Editing Covenant military

{{Era|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW}}
{{References}}
[[File:Scarab and wraiths.jpg|300px|thumb|Covenant ground forces engage UNSC infantry for control of a [[Relic|Forerunner building]].]]
The [[Covenant]] maintained a pervasive '''military force''' which it used to carry out the [[Hierarchs]]' will throughout the Covenant's vast empire. Rather than being a singular organization, the Covenant's military forces were a collection of organizations under the oversight of various political bodies, which in turn carried out the edicts of the [[High Council]].<ref name="fb">'''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''', ''Core Rulebook - page 7''</ref> The [[Sangheili]] originally served as the leadership caste for the Covenant's various armed forces, until they were replaced by the [[Jiralhanae]] during the [[Great Schism]].<ref name="wp cov">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/covenant '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Covenant'']</ref>

==History==
[[File:Staging area.png|250px|thumb|right|A Covenant staging area in the [[Viery Territory]] during the [[Fall of Reach]] being observed by [[Spartan]]s of [[Noble Team]].]]
In the early centuries of the Covenant, the [[Writ of Union]] established the armed forces of the Sangheili as the hegemony's sole military force, with the [[San'Shyuum]] having little part in its day-to-day operation. The military's original purpose was to allow the Covenant to establish dominance in the [[Milky Way]] by force, but its primary goal was to acquire [[Forerunner]] technology and to bring forth the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]]. The fact that the Covenant military, the empire's largest and most powerful entity, was completely under the control of Sangheili led to some San'Shyuum distrusting the species.<ref name="wp cov"/> One of the Covenant military's earliest engagements was during the [[Rending]], an insurrection led by [[Ussa 'Xellus]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''pages 178-181'' (Google Play edition)</ref> 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 [[Unggoy Rebellion]] in [[2462]] ushered in a major restructuring of the military: because they had proven themselves in combat in the eyes of the Sangheili, the [[Unggoy]] were allowed into formerly Sangheili-only units and were given better weaponry, giving rise to the Unggoy as a proper infantry class.<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 151''</ref>

During the [[Great Schism]], the Covenant military was violently torn between those who continued to follow the [[Hierarchs|High Prophets]], and the [[Sangheili]] who had been cast out of the Covenant along with those loyal to them.<ref name="uprising">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref> As the battle raged, the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] formally transferred command of the military to the [[Jiralhanae]], a position once exclusively held by the Sangheili. Following the Schism, the [[Fall of High Charity|Flood outbreak on ''High Charity'']] and the eventual destruction of the remaining Covenant leadership in the [[Battle of Installation 00]],<ref name="h3">'''Halo 3'''</ref> the Covenant military ceased to exist as a functioning force due to the absence of a structured Covenant government.

[[Covenant remnants|A number of splinter factions]] formed in the wake of the Covenant's destruction. Members of the former Covenant who followed [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] banded together to form the [[Swords of Sanghelios]]. However, several other groups took up arms against the Swords, including the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] and later a [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|new Covenant]] led by [[Jul 'Mdama]]. These groups have marshaled significant amounts of the Covenant's former matériel and troops while maintaining the practices and traditions of the former Covenant's military forces to varying degrees.<ref name=h4">'''Halo 4'''</ref>
 
{{Clear}}

==Organization==
===Political oversight===
The [[Covenant]]'s military was made up of a variety of martial organizations under the control or influence of one or more governmental ministries.<ref name="fb"/> Politically, most of the military fell under the jurisdiction of the [[Ministry of Resolution]],<ref name="evg1">'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''pages 10, 11, 175''</ref> while some of the more specialized military forces were overseen by different ministries, such as the [[Ministry of Fervent Intercession]] in the [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealots]]' case.<ref>'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 60''</ref> The [[Ministry of Tranquility]] was granted military assets to aid in the ministry's function: the acquisition of [[Forerunner]] relics. However, ships of the Ministry of Tranquility rarely participated in fleet action.<ref name="fb"/> The [[Ministry of Preservation]] had some oversight in the military, as the ministry was tasked with quelling internal rebellions and uprisings.<ref>'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 10''</ref> The [[Ministry of Abnegation]] likely had some authority in the military, as the ministry absorbed the [[Ascetics]]' guard.<ref>'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 56''</ref> Like the rest of the Covenant, the Covenant military was under the ultimate jurisdiction of the [[High Council]],<ref name="theflood">'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page ??''</ref> formerly composed of [[Sangheili High Councilor]]s who oversaw the operation of the military. 

