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United Nations Space Command: Difference between revisions
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{{Military infobox advanced | {{Military infobox advanced | ||
|image={{tabcontainer | |image={{tabcontainer | ||
|title1= | |title1=Circa 2560|content1=[[File:Merch UNSC Logo Black.svg|50px]] | ||
|title2=Post-war era|content2=[[File:UNSC insignia (post-war).png|50px]] | |title2=Post-war era|content2=[[File:UNSC insignia (post-war).png|50px]] | ||
|title3= | |title3=Covenant war era|content3=[[File:Halopedia Era UNSC.png|55px]] | ||
}}<br/><sup>The various [[Symbols of the UNSC]]</sup> | }}<br/><sup>The various [[Symbols of the UNSC]]</sup> | ||
[[File:HW Cover-Wide.jpg|300px]]<br/><sup>[[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]], [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marines]], and several UNSC vehicles</sup> | [[File:HW Cover-Wide.jpg|300px]]<br/><sup>[[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]], [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marines]], and several UNSC vehicles</sup> | ||
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Due to increasing risk of insurrectionist activity in the late 25th century, the UNSC's [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] conceived a project to train Special Forces soldiers in counter-insurgent and counter-revolutionary warfare. The ORION Project, retroactively termed as Spartan-I, was an [[UNSC Special Forces|Naval Special Warfare]] program, overseen by the CMA, created to train special advanced warfare squads to combat the Insurrection. They became experts in counterinsurgency operations, assassinations, raids, and eliminating high value targets—all considered black operations.<ref name="HCH">'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''Prologue''</ref> However, expectations for the new soldiers were not met, and the project was deactivated in 2506, and all members reassigned to other Special Operations units.<ref>'''Halo Wars''' ''Timeline''</ref> In the coming years, ORION's methodologies would be uses as basis for a reform in the [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]],<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', [[Data pads#Data pad 11|''data pad 11'']]</ref> the most famed special operations force of the UNSC Marines. | Due to increasing risk of insurrectionist activity in the late 25th century, the UNSC's [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] conceived a project to train Special Forces soldiers in counter-insurgent and counter-revolutionary warfare. The ORION Project, retroactively termed as Spartan-I, was an [[UNSC Special Forces|Naval Special Warfare]] program, overseen by the CMA, created to train special advanced warfare squads to combat the Insurrection. They became experts in counterinsurgency operations, assassinations, raids, and eliminating high value targets—all considered black operations.<ref name="HCH">'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''Prologue''</ref> However, expectations for the new soldiers were not met, and the project was deactivated in 2506, and all members reassigned to other Special Operations units.<ref>'''Halo Wars''' ''Timeline''</ref> In the coming years, ORION's methodologies would be uses as basis for a reform in the [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]],<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', [[Data pads#Data pad 11|''data pad 11'']]</ref> the most famed special operations force of the UNSC Marines. | ||
Several years later, ONI's alarming projections on colonial instability prompted them to initiate a second generation supersoldier project which would come to be known as the [[SPARTAN-II program]]. Partly informed by the pioneering efforts of ORION with new methodologies conceived by [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]], the new program introduced highly unethical aspects such as the covert conscription of mentally and physically gifted children who would be molded into the perfect instruments to quell insurgent leadership and thus prevent the predicted scenario of indefinite all-out war. [[SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures|Physically augmented]] and equipped with state-of-the-art [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR powered armor]], the Spartan-IIs would prove to be the most effective soldiers fielded by the UNSC, although not in the role they were originally intended for; the attack of the genocidal [[Covenant]] quickly saw the Spartans reallocated to combat the new enemy.