Just a general curiosity of mine that could probably easily be answered. I’m not too much of an avid reader of the books and outside media, so I don’t quite know. Obviously we have the ODSTs and maybe some combat-capable teams of ONI personnel. And the new SPARTAN branch. But are there any more soldiers or units of the UNSC that are special operations capable?
Everyone under UNSC Special Forces, which includes the Spartans and ODSTs, but most likely also has others.
> 2535437652903765;2:
> Everyone under UNSC Special Forces, which includes the Spartans and ODSTs, but most likely also has others.
Those not included are (not exactly Special Forces like you’re thinking but…):
Delta-6
Beta 5 - Asymmetrical Action Group
Counter-Insurgency Marines
Headhunters
ONI Ferrets
There is also Kilo-5. And the unnamed ONI SRT from Halo: Fractures, though that may also fall under ONISEC (who also posses their own special snowflakes)
> 2533274889125491;3:
> > 2535437652903765;2:
> > Everyone under UNSC Special Forces, which includes the Spartans and ODSTs, but most likely also has others.
>
> Those not included are (not exactly Special Forces like you’re thinking but…):
> Delta-6
> Beta 5 - Asymmetrical Action Group
> Counter-Insurgency Marines
> Headhunters
> ONI Ferrets
>
> There is also Kilo-5. And the unnamed ONI SRT from Halo: Fractures, though that may also fall under ONISEC (who also posses their own special snowflakes)
“Counter Insurgency” Marines are never explicitly stated to be a thing. Contact Harvest referred to NavSpecWar Marines, so elite small-unit branches of Marines operating under Naval Special Warfare at least existed during Operation Trebuchet.
Various MJOLNIR armour permutations have mentioned Army Airborne units, and expanded further upon that by throwing around the phrase “Pathfinders”. I have also heard at least one reference to Cavalry Scouts which I can’t put my finger on. You can probably figure out their roles from their real life US Army counterparts.
There seems to be a special hullaballoo about Snipers in the UNSC Marine Corps - Johnson was once one (and also operated in the aforementioned NavSpecWar teams), especially seeing as they appear as a special unit with unique gear in Halo Wars 2. Perhaps they are derived from modern US Marine Scout Snipers, seeing as these snipers don’t seem to be attatched to regular infantry units as marksmen and operate independantly, often using drones to spot for them - Johnson made use of an ARGUS drone to spot for him in Contact Harvest, and the HW2 snipers speak for themselves. They also make use of the M99 Stanchion Special Application Scoped Rifle, basically a mini-mini-MAC. Or the SRS99’s genetically more beefy older brother on copious amounts of steroids.
Headhunters and Ferrets are just specialized formations of Spartan IIIs, by the way, and only one team of the latter is known to exist.
Delta 6 and Beta 5 are presumably just top-secret elite units in the style of modern day SAS or Delta Force - probably going out of fashion with the emergence of Spartans, or more likely, are becoming special units of Spartans themselves. The moniker “asymmetrical action group” for Beta 5 suggests they specialize in counter-insurgency combat or fighting alonside guerillas themselves. The progression they seem to have in name (Beta-5, Delta-6) suggests they are offshoots of the same organization, perhaps some larger NavSpecWar or ONI group.
Hope that adds to the discussion.
So each branch has its own special ops forces. Some are named, and some a just inplied.
In the Army: Noble Team is under Special Warfare Group Three, an Army Special Ops group. Charlie Team (rescued in winter contingency) is a Special Ops group from the previously mentioned group under the command of Colonel Holland. Also some Spartan IVs came from Army Special Ops.
In the Marine Corps: Biggest one is ODSTs, but there was also Johnson, who was mentioned to be some other kind of Special Operator before (and while) he was a Spartan-I. So they have two known groups. There are also some Marines who became Spartan IVs who were not previously ODSTs, indicating a non-ODST SpecialOps Force
In the Navy (excluding ONI): NAVSPECWAR is the unit that the Spartan IIs and IIIs normally operate under. In addition to Spartans Cheif Mendez was in Navy Special Ops, indicating a pre-spartan, conventional Special Ops Force of some kind.
In the Air Force: As shown by the pilot helmet description in reach, some Spartans served in the Air Force, indicating a Special Ops Force. While we haven’t seen much of the Air Force ground forces, the Airmen who boarded the Ardent Prayer (long night of splice, halo reach) are likely to have been special ops.
