Editing UNSC Marine Corps

{{Status|Canon}}

|image=[[File:UNSC MC Logo.svg|100px|class=invert-dark]]<br>The [[Symbols of the UNSC|logo of the Marine Corps]]

[[File:Waypoint REQ Relief Image Marines.jpg|350px]]

|formed=[[2163]]{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint unsc}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22pg56}}

|branch=

The '''UNSC Marine Corps''' is a branch of the [[United Nations Space Command]] responsible for conducting land-based expeditionary amphibious and airborne combat operations, using the mobility provided by the [[UNSC Navy]] to rapidly deliver forces. '''Marines''' are also charged with the defense of Navy vessels and installations from hostile forces. While structured under the [[Unified Ground Command]],{{Ref/Book|Id=enc54|Enc11|Page=54}} the UNSC Marine Corps operates closely with the [[UNSC Naval Command]] and has some authority within the office.{{Ref/Book|Id=fb|Halo: Fleet Battles core rulebook|Page=6}} The Marine Corps is one of the five uniformed services branches of the UNSC Armed Forces.{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint unsc|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/unsc|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Universe, Factions|Page=UNSC|D=19|M=1|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/unsc.html}}

The [[United States of America|United States]] [[Wikipedia:United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] is the precursor to the UNSC Marine Corps.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc31|Enc11|Page=31}} As the [[Interplanetary War]] began in the [[2160]]s, the [[national government]]s of the [[Sol system]] strengthened and deployed their militaries for conflict. However, the distributed nature of their forces led to disorder among the ranks of these militaries.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc42|Enc11|Section=Chapter Two: Humans - Human Colonization of Space|Page=42}} In response, the [[United Nations]] in [[2163]] commissioned a force primarily composed of naval and marine assets; the [[United Nations Space Command]], its [[UNSC Navy|Navy]], and its Marine Corps.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint unsc}} The Marine Corps would be formed from the combination of the naval and spaceborne expeditionary units from various [[National government|nations]] into a single force.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22pg56|Enc22|Page=56-57}}

 

The decisive success of this campaign had a major impact on future military doctrine, resulting in UNSC Navy [[warship]]s carrying large Marine contingents for ground assaults and [[Naval boarding|boarding]] actions. Following the success of the UNSC Marine Corps at Mars, recruitment drives and [[propaganda]] tactics strongly bolstered UNSC forces and the Koslovics and [[Frieden]]s were defeated on [[Earth]] in [[2170]].{{Ref/Site|Id=XC|URL=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo/storyline.htm|Site=Xbox.com|Section=Halo: Combat Evolved, Game Features|Page=Story Line|D=7|M=11|Y=2008|LocalArchive=Archive:Xbox.com/Halo/Timeline}}{{clear}}

[[File:H4FUD Marine.png|thumb|180px|A marine in [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science|Corbulo Military Academy]] during the period of the Insurrection circa [[2526]].]]

The Corps' experienced another encounter with the Covenant on the colony world of [[Sigma Octanus IV]] in [[2552]]. Upon landing, the Marines' hardware and equipments were rendered useless due to the planet's harsh environment. In the first stage of the battle, during a naval engagement, a Covenant {{Pattern|Ruma|light carrier}} was able to land a large contingent of troops on the northern pole of the planet. The Covenant were able to take [[Côte d'Azur]], a major population center. Fortunately almost all of the civilian population was evacuated beforehand, but the UNSC Marine Corps' [[General (UNSC)|General]] [[Kits]] launched a failed assault to retake the city.

The UNSC Marine Corps maintained a sizable presence on [[Reach]] when the Covenant [[Fall of Reach|stormed the planet]]; they bypassed the defense fleet in orbit, as well as the [[MAC Gun]] platforms, and made a considerable landing of soldiers on the North and South Poles. During the early hours of the battle, the Covenant had overrun [[FLEETCOM HQ]] on Reach, destroying the perimeter and swarming the Marine defenders with [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]], [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraiths]], and battalions of infantry. The situation became severe and critical when the Marines were forced to defend the [[Orbital Defense Generator]]s against a massive Covenant assault, using every available armored vehicle and defensive position from available bunkers. The Battle of Reach became one of the most devastating defeats for the UNSC Marine Corps in the Human-Covenant War.