The [[Council of Deed and Doctrine]] was a command organization within the Covenant military and aided the [[Hierarchs]] with military tactics and strategy. During major conflicts, the Council of Deed and Doctrine created a [[Council of Masters]] to directly oversee operations.{{Citation needed}} The San'Shyuum and Sangheili members of the Council of Masters sent Sangheili soldiers into battle and dictated war needs. Because San'Shyuum did not hold military ranks, no San'Shyuum was truly a "member" of the military. Instead, they were responsible for strategic decision-making, but also traveled with Covenant military units as religious or political overseers.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]'''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 144''</ref>

=== Military organization ===
[[File:N'tho 'Sraom.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The Sangheili were originally the commanders of the Covenant military.]]
The Covenant military was heavily naval-oriented, with [[Covenant fleet|fleets]] ranging from small [[battle group]]s to entire armadas serving as the basic unit of organization. These fleets appeared to be under the direct authority of a given ministry,<ref name="evg1"/> and there was seemingly no meaningful distinction between service branches, such as the human notions of a dedicated "navy" and "army"; for example, field officers, including [[Sangheili General]]s, could command ground operations as well as starships.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]''</ref> Individual fleets operated a number of task-based groups, including the ground-oriented Occupational Forces<ref name="evg57">'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 57''</ref> and the [[Special Warfare Group]], which contained the [[Special Operations|Special Operations Division]].<ref name="evg1"/>

The Covenant military was organized based on the Covenant's caste system. The officer corps was primarily staffed by [[Jiralhanae]] (and formerly by [[Sangheili]]),<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3plasmarifle '''Bungie.net''': ''Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle'']</ref> while the [[Unggoy]] and [[Kig-Yar]] generally filled menial or infantry roles. Ranks were denoted by the color, type of armor and accessories worn for [[Sangheili]], [[Jiralhanae]] and [[Unggoy]]; different ranks of Kig-Yar would also be distinguished by the color of their [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet|shield gauntlets]].

The smallest organizational unit of the Covenant military was [[file]], typically consisting of cannon fodder [[Unggoy]]. A [[lance]] was a small unit of Unggoy commanded by a low-ranked Sangheili (later [[Jiralhanae]]), a rough equivalent to a UNSC [[fireteam]]. Jiralhanae were also organized into the tribal [[pack]]s traditional of their society. Large numbers of these units comprised [[legion]]s, which were organized into task-based groups within their respective naval fleets.

===Species===
Despite the diversity of their weapons and forces, Covenant troops are heavily segregated. Unggoy are deployed as cannon fodder, Kig-Yar are used as support and snipers, and Sangheili are commanders and fight in warrior lances. Weapons and technology are restricted by species and rank; only Sangheili receive [[Sangheili personal energy shield|personal energy shields]] and [[energy sword]]s, only Kig-Yar receive [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet|point defense gauntlets]], and Unggoy only receive basic weapons and [[Unggoy combat harness|armor]], depending by rank.

The reasons for these restrictions are often cultural; for instance, Sangheili view wielding shield gauntlets as dishonorable and that "lesser species" do not deserve their privileged weapons. The Covenant's interspecies politics also played a large part in this segregation: while Sangheili-led mixed units existed, the Sangheili and the Jiralhanae often maintained their own individual command hierarchies largely segregated from one another to prevent conflict and authority issues from arising between the two. It was originally rare for the Jiralhanae to receive their own ships to begin with, and the ones given to them by the Sangheili were smaller and less powerful while the Sangheili maintained the bulk of the Covenant's fleet.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''pages 195, 199''</ref> When the Jiralhanae were made the Covenant's main military caste, their indigenous weaponry and vehicles—equally brutal in design and function—became a staple on the battlefield alongside the Covenant's more refined technologies.<ref name="h3"/>

This discrimination among the Covenant military is centuries old, but the dynamic is occasionally changed by violent rebellion. The [[Unggoy Rebellion]] caused Elites to mix their units with Grunts and give them better training. Likewise, the Great Schism put Jiralhanae in command of former Sangheili units, gave them [[Jiralhanae power armor|personal shielded armor]], and made Jiralhanae [[pack]]s a prevalent unit within the military in addition to the mixed-species lance.