In ONI: ONI is shown to have its own Special Ops force multiple times, with Spartans and conventional operators. There seem to be a splinter of several group, of which I can’t all name off the top of my head, but some have been named above.
In Spartan Branch: they’re all Special Ops.
> 2535437652903765;2:
> Everyone under UNSC Special Forces, which includes the Spartans and ODSTs, but most likely also has others.
I’m pretty sure that page has a lot of conjuncture. For instance it combines army and and navy into the same command structure commanded by an ONI CAPT which isn’t accurate. Also a Captain leading all of Special Ops just doesn’t make sense. It would have to be an Admrial or General. So maybe she’s just leaning ONI SpecOps
> 2533274927592272;4:
> > 2533274889125491;3:
> > > 2535437652903765;2:
> > > Everyone under UNSC Special Forces, which includes the Spartans and ODSTs, but most likely also has others.
> >
> > Those not included are (not exactly Special Forces like you’re thinking but…):
> > Delta-6
> > Beta 5 - Asymmetrical Action Group
> > Counter-Insurgency Marines
> > Headhunters
> > ONI Ferrets
> >
> > There is also Kilo-5. And the unnamed ONI SRT from Halo: Fractures, though that may also fall under ONISEC (who also posses their own special snowflakes)
>
> “Counter Insurgency” Marines are never explicitly stated to be a thing. Contact Harvest referred to NavSpecWar Marines, so elite small-unit branches of Marines operating under Naval Special Warfare at least existed during Operation Trebuchet.
>
> Various MJOLNIR armour permutations have mentioned Army Airborne units, and expanded further upon that by throwing around the phrase “Pathfinders”. I have also heard at least one reference to Cavalry Scouts which I can’t put my finger on. You can probably figure out their roles from their real life US Army counterparts.
>
> There seems to be a special hullaballoo about Snipers in the UNSC Marine Corps - Johnson was once one (and also operated in the aforementioned NavSpecWar teams), especially seeing as they appear as a special unit with unique gear in Halo Wars 2. Perhaps they are derived from modern US Marine Scout Snipers, seeing as these snipers don’t seem to be attatched to regular infantry units as marksmen and operate independantly, often using drones to spot for them - Johnson made use of an ARGUS drone to spot for him in Contact Harvest, and the HW2 snipers speak for themselves. They also make use of the M99 Stanchion Special Application Scoped Rifle, basically a mini-mini-MAC. Or the SRS99’s genetically more beefy older brother on copious amounts of steroids.
>
> Headhunters and Ferrets are just specialized formations of Spartan IIIs, by the way, and only one team of the latter is known to exist.
>
> Delta 6 and Beta 5 are presumably just top-secret elite units in the style of modern day SAS or Delta Force - probably going out of fashion with the emergence of Spartans, or more likely, are becoming special units of Spartans themselves. The moniker “asymmetrical action group” for Beta 5 suggests they specialize in counter-insurgency combat or fighting alonside guerillas themselves. The progression they seem to have in name (Beta-5, Delta-6) suggests they are offshoots of the same organization, perhaps some larger NavSpecWar or ONI group.
>
> Hope that adds to the discussion.
Technically Headhunters now include Spartan-IV operators as well, as the War Master armor description in Halo 5 notes.
And we’re not entirely sure if Ferrets are S-III Gammas only. Its possible there’s other non-augmented operators (ex; Veta with Saber team).
Beta-5 is also a LOT bigger than just the Asymmetrical Action Group. Its an entire DIVISION within ONI, handling secret projects of all kinds. Beta-5s AAS would certainly fall under SpecOps though, since its name suggests small, highly effective and unconventional units.
And Delta-6 is actually a location if I remember right, one of the UNSC’s bunkered command positions in…Sydney I believe.
So basically within the UEG, almost every nation, planetary defense force, and Branch of the UNSC has a SOG. Also the ODSTs are the 1st SFOD-D (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta) of the UEG.
Delta Force recruits from other branches of the military, including the Marine Corps.
The Spec Ops units from the Covenant
> 2533274803137071;8:
> ODSTs are recruited from the Special Operations Groups of all the nations of the Unified Earth Government (UEG). Since the first group of “handpicked volunteers” was activated, ODSTs have been dropping “feet first” into combat.So basically within the UEG, almost every nation, planetary defense force, and Branch of the UNSC has a SOG. Also the ODSTs are the 1st SFOD-D (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta) of the UEG.