The UNSC Marine Corps remained in force on [[Earth]] and its geosynchronous [[orbital defense platform]]s, and were mostly prepared to repulse a relatively small Covenant invasion, when fifteen Covenant capital warships, two [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carriers]] and thirteen [[Ket-pattern battlecruiser|battlecruisers]], entered the Sol System. They then played a significant role in during the [[Battle of Earth]], where they defended multiple major population centers from the Covenant's occupation such as those in [[Battle of Mombasa|New Mombasa]], [[Battle of Cleveland|Cleveland]], and [[Battle of Havana|Havana]].  

The Marines fought in the war's [[Battle of Installation 00|last battle]] at [[Installation 00|the Ark]]. Starting with their deployment in an [[operation]] codenamed Operation: BLIND FAITH,<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 57''</ref> the Marines launched numerous attacks on Brute strongholds, including an attack on the Ark's [[cartographer]]. After fighting on foot, and in heavy vehicles, the Marines drove off the Covenant. They then teamed up with the Elites and attacked three [[barrier tower]]s protecting the Ark's [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]]. After capturing the first tower, with the help of the Master Chief, Marines and UNSC [[pilot]]s then defeated the Covenant aerial forces. They then waited for the deactivation of the third tower, where they then staged an attack on the Citadel. After fighting two Scarabs, they were then evacuated back to the fleet while the Master Chief and the Arbiter killed Truth. The surviving Marine forces fell back to Earth through the Portal on board the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' before [[Installation 08]] was activated.

[[File:H4 SpOps LandGrab ThirdPerson 02.jpg|thumb|250px|A Marine wearing a post-war BDU  circa [[2557]].]]

After the end of the war against the Covenant, the UNSC Marines participated in a number of engagements against the [[Covenant remnants]] and the [[Insurrectionist]]s. Significant numbers of Marines stationed on [[Draetheus V]] helped fend off the [[Merg Vol's Covenant|Covenant]] assault during the [[Battle of Draetheus V]].<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault'''</ref> A force of Marines were also assigned to the UNSC Navy's new flagship, {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}. When the ship subsequently crash-landed on [[Requiem]] in [[2557]], the Marines joined the [[Spartan Operations|Spartans]] in fighting off the opposing [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant]] forces and [[Forerunner]] [[Promethean]]s in the [[First Battle of Requiem]]. When ''Infinity'' returned to Requiem in order to conquer the planet, Marines were once again dispatched in a joint campaign to reinforce the Spartans. The [[Requiem Campaign]], waged in [[2558]], saw both sides trying to seize the [[Janus Key]] before the [[shield world]]'s destruction.<ref>'''Halo 4''', ''[[Spartan Ops]]''</ref>

By [[2558]], some [[War Games]] simulations feature [[AI]] Marines that assist the [[Spartan-IV]]s in their training.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-in-the-zone '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - In the Zone'']</ref>

===Command and control===

The Marine Corps is subordinate to the [[UNSC High Command]] and the branch has a seat on the [[UNSC Security Council]], currently represented by [[General]] [[Hogan]].{{Ref/Reuse|HE1}} The administrative head of the Marine Corps is the Commandant of the Marine Corps.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22pg56}} The Marine Corps is largely under the authority of the UNSC's [[Unified Ground Command]] (UniCom), responsible for managing ground-based operations of the Marine Corps, the [[UNSC Air Force]], and the [[UNSC Army]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc54}} However, due to the Marines' expeditionary nature, the branch has some with the [[UNSC Naval Command]], particularly in the Navy-dominated [[UNSC Fleet Command]] where the Marines have only a token representation.{{Ref/Reuse|fb}}

 

In addition to conventional forces, the Marine Corps maintain special forces in the form of the [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s under the [[Naval Special Warfare Command]]. ODSTs drop into hostile areas via [[drop pod]]s prior to the main invasion. They attempt to complete some of the most difficult tasks in hostile areas, such as clearing enemy ground forces or establishing landing zones for incoming [[Dropship 77-Troop Carrier|Pelicans]].{{Ref/Reuse|Halo 2}}<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx '''Bungie.net''', ''ODST Field Guide'']</ref>