<ref> | Several years later, ONI's alarming projections on colonial instability prompted them to initiate a second generation supersoldier project which would come to be known as the [[SPARTAN-II program]]. Partly informed by the pioneering efforts of ORION with new methodologies conceived by [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]], the new program introduced highly unethical aspects such as the covert conscription of mentally and physically gifted children who would be molded into the perfect instruments to quell insurgent leadership and thus prevent the predicted scenario of indefinite all-out war. [[SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures|Physically augmented]] and equipped with state-of-the-art [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR powered armor]], the Spartan-IIs would prove to be the most effective soldiers fielded by the UNSC, although not in the role they were originally intended for; the attack of the genocidal [[Covenant]] quickly saw the Spartans reallocated to combat the new enemy.<ref>''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]''</ref> | ||
During the Covenant War, the success of the Spartan-IIs would convince the ONI leadership to use similar methodologies to create hundreds of supersoldiers in the [[SPARTAN-III program]]. Despite various refinements in their training and augmentation processes, most of the Spartan-IIIs would be less well-equipped than their predecessors for budgetary reasons, and the majority of them would ultimately perish on strategically important, high-risk deployments.<ref>'''Halo Mythos''', ''page 76''</ref> Following the end of the war, the [[SPARTAN-IV program]] marked a return to ORION's recruitment protocols, drawing candidates from the UNSC's extant military forces; additionally, technological advances and the relegation of equipment manufacturing to the private sector allowed each operator to be issued with the previously prohibitively expensive Mjolnir armor. With Spartans being created in increasing numbers, their presence across UNSC-controlled space would become far more established and publicized in the years that followed than ever before.<ref>'''Halo Mythos''', ''page 128''</ref> | During the Covenant War, the success of the Spartan-IIs would convince the ONI leadership to use similar methodologies to create hundreds of supersoldiers in the [[SPARTAN-III program]]. Despite various refinements in their training and augmentation processes, most of the Spartan-IIIs would be less well-equipped than their predecessors for budgetary reasons, and the majority of them would ultimately perish on strategically important, high-risk deployments.<ref>'''Halo Mythos''', ''page 76''</ref> Following the end of the war, the [[SPARTAN-IV program]] marked a return to ORION's recruitment protocols, drawing candidates from the UNSC's extant military forces; additionally, technological advances and the relegation of equipment manufacturing to the private sector allowed each operator to be issued with the previously prohibitively expensive Mjolnir armor. With Spartans being created in increasing numbers, their presence across UNSC-controlled space would become far more established and publicized in the years that followed than ever before.<ref>'''Halo Mythos''', ''page 128''</ref> | ||
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{{Main|First Battle of Harvest}} | {{Main|First Battle of Harvest}} | ||
[[File:Outcome of Second Battle of Harvest.png|thumb|250px|right|Admiral Cole's victory at Harvest.]] | [[File:Outcome of Second Battle of Harvest.png|thumb|250px|right|Admiral Cole's victory at Harvest.]] | ||
Stemming from the chance encounter of human and Covenant forces at [[Harvest]], the first contact made between humanity and the Covenant involved the ship ''[[Minor Transgression]]'', and was less peaceful than the second contact made between the two factions. A meeting between representatives of the two factions took place on the fields of Harvest, but the attempt at diplomacy soon turned into a bloodbath. The Covenant claimed the planet for the numerous "[[Forerunner]] relics" their [[Luminary|luminaries]] had detected, and slaughtered most of the colony's population.<ref name="xbox"/> The vast majority of the Covenant remained unaware that the humans they were sworn to annihilate, were in fact the very [[Reclaimer]]s (mistranslated as "Reclamation") their ancient texts spoke of.