>
> Delta Force recruits from other branches of the military, including the Marine Corps.
To be fair, it seems like ODSTs, although described as the best, use tactics and functions that are more akin to the 75th Ranger Regiment than Deltas.
just an interesting difference from reality.
> 2535470440995877;10:
> > 2533274803137071;8:
> > ODSTs are recruited from the Special Operations Groups of all the nations of the Unified Earth Government (UEG). Since the first group of “handpicked volunteers” was activated, ODSTs have been dropping “feet first” into combat.So basically within the UEG, almost every nation, planetary defense force, and Branch of the UNSC has a SOG. Also the ODSTs are the 1st SFOD-D (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta) of the UEG.
> >
> > Delta Force recruits from other branches of the military, including the Marine Corps.
>
> To be fair, it seems like ODSTs, although described as the best, use tactics and functions that are more akin to the 75th Ranger Regiment than Deltas.
>
> just an interesting difference from reality.
Not really, ODSTs operate in independent teams of 4 - 8 men. Sometimes operating in bigger teams for tougher objectives. Vietnam has several examples of large scale Delta operations of full platoons operating in forward bases.
Rangers always operate at the smallest as a Platoon element. With lots of support in combined arms operations.
• Deep ground surveillance (DGS)
• Unconventional warfare
• Counter-contraband operations
• Personnel and special equipment recovery/capture
Are usually not in the Rangers MO.
> 2533274803137071;11:
> > 2535470440995877;10:
> > > 2533274803137071;8:
> > > ODSTs are recruited from the Special Operations Groups of all the nations of the Unified Earth Government (UEG). Since the first group of “handpicked volunteers” was activated, ODSTs have been dropping “feet first” into combat.So basically within the UEG, almost every nation, planetary defense force, and Branch of the UNSC has a SOG. Also the ODSTs are the 1st SFOD-D (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta) of the UEG.
> > >
> > > Delta Force recruits from other branches of the military, including the Marine Corps.
> >
> > To be fair, it seems like ODSTs, although described as the best, use tactics and functions that are more akin to the 75th Ranger Regiment than Deltas.
> >
> > just an interesting difference from reality.
>
> Not really, ODSTs operate in independent teams of 4 - 8 men. Sometimes operating in bigger teams for tougher objectives. Vietnam has several examples of large scale Delta operations of full platoons operating in forward bases.
>
> Rangers always operate at the smallest as a Platoon element. With lots of support in combined arms operations.
>
> • Deep ground surveillance (DGS)
> • Unconventional warfare
> • Counter-contraband operations
> • Personnel and special equipment recovery/capture
>
> Are usually not in the Rangers MO.
Deltas didn’t exist in Vietnam
thing is that rangers operate at a larger level than pretty much any other special operations unit, just like the ODSTs (think the new Mombasa drop, that’s more suited to direct action Rangers/ODSTs than to unconventional warfare deltas)
just in reality there is overlap, but they’re tactics and massed size doesn’t line up with delta type operations
ODSTs operate in standard unicom unit size, squads of 13 typically. I imagine the rest of Alpha-Nine was simply wiped out when Regret’s carrier fled, or too disorganised to make contact with Alpha-Nine.
> 2535470440995877;12:
> > 2533274803137071;11:
> > > 2535470440995877;10:
> > > > 2533274803137071;8:
> > > > ODSTs are recruited from the Special Operations Groups of all the nations of the Unified Earth Government (UEG). Since the first group of “handpicked volunteers” was activated, ODSTs have been dropping “feet first” into combat.So basically within the UEG, almost every nation, planetary defense force, and Branch of the UNSC has a SOG. Also the ODSTs are the 1st SFOD-D (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta) of the UEG.
> > > >
> > > > Delta Force recruits from other branches of the military, including the Marine Corps.
> > >
> > > To be fair, it seems like ODSTs, although described as the best, use tactics and functions that are more akin to the 75th Ranger Regiment than Deltas.
> > >
> > > just an interesting difference from reality.
> >
> > Not really, ODSTs operate in independent teams of 4 - 8 men. Sometimes operating in bigger teams for tougher objectives. Vietnam has several examples of large scale Delta operations of full platoons operating in forward bases.
