Spartan Operations
Thelogo of Spartan Operations Fireteam Forest onRequiem.
Formed:	January 2553[1]
Affiliation:	Unified Earth Government[2]
Branch:	United Nations Space Command[2] UNSC Armed Forces
Type:	Independent branch
Role:	Joint special operations
Size:	Several hundred Spartans(2557)[3]
Engagements:	Insurrection Post-Covenant War conflicts
Commanders:	Rear AdmiralMusa Ghanem[4] Chief of StaffJun-A266[5] Spartan CommanderSarah Palmer

"Spartans, like Navy, or Army, or Marines, are UNSC. Spartans are humanity's first line of defense, against threats from within and without. Spartans are what will see us through the darkness ahead and into the dawn beyond."

— Commander Musa Ghanem, to a board of UNSC Navy officers^[6]

Spartan Operations,^[4][7] also referred to as theSpartan branch^[8][9] or simply theSpartans,^[10][11][12] is the fifth and newest branch of theUnited Nations Space Command'sArmed Forces, organized under bothUNSC Naval Command and theUnified Ground Command. The branch is responsible for the command ofspecial operations undertaken by allSpartan-IVs, with manySpartan-IIIs integrated into their ranks. However, the survivingSpartan-IIs and select Spartan-IIIs remain in theUNSC Navy branch'sSpecial Forces. Although Spartan Operations has autonomy from the other four branches of the Armed Forces,^[13] the Spartans closely collaborate with theUNSC Navy and share assets with theMarine Corps andArmy.^[14] Additionally, they are excluded from FLEETCOM and Unified Ground Command underUNSC DIR 1100.D9 and6899.01, respectively.^[15]

The branch was established in2553, shortly after the end of the apocalypticHuman-Covenant War, a time which saw a dramatic increase in the numbers of Spartan supersoldiers upon the activation of the SPARTAN-IV program.^[10] The operations conducted by these Spartans are collectively referred to as theSpartan Ops program.^[16]

Roles and operations[edit]

Fireteam Osiris, a highly specialized fireteam.

Spartan Operations was created to serve as the most elite infantry force used by theUnited Nations Space Command,^[13] serving as ajoint special operations branch that often undertakes missions involving unconventional warfare. The primary mission of the branch is to secure peace throughouthuman space using elite soldiers to quell threats and other hostile factors.^[17] With the end of theHuman-Covenant War, Spartan Operations played a large role in combating the hostileCovenant remnants to protect thecolonies and citizens of theUnified Earth Government, while also aiding other allied factions, such as theSwords of Sanghelios.^[18] In addition, the Spartan branch also combatedinsurrectionist factions with the continuingInsurrection, most notably theUnited Rebel Front andNew Colonial Alliance.^[19]

With the branch's activation in2553, some of the UNSC's most prominent and effective personnel have been assigned to specialized combat and intelligence gathering teams, such asFireteam Osiris. These teams are composed of highly proficient operators with varied skills to provide them with significant flexibility in carrying out their assigned missions. Such teams carry out challenging operations directly under theUNSC High Command andSecurity Council.^[20]

History[edit]

Origins and conception[edit]

"Realistically, the pervasiveness of the modern soldier will never be on the decline, at least not in our time. But ubiquity and numbers don't always guarantee operational success, something Naval Intelligence recognized long ago. Rather than drown out our enemies in an avalanche of bodies, we saw the value intrinsic in the specialization and refinement of a very select number of soldiers—a remarkably select number, actually. This is how the Spartan branch came to be."

—Codename: SURGEON^[21]

The production of large numbers ofSpartan supersoldiers with relative ease did not become possible in practice for theUnited Nations Space Command until the end of theHuman-Covenant War. Despite this, optimistic projections in2531 suggested that one hundred thousand Spartans might be created in the following thirty years.^[22] Between 2531 and2552, nearly one thousand Spartans were trained, augmented, and graduated as part of theSPARTAN-III program, masterminded byArmy veteran andOffice of Naval Intelligence confidantColonelJames Ackerson.^[23]