*[[Sangheili]] - dominant military caste prior to the Covenant Schism; field commanders and elite warriors
*[[Jiralhanae]] - dominant military caste following the Covenant Schism; previously shock troops
*[[Mgalekgolo]] - shock infantry, heavy-weapons platforms
*[[Yanme'e]] - airborne infantry, combat engineers
*[[Kig-Yar]] - scouts/snipers, police force
**[[T'vaoan|Skirmishers]] - shock infantry
*[[Unggoy]] - majority of infantry, cannon-fodder
*[[Huragok]] - combat engineers, medics, suicide bombers

===Structure===
*[[High Council]]
**[[Covenant Honor Guard]]
**[[Ministry of Resolution]] — oversight of most military operations and [[Covenant fleet|fleets]]
***[[Covenant fleet|Fleet]] — basic organizational unit
****Occupational Forces — land-based troop contingents<ref name="evg57"/>
****[[Legion]]
*****[[Lance]] — formation of Unggoy led by a Sangheili and later low-ranked Jiralhanae
*****[[File (unit)|File]] — small military formation
*****[[Levy]] — small formation of Unggoy
*****[[Pack]] — Jiralhanae tribal group; led by high-ranked Jiralhanae
****[[Special Warfare Group]]
*****[[Covenant Special Operations]]
*****[[Fleet Security]]
******[[Ossoona]]
**[[Ministry of Fervent Intercession]] — oversight of the [[Sangheili Zealot]] corps
***[[Sangheili Zealot]]s
**[[Ministry of Preservation]] — dealt with internal dissent and rebellions
**[[Ministry of Abnegation]]
***[[Ascetics]]

==Rank structure==

{| class="wikitable" style="width:800px; margin:4px auto; text-align:center;"
|-
!Classes
![[Sangheili]]
![[Unggoy]]
![[Huragok]]
![[Lekgolo]]
![[Jiralhanae]]
![[Kig-Yar]]
![[T'vaoan]]
![[Yanme'e]]
![[San'Shyuum]]
|-
|colspan="10" | Ranks and type classes
|-
|Standard ranks
|[[Sangheili Minor|Minor]]
|[[Unggoy Minor|Minor]]
|
|[[Mgalekgolo]]
|[[Jiralhanae Minor|Minor]]
|[[Kig-Yar Minor|Minor]]
|[[Skirmisher Minor|Minor]]
|[[Yanme'e Minor|Minor]]
|
|-
|Specialized troops
|[[Sangheili Ranger|Ranger]]<br>[[Special Operations Sangheili|Spec Ops]]<br>[[Stealth Sangheili|Stealth]]<br>[[Ossoona]]<br>[[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Honor Guardsman]]
|[[Unggoy Heavy|Heavy]]<br>[[Special Operations Unggoy|Spec Ops]]
|
|[[Type-47 Scarab|Scarab]]
|[[Jiralhanae Stalker|Stalker]]<br>[[Jiralhanae Jumper|Jumper]]<br>[[Jiralhanae Bodyguard|Bodyguard]]<br>[[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Honor Guardsman]]
|[[Kig-Yar Sniper|Sniper]]<br>[[Kig-Yar Ranger|Ranger]] 
|[[Skirmisher Commando|Commando]]
|
|
|-
|Veterans
|[[Sangheili Major|Major]]<br>[[Special Operations Officer|Spec Ops Officer]]
|[[Unggoy Major|Major]]
|
|
|[[Jiralhanae Major|Major]]
|[[Kig-Yar Major|Major]]
|[[Skirmisher Major|Major]]<br>[[Skirmisher Murmillo|Murmillo]]
|[[Yanme'e Major|Major]]
|
|-
|Leaders
|[[Sangheili Ultra|Ultra]]<br>[[Lights of Sanghelios]]<br>[[Sangheili Field Commander|Field Commander]]<br>[[Sangheili General|General]]<br>[[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot]]
|[[Unggoy Ultra|Ultra]]
|
|
|[[Jiralhanae Ultra|Ultra]]<br>[[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]]<br>[[Jiralhanae Captain Major|Captain Major]]<br>[[Jiralhanae Captain Ultra|Captain Ultra]]
|[[Kig-Yar Zealot|Zealot]]
|[[Skirmisher Champion|Champion]]
|[[Yanme'e Ultra|Ultra]]<br>[[Yanme'e Leader|Leader]]
|
|-
|colspan="10" | Titles
|-
|Ratings
|[[Field Master]]<br>[[Sangheili Field Marshal|Field Marshal]]<br>[[Special Operations Commander|Spec Ops Commander]]<br>[[Shipmaster]]<br>[[Fleet Master]]<br>[[Supreme Commander]]<br>[[Imperial Admiral]] {{c|highest known rank}}
|
|
|
|Shipmaster<br>Fleet Master<br>[[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]]<br>[[Jiralhanae War Chieftain|War Chieftain]]<br>[[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] {{c|highest rank}}
|Shipmaster
|Shipmaster
|
|
|-
|Special
|[[Arbiter]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|[[Prelate]]
|}