In the field, Marines usually wear passively [[camouflage]]d uniforms with usually green [[M52B body armor]]. Lightweight, though durable, the armor is surprisingly resilient. Marines don [[Ushuaia Armory]]'s [[CH252 helmet]]s equipped with a [[heads-up display]] and radio system.<ref name="enc49">'''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe''', ''page 49'' (2011)</ref> These helmets are mounted with [[Helmet recorder|recorders]],<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level, ''[[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]]''</ref> and certain models feature holographic text-displaying [[UNSC tactical eyepiece|eyepieces]] or [[Shooting glasses|ballistic goggles]]. Some Marines have been known to employ the "Rex" [[Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance|VISR]] for using in tracking down targets, such as Jiralhanae holdouts on [[Tribute]] and Earth.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', Rex VISR description</ref> In addition to helmets, Marines on field operations in more humid locales sometimes choose to wear [[Wikipedia:Boonie hat|boonie covers]], or those in colder environments don visored and thicker helmets. Marine [[Non-commissioned officer|NCOs]] are easily recognized by the cover they wear complete with the UNSC insignia, although they oftentimes substitute this soft cover for a more practical protective helmet; post-war NCOs often wear a variant with a fully sealed helmet that is otherwise worn by scouts. Marines sometimes don small helmet communications microphones or black-phased sunglasses on their helmets, and others carry backpacks. Marines sometimes wear black gloves to protect their hands and improve their grip on their weapons. Some Marines sport orange visors which attach to the brim of their helmets. Marines operating in cold environments wear environmentally-tailored armor, with insulated snow camouflage utilities and full body armor as well as insulated and visored helmets with something analogous to a balaclava.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]'''</ref> Marines also wear the lightweight and protective [[VZG7 armored boots]], the standard footwear of the Marine Corps since the middle of the 26th century.{{Ref/Reuse|enc49}}

The standard issue weapon for UNSC Marine Corps is [[Misriah Armory]]'s [[MA5 series|MA5 assault rifle series]], which can be outfitted with an [[M301 grenade launcher]] or an [[underslung shotgun]].<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BAGAssaultRifle '''Bungie.net''': ''MA5C Assault Rifle'']</ref> Marines were issued with the [[MA5B assault rifle|MA5B variant]] or the [[MA5C assault rifle|MA5C variant]], with the former being nearly universally phased out and replaced by the latter in late 2552.<ref name="enc318">'''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe''', ''page 318'' (2011)</ref> After the end of the Human-Covenant War, both previous variants were phased out and replaced by the  [[MA5D assault rifle|MA5D]]. The [[BR55 battle rifle]] and [[BR55HB battle rifle|its heavy barrelled variant]] are used both as standard service rifles and as marksman's weapons. Their successor models, the [[BR85 battle rifle|BR85]] and [[BR85HB battle rifle|BR85HB]] variants were introduced in the postwar period, with the majority of the Corps favoring the more recent versions as the best models of the battle rifle.<ref>'''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 61''</ref> Furthermore, the UNSC Marine Corps has adopted the [[M395 Designated Marksman Rifle|M395 DMR]], though previous models have been eclipsed in the Marines by the prominence of the BR55 battle rifle and its variants. The [[M392 DMR]] also remains in service with Marine reserve units.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/dmr '''Halo Waypoint''': ''DMR'']</ref> The Corps issues several models of the [[M6 series|M6 handgun series]], with its standard sidearm being the [[M6H]] as of [[2555]], with the improved M6H2 entering service by 2557.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/magnum '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Magnum'']</ref> [[Special operations]] and vehicle crews are issued [[M7 SMG|M7 submachine gun]]s, with [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODSTs]] typically using the [[M7S SMG|suppressed model]].<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3smg '''Bungie.net''': ''M7 / Caseless Submachine Gun'']</ref>