TheSPARTAN-IV program entered development onSeptember 20, 2552,^[24] unknown to Ackerson.^[13] The project was conceived byCommanderMusa Ghanem, a formerSpartan-II crippled by theaugmentation process given an opportunity to relaunch the SPARTAN program. Despite believing that the methodology of the SPARTAN-II program was highly unethical, Musa was also adamant that the Spartans were critical forhumanity's survival and would continue to be so in the following years.^[1] Due to ethical factors, as well as advancements in technology now allowed theaugmentation of adult subjects without the major risks which necessitated the use of children in the preceding programs, it was decided that future Spartans would be consenting adults, all of whom handpicked for their exceptional service during the war, mainly fromspecial operations units from across the UNSC.^[10][25] This marked a return to the recruitment methodology of theORION Project, which had created bio-engineered soldiers to fight the growingInsurrection in theOuter Colonies over sixty years earlier. Coincidentally, the Spartan-IVs would come to serve in a similar capacity, fighting resurgent colonial rebellions.^[13]

AdmiralMargaret Parangosky, theCommander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence who had previously authorized the second and third Spartan generations, approved of the new program, particularly because of its moral transparency in comparison to the previous iterations.^[25] Originally Parangosky planned to give command of the SPARTAN-IV program, and ultimately the Spartan branch, to Colonel Ackerson. Serving under him, presumably in a scientific role to enhance the augmentation procedures and spearhead new technologies, would be DoctorCatherine Halsey, matriarch of the SPARTAN-II program.^[26] However, neither would come to serve the project; Ackerson was executed as aprisoner of war aboard theCovenantbattlecruiserTriumphant Declaration following hisdefeat onMars inNovember 2552,^[27] while Halsey became trapped within theForerunnershield worldTrevelyan and was later exiled toIvanoff Station orbitingInstallation 03 and then onboardUNSCInfinity by Parangosky.^[28]

Formation and independence[edit]

Musa declaring the branch's autonomy.

"As of today Spartans stand on their own. Not as Navy or ONI assets. We are our own branch. As of now."

— Commander Musa Ghanem, to a council of high-ranked officers at HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6^[6]

OnJanuary 7, 2553, the first class of Spartan-IVs was selected, consisting of 145 candidates.^[13] Spartan-IIIJun-A266 was selected as the recruiter for the program, and Jun continued recruitment for the first class untilFebruary 15, 2553.^[17][29] Although subsequent classes of Spartan-IVs were desirable, the initial class was required to prove itself effective.^[17] The first class of Spartans began training at severalWar Games sites, particularly aboard UNSCInfinity.^[13] In January of 2553, five Spartan-IVs of the program's first class were aboard UNSCInfinity when AdmiralMattius Drake'sNew Colonial Allianceboarded the ship in theSol system'sOort cloud and briefly commandeered thewarship; the hijacking was led by theIlsa Zane, a turncoat soldier who was rendered unstable due to experimental Spartan-IV augmentations. The Spartans' repelling of the takeover attempt also exposed Admiral Drake as atraitor. Following the incident, Musa Ghanem announced the establishment of the Spartans as their own distinct branch to a board of UNSC Navy officers atHIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6 inSydney.^[6]

With the creation of the branch, most of the surviving Spartan-III supersoldiers were requested by Admiral Parangosky and Naval Intelligence for reassignment to Spartan Operations in early 2553. The active Spartan-IIs were given the choice of "pulling together" the remaining Spartan-IIIs and integrating them into the SPARTAN-IV program.^[30] At least Spartan-IIBlue Team continued to operate outside the branch, withinNaval Special Warfare Command operational control, as of most recent knowledge. Their operations remained highly secretive.^[31] OnJanuary 3, 2554, after the critical success of the first class, a second class of Spartan-IVs was created for the branch and Jun launched a new recruiting drive. With increased funding, Spartan Operations was able to include a larger amount of candidates, though continued to ensure that all were of high quality with strong loyalties to the UEG and UNSC.^[32] However,Rudolf Schein of theUnited Rebel Front managed to infiltrate the branch and attempted to destroy thespace station hosting the entire second class, as well as several members of the branch's leadership and administrative staff. However, this attempt was foiled by Jun and Musa. The incident was kept a secret, with Musa fearing that the event would compromise the Spartan branch's independence.^[19]

Combat deployments[edit]

Spartans of Fireteam Majestic on Requiem.