> >
> > Rangers always operate at the smallest as a Platoon element. With lots of support in combined arms operations.
> >
> > • Deep ground surveillance (DGS)
> > • Unconventional warfare
> > • Counter-contraband operations
> > • Personnel and special equipment recovery/capture
> >
> > Are usually not in the Rangers MO.
>
> Deltas didn’t exist in Vietnam
>
> thing is that rangers operate at a larger level than pretty much any other special operations unit, just like the ODSTs (think the new Mombasa drop, that’s more suited to direct action Rangers/ODSTs than to unconventional warfare deltas)
>
> just in reality there is overlap, but they’re tactics and massed size doesn’t line up with delta type operations
My mistake, I was thinking Green Berets in Vietnam, Delta Force came into being in 1977.
All I was stating is the Recruiting methods of the ODSTs are the same of that of Delta.
But if we have to be specific, from my time in the Army, ODSTs Operate more in line of Rangers, as you say, in Direct action to that of Green Berets in Shock operations, to that of Delta in covert ops and assassinations.
From what I been reading. Large operations like that of New Mombasa and New Jerusalem are extremely rare events. Where you have a full company of ODSTs in action in one theater, especially the level of casualties they receive from such actions. It was a desperate move that only became a practiced strategy when all bets were off with human survival.
Especially the feeling I got after reading New Blood.
> 2533274803137071;14:
> > 2535470440995877;12:
> > > 2533274803137071;11:
> > > > 2535470440995877;10:
> > > > > 2533274803137071;8:
> > > > > ODSTs are recruited from the Special Operations Groups of all the nations of the Unified Earth Government (UEG). Since the first group of “handpicked volunteers” was activated, ODSTs have been dropping “feet first” into combat.So basically within the UEG, almost every nation, planetary defense force, and Branch of the UNSC has a SOG. Also the ODSTs are the 1st SFOD-D (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta) of the UEG.
> > > > >
> > > > > Delta Force recruits from other branches of the military, including the Marine Corps.
> > > >
> > > > To be fair, it seems like ODSTs, although described as the best, use tactics and functions that are more akin to the 75th Ranger Regiment than Deltas.
> > > >
> > > > just an interesting difference from reality.
> > >
> > > Not really, ODSTs operate in independent teams of 4 - 8 men. Sometimes operating in bigger teams for tougher objectives. Vietnam has several examples of large scale Delta operations of full platoons operating in forward bases.
> > >
> > > Rangers always operate at the smallest as a Platoon element. With lots of support in combined arms operations.
> > >
> > > • Deep ground surveillance (DGS)
> > > • Unconventional warfare
> > > • Counter-contraband operations
> > > • Personnel and special equipment recovery/capture
> > >
> > > Are usually not in the Rangers MO.
> >
> > Deltas didn’t exist in Vietnam
> >
> > thing is that rangers operate at a larger level than pretty much any other special operations unit, just like the ODSTs (think the new Mombasa drop, that’s more suited to direct action Rangers/ODSTs than to unconventional warfare deltas)
> >
> > just in reality there is overlap, but they’re tactics and massed size doesn’t line up with delta type operations
>
> My mistake, I was thinking Green Berets in Vietnam, Delta Force came into being in 1977.
>
> All I was stating is the Recruiting methods of the ODSTs are the same of that of Delta.
>
> But if we have to be specific, from my time in the Army, ODSTs Operate more in line of Rangers, as you say, in Direct action to that of Green Berets in Shock operations, to that of Delta in covert ops and assassinations.
>
> From what I been reading. Large operations like that of New Mombasa and New Jerusalem are extremely rare events. Where you have a full company of ODSTs in action in one theater, especially the level of casualties they receive from such actions. It was a desperate move that only became a practiced strategy when all bets were off with human survival.
>
> Especially the feeling I got after reading New Blood.
They definitally have a wide range of roles that the preform, encompassing a lot of what different units do.
frankly I think a lot of it has to do with bungie leaving them as the only non-Spartan SOF in the lore for awhile, so they didn’t really come up with other units yet.
