In Bungie.net's recent weekly update, they revealed more information on the 2009 fall game Halo 3:Recon.
In the wake of the Halo 3: Recon trailer and Game Informer's recent Halo 3: Recon cover story, we figured it was about time we took a more personal look into the profile of the back-in-black badasses of the UNSC, otherwise known as Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. Though you may be familiar with these unique Special Operations squads by way of their campaign contributions in Halo 2 and Halo 3, or via the fictional works associated with the Halo franchise, next Fall you'll be suiting up yourself. It's high time you were briefed.
Thankfully for you, we're not going to just kick this door in layman style. This week, Robt McLees, staunch steward of the Halo Bible, Bungie artist extraordinaire, and grizzled expert in breach and demolition tactics, joins our squad. And he's come loaded for bear. Drop down a few scrolls of the mouse to read Robt's ODST profile and his answers to a handful of questions meant to familiarize you further with the who and what of the UNSC's Orbital Drop Shock Troopers.
Halo 3: Recon - ODST
ORBITAL DROP SHOCK TROOPERS (ODST)
United Nations Space Command (UNSC) Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST) are under the operational authority of Naval Special Weapons (NavSpecWeap). Their methods of operation allow them to conduct missions against targets that more conventional forces cannot approach undetected.
The ODSTs perform highly specialized, small scale, high-risk operations such as:
Deep ground surveillance (DGS)
Direct action (DA)
Unconventional warfare
Counter-terrorism operations
Counter-contraband operations
Personnel and special equipment recovery/capture
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.
Q. Dropping feet first into combat definitely fits the definition of high-risk operations. What kind of screening and training pipeline are ODST potentials put through in order to make certain they are to the task? What is the initial criteria?
A. Every ODST is a veteran from some other Special Operations outfit. Therefore they have already gone through at least two layers of screening and months of intense trainingnot counting the years of on-the-job-trainingbefore volunteering for the ODSTs. If anything, the selection process is a more stringent third layer of screening that takes place after a point in time that any potential volunteer would have theoretically washed out. There is no age or gender biasas long as the candidate meets the physical and mental requirements they are guaranteed the opportunity to try out for the ODSTs.
Q. Once accepted onto an ODST squad, how is each trooper trained for specific operational roles? What types of specialized armament and weaponry are traditionally employed by the ODST?
A. Potential volunteers are recruited for service with the ODSTs because of their performance in their chosen MOS. As one might expectonce in the ODSTs the training continues. The most obvious specialized gear for the ODSTs is their iconic black and blue helmets and their distinctive grey and black camouflage BDUs/armor. The one unique piece of equipment most heavily associated with the ODSTs is the SOEIV (Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle)(aka: drop pod and HEV (Human Entry Vehicle)). And finallythey have access to sound suppressed versions of most of the regular UNSC armory.
Q. How many operators make up a standard combat team? Do specialized teams exist or is each ODST squad expected to be equally proficient in terms of capabilities?
A. The number of combat teams can vary from company to company but it usually consists of six to eightwith each combat team specializing in a particular mission-set. A combat team consists of 10 to fourteen operators, each of whom has a specific function on the team. While each combat team is meant to excel in their assigned mission-set, they are expected to be flexible enough to adapt to any given situation.
Q. Is force multiplication a primary function of the ODST? How is that role received by conventional UNSC forces?
A. ODST units are not embedded within conventional forces, but they do participate in joint operations. The ODSTs tend to be force multipliers wherever they go. The conventional UNSC forces are glad for the help. They need all the help they can get.
Q. Is there a specific historic action or operation that the ODST are most known for?
A. Everything pales in comparison to the defense of Earth in 2552and that was a global campaign.
Source: http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16271
Thoughts?
In the wake of the Halo 3: Recon trailer and Game Informer's recent Halo 3: Recon cover story, we figured it was about time we took a more personal look into the profile of the back-in-black badasses of the UNSC, otherwise known as Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. Though you may be familiar with these unique Special Operations squads by way of their campaign contributions in Halo 2 and Halo 3, or via the fictional works associated with the Halo franchise, next Fall you'll be suiting up yourself. It's high time you were briefed.
Thankfully for you, we're not going to just kick this door in layman style. This week, Robt McLees, staunch steward of the Halo Bible, Bungie artist extraordinaire, and grizzled expert in breach and demolition tactics, joins our squad. And he's come loaded for bear. Drop down a few scrolls of the mouse to read Robt's ODST profile and his answers to a handful of questions meant to familiarize you further with the who and what of the UNSC's Orbital Drop Shock Troopers.
Halo 3: Recon - ODST
ORBITAL DROP SHOCK TROOPERS (ODST)
United Nations Space Command (UNSC) Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST) are under the operational authority of Naval Special Weapons (NavSpecWeap). Their methods of operation allow them to conduct missions against targets that more conventional forces cannot approach undetected.
The ODSTs perform highly specialized, small scale, high-risk operations such as:
Deep ground surveillance (DGS)
Direct action (DA)
Unconventional warfare
Counter-terrorism operations
Counter-contraband operations
Personnel and special equipment recovery/capture
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.
Q. Dropping feet first into combat definitely fits the definition of high-risk operations. What kind of screening and training pipeline are ODST potentials put through in order to make certain they are to the task? What is the initial criteria?
A. Every ODST is a veteran from some other Special Operations outfit. Therefore they have already gone through at least two layers of screening and months of intense trainingnot counting the years of on-the-job-trainingbefore volunteering for the ODSTs. If anything, the selection process is a more stringent third layer of screening that takes place after a point in time that any potential volunteer would have theoretically washed out. There is no age or gender biasas long as the candidate meets the physical and mental requirements they are guaranteed the opportunity to try out for the ODSTs.
Q. Once accepted onto an ODST squad, how is each trooper trained for specific operational roles? What types of specialized armament and weaponry are traditionally employed by the ODST?
A. Potential volunteers are recruited for service with the ODSTs because of their performance in their chosen MOS. As one might expectonce in the ODSTs the training continues. The most obvious specialized gear for the ODSTs is their iconic black and blue helmets and their distinctive grey and black camouflage BDUs/armor. The one unique piece of equipment most heavily associated with the ODSTs is the SOEIV (Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle)(aka: drop pod and HEV (Human Entry Vehicle)). And finallythey have access to sound suppressed versions of most of the regular UNSC armory.
Q. How many operators make up a standard combat team? Do specialized teams exist or is each ODST squad expected to be equally proficient in terms of capabilities?
A. The number of combat teams can vary from company to company but it usually consists of six to eightwith each combat team specializing in a particular mission-set. A combat team consists of 10 to fourteen operators, each of whom has a specific function on the team. While each combat team is meant to excel in their assigned mission-set, they are expected to be flexible enough to adapt to any given situation.
Q. Is force multiplication a primary function of the ODST? How is that role received by conventional UNSC forces?
A. ODST units are not embedded within conventional forces, but they do participate in joint operations. The ODSTs tend to be force multipliers wherever they go. The conventional UNSC forces are glad for the help. They need all the help they can get.
Q. Is there a specific historic action or operation that the ODST are most known for?
A. Everything pales in comparison to the defense of Earth in 2552and that was a global campaign.
Source: http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16271
Thoughts?