Since its instatement in early 2553, the Spartan branch has seen a number of engagements in both the resurgentInsurrection andthe continuing hostilities againstrogue Covenant factions. Sometime during2554, two of the first Spartan-IVs,Edward Davis andSarah Palmer, were present in abattle againstMerg Vol's Covenant on the formerForerunner world and UNSC research colony ofDraetheus V.^[33] Spartans participated in numerous other conflicts, such as therebellion onDraco III or the numerous revolts onTalitsa, both launched by the URF.^[34][35]

During an exploration mission inJuly 2557, UNSCInfinity was pulled intoRequiem, an ancient Forerunnershield world, by aCryptum-occupyingPromethean known as theDidact and his forces. Led by Commander Palmer, the Spartans, aided byInfinity'sMarines, would assistMCPO John-117 inhis fight against the Prometheans, as well as the distractingJul 'Mdama'sCovenant which had followed the beleaguered Spartan-II to Requiem.^[36] The Spartans teamed with John-117 to destroy thegravity well generator and to defendInfinity from attacks by the Didact, but left withInfinity whenCaptainAndrew Del Rio chose not to stay and stop the Didact, an order John-117 disregarded.^[37] InFebruary 2558, eight months after John-117defeated the Didact and savedEarth,Infinity returned to Requiem and deployed forces from all five branches of theUnited Nations Space Command armed forces, including numerous Spartan fireteams. On Requiem, fighting both Covenant forces and the Prometheans, the UNSC sought tocapture the shield world. Despite the efforts of numerous Spartans, the Covenant destroyed Requiem after retrieving half of theJanus Key, while the UNSC held the other half.^[38]

Organization[edit]

"Word was that Musa had used the incredible success of the first class of Spartan-IVs to divorce the program from the Navy and, more specifically, Naval Intelligence. While the SPARTAN program worked in concert with both of those groups—and recruited heavily from them—the Spartans became their own branch of the UNSC's military. That gave them a lot more leeway with their missions, and it meant they weren't under anyone's thumb."

— Spartan Edward Buck^[39]

A Spartan-IV fireteam.

Spartan Operations is an independent, and the most recently established, branch of theUnited Nations Space Command'sArmed Forces. As is the state of theUNSC Marine Corps, the Spartan branch is organized under both theUnified Ground Command andUNSC Naval Command, specificallyFleet Command.^[15] Although originally under the jurisdiction of theUNSC Navy, particularly theOffice of Naval Intelligence, Spartan quickly evolved into an organization of its own,^[21] until then-CommanderMusa Ghanem went before a board of naval officers and proposed the branch's autonomy.^[6] The success of the first class of Spartan-IVs led to UNSC leadership accepting Musa's proposal. The branch's independence offers them more freedom with its operations.^[39] Spartan Operations, while technically autonomous, maintains close relationships and often works in collaboration with the Navy and other branches when needed, most often in administrative capacities.^[13] Because of this and theSPARTAN programs' history, the Spartans are still commonly viewed as a "Navy project" by the UNSC armed forces at large.^[40] ONI has the ability to requisition the service of Spartan personnel for specific, high-importanceoperations.^[41] For example, whenSpartan-IIBlue Team became absent-without-leave, SpartanFireteam Osiris was placed under the Navy'sNaval Logistical Operations Command operational command when deployed to retrieve the Spartan-IIs.^[4] The branch is headed by theChief of Staff of Spartan Operations; the office is currently held byJun-A266.^[5] As of2558, Spartan Operations does not hold a seat on theUNSC Security Council, unlike the other four branches of the Armed Forces and even ONI.^[42] The branch also maintains theSpartan Training and Education department.^[15]

Spartan personnel are typically organized intofireteams, consisting of five or four Spartans, led by a Spartan designated as team leader.^[13] Most Spartan combat units are composed of personnel which would complement each other's skillsets and abilities, mitigating any individual deficiencies.^[20] Some Spartans operate in smaller or even individual units. All detachments of Spartans operate under a Spartan Commander.^[13] Although most Spartan-IVs are attached to the Spartan branch, several still serve directly under the Office of Naval Intelligence's divisions, such as theDelta-6 Division^[35] or theAsymmetrical Action Group.^[43] The Spartan branch has a dedicated facility onMars, where personnel undergo theiraugmentations.^[44]