<ref> | Stemming from the chance encounter of human and Covenant forces at [[Harvest]], the first contact made between humanity and the Covenant involved the ship ''[[Minor Transgression]]'', and was less peaceful than the second contact made between the two factions. A meeting between representatives of the two factions took place on the fields of Harvest, but the attempt at diplomacy soon turned into a bloodbath. The Covenant claimed the planet for the numerous "[[Forerunner]] relics" their [[Luminary|luminaries]] had detected, and slaughtered most of the colony's population.<ref name="xbox"/> The vast majority of the Covenant remained unaware that the humans they were sworn to annihilate, were in fact the very [[Reclaimer]]s (mistranslated as "Reclamation") their ancient texts spoke of.<ref>''Halo: Contact Harvest'', p. 274-278</ref> | ||
On April 20, a scout ship, the CMA sent in a scout ship, the ''[[CMA Argo|Argo]]'', to investigate the cessation of communications between Harvest and the rest of the UEG's colonies. Before being destroyed by Covenant forces, it discovered that the planet had been incinerated, and its surface covered by fields of magma. Soon after, [[Battle Group 4]], consisting of the frigates [[CMA Arabia|CMA ''Arabia'']] and [[CMA Vostok|''Vostok'']] and the [[UNSC destroyer|destroyer]] [[CMA Heracles|CMA ''Heracles'']], were sent to investigate. On October 7, the battle group dropped out of Slipspace and to Harvest. In orbit around the remains of the colony world was a single alien ship which proceeded to attack the battle group, destroying them all except one. Intercepted communications identified the enemy as the Covenant, a caste-driven, theological organization made up of several alien species. The message "''Your destruction is the will of the gods...and we are their instrument''" was broadcast in perfect [[English]].<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', Chapter 11, ''page 98'' (2001 paperback); ''page 117'' (2010 paperback)</ref> The war for mankind's very survival had begun. | On April 20, a scout ship, the CMA sent in a scout ship, the ''[[CMA Argo|Argo]]'', to investigate the cessation of communications between Harvest and the rest of the UEG's colonies. Before being destroyed by Covenant forces, it discovered that the planet had been incinerated, and its surface covered by fields of magma. Soon after, [[Battle Group 4]], consisting of the frigates [[CMA Arabia|CMA ''Arabia'']] and [[CMA Vostok|''Vostok'']] and the [[UNSC destroyer|destroyer]] [[CMA Heracles|CMA ''Heracles'']], were sent to investigate. On October 7, the battle group dropped out of Slipspace and to Harvest. In orbit around the remains of the colony world was a single alien ship which proceeded to attack the battle group, destroying them all except one. Intercepted communications identified the enemy as the Covenant, a caste-driven, theological organization made up of several alien species. The message "''Your destruction is the will of the gods...and we are their instrument''" was broadcast in perfect [[English]].<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', Chapter 11, ''page 98'' (2001 paperback); ''page 117'' (2010 paperback)</ref> The war for mankind's very survival had begun. | ||
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The UNSC transferred its emergency governing functions back to the UEG on [[2553|January 8, 2553]], although this formal shift of power did not significantly diminish the UNSC's practical authority.<ref name="CatalogUEG">[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969317_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969317 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction (Query Answer: Human records indicate transition to noncombatant administrative control <nowiki>[ref: UEG] [January 8, 2553]. No notable adjustment in military [bureaucratic tactical]</nowiki> behavior and scope of authority.)'']</ref> | The UNSC transferred its emergency governing functions back to the UEG on [[2553|January 8, 2553]], although this formal shift of power did not significantly diminish the UNSC's practical authority.<ref name="CatalogUEG">[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969317_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969317 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction (Query Answer: Human records indicate transition to noncombatant administrative control <nowiki>[ref: UEG] [January 8, 2553]. No notable adjustment in military [bureaucratic tactical]</nowiki> behavior and scope of authority.)'']</ref> | ||
