Editing Office of Naval Intelligence

{{Status|Canon}}

|image=[[File:ONI Seal 1.png|100px]]<br>The [[Symbols of the Office of Naval Intelligence|Seal of the Office of Naval Intelligence]]

|formed=[[2178]]{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/oni|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=ONI|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}}

|type=Intelligence agency

|size=''Semper Vigilans'' (Always Vigilant)<ref name="fs49">''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', p. 49</ref>

|nicknames=Spooks<ref>''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', p. 18</ref>

|commanders=*[[Commander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence]]

**[[Margaret Parangosky]] (25XX–255X)

**[[Serin Osman]] (255X—){{Ref/SpOps|Id=Expendable|SpOps|Expendable}}

The '''Office of Naval Intelligence''' ('''ONI''', commonly pronounced phonetically as [[Wikipedia:Help:IPA for English|/oʊni/]]) is the intelligence service of the [[UNSC Navy]]. Overtly, the agency is merely the information gathering and analysis division of the [[UNSC Naval Command]]. In reality, the operations of the Office of Naval Intelligence are far broader than simple intelligence gathering.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc67|Enc11|Page=67}}

ONI has become known for their preeminent role in the acquisition and leveraging of military intelligence. The agency is widely known for using subterfuge, deception, and manipulation in defense of [[human]]ity in order to accomplish its goals. Additionally, the Office of Naval Intelligence employs numerous special projects, such as the [[SPARTAN programs]], [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|Project: MJOLNIR]], and the investigation of [[Forerunner]] sites—the most notable of which is [[Trevelyan]].{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By [[2552]], ONI was also known as the "UNSC Military Intelligence Division".<ref name="tforunknown">''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', Chapter ??</ref> Prior to the [[Battle for Earth|attack on Earth]] in that year, members of [[Blue Team]] reported to an ONI council.<ref>''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'', [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 15 - Unyielding]]</ref> Later during the [[Battle of Kenya]] of that year, [[ONI Recon 111]] helped provide intelligence in the field to UNSC forces.<ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', campaign level, [[Tsavo Highway]]</ref>

 

Following the war, the Office of Naval Intelligence had become the primary intelligence service of the UEG with nearly uncontested power in this field.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleetglossary}} ONI was also afforded a great deal of autonomy, due to its connections with the [[UNSC Security Council]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/unsc|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=UNSC|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}}

 

As of 2555, Admiral Margaret Parangosky was replaced with Admiral Serin Osman as Commander-in-Chief.<ref name="hitdpg67">''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'', p. 67</ref>

 

By [[2558]], ONI had a liaison with the [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]] [[UNSC Security Committee|Security Committee]].<ref>''[[Halo: Escalation]]''</ref>

 

{{Quote|no=two|q1=I know better than to trust you.|Macer|q2=We wouldn't be doing our job if people trusted us.|Locke|[[Jameson Locke]] and [[Talitha Macer]] discuss the nature of ONI.}}<ref name="nightfall2">''Halo: Nightfall'', Chapter 2</ref>

[[File:Nightfall - Hundley and Gaines.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Two ONI agents, LTJG [[Mason Hundley]] and LT [[Jordan Gaines]], on their mission in [[Sedra City]].]]

The Office of Naval Intelligence is responsible for UNSC [[Wikipedia:signals intelligence|signals intelligence]] (SIGINT), [[Wikipedia:Human intelligence (intelligence gathering)|human intelligence]] (HUMINT), [[Wikipedia:Counterintelligence|counter-espionage]], [[propaganda]], and top-secret research and development programs. The agency mostly operates independently of other UNSC branches, and at times it contravenes the law and UNSC protocol to complete top-secret missions. ONI's [[Commander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence|Commander-in-Chief]] (CINCONI), is [[Admiral]] [[Serin Osman]], successor and protegé to [[Margaret Parangosky]].{{Ref/Reuse|Expendable}}

As it is responsible for intelligence matters across the UNSC, ONI employs members of other military branches, and even [[civilian]]s, to complete the division's shadowy work. Many of its functions and subdivisions, like the [[Beta-5 Division]] and the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II]] and [[SPARTAN-III program|SPARTAN-III]] programs, are enigmatic, and its personnel are regarded as mysteries by mainstream naval officers.<ref name="tfor18">''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', p. 18 (2001)</ref>