Spartan Operations retains the Spartan-IIIs'Headhunters program, though it has since undergone various changes and adjustments to its structure. The program now consists of a select list of Spartan-III and Spartan-IV operatives that are deployed in either single or two-person teams.^[45]

Personnel[edit]

"We hailed from all walks of the UEG. Human men and women of all races, from colonies of all sizes. The only things we had in common were our total commitment to the UNSC—and our humanity."

— Spartan Edward Buck, on the personnel recruited by the branch^[46]

Fireteam Majestic in combat on Requiem.

Personnel of Spartan Operations arebiologically and cybernetically enhanced, heavily armoredhuman supersoldiers.^[13] The Spartan branch recruits adult men and women from across all ofUnified Earth Government'scolonies.^[46] A majority of the Spartan branch's personnel areSpartan-IVs, though severalSpartan-III personnel have also joined the branch,^[13] excluding those ofGamma Company who were reassigned to theOffice of Naval Intelligence onAdmiralMargaret Parangosky's orders.^[47] A handful of Spartans serve in the branch in administrative roles; these include the branch's creatorMusa-096;^[6]Jun-A266, former sniper ofNOBLE Team;^[48] and the twoBeta Company survivors,Tom-B292 andLucy-B091, who served as instructors for Spartan-IV recruits between 2553 and 2554.^[49] Some Spartans, such asJared Miller, also serve as mission handlers for Spartan detachments.^[50]

Spartan-IVs of the branch undergo augmentation procedures involving gene therapies, artificial organ implants, and cybernetic enhancements. Each augmentation is custom-tailored to each individual Spartan.^[44] Most of these augmentations are irreversible, and only a handful of personnel within the UEG and UNSC have truly considered the future impact these men and women will have when they leave military service and re-entercivilian life. There also exists developing concerns relating to the possibility of potentially unstable, partially augmented retired Spartans that lack the training and support available to former Spartan personnel.^[51]

During theHuman-Covenant War, Spartan fatalities were always listed asmissing in action orwounded in action in accordance withONI Directive 930 in order to bolster morale by maintaining a myth of invincibility around the almost legendary supersoldiers. This practice was not carried over to the Spartan branch following the Covenant War, allowing the deaths of Spartans to be formally acknowledged.^[52]

Selection and recruitment[edit]

Jun recruiting Sarah Palmer into the SPARTAN-IV program.

"I'm a good judge of character, Buck. Add in the fact that I have a cutting-edge AI on my side, and it's rare that I make a mistake about someone."

— Spartan Jun-A266 to Edward Buck, commenting on his selection process^[53]

Individuals are recruited into the branch based on their achievements and skills as soldiers in other branches of service.^[41] Spartan candidate recommendations are made fromcommanding officers directly to recruiter Jun-A266.^[7] Each candidate for the Spartan branch is heavily screened, both career military veterans and younger soldiers who demonstrate promising careers. After passing a rigorous series of tests, the candidate is given the non-compulsory option of enlisting in the branch and undergoing Spartan-IV augmentations.^[21] Each recommended candidate is meticulously examined by Jun and Musa with the aid of a dedicated, cutting-edgeartificial intelligence,^[53] as well as a thorough background check and a physiological evaluation. The candidate's communications records and past associations are also examined.^[44]

Despite these efforts,Rudolf Schein of theUnited Rebel Front was still able to infiltrate the branch and become successfully augmented as a Spartan-IV, having prior led a successful career within another branch of theUnited Nations Space Command armed forces.^[19] Schein was later partially responsible for SpartanMichael Crespo's defection to the URF, with both Spartans growing disillusioned with the UEG and UNSC after being deployed to combat humaninsurrectionist forces, having originally enlisted with the UNSC to combat the alienCovenant.^[54] Likewise, SpartanVladimir Scruggs was recruited as a member of the first class of Spartan-IVs, but later became disillusioned with the UNSC's ideals and joined theNew Colonial Alliance tosabotage peace talks between theSwords of Sanghelios andLydus' clan onEalen IV.^[52] After these incidents, Musa and Jun decided to review their recruitment procedures to look for mistakes, but did not expect to find anything.^[54]