Since 2553, the UNSC has engaged in an extensive period of reconstruction in order to restore stability to the shattered remnants of its territory. The UNSC has moved to reclaim those worlds that were not completely destroyed during the Human-Covenant War. Former colonies such as [[Eridanus II]],<ref>'''Halo 4''', multiplayer map, ''[[Skyline]]''</ref> [[Meridian]] and [[Draco III]] were resettled and became strategic staging points for humanity's efforts to reunite its reach across space.<ref>'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 17-18'' (Google Play edition)</ref> New planets such as [[Oban]] have also been colonized for the purpose of resettling the countless millions of [[refugee]]s whose worlds were lost in the conflict. The UNSC also aimed to [[Salvaging|salvage]] any recoverable military assets lost during the war; paying companies such as [[Warner & Ives]] to [[Fetching|recover]] slipspace drives from derelict vessels, and buying scrap from clearing house auctions, such as those in [[New Tyne]] on the planet [[Venezia]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Fractures]]''', ''[[Into the Fire]], page 301''</ref> With the genocidal threat of the Covenant ended, the UNSC has employed some of its former species including [[Unggoy]] and [[Huragok]] in a limmited capacity. The UNSC also maintains its earlier [[Treaty of 2552|peace treaty]] with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] under the leadership of [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]. In [[2553]] the [[Joint Occupation Zone]]s were created and are now governed by both the UNSC and the Sangheili, with former colonies such as [[Carrow]] now hosting new citizens from both sides. The UNSC has also established outposts around the Halo Array and other such Forerunner installations, which they closely monitor with the Sangheili. However, tensions remain as insurrectionist movements have grown in strength, with worlds like [[Venezia]] and [[Gao]] effectively having seceded from the UEG as recently as 2553.<ref> | Since 2553, the UNSC has engaged in an extensive period of reconstruction in order to restore stability to the shattered remnants of its territory. The UNSC has moved to reclaim those worlds that were not completely destroyed during the Human-Covenant War. Former colonies such as [[Eridanus II]],<ref>'''Halo 4''', multiplayer map, ''[[Skyline]]''</ref> [[Meridian]] and [[Draco III]] were resettled and became strategic staging points for humanity's efforts to reunite its reach across space.<ref>'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 17-18'' (Google Play edition)</ref> New planets such as [[Oban]] have also been colonized for the purpose of resettling the countless millions of [[refugee]]s whose worlds were lost in the conflict. The UNSC also aimed to [[Salvaging|salvage]] any recoverable military assets lost during the war; paying companies such as [[Warner & Ives]] to [[Fetching|recover]] slipspace drives from derelict vessels, and buying scrap from clearing house auctions, such as those in [[New Tyne]] on the planet [[Venezia]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Fractures]]''', ''[[Into the Fire]], page 301''</ref> With the genocidal threat of the Covenant ended, the UNSC has employed some of its former species including [[Unggoy]] and [[Huragok]] in a limmited capacity. The UNSC also maintains its earlier [[Treaty of 2552|peace treaty]] with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] under the leadership of [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]. In [[2553]] the [[Joint Occupation Zone]]s were created and are now governed by both the UNSC and the Sangheili, with former colonies such as [[Carrow]] now hosting new citizens from both sides. The UNSC has also established outposts around the Halo Array and other such Forerunner installations, which they closely monitor with the Sangheili. However, tensions remain as insurrectionist movements have grown in strength, with worlds like [[Venezia]] and [[Gao]] effectively having seceded from the UEG as recently as 2553.<ref>''Halo: Glasslands''</ref><ref>''[[Halo: Last Light]]''</ref> In early 2553, the Office of Naval Intelligence began authorizing operations to sow dissent among the Sangheili, disregarding the alliance in the hopes of rendering them unable to fight should they become a threat again. These actions culminated in a [[Blooding Years|civil war]] between the Arbiter's forces and those who opposed the alliance with humanity.<ref>''Halo: The Thursday War''</ref> | ||