ONI is technically subordinate to the [[UNSC Naval Command]]. In practice, however, ONI's activities extend far beyond intelligence gathering, and often receives mandates and directives from [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]] itself.<ref>''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''</ref> It is also not unheard of for ONI to operate without HIGHCOM's knowledge or official authorization, as was the case with [[Kilo-Five]]'s mission; indeed, CINCONI is often considered to hold significant power within the UNSC<ref>''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'', p. 44</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|mdic199}} and even the [[Unified Earth Government]] as a whole.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} All other competing intelligence services have been snuffed out long ago to ensure ONI's supremacy; according to the ONI AI [[Black-Box]], ''"...there are no rival agencies. We castrated them all. Left them cowering in our shadow"''.{{Ref/Novel|HGla|Chapter=17}}

ONI has an unusually large amount of military equipment for an intelligence service, and has a strong [[UNSC fleet|fleet]] presence. For example, ONI maintains joint control of the Navy's postwar [[flagship]], {{UNSCShip|Infinity}},<ref>''Halo: The Thursday War'', p. 46</ref> and holds considerable sway over her crew.{{Ref/Reuse|Expendable}} ONI also maintains the UNSC's [[prowler]] fleet, a major source of [[Covenant]] deployment intelligence, under the auspices of the [[UNSC Prowler Corps]]. The Office of Naval Intelligence possesses a stealth cruiser, {{UNSCShip|Point of No Return}}, which is used as a command vessel and a secure conference location. ONI also manages field intelligence with units such as [[ONI Recon 111]] liaising with mainstream UNSC military units.{{Ref/Level|H3|Tsavo Highway}}

ONI exerts virtually complete control over the flow of information across the territories under UEG control. Over the course of humanity's [[human colonies|colonial era]], a number of scattered alien artifacts built by a long-vanished civilization later to be known as the [[Forerunner]]s were discovered. ONI secretly concealed all of these findings and maintained a monopoly on [[xenoarchaeology|xenoarchaeological]] research into them;{{Ref/Book|Id=enc43|Enc09|Page=43}} any civilian scientists studying the artifacts would be drafted by ONI.<ref>''[[Halo: Evolutions]]'', "[[From the Office of Dr. William Arthur Iqbal]]"</ref> In order to prevent information from leaking to the public, ONI is capable of initiating system-wide data purges which erase all information on a given subject. A noted example of this is [[Onyx]], originally surveyed as an ideal world for human settlement but erased from all UEG databases by ONI due to the alien technology discovered there.<ref>''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'', p. 124</ref>

{{Quote|Is ONI one happy family? Oh, please. We've got four divisions, officially, and only one of them knows that we've actually got more than that. There's Section Two—made up of psyops and PR, who each kid themselves they're not like the other at all—which tells the lies; Section Zero, which thinks it spies on everyone else, tells lies to Section Two, and thinks it tells lies to Sections One and Three; Section One does stuff we can almost talk about, they interface with other branches; and Section Three does the stuff we can't talk about or else it would have to kill everyone in fascinating and groundbreaking new ways. Technically, [[Kilo-Five|you're]] not a numbered section at all. You're the praetorian guard for CINCONI, in a way, and we just call CINCONI's staff Core Four, although it's actually in [[Core 5|Core Five]] of [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6|Bravo-6]], and [[Department of Colonial Security|DCS]] reports directly to it. You'll note I didn't mention [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]], and that's because all ONI sections lie to HIGHCOM and tell it that it's the most powerful body on Earth, which generally works well at keeping the old buffers convinced that they make the decisions. Now, are you confused? I certainly hope so, because that's my mission.|[[Black-Box]], explaining the perceived structure of ONI to the rest of [[Kilo-Five]], and only partly joking<ref name="mdic199">''Halo: Mortal Dictata'', p. 199</ref>}}

Section Zero is ONI's Internal Affairs department, charged with rooting out and eliminating illegal programs.<ref name="bees">''[[I Love Bees]]''</ref> Section Zero is very discreet in its work; the true nature and activities of the division are highly classified and unknown outside the ONI command hierarchy.{{Ref/Reuse|enc67}} However, it appears that the other sections of ONI know Section Zero exists and while they are successful at deceiving Section Two, Sections One and Three are not as easily lied to and all three other sections are not easily spied on.{{Ref/Reuse|mdic199}}

Section One is the proper intelligence-gathering branch of ONI. As such, the section's services are most often utilized by UNSC forces.{{Ref/Reuse|enc67}} Its responsibilities include information gathering and codebreaking through military espionage.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} Information released by Section One includes evacuation notices for colony worlds and [[Covenant]] force deployments.{{Ref/Reuse|enc67}} Section One is responsible for covering up all information on locations ONI wishes to keep hidden from the public eye, such as [[Onyx]].<ref>''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'', p. 48</ref>