[[Sniper]]s operate the [[SRS99C-S2 AM sniper rifle|SRS99C-S2 AM]] and [[SRS99D-S2 AM sniper rifle|SRS99D-S2 AM]], and more recently the [[SRS99-S5 AM sniper rifle|SRS99-S5 AM]], sniper rifle variants for anti-matériel and anti-personnel operations.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/sniper-rifle '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Sniper Rifle'']</ref> The [[M99 Special Application Scoped Rifle]] was also formerly used as a dedicated anti-matériel weapon.<ref name="HGN122">'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[Halo Graphic Novel, Page 122|Page 122]]''</ref> Standard UNSC [[Sniper-spotter team|sniper teams]] consists of two operators; a spotter and a sniper. The [[M45 shotgun|M45]] and [[M90 shotgun]]s are often utilized in close-quarters engagements. Once the weapon that defining the Marine Corps as the [[Unified Earth Government]]'s spaceborne force-in-readiness, the Marine Corps has relegated the shotgun to less-visible duties with [[Naval boarding|boarding]] parties, though the shotgun still remains an important weapon of close-quarters warfare.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/shotgun '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Shotgun'']</ref> The [[M739 SAW]] was also adopted in squad-support role.<ref>'''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 58''</ref>

The Marine Corps makes heavy use of the [[M12 Warthog|M12 Force Application Vehicle]], or Warthog, which is used for armored patrols, personnel mobility, and combat fire-support. The Warthog is produced in several variants. The most common of these variants is the [[M12 LRV|M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle]], which is armed with an [[M41 Vulcan|M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]], or the later [[M46 Vulcan|M46 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]]. Postwar Marines have begun to utilize the re-armed M12B model of Warthog, equipped with the [[M343A2 chaingun]]. Light anti-vehicle support is provided by the [[M12G1 Gauss Warthog|M12G1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle]], armed with either the [[M68 Gauss Cannon]] or the more recent [[M70 Gauss cannon]], the [[M12A1 Rocket Warthog|M12A1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle]], which is mounted with a [[M39 rocket turret|102mm SC-HE Rocket Turret]], and the [[M12R Rocket Warthog|M12R Light Anti-Armor Vehicle]], which features an [[M79 rocket launcher|M79 Multiple Launch Rocket System]] or updated [[M80 missile launcher|M80 Multiple Launch Rocket System]]. The [[M831 Troop Transport]] serves as a fast, lightly armored transport vehicle. The [[M274 Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle]] is commonly used for scouting and light target interdiction.

Marines can be built by all UNSC leaders at the [[Firebase]]. They are a jack-of-all trades unit, performing adequately against infantry, vehicles, aircraft, and structures. Marines can no longer upgraded to ODSTs, who are now a [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers#Halo Wars 2|distinct unit]] that can only be called via Leader Power. In [[Blitz]] Marines cost 10 energy, Extractor Marines cost 50 energy, Reactive Marines cost 50 energy, and Armored Marines cost 60 energy.

 

 

*Not suited for long-scale combat without a proper upgrade.

**In the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' level ''[[The Truth and Reconciliation]]'', [[Jacob Keyes|Captain Keyes]] tells a Marine to "''Stow your bellyaching, soldier - remember, you're a leatherneck!''" [[Wikipedia:Leatherneck|Leatherneck]] was a nickname earned by US Marines in the era of the [[Wikipedia:Continental Marines|Continental Marines]]. Although an appropriate reference to Marines, the term "Leatherneck" and "soldier" are viewed by their respective service members as being incompatible, and a means of differentiating between service in the Marine Corps or Army.

File:H2 MarinesScorpion.jpg|Various appearances of ''Halo 2'' Marines.

File:HCEA Johnson&Marines.jpg|UNSC Marines in the ''[[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|Pillar of Autumn]]'' in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.

File:HINF-ConceptMarines.jpg|Concept art of UNSC Marines for ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.

File:HI_E318_Marines.png|Marines in the [[Halo Infinite announcement trailer]].

File:HINF Marine Transparent.png|A marine in ''Halo Infinite''.

File:HINF MarineDemolition.png|A marine armed with an [[M41 SPNKr]] for demolition.

**''[[Palace Hotel]]''

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

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

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