[[File:Commissioning-1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The commissioning of {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.]] | [[File:Commissioning-1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The commissioning of {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.<ref>''[[The Commissioning]]''</ref>]] | ||
In spite of the catastrophic damage UNSC's infrastructure and personnel suffered during the Covenant War, various secret projects initiated in the final years of the conflict enabled the UNSC to regain some degree of military power in the months after the cessation of hostilities.<ref> | In spite of the catastrophic damage UNSC's infrastructure and personnel suffered during the Covenant War, various secret projects initiated in the final years of the conflict enabled the UNSC to regain some degree of military power in the months after the cessation of hostilities.<ref>''Halo Mythos'', ''page 125''</ref> To symbolize their newly regained strength, the UNSC adopted [[Symbols of the UNSC|a revised version of its original emblem]] shortly after the war.<ref name="new symbol"/> The UNSC's rebuilding efforts were spearheaded by the symbolic commissioning of the UNSC's most powerful warship, the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, in February 2557. A dramatic modernization of the UNSC's military assets has been ongoing, with new warships implementing both Covenant and Forerunner technologies for use against humanity's enemies. While the reconstruction of humanity's territories continued for many years after the end of the Covenant War, various [[Covenant remnants]], most prominently [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|a group led by Jul 'Mdama]], defied the truce that ended the war and arose to threaten the UNSC. In July [[2557]], the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|ongoing conflict]] against the new Covenant was joined by the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]] and his [[Promethean]] constructs due to [[Battle of Requiem|an encounter]] on the shield world [[Requiem]].<ref name="h4">''[[Halo 4]]''</ref> | ||
===Created crisis=== | ===Created crisis=== | ||
{{Main|Created conflict}} | {{Main|Created conflict}} | ||
Following October 28, [[2558]] the UNSC was largely immobilized by the [[Created]] when Cortana and her [[Guardian]]s took over Earth and most human colonies.<ref name="H5G">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'''</ref> UNSC expeditionary forces that managed to avoid the Created's Guardians were able to regroup with the Swords of Sanghelios on Sanghelios.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-driving-force | Following October 28, [[2558]] the UNSC was largely immobilized by the [[Created]] when Cortana and her [[Guardian]]s took over Earth and most human colonies.<ref name="H5G">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'''</ref> UNSC expeditionary forces that managed to avoid the Created's Guardians were able to regroup with the Swords of Sanghelios on Sanghelios.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-driving-force''Halo Waypoint'' - Canon Fodder: Driving Force]</ref> | ||
===Later history=== | ===Later history=== | ||
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== Organization == | == Organization == | ||
{{Main|List of UNSC Military Units|UNSC military organization}} | {{Main|List of UNSC Military Units|UNSC military organization}} | ||
[[File:H4Epilogue - Hazteam.jpg|thumb|250px|A UNSC military [[HAZMAT]] team investigates [[New Phoenix]] in the aftermath of the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]]'s [[New Phoenix Incident|attack]].]] | [[File:H4Epilogue - Hazteam.jpg|thumb|250px|A UNSC military [[HAZMAT]] team investigates [[New Phoenix]] in the aftermath of the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]]'s [[New Phoenix Incident|attack]].<ref>''Halo 4'', campaign level, [[Epilogue (Halo 4 level)|Epilogue]]</ref>]] | ||
