Alliance Special Forces

Only a small number of regular soldiers were capable of meeting the standards to become SpecForce troopers, and all members volunteered for duty. Imperial special forces candidates underwent an extensive evaluation process to assess their political alignment, physical condition, educational background, technical skills, and mental fortitude. This included thorough background checks, involving interviews with family, friends, and acquaintances, to confirm their political loyalty. The Alliance attempted to conduct similar background checks, but their capacity to interview relatives and associates was limited. Alliance Intelligence managed the SpecForce vetting process, which primarily consisted of