Editing UNSC rank structure

{{Status|Canon}}

The '''rank structure''' of the [[United Nations Space Command]]'s mainline branches of service (the [[UNSC Navy|Navy]], the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], the [[UNSC Army|Army]], and the [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]]) is largely derived from [[Wikipedia:Template:United States uniformed services comparative ranks|the system]] employed by the 21st century [[wikipedia:United States Armed Forces|United States military]].{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM139|OSFM|Page=139}}

UNSC Naval Command uses rank titles which are different to the other branches. Navy ranks and terminology have a long history which dates back to eras when ships sailed on the oceans of [[Earth]] rather than in space. These ranks are used by the UNSC Navy and ONI.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM140|OSFM|Page=140-141}}

UNSC ground forces rely on little administrative overhead and bureaucracy thanks to [[artificial intelligence]]s and automated services, which handle the majority of routine paperwork and coordination. The UNSC's standards of training and high "tooth to tail" ratio of fighting troops to support personnel also allow senior enlisted and junior officers to be given much more responsibility and command authority than what was historically possible.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM142|OSFM|Page=142-143}} Some UNSC Army and Air Force personnel additionally make use of ranks and/ or roles that do not fit into the UNICOM system of organisation.<ref group="unicomnote" name="odd">In the [[Fireteam (gameplay mechanic)|Fireteam]] mechanic in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', Army troopers can be seen with the rank of "SPC", most likely meaning Specialist as used by modern militaries. In ''[[Spartan Ops]]'', a member of the UNSC with the rank of Airman can be seen. It is presently unclear where these roles lie in regards to the rank scheme provided by the ''Official Spartan Field Manual''.</ref>

Unlike NAVCOM and UNICOM, the [[Spartan Operations]] division does not employ traditional ranks.{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=33}} Instead, the Spartan branch works to take the informal leadership traditions of the [[SPARTAN-II]]s and adapt them into a structure that emphasizes independence and unity of purpose over rigid adherence to the chain of command. Nevertheless, [[SPARTAN-IV]] personnel are given additional responsibilities and authority as they advance in their careers. All Spartans receive a direct commission as an officer of the UNSC, though this authority does not typically extend out of their chain of command.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM32|OSFM|Page=32-33}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Spartan|Enc22|Page=65}}

 

Overall, Spartans are considered strategic assets in the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|post-war]] environment. While Spartan Operations does retain administrative control of Spartan personnel, tactical deployments are the responsibility of the unit to which they are assigned. As such, they are often paired to work alongside UNICOM and NAVCOM [[UNSC Special Forces|special forces]] - in particular [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] and [[UNSC Army Rangers]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Spartan}}

*The ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'' erroneously describes the structure and insignia of the UNSC's ranking system as being identical to those used in ''Halo'' multiplayer, ''[[Rank (Halo 3)|Halo 3]]'' in the original printing and ''[[Rank (Halo: Reach)|Halo: Reach]]'' in the [[Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition)|2011 edition]].{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=50-51}} It also lists the O-11 rank "Commanding General".{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=49}}

*In ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''{{'}}s VISR mode, rank icons can be seen given for the various members of [[Alpha-Nine]]. The rank icons on display use the icons found in the multiplayer ranking of ''Halo 3'',  and for the most part match up with the ranks of the various squadmembers with the exception of [[Jonathan Doherty]] (see gallery for a full comparison).