However, pure combat proficiency is not the only requirement for admission into the Spartans.Olympia Vale was recruited into the branch, despite having minimal field experience. This is due to stellar combat scores in training exercises and her great diplomatic skills, as well as high recommendations from ONI.^[8] Additionally,Anthony Madsen, who had previously served an undistinguished career in theUNSC Marine Corps, was admitted into the branch because of the recommendations of his father and grandfather, bothgenerals in the Marines.^[55]

UNSC Armed Forces retirees can also be enlisted in Spartan Operations under a recommendation regardless of how long they have been retired.Taylor Miles andGretchen Ketola, both former ODSTs who were retired for years, re-enlisted as Spartans.

On a rare occasion, a whole squad can be recruited as a Spartan.Alpha-Nine is one of the examples where Jun recruits Buck and his entire teams after theDraco III rebellion. This allows Alpha-Nine to retain its identity as a Spartan Fireteam without using standard fireteam names commonly used on Spartan Operations upon the Squad's re-establishment after theevents on Cassidy III.

Rank structure[edit]

Spartan Commander Sarah Palmer leading Fireteam Majestic during the Requiem Campaign.

"You are Spartans now. You stand side by side with your Spartan brothers and sisters. You march into battle together—you do not charge ahead. You do not grab glory for yourself. Spartans don't have ranks because Spartan is your rank."

— Commander Musa Ghanem, addressing Spartan-IV trainees^[56]

Unlike the other four branches of the UNSC, which maintain hierarchicalrank structures, all personnel of Spartan Operations are considered equal and lack formal ranks,^[13] a view especially emphasized byRear Admiral Musa Ghanem. However, some personnel within the branch wield far more authority than others, with Musa himself a rear admiral and considered the Commander in Chief of the Spartans (CINCSPAR).^[57] The standard Spartan rank held by all members of the branch is equivalent in authority to aFirst Lieutenant in other parts of the UNSC; Spartans holding the roleFireteam leader are equivalent in authority to aCaptain and lead four or five other Spartans. Spartan mission handlers hold an equivalent authority to aMajor and serve as managers for between five and ten fireteams (20-50 Spartans), while a Spartan Commander is responsible for oversight of all Spartans in a given company - typically measuring around three hundred (or more) personnel.^[58]

With no formal rank structure, each Spartan of the branch is given the informal rank of "Spartan". Each Spartan detachment is under the authority of a Spartan Commander;^[13] for example,Edward Buck formerly served as Spartan Commander of the detachment aboardUNSCMeriwether Lewis,^[4] whileSarah Palmer continues to serve as Spartan Commander of the Spartans ofUNSCInfinity.^[59] Despite being the ranking Spartan on the ship, Palmer deferred to theMaster Chief while he was aboard during theBattle of Requiem with the Master Chief effectively acting as the ranking Spartan during this time.^[60]

Standing and specialization within the Spartan branch is also determined by the personal skill of the individual alone, demonstrated both in combat in the field and in training exercises.^[13] Spartans can apply to becomeSpecialists, proving their abilities in a specific field above-and-beyond the already-high standards of a regular Spartan. Spartans who achieve their Specialist rating are granted access to more specialised and experimental weapons, armour, modifications and equipment which most Spartan personnel are not granted access to. Multiple Specialist ratings can be applied for, and granted.^[40]

This skill is reflected by "Spartan Rank", which has an alphanumeric value between SR1 and SR130 - something Spartans are able to achieve by training inWar Games simulations. Spartans who meet or exceed SR50 are allowed to apply for multiple specialist ratings.^[40]

Training[edit]

"You are Spartans when you graduate this program. And you graduate this program when I say so. Do you know what that means? It means you're not a goddamn Spartan until I say you're a goddamn Spartan! You might feel like a superhero, but right now you're as useless as a baby—and the UNSC doesn't need any goddamn babies!"