I think they’re niche role (other than orbital drops) will hopefully become a lot clearer as they flesh out other SOF units that are truly a little more specialized than the ODSTs are.
it also makes me curious if they have conventional Army or Marine units that do conventional drop assaults, akin to what Army Airborne (UNSC Army is know to have airborne, but unsure if it’s orbital drop or just atmospheric paratroopers) would do today.
> 2533274927592272;4:
> > 2533274889125491;3:
> > > 2535437652903765;2:
> > > Everyone under UNSC Special Forces, which includes the Spartans and ODSTs, but most likely also has others.
> >
> > Those not included are (not exactly Special Forces like you’re thinking but…):
> > Delta-6
> > Beta 5 - Asymmetrical Action Group
> > Counter-Insurgency Marines
> > Headhunters
> > ONI Ferrets
> >
> > There is also Kilo-5. And the unnamed ONI SRT from Halo: Fractures, though that may also fall under ONISEC (who also posses their own special snowflakes)
>
> “Counter Insurgency” Marines are never explicitly stated to be a thing. Contact Harvest referred to NavSpecWar Marines, so elite small-unit branches of Marines operating under Naval Special Warfare at least existed during Operation Trebuchet.
>
> Various MJOLNIR armour permutations have mentioned Army Airborne units, and expanded further upon that by throwing around the phrase “Pathfinders”. I have also heard at least one reference to Cavalry Scouts which I can’t put my finger on. You can probably figure out their roles from their real life US Army counterparts.
>
> There seems to be a special hullaballoo about Snipers in the UNSC Marine Corps - Johnson was once one (and also operated in the aforementioned NavSpecWar teams), especially seeing as they appear as a special unit with unique gear in Halo Wars 2. Perhaps they are derived from modern US Marine Scout Snipers, seeing as these snipers don’t seem to be attatched to regular infantry units as marksmen and operate independantly, often using drones to spot for them - Johnson made use of an ARGUS drone to spot for him in Contact Harvest, and the HW2 snipers speak for themselves. They also make use of the M99 Stanchion Special Application Scoped Rifle, basically a mini-mini-MAC. Or the SRS99’s genetically more beefy older brother on copious amounts of steroids.
>
> Headhunters and Ferrets are just specialized formations of Spartan IIIs, by the way, and only one team of the latter is known to exist.
>
> Delta 6 and Beta 5 are presumably just top-secret elite units in the style of modern day SAS or Delta Force - probably going out of fashion with the emergence of Spartans, or more likely, are becoming special units of Spartans themselves. The moniker “asymmetrical action group” for Beta 5 suggests they specialize in counter-insurgency combat or fighting alonside guerillas themselves. The progression they seem to have in name (Beta-5, Delta-6) suggests they are offshoots of the same organization, perhaps some larger NavSpecWar or ONI group.
>
> Hope that adds to the discussion.
I just thought of something though.
Now I personally don’t consider anything by 343 Industries to be canon myself, but putting that aside for a moment shouldn’t the “Spartan IVs” be designated as Spartan III’s? After all it is stated in Ghost’s of Onyx that almost no one in the UNSC knows of the existence of the Spartan III’s. This is probably due to the fact that the Spartan III’s are essentially child suicide soldiers and the UNSC really can’t have that known by the general public or even the rest of the UNSC that didn’t know of their existence.
Following this path of logic when creating the Spartan IV program I’d think they’d, either by legitimate ignorance of the Spartan III’s or by intentional action, choose to label this new project the Spartan III’s instead of IV so as to again follow what is known (The Spartan IIs) or to avoid questions about the Spartan IIIs?
> 2533274819939761;16:
> > 2533274927592272;4:
> > > 2533274889125491;3:
> > > > 2535437652903765;2:
> > > > Everyone under UNSC Special Forces, which includes the Spartans and ODSTs, but most likely also has others.
> > >
> > > Those not included are (not exactly Special Forces like you’re thinking but…):
> > > Delta-6
> > > Beta 5 - Asymmetrical Action Group
> > > Counter-Insurgency Marines
> > > Headhunters
> > > ONI Ferrets
> > >
> > > There is also Kilo-5. And the unnamed ONI SRT from Halo: Fractures, though that may also fall under ONISEC (who also posses their own special snowflakes)
> >
> > “Counter Insurgency” Marines are never explicitly stated to be a thing. Contact Harvest referred to NavSpecWar Marines, so elite small-unit branches of Marines operating under Naval Special Warfare at least existed during Operation Trebuchet.