Section Two is the propaganda branch of ONI; they are also responsible for psychological operations.<ref name="mdic199">''Halo: Mortal Dictata'', p. 199</ref> Overtly, however, Section Two only deals with external communication and public morale.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} It handles communication between colonies to reduce the spread of rumors and information that would damage morale.<ref>''Halo: First Strike'', p. 98 (''"ONI Section Two had done a brilliant job of preserving the fiction that Earth forces held their own against the Covenant."'')</ref> It was responsible for releasing details of the SPARTAN-II program to the public to boost morale throughout [[Unified Earth Government|UEG]] territory.<ref>''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'', p. 46</ref> Once information about the Spartans was released to the public, Section Two had to maintain the Spartans' near-mythical status within the military by [[ONI Directive 930|listing those killed in action as MIA]]. It was believed that news of Spartan deaths would cripple the UNSC's already-flagging morale.{{Ref/Reuse|enc67}} Section Two is also responsible for broadcasting pre-recorded human carrier signals from various locations into [[slipspace]] to confuse Covenant triangulation technology, preventing them from discovering [[Earth]].<ref>''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]'', [[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]], Section Six: The Covenant War: The Cole Campaigns (2525-2532 CE)</ref>

Section Three is the top-secret projects division of ONI that oversees the various groups responsible for creating new innovations through the use of advanced alien technology.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} It is responsible for the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II]] and [[SPARTAN-III program]]s and many other [[Wikipedia:Black operation|black operations]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc67}} Though a few of Section Three's programs are well-known and are widely celebrated for their success, the [[UNSC Marine Corps]] and top brass of the UNSC treat most with contempt. This is especially true of the Spartans, who are regarded as "freaks" by some humans. Though its overall purpose is unknown, Section Three's [[Beta-3 Division]] is known to analyze captured Covenant technology such as the [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet]].<ref>''Dr. Halsey's journal'', January 10, 2536 entry - third page</ref> In addition to performing black operations, Section Three's [[Beta-5 Division]] operates the SPARTAN-III program, which is kept secret from the majority of Section Three. This compartmentalization is designed to ensure secrecy and security. The [[Delta-6 Division]] has oversight of an unknown number of [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IVs]] in stealth operations, including counterinsurgency missions.<ref>[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/halo4guide ''Halo 4 Interactive Guide'' (defunct)]</ref>

 

====Sub-divisions and ties====

 

In addition to the primary numbered sections, there are also a number of lesser-known or "theoretical" subdivisions within ONI.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

;[[Strategic Response Unit]]:

:A major decision-making body of three key individuals within ONI, conferring during major crises such as [[First Battle of Harvest|the onset]] of the [[Human-Covenant War]].<ref name="genesis">''Halo Wars: Genesis''</ref>

;[[ONI Signal Corps|Signal Corps]]:

:The Signal Corps is tasked with broadcasting radio signals in order to confuse [[Covenant fleet]] and troop movements, diverting attention from [[Human colonies|UEG colonies]] that are evacuating.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20050308074743/www.totalvideogames.com/pages/articles/?article_id=7042&page=3 TVG Chats To The ILoveBees Operator]</ref>

;[[UNSC Prowler Corps|Prowler Corps]]:

:The Prowler Corps oversees the deployment of [[UNSC prowler|prowlers]] and their electronic intelligence gathering.<ref>''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'', p. 326</ref>

 

;[[Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department|REAP-X]] and [[Xeno-Materials Exploitation Group|XEG]]:

:The Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department is tasked with developing advanced technologies from alien sources, both [[Covenant]] and [[Forerunner]].<ref name="Special Report">[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8efbd7b88156ac5f6faed8b69&id=4fdccf0da5&e=7be5970a3b ''Mega Bloks'', Special Report: ONI REAP-X]</ref> They receive unlimited funding and resources and are unknown outside the Office of Naval Intelligence.{{Ref/Reuse|Special Report}} The department was formed from many smaller groups created during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Like the Materials Group, it helped disseminate new weapons and shield technologies to UNSC forces as the war neared its end by way of firms such as [[Misriah Armory]].{{Ref/Reuse|Special Report}} Their activities include weapon development, technology research and analysis, reapplication of alien technology, vehicle development, and research into [[hard light]] technology.{{Ref/Reuse|Special Report}} The REAP-X department's greatest breakthrough was the discovery of a working Forerunner [[slipspace drive]] used to complete the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, the post-war flagship of the UNSC Navy. The department utilizes many variants of standard military vehicles modified for special missions.{{Ref/Reuse|Special Report}}

