A clone trooper captain is seen here in Phase I armor, serving in the Grand Army of the Republic.
During the period known as the Clone Wars, a specific type of clone trooper known as the Clone Captain was created on Kamino. Their purpose was to serve as officers on the battlefield and to carry out specialized missions.
Initially, at the onset of the conflict, clone trooper captains were identifiable by the distinctive red markings present on both their helmets and the armor covering their torsos. However, as the war progressed onward, the customization of clone trooper armor became increasingly prevalent, which resulted in red markings losing their significance as indicators of the captain rank. Captains in the clone trooper ranks were tasked with the leadership of companies consisting of 144 standard clone troopers, which were then further divided into four individual platoons. Each of these platoons was under the command of a clone trooper lieutenant, who then reported directly to the captain in charge. These clones were commonly armed with a DC-15A blaster rifle along with a supply of thermal detonators. However, as the war continued, some clone captains began to utilize specialized weapons that were more suited to their individual combat preferences. Clone trooper captains were versatile leaders, trained in both squad- and company-level strategies, and also in operating the 74-Z speeder bike.
The initial appearance of clone trooper captains was during the First Battle of Geonosis, where they were equipped with Phase I armor. These officers directed operations from Forward Command Centers and locations providing extensive visual coverage. Certain captains employed speeder bikes to eliminate the cumbersome Confederacy OG-9 homing spider droids, deploying pulse grenades while traversing the battlefield. Additionally, a division of jet trooper captains played a role in several significant engagements, notably Mace Windu's defense of Dantooine. Following the initial engagement on Geonosis, clones began to personalize their armor with a variety of color schemes and patterns. This trend persisted into the adoption of Phase II armor. One particularly noteworthy clone captain was Rex, who exhibited the tenacity of an Advanced Recon Commando while fighting on the front lines. He participated in numerous campaigns throughout the war and initially held the position of senior clone officer within the distinguished 501st Legion. Later, clone trooper sergeant Appo received a promotion to clone trooper commander, thereby assuming Rex's responsibilities as the commanding officer of the legion.