Supreme Commander
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
Template:Covenant Rank Infobox
Supreme Commander is a title used in the Covenant military. The rank has only been known to be issued to Sangheili Fleet Masters commanding large fleets and armadas.[note 1] Despite the high status of the title, a Supreme Commander is likely lower in rank than Imperial Admiral, which appears to be the overall head of the Covenant's naval forces.
For most of the Covenant's history, this rank was held by the Sangheili race until the Great Schism, when the Jiralhanae assumed most of the Covenant's higher ranks.
Description
Supreme Commanders command large Covenant fleets, such as the Fleet of Particular Justice, which was formerly led by Thel 'Vadamee before he was stripped of his rank due to his failure at Installation 04.
During the Great Schism, it is possible that the Jiralhanae took these positions from the Sangheili, as the majority of the Sangheili's other posts were taken over. However, no Jiralhanae Supreme Commanders have been mentioned.
In addition to commanding naval forces, Supreme Commanders have authority over the ground troops attached to their fleet. For example, Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee ordered part of his fleet's special operations contingent to conduct a mission to the agricultural support ship Infinite Succor during the Battle of Installation 04.[1]
Dress
When commanding a fleet, Supreme Commanders sometimes wear purple armor featuring an ornate helmet; at least one Supreme Commander, Thel 'Vadamee, chose to wear a purple-colored cloak as part of his ensemble. It is likely that this non-standard armor serves a ceremonial purpose.[1]
However, when Thel 'Vadamee appeared before the Covenant High Council, he sported golden Zealot armor. This may signify that the cloak is only used when commanding fleets, or that he chose not to wear his cloak before the Council as a sign of modesty. While commanding the Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence, Supreme Commander Luro 'Taralumee wore armor that resembled that of most Sangheili Zealots, though it was more ornate, possessing prongs similar to those on 'Vadamee's helmet.
Gallery
Luro 'Taralumee in command of his fleet.
Jul 'Mdama, Supreme Commander and leader of the reformed Covenant.
List of appearances
- Halo: The Fall of Reach
- Halo Graphic Novel
- Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor (First appearance)
- Halo Wars (Mentioned only)
- Halo Legends
- Halo 4
- Halo: Initiation
- Halo: Escalation
Notes
- ^ The Priority Broadcast Log/Eleventh Cycle, Third Unit featured in the 2010 reissue of Halo: The Flood consistently refers to Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee as Fleet Master, implying that the two ranks are not distinct from one another. Given that the title of Fleet Master follows a similar format as that of Shipmaster, which is known to be given to individuals of any rank in command of a starship, Supreme Commander may be a formal rank while Fleet Master is a title. Alternatively, it is possible that Supreme Commander is a secondary title given to Fleet Masters in command of especially large or important fleets.