==Known units==
===Fleets===
{{Main|Covenant fleet}}
{{Covenant Fleet Units}}

===Legions===
{{Main|Legion}}
*[[Dn'end Legion]]
*[[E'Toro Warrior Crèche]]
*[[R'Lan Warrior Crèche]]
*[[N'Noro Warrior Crèche]]

==Military assets==
The Covenant military maintained a vast array of military equipment, [[:Category:Covenant Vehicles|vehicles]] and [[Covenant#Weaponry|weaponry]], most of which fell into the hands of its [[Covenant remnants|remnant factions]] after the hegemony's fragmentation. 

The [[Type-25 plasma pistol]] was generally issued to the smaller species, such as the [[Unggoy]], [[Kig-Yar]] and [[Yanme'e]], although [[Sangheili]] and [[Jiralhanae]] occasionally used them as sidearms. [[Type-33 needler]]s were issued to many of the species within the Covenant military; it was most commonly used by Unggoy and Yanme'e, although Kig-Yar, Sangheili and Jiralhanae sometimes used them. The [[Type-25 plasma rifle]] was the primary weapon of the Covenant's officer corps. Generally wielded by Sangheili, the plasma rifle was infrequently used by higher ranks of the lower caste species. [[Type-51 plasma repeater]]s were also used by many Sangheili, as well as Jiralhanae shock troops. [[Mgalekgolo]] troops used [[assault cannon]]s built directly into their armor. 

Marksmen within the Covenant military were most often issued [[Type-51 carbine]]s, although [[Type-31 needle rifle]]s also saw some use. Higher ranking Sangheili in the military were often equipped with explosive weaponry such as [[Type-50 concussion rifle]]s and [[Type-52 plasma launcher]]s. The [[Type-33 fuel rod gun]] was employed as an anti-armor weapon, although it also saw use against infantry. Covenant snipers were normally equipped with [[Type-27 beam rifle]]s and later, [[Type-50 particle beam rifle]]s. Many opted to use [[Type-52 focus rifle]]s for ranged suppression. The standard grenade of the Covenant military was the [[Type-1 plasma grenade]].

The Covenant military fielded a wide array of melee-based weaponry. In contrast to [[UNSC]] soldiers, who generally used melee weapons as a last resort, the Covenant used melee weapons far more readily. The Sangheili and Jiralhanae in particular preferred to get in close to enemies, using their superior physical strength and impressive melee armaments to their advantage. The [[Type-1 energy sword]] was commonly seen in the hands of higher-ranking Sangheili. Jiralhanae often employed their [[Type-2 gravity hammer]]s for close quarters combat. In addition, soldiers of the Covenant also used energy-based [[Energy cutlass|cutlasses]], [[Energy lance|lances]] and [[Energy garrote|garrotes]].