;[[Physical and Technical Security Office]]

:Charged with the security of UNSC military bases and information depots.{{Ref/Game|Id=HI1|HI|Armor customization (Halo Infinite)|Armor Hall|Detail=Security - Helmet Description|Quote=Defending information depots and military sites remains a critical task for Spartans detached for assignment with ONI's Physical and Technical Security Office.}}

;[[ONI Security]]:

:The main security force of the Office of Naval Intelligence, with personnel generally recruited from [[UNSC Army]] and [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] candidates.<ref name="Halo 4 page 34">''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', p. 34</ref> A detachment of ONI Security was stationed on [[Ivanoff Station]] when it was [[Raid on Ivanoff Station|attacked]] by the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]].<ref>''Halo 4'', campaign level, [[Composer (level)|Composer]]</ref>

===Units===

 

 

The agency's seal has many layers of meaning: superficially it is a stylized surveillance satellite, but it also represents a pyramid of knowledge with an all-seeing eye and an arrowhead directed to the heavens.<ref>''[[Halo Mythos]]'', p. 141</ref>

{{Main|Category:Office of Naval Intelligence personnel|l1=ONI personnel}}

ONI personnel, especially officers, are often referred to as "spooks".{{Ref/Reuse|tfor18}} Many ONI agents enjoy significant latitude in the discharge of their duties, often violating legal and moral boundaries or acquiring vast amounts of UNSC resources to achieve their ends.<ref>''Halo: Evolutions'', "[[The Mona Lisa]]"</ref> Intra-ONI dynamics are often strained with intense competition amongst its own personnel. Agents operate under heavy scrutiny, with mistakes often leading to demotion or termination of employment.{{Citation needed}}

*[[Commander]] [[Maya Sankar]] — ONI agent; deceased

==Ships and vehicles==

*{{Class|Chiroptera|subprowler}} {{C|retired}}

**{{Class|Point Blank|prowler}}

Many Office of Naval Intelligence facilities employ a very distinct style of architecture and design, which reflects the organization's role and field of work. Whereas the typical UNSC aesthetic favors a militaristic and utilitarian approach, ONI's structures are often monumental and imposing, covered in angular surfaces and sharp edges, resulting in an overall impression similar to a stealth aircraft, a motif also present in the ONI's [[ONI prowler|prowlers]]. The angled exteriors are contrasted by crisp, sterile interior spaces with cold-toned lighting and chiefly white surfaces as well as heavy use of glass and steel in larger spaces such as atriums. Examples of such architecture can be found in ONI's [[SWORD Base]], shaped like an upward-pointing wedge covered in metallic plating, the needle-like [[Olympic Tower]], as well as the enormous, cube-shaped [[ONI Alpha Site (location)|ONI Alpha Site]] in [[New Mombasa]].

*[[ONI Alpha Site (location)|Alpha Site]] {{C|destroyed}}

*[[Chawla Base]]{{Ref/Reuse|bees}}

 

*In reality, the [[Wikipedia:Office of Naval Intelligence|Office of Naval Intelligence]] is an agency of the United States Navy that was established in 1882. There is also an Australian intelligence agency known as the [[Wikipedia:Office of National Intelligence|Office of National Intelligence]] that was established in 2018 and shares the same acronym.

*ONI's motto, "''Semper Vigilans''",{{Ref/Reuse|fs49}} is also the motto of the United States [[wikipedia:Civil Air Patrol|Civil Air Patrol]]. The phrase is Latin for "Always vigilant."

File:Homecoming_Agent_Concept.png|Concept art of an ONI agent from ''[[Halo Legends]]: [[Homecoming]]''

File:Alphabase new 1.png|ONI's [[ONI Alpha Site (location)|Alpha Site]] in New Mombasa

File:The Olympic Tower 2.jpg|[[Olympic Tower]], ONI's Reach headquarters

File:H2A Terminals - ONICouncil.jpg|[[Frederic-104]] and [[Linda-058]] before an ONI council

*''[[Halo 3: ODST Pre-mission Evaluation]]''

**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''

**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''  

**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition dossiers|Limited Edition dossiers]]'' {{Mo}}

{{Ref/Sources|2}}