drop their Beam Rifle and bring out a Plasma Pistol as they retreat from an advancing opponent. In [[Halo 2]] they can also be identified with having gray clothing under their armor and are easily seen because of their bright crimson/violet eyes that tend to stand out. In [[Halo 3]], the Carbine wielding Jackals are not normally referred to by players as "Sniper Jackals" either being "Marksmen Jackals", "Ranged Jackals", "Rifle Jackals" and "Sniper Turkeys".
|-
| colspan=3 | '''Jackal Infantry'''||
|-
| '''[[Jackal Major]]''' || In Halo: CE Jackal Majors have  slightly redder skin color, why Bungie did this is unknown. They take two sniper shots in the chest to die (on legendary), which means that they have more base health than elite minors, who require two chest shots with their shields fully charged. Jackal Majors are slightly more elevated and are signified by an orange shield and orange armor. Not much is different about their appearance other than their shield color and, in Halo 2, they fire charged plasma pistol shots more often than minors. In Halo 3 these Jackal carry purple Jackal point defense gauntlets.
|-
| '''[[Jackal Minor]]''' || Jackal Minors are signified by a blue/cobalt armor and turquoise arm shield and serve as general infantry. In Halo: Combat Evolved some also had very dark green, almost black skin, and a distinct, curved head. In the first Halo game, many had helmets as well. They occasionally attack with a charged plasma pistol shot, depleting the player's shields and making it easier for the player to be killed.
|}

====Unknown Rank====
In [[Halo:  Ghosts of Onyx]], there is seen to be a high-ranking Jackal Official in red armor as mentioned<ref>[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]], page 215</ref> but it is unsure whether these Red Armor-ordained Jackals fit in to the ranking scheme. It is highly likely that they are Jackal Ultras.

==Related Articles==
*[[Covenant]]
*[[Covenant Loyalists]]
*[[Covenant Separatists]]

==Sources==
<references/>

[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:Covenant Military Units]]