The United Nations Space Command is subordinate to the [[Unified Earth Government]]. The professional, controlling body of the UNSC is the [[UNSC High Command]] (HIGHCOM), headed by the [[UNSC Security Council]] which convenes in [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]], the UNSC's headquarters in [[Sydney]], [[Australia]].<ref>'''Halo: First Strike'''</ref> | The United Nations Space Command is subordinate to the [[Unified Earth Government]]. The professional, controlling body of the UNSC is the [[UNSC High Command]] (HIGHCOM), headed by the [[UNSC Security Council]] which convenes in [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]], the UNSC's headquarters in [[Sydney]], [[Australia]].<ref>'''Halo: First Strike'''</ref> | ||
Within HIGHCOM are a number of administrative commands, including [[UNSC Personnel Command|PERSCOM]], the [[UNSC Medical Corps|Medical Corps]], the [[UNSC Engineering Corps|Engineering Corps]], [[UNSC Human Resources|Human Resources]], and [[UNSC Astrophysics|Astrophysics]]. Legal matters such as the issuing and enforcement of [[:Category:UNSC Protocols|protocols]] are handled by the [[UNSC Judge Advocate General's Corps]]. Research designed to improve the UNSC's operations is carried out by the [[UNSC Internal Audit|Internal Audit]] office.<ref> | Within HIGHCOM are a number of administrative commands, including [[UNSC Personnel Command|PERSCOM]], the [[UNSC Medical Corps|Medical Corps]], the [[UNSC Engineering Corps|Engineering Corps]], [[UNSC Human Resources|Human Resources]], and [[UNSC Astrophysics|Astrophysics]]. Legal matters such as the issuing and enforcement of [[:Category:UNSC Protocols|protocols]] are handled by the [[UNSC Judge Advocate General's Corps]]. Research designed to improve the UNSC's operations is carried out by the [[UNSC Internal Audit|Internal Audit]] office.<ref>''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', Chapter 15, p. 135 (2001 paperback); p. 159 (2010 paperback)</ref><ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', p. 123</ref><ref>''Halo: Glasslands'', p. 254</ref> | ||
Also under HIGHCOM's command are the [[UNSC Armed Forces]], which handle the defense of UEG territory. Control is exercised through regional [[Central Command|CENTCOMs]], which have responsibility over certain areas of space.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 34''</ref> The Armed Forces encompass the [[UNSC Army]], the [[UNSC Navy]], the [[UNSC Air Force]], and the [[UNSC Marine Corps]]. The Navy houses the Marine Corps (including the special forces branch of the UNSC Marines known as [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s), the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] (ONI), and the [[UNSC fleet|Fleet]]. The Army and Air Force maintain garrisons on colony worlds. When certain rebellious factions began to rise in the 2490s, the UNSC was forced to police its protected colonies tirelessly to keep privateers and pirates from raiding the colonies and any [[UNSC starship|UNSC ships]]. After 2553, [[Spartan Operations]] became the fifth and newest branch of the UNSC, responsible for command of [[Wikipedia:Special operations|special operations]] undertaken by the [[SPARTAN-III|Third]] and [[SPARTAN-IV|Fourth]] generations of augmented soldiers.<ref name="HW Story">[http://halo.xbox.com/halo4#!an-epic-universe/story/6eeabce4-dc80-4aa3-b2aa-2f5d123b7514 '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Story'']</ref> The Spartans are the smallest operational component in the entire Armed Forces. | Also under HIGHCOM's command are the [[UNSC Armed Forces]], which handle the defense of UEG territory. Control is exercised through regional [[Central Command|CENTCOMs]], which have responsibility over certain areas of space.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 34''</ref> The Armed Forces encompass the [[UNSC Army]], the [[UNSC Navy]], the [[UNSC Air Force]], and the [[UNSC Marine Corps]]. The Navy houses the Marine Corps (including the special forces branch of the UNSC Marines known as [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s), the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] (ONI), and the [[UNSC fleet|Fleet]]. The Army and Air Force maintain garrisons on colony worlds. When certain rebellious factions began to rise in the 2490s, the UNSC was forced to police its protected colonies tirelessly to keep privateers and pirates from raiding the colonies and any [[UNSC starship|UNSC ships]]. After 2553, [[Spartan Operations]] became the fifth and newest branch of the UNSC, responsible for command of [[Wikipedia:Special operations|special operations]] undertaken by the [[SPARTAN-III|Third]] and [[SPARTAN-IV|Fourth]] generations of augmented soldiers.<ref name="HW Story">[http://halo.xbox.com/halo4#!an-epic-universe/story/6eeabce4-dc80-4aa3-b2aa-2f5d123b7514 '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Story'']</ref> The Spartans are the smallest operational component in the entire Armed Forces. | ||
