ONI Directive 930: Difference between revisions
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{{Quote|Spartans never die, [[Jorge-052|Jorge]]. They're just [[ | {{Quote|Spartans never die, [[Jorge-052|Jorge]]. They're just [[missing in action]].|[[Carter-A259]]<ref name="vga">''[[Halo Reach Video Games Awards Trailer]]''</ref>}} | ||
'''ONI Directive 930''' is a [[ | '''ONI Directive 930''' is a [[United Nations Space Command]] regulation regarding the reporting of [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II]] fatalities.<ref name="HFSC27">''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', Chapter 27</ref> It created a tradition which eventually extended to the [[SPARTAN-III program|SPARTAN-III]]s as well.<ref name="GOOC39">''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', Chapter 39</ref> However, the protocol is no longer applied to [[Spartan]]s, the UNSC opting to honor their sacrifices accordingly rather than maintaining an aura of invincibility for [[propaganda]] purposes.<ref>''[[Halo: Escalation]]'', [[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]</ref> | ||
== The protocol == | == The protocol == | ||
<div style="width:90% | <div style="width:90%; border:1px dashed #999; padding:4px 6px; margin:4px auto;"> | ||
To maintain morale among the forces of the UNSC, any Spartan casualties are to be listed as [[Missing In Action]] (MIA) or [[Wounded In Action]] (WIA), but never Killed In Action (KIA). | To maintain morale among the forces of the UNSC, any Spartan casualties are to be listed as [[Missing In Action]] (MIA) or [[Wounded In Action]] (WIA), but never [[Killed In Action]] (KIA). | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
When the UNSC went public with the SPARTAN-II program, the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] feared that reports of Spartans losses would cause a crippling loss of morale throughout the UNSC. | When the UNSC went public with the SPARTAN-II program, the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] feared that reports of Spartans losses would cause a crippling loss of morale throughout the UNSC.{{Ref/Reuse|HFSC27}} To prevent this, Section Two of ONI issued a directive requiring the falsification of any circumstances regarding the deaths of Spartans, specifically, it banned the application of [[Killed In Action|KIA]] status to SPARTAN-II personnel. The protocol created and maintained the myth that Spartans never die, and led to the common use of the bitterly ironic phrase "Spartans never die" among the Spartans themselves. This has not gone unnoticed by the [[Covenant]], whose members (including [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]]) often refer to Spartans as "demons", due to their ability to kill thousands of Covenant infantry at a time without death. | ||
=== Application to SPARTAN-IIIs === | === Application to SPARTAN-IIIs === | ||
At least three Spartan-IIIs have been listed under this protocol. [[ | At least three Spartan-IIIs have been listed under this protocol. [[Catherine-B320]] was listed MIA following her death by a [[Sangheili]] sniper during the [[Fall of Reach]].<ref name="package">''[[Halo: Reach]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Package]]''</ref> Additionally, just before his death, SPARTAN-II [[Kurt Ambrose]] listed the status of two deceased SPARTAN-IIIs as MIA, "adhering to the tradition of never listing a fallen Spartan as 'killed in action'".{{Ref/Reuse|GOOC39}} However, his action was likely more sentimental than official, as ONI Directive 930 was specific to the SPARTAN-IIs' publicity. In fact, the SPARTAN-III program was never even intended to go public due to concerns about a negative effect on morale and faith in the UNSC. Kat, however, was likely a special case, as her status as part of [[NOBLE Team]] put her on a standing equal to the Spartan-IIs.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=personnel&cid=24040 '''Bungie.net''': ''Communique from Kurt to Mendez'']</ref> It is likely that her treatment as MIA carried over to the rest of NOBLE Team's S-IIIs. | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
{{Ref/Sources}} | |||
{{SpartanPrograms}} | {{SpartanPrograms}} | ||
[[Category:UNSC | [[Category:UNSC protocols]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:18, March 20, 2022
- "Spartans never die, Jorge. They're just missing in action."
- — Carter-A259[1]
ONI Directive 930 is a United Nations Space Command regulation regarding the reporting of SPARTAN-II fatalities.[2] It created a tradition which eventually extended to the SPARTAN-IIIs as well.[3] However, the protocol is no longer applied to Spartans, the UNSC opting to honor their sacrifices accordingly rather than maintaining an aura of invincibility for propaganda purposes.[4]
The protocol[edit]
To maintain morale among the forces of the UNSC, any Spartan casualties are to be listed as Missing In Action (MIA) or Wounded In Action (WIA), but never Killed In Action (KIA).
Background[edit]
When the UNSC went public with the SPARTAN-II program, the Office of Naval Intelligence feared that reports of Spartans losses would cause a crippling loss of morale throughout the UNSC.[2] To prevent this, Section Two of ONI issued a directive requiring the falsification of any circumstances regarding the deaths of Spartans, specifically, it banned the application of KIA status to SPARTAN-II personnel. The protocol created and maintained the myth that Spartans never die, and led to the common use of the bitterly ironic phrase "Spartans never die" among the Spartans themselves. This has not gone unnoticed by the Covenant, whose members (including Prophets) often refer to Spartans as "demons", due to their ability to kill thousands of Covenant infantry at a time without death.
Application to SPARTAN-IIIs[edit]
At least three Spartan-IIIs have been listed under this protocol. Catherine-B320 was listed MIA following her death by a Sangheili sniper during the Fall of Reach.[5] Additionally, just before his death, SPARTAN-II Kurt Ambrose listed the status of two deceased SPARTAN-IIIs as MIA, "adhering to the tradition of never listing a fallen Spartan as 'killed in action'".[3] However, his action was likely more sentimental than official, as ONI Directive 930 was specific to the SPARTAN-IIs' publicity. In fact, the SPARTAN-III program was never even intended to go public due to concerns about a negative effect on morale and faith in the UNSC. Kat, however, was likely a special case, as her status as part of NOBLE Team put her on a standing equal to the Spartan-IIs.[6] It is likely that her treatment as MIA carried over to the rest of NOBLE Team's S-IIIs.
Trivia[edit]
In Halo 5: Guardians, John-117 may occasionally say "Spartans never die." when reviving a teammate.
List of appearances[edit]
- Halo: First Strike (First appearance)
- Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
- Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
- Halo: Reach
- Halo 4
- Halo: Escalation
- Halo 5: Guardians (Mentioned only)
Sources[edit]
- ^ Halo Reach Video Games Awards Trailer
- ^ a b Halo: First Strike, Chapter 27
- ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, Chapter 39
- ^ Halo: Escalation, Issue #3
- '^ Halo: Reach, campaign level, The Package
- ^ Bungie.net: Communique from Kurt to Mendez
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