> >
> > Various MJOLNIR armour permutations have mentioned Army Airborne units, and expanded further upon that by throwing around the phrase “Pathfinders”. I have also heard at least one reference to Cavalry Scouts which I can’t put my finger on. You can probably figure out their roles from their real life US Army counterparts.
> >
> > There seems to be a special hullaballoo about Snipers in the UNSC Marine Corps - Johnson was once one (and also operated in the aforementioned NavSpecWar teams), especially seeing as they appear as a special unit with unique gear in Halo Wars 2. Perhaps they are derived from modern US Marine Scout Snipers, seeing as these snipers don’t seem to be attatched to regular infantry units as marksmen and operate independantly, often using drones to spot for them - Johnson made use of an ARGUS drone to spot for him in Contact Harvest, and the HW2 snipers speak for themselves. They also make use of the M99 Stanchion Special Application Scoped Rifle, basically a mini-mini-MAC. Or the SRS99’s genetically more beefy older brother on copious amounts of steroids.
> >
> > Headhunters and Ferrets are just specialized formations of Spartan IIIs, by the way, and only one team of the latter is known to exist.
> >
> > Delta 6 and Beta 5 are presumably just top-secret elite units in the style of modern day SAS or Delta Force - probably going out of fashion with the emergence of Spartans, or more likely, are becoming special units of Spartans themselves. The moniker “asymmetrical action group” for Beta 5 suggests they specialize in counter-insurgency combat or fighting alonside guerillas themselves. The progression they seem to have in name (Beta-5, Delta-6) suggests they are offshoots of the same organization, perhaps some larger NavSpecWar or ONI group.
> >
> > Hope that adds to the discussion.
>
> I just thought of something though.
>
> Now I personally don’t consider anything by 343 Industries to be canon myself, but putting that aside for a moment shouldn’t the “Spartan IVs” be designated as Spartan III’s? After all it is stated in Ghost’s of Onyx that almost no one in the UNSC knows of the existence of the Spartan III’s. This is probably due to the fact that the Spartan III’s are essentially child suicide soldiers and the UNSC really can’t have that known by the general public or even the rest of the UNSC that didn’t know of their existence.
>
> Following this path of logic when creating the Spartan IV program I’d think they’d, either by legitimate ignorance of the Spartan III’s or by intentional action, choose to label this new project the Spartan III’s instead of IV so as to again follow what is known (The Spartan IIs) or to avoid questions about the Spartan IIIs?
I think all generations are simply labeled “Spartans” for the public, so they don’t know about how many iterations there are.
> 2533274832335336;17:
> > 2533274819939761;16:
> > > 2533274927592272;4:
> > > > 2533274889125491;3:
> > > > > 2535437652903765;2:
> > > > > Everyone under UNSC Special Forces, which includes the Spartans and ODSTs, but most likely also has others.
> > > >
> > > > Those not included are (not exactly Special Forces like you’re thinking but…):
> > > > Delta-6
> > > > Beta 5 - Asymmetrical Action Group
> > > > Counter-Insurgency Marines
> > > > Headhunters
> > > > ONI Ferrets
> > > >
> > > > There is also Kilo-5. And the unnamed ONI SRT from Halo: Fractures, though that may also fall under ONISEC (who also posses their own special snowflakes)
> > >
> > > “Counter Insurgency” Marines are never explicitly stated to be a thing. Contact Harvest referred to NavSpecWar Marines, so elite small-unit branches of Marines operating under Naval Special Warfare at least existed during Operation Trebuchet.
> > >
> > > Various MJOLNIR armour permutations have mentioned Army Airborne units, and expanded further upon that by throwing around the phrase “Pathfinders”. I have also heard at least one reference to Cavalry Scouts which I can’t put my finger on. You can probably figure out their roles from their real life US Army counterparts.
> > >
> > > There seems to be a special hullaballoo about Snipers in the UNSC Marine Corps - Johnson was once one (and also operated in the aforementioned NavSpecWar teams), especially seeing as they appear as a special unit with unique gear in Halo Wars 2. Perhaps they are derived from modern US Marine Scout Snipers, seeing as these snipers don’t seem to be attatched to regular infantry units as marksmen and operate independantly, often using drones to spot for them - Johnson made use of an ARGUS drone to spot for him in Contact Harvest, and the HW2 snipers speak for themselves. They also make use of the M99 Stanchion Special Application Scoped Rifle, basically a mini-mini-MAC. Or the SRS99’s genetically more beefy older brother on copious amounts of steroids.