— Captain O'Day, to complaining Spartan-IV trainees^[61]

A Spartan team competing in War Games.

Directly after augmentations, Spartan personnel immediately begin their training.^[44] One of the training facilities used by the branch was a secret, dedicatedspace station orbiting an otherwise unimportant dwarf planet. In training, an important emphasis is placed on breaking the bad habits the older or more experienced personnel may have built over the years of their service, as well as giving the Spartans practice with their newly acquired augmentations.^[62] The training also serves to teach the Spartans to work together among each other as equals.^[56] The Spartans are trained bydrill instructors hand-picked by ONI.CaptainO'Day was the drill instructor that trained the second class of Spartans. As part of the training, the Spartans compete inWar Games simulations and are pitted against automated weaponry—that utilize non-lethal, yet still painful, ammunition—guided by the UNSC's sharpest combat veterans.^[62] All Spartans receive training on how to usejetpacks in-atmosphere.^[63] Spartans of the first class also faced off against UNSC Marines armed with weapons using stun rounds, in which the Spartans had to navigate and complete an obstacle course.^[56] After the Spartans completed training, they were then allowed to select their armor.^[62] The training of the Spartans is overseen by the branch'sSpartan Training and Education department.^[15]

After the initial training, Spartans are expected to continue practicing and remain combat-ready by participating in War Games, competitive combat training simulations that utilizeholography and millions of pneumatic risers.^[64] Wars Games allows Spartans to compete among each other in various gamemodes and simulations based off of numerous locations or events, thus allowing the Spartans to train and prepare for similar situations. UNSCInfinity hosts a massive War Games combat deck for the Spartans, as do other modernwarships. Space stations—such asAnvil Station and theMunera Platforms—and terrestrialmilitary bases are also home to War Games facilities.^[65]

Several Spartan-IIs have also assisted with the training of the personnel of the Spartan branch.^[13] TheANVIL initiative indicates a number of very select joint training engagements between Spartans of the branch andSangheili ofArbiterThel 'Vadam's Swords of Sanghelios aboard Anvil Station.^[45]

Equipment[edit]

Spartans of the branch are equipped with thesecond generation of theMJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor. GEN2 Mjolnir integrates the vast majority of the armor's vital hardware systems within the inner techsuit itself, allowing for more streamlined production and easier implementation of specialized subsystems and armatures. The armor is built to incorporate many attachments, such asjetpacks andactive camouflage.^[66] As the Spartan-IVs have less extensive biological augmentations, the GEN2 armor boosts its operator's reactions, speed, and strength to a greater degree than the first-generation Mjolnir.^[67] Spartans are occasionally entrusted and deployed with advancedOffice of Naval Intelligence technology, such as theArtemis Tracking System.^[68]

Spartans do not have their own armored vehicles, aerospace craft, orslipspace-capable transports; they rely on theUNSC Navy for interstellar deployment and have arrangements with theMarine Corps andArmy to loan their assets when necessary.^[14] However, several weapons have been specifically designed for use within Spartan Operations and are rarely seen outside the branch, such asChalybs Defense Solutions'MLRS-1 Hydra.^[69] TheM395 DMR was also manufactured specifically for use within the Spartan branch, though the rifle has also seen use among other UNSC branches.^[70]

Production notes[edit]

• The role of the Spartan Operations branch is similar to that of the United States'Joint Special Operations Command (which is a sub-unified command, but not an independent military branch). It consists of the U.S. Armed Forces' most highly trained special operators, including such units as the U.S. Army'sDelta Force, the U.S. Navy'sSEAL Team Six, and U.S. Air Force's24th Special Tactics Squadron.
• As depicted in Issue #7 ofHalo: Escalation, thedress uniform for the Spartan branch is nearly identical to theservice uniform used by the cadets atCorbulo Academy of Military Science, only colored navy blue and black as opposed to the white and black coloration of the Corbulo uniforms. The uniforms seen inEscalation even incorporate the single lozenge used to identify freshman cadets at Corbulo; it is uncertain whether this holds any particular significance regarding the Spartans' rank or if it is simply a mistake.

List of appearances[edit]

References[edit]

Sources[edit]

• UNSC Armed Forces
• Spartans