In an effort to maintain a constant supply of service members, the UNSC offers all able-bodied civilians the chance to enlist in various branches of the Armed Forces at automated [[UNSC recruiting center]]s. Numerous recruiting centers can be found throughout populated metropolitan areas. | In an effort to maintain a constant supply of service members, the UNSC offers all able-bodied civilians the chance to enlist in various branches of the Armed Forces at automated [[UNSC recruiting center]]s. Numerous recruiting centers can be found throughout populated metropolitan areas.<ref name="mombasastreets"/> | ||
The UNSC is also responsible for the overseeing and regulation of commerce throughout UEG space through the [[UNSC Department of Commercial Shipping|Department of Commercial Shipping]]. The UNSC also maintains the [[UNSC Symphony Orchestra]]<ref> | The UNSC is also responsible for the overseeing and regulation of commerce throughout UEG space through the [[UNSC Department of Commercial Shipping|Department of Commercial Shipping]]. The UNSC also maintains the [[UNSC Symphony Orchestra]]<ref>''[[Believe (event)|Believe]]'', [[:File:Believe Ad.jpg|Advertisement]]</ref> and the [[UNSC Jazz Band]] as ceremonial musical units.<ref>''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', [[:File:Intersystem News Miranda.jpg|Intersystem News, LCDR MIRANDA KEYES AWARDED SILVER STAR]]</ref> | ||
The UNSC has also directly employed former member species of the Covenant after the war, including [[Unggoy]] and [[Huragok]]. They also affiliate with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] [[Sangheili]] doing many [[Joint Occupation Zone|joint operations]] and training together. | The UNSC has also directly employed former member species of the Covenant after the war, including [[Unggoy]] and [[Huragok]]. They also affiliate with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] [[Sangheili]] doing many [[Joint Occupation Zone|joint operations]] and training together. | ||
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==Technology== | ==Technology== | ||
{{Main|Human#Technology|l1=Human technology|UNSC Navy#Equipment|l2=UNSC Naval technology}} | {{Main|Human#Technology|l1=Human technology|UNSC Navy#Equipment|l2=UNSC Naval technology}} | ||
By the time the Covenant War began, humanity, and thus the UNSC, had reached [[Technological Achievement Tiers|Tier 3]] of the [[Forerunner]] civilization rank system. Humanity's rank continued to rise due to the capture of Covenant technology and equipment, which was studied and adapted for human needs. The very best and cutting edge of UNSC equipment was supplied to the SPARTAN-II project. Human technology was innovative, rather than reverse-engineered from Forerunner technology. This meant humanity remained flexible in their technical expertise, despite being hundreds of years behind the Covenant.<ref> | By the time the Covenant War began, humanity, and thus the UNSC, had reached [[Technological Achievement Tiers|Tier 3]] of the [[Forerunner]] civilization rank system. Humanity's rank continued to rise due to the capture of Covenant technology and equipment, which was studied and adapted for human needs. The very best and cutting edge of UNSC equipment was supplied to the SPARTAN-II project. Human technology was innovative, rather than reverse-engineered from Forerunner technology. This meant humanity remained flexible in their technical expertise, despite being hundreds of years behind the Covenant.<ref>''Halo: The Flood'', p. 132</ref> One such example of ingenuity was the [[energy shielding]] technology adapted and improved for use on the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR armor]]. | ||
==Public perception== | ==Public perception== | ||
[[File:H4FUD UNSCTodayTomorrowForever.jpg|right|thumb|A UNSC propaganda poster on display at the Corbulo Academy of Military Science.]] | [[File:H4FUD UNSCTodayTomorrowForever.jpg|right|thumb|A UNSC propaganda poster on display at the Corbulo Academy of Military Science.]] | ||
{{Quote|We are UNSC! Today. Tomorrow. Forever.|General [[Daniel Black]] quoting the poem [[Forward Unto Dawn (poem)|"Forward Unto Dawn"]] in a [[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn: Recruitment|UNSC recruitment video]].<ref name=recruit> | {{Quote|We are UNSC! Today. Tomorrow. Forever.|General [[Daniel Black]] quoting the poem [[Forward Unto Dawn (poem)|"Forward Unto Dawn"]] in a [[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn: Recruitment|UNSC recruitment video]].<ref name=recruit>''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn: Recruitment]]''</ref>}} | ||