> > >
> > > Headhunters and Ferrets are just specialized formations of Spartan IIIs, by the way, and only one team of the latter is known to exist.
> > >
> > > Delta 6 and Beta 5 are presumably just top-secret elite units in the style of modern day SAS or Delta Force - probably going out of fashion with the emergence of Spartans, or more likely, are becoming special units of Spartans themselves. The moniker “asymmetrical action group” for Beta 5 suggests they specialize in counter-insurgency combat or fighting alonside guerillas themselves. The progression they seem to have in name (Beta-5, Delta-6) suggests they are offshoots of the same organization, perhaps some larger NavSpecWar or ONI group.
> > >
> > > Hope that adds to the discussion.
> >
> > I just thought of something though.
> >
> > Now I personally don’t consider anything by 343 Industries to be canon myself, but putting that aside for a moment shouldn’t the “Spartan IVs” be designated as Spartan III’s? After all it is stated in Ghost’s of Onyx that almost no one in the UNSC knows of the existence of the Spartan III’s. This is probably due to the fact that the Spartan III’s are essentially child suicide soldiers and the UNSC really can’t have that known by the general public or even the rest of the UNSC that didn’t know of their existence.
> >
> > Following this path of logic when creating the Spartan IV program I’d think they’d, either by legitimate ignorance of the Spartan III’s or by intentional action, choose to label this new project the Spartan III’s instead of IV so as to again follow what is known (The Spartan IIs) or to avoid questions about the Spartan IIIs?
>
> I think all generations are simply labeled “Spartans” for the public, so they don’t know about how many iterations there are.
Along that line it wasn’t even till hunt the truth that people were becoming aware that the IIs were abducted children, so the IIIs could have been easily passed off as something else, or perhaps a canceled program.
> 2535470440995877;15:
> > 2533274803137071;14:
> > > 2535470440995877;12:
> > > > 2533274803137071;11:
> > > > > 2535470440995877;10:
> > > > > > 2533274803137071;8:
> > > > > > ODSTs are recruited from the Special Operations Groups of all the nations of the Unified Earth Government (UEG). Since the first group of “handpicked volunteers” was activated, ODSTs have been dropping “feet first” into combat.So basically within the UEG, almost every nation, planetary defense force, and Branch of the UNSC has a SOG. Also the ODSTs are the 1st SFOD-D (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta) of the UEG.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Delta Force recruits from other branches of the military, including the Marine Corps.
> > > > >
> > > > > To be fair, it seems like ODSTs, although described as the best, use tactics and functions that are more akin to the 75th Ranger Regiment than Deltas.
> > > > >
> > > > > just an interesting difference from reality.
> > > >
> > > > Not really, ODSTs operate in independent teams of 4 - 8 men. Sometimes operating in bigger teams for tougher objectives. Vietnam has several examples of large scale Delta operations of full platoons operating in forward bases.
> > > >
> > > > Rangers always operate at the smallest as a Platoon element. With lots of support in combined arms operations.
> > > >
> > > > • Deep ground surveillance (DGS)
> > > > • Unconventional warfare
> > > > • Counter-contraband operations
> > > > • Personnel and special equipment recovery/capture
> > > >
> > > > Are usually not in the Rangers MO.
> > >
> > > it also makes me curious if they have conventional Army or Marine units that do conventional drop assaults, akin to what Army Airborne (UNSC Army is know to have airborne, but unsure if it’s orbital drop or just atmospheric paratroopers) would do today.
Well in Halo Reach, the group of soldiers you rescue in the 1st level are supposed to be Army SF. For they were part of the same unit as noble team
> 2533274819939761;16:
> > 2533274927592272;4:
> > > 2533274889125491;3:
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> > > > Everyone under UNSC Special Forces, which includes the Spartans and ODSTs, but most likely also has others.
> > >
> > > .
>
> I just thought of something though.
>
> Now I personally don’t consider anything by 343 Industries to be canon myself,
Suck it up buttercup, saying something like that is like saying Star Wars Episode 7-9 and Rogue One are not canon, but they are. It’s a thing the community has to finally accept