The Covenant military also employed a vast range of stationary plasma cannons. The [[Type-42 plasma cannon]] was used for suppression fire for much of the [[Human-Covenant War]], before being phased out in favor of the [[Type-52 plasma cannon]] which performed in much the same way. The [[Shade]] stationary guns were used for static defence and heavy suppression. The [[Type-26 Shade]] was the most commonly used model, although the [[Type-27 Shade|Type-27]] and [[Type-29 Shade|Type-29]] variant also saw prodigious use.

The Jiralhanae also had their own array of fearsome weaponry. These became far more frequently used once the Jiralhanae were made the leading members of the Covenant military. The [[Type-25 Spiker]] was the standard weapon of the lower ranking Jiralhanae, along with their [[Type-25 Brute Plasma Rifle|own version]] of the Type-25 plasma rifle. Higher ranked Jiralhanae were most often equipped with [[Type-25 Brute Shot]]s. [[Type-52 Mauler]]s were often used by Jiralhanae [[Jiralhanae Stalker|stealth operatives]]. The Jiralhanae also fielded their own types of grenades - the [[Type-2 spike grenade]]s and [[Type-3 firebomb]] saw widespread usage towards the end of the Human-Covenant War. Jiralhanae officers sometimes carried their own [[Jiralhanae combat knife|combat knives]].

The Covenant military also boasted an impressive number of vehicles. [[Type-32 Ghost]]s were used for reconnaissance and rapid attack roles. The [[Type-26 Wraith]] was the standard tank - used as the standard armored ground vehicle, it was very effective in anti-armor and anti-infanty roles. The Covenant military used the [[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Wraith]] against hostile aircraft. The [[Type-48 Revenant]] was used as mobile artillery support for infantry, while the [[Type-46 Spectre]] was used more for mobile suppression fire and troop transportation. Infrequently used, the [[Type-29 Shadow]] provided troop and light vehicle transportation in areas inaccessible to dropships. Jiralhanae vehicles included the [[Type-25 Chopper]] and the [[Type-52 Prowler]]. 

A range of excavation platforms were repurposed by the Covenant military during the war against humanity. The [[Type-30 Locust]] and the far larger [[Scarab]] platforms were used in combative roles against enemies of the Covenant. Many varieties of the Scarab were employed, with the most common being the [[Type-47 Scarab]]. The larger Protos model of the T-47 was used less frequently than the more combat-ready Deutoros model.

[[Type-26 Banshee]]s were used as standard ground support aircraft while [[Type-25 Spirit]]s, [[Type-44 Phantom]]s and [[Type-52 Phantom]]s were used as troop dropships. Rarely seen by human combatants, the [[Type-56 Lich]] saw use as the heaviest of airborne deployment platforms. An anti-aircraft fighter, the [[Type-29 Vampire]] was seldom used by the military. 

The military also used many different types of drop pods to rapidly deploy infantry units to any battlefield from an orbital ship. Variants that carried individual troops were most often seen, although some types of drop pod allowed for the transportation of multiple Covenant soldiers.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HR - Covenant armada.jpg|Concept art of a Covenant army for ''Halo: Reach''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' 
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[i love bees]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 2]]''
**''[[Conversations from the Universe]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''
**''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Landfall]]''
**''[[Halo: Combat]]''
**''[[Halo: Last One Standing]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]''
*''[[The Life]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
**''[[Sadie's Story]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Homecoming]]''
**''[[Odd One Out]]'' {{C|Non-canonical appearance}}
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
**''[[The Duel]]''
**''[[The Package]]''
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Blunt Instruments]]''
**''[[Dirt]]''
**''[[Headhunters (short story)|Headhunters]]''
**''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]
**''[[Palace Hotel (short story)|Palace Hotel]]''
**''[[Stomping on the Heels of a Fuss]]''
**''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
**''[[The Return]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Remember Reach]]''
**''[[Deliver Hope]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]'' {{C|[[Prologue]] only}}
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' {{C|Flashback}}
{{col-end}}

==Sources==
<references/>

[[Category:Covenant military| ]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]