The UNSC's pre-[[Human-Covenant War|Covenant War]] and wartime policies were viewed with hostility by the civilian populace, especially within rebel movements. Starting with the implementation of the [[Cole Protocol]] and martial law, the UNSC's political takeover of the [[UEG]] and [[CMA]] branches and its generally authoritarian military policies championed over the course of the Human-Covenant War, the UNSC's public image has been stained by rebel and civilian allegations of [[fascism]], totalitarianism and oppression.<ref> | The UNSC's pre-[[Human-Covenant War|Covenant War]] and wartime policies were viewed with hostility by the civilian populace, especially within rebel movements. Starting with the implementation of the [[Cole Protocol]] and martial law, the UNSC's political takeover of the [[UEG]] and [[CMA]] branches and its generally authoritarian military policies championed over the course of the Human-Covenant War, the UNSC's public image has been stained by rebel and civilian allegations of [[fascism]], totalitarianism and oppression.<ref name="mombasastreets">''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', [[Mombasa Streets]]</ref><ref>''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'', p. ??</ref> | ||
These allegations are not completely baseless, considering most of this perceived UNSC-directed oppression lies with poor administration in the [[Outer Colonies]], which has led to violent [[Scyllion Warehouse District Riot|food riots]] perpetrated by proto-rebellious groups of dissatisfied colonial workers suffering from hunger and poverty at the hands of corporate planetary control.<ref> | These allegations are not completely baseless, considering most of this perceived UNSC-directed oppression lies with poor administration in the [[Outer Colonies]], which has led to violent [[Scyllion Warehouse District Riot|food riots]] perpetrated by proto-rebellious groups of dissatisfied colonial workers suffering from hunger and poverty at the hands of corporate planetary control.<ref>''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'', p. 106-107</ref> | ||
The UNSC also limits the freedom of the press to an extent, a measure put in place by ONI's Section Two after the [[Inner Colony Wars]]—allegedly to prevent humanity from tearing itself apart from within.<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[Second Sunrise over New Mombasa]]''</ref> ONI also exerts almost complete control over information about [[xenoarchaeology|xenoarchaeological]] findings;<ref name="enc43"/> any scientists studying alien artifacts are drafted to serve under ONI's supervision.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', ''"[[From the Office of Dr. William Arthur Iqbal]]"''</ref> Nepotism is notably prevalent within the organization,<ref>[[:File:MajesticBio-Madsen.png|Spartan Madsen's biography]]</ref><ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #5''</ref> sometimes openly; [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] was based around the concept of training the offspring of high-ranked military and government officials as commissioned officers.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]'''</ref> | The UNSC also limits the freedom of the press to an extent, a measure put in place by ONI's Section Two after the [[Inner Colony Wars]]—allegedly to prevent humanity from tearing itself apart from within.<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[Second Sunrise over New Mombasa]]''</ref> ONI also exerts almost complete control over information about [[xenoarchaeology|xenoarchaeological]] findings;<ref name="enc43"/> any scientists studying alien artifacts are drafted to serve under ONI's supervision.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', ''"[[From the Office of Dr. William Arthur Iqbal]]"''</ref> Nepotism is notably prevalent within the organization,<ref>[[:File:MajesticBio-Madsen.png|Spartan Madsen's biography]]</ref><ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #5''</ref> sometimes openly; [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] was based around the concept of training the offspring of high-ranked military and government officials as commissioned officers.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]'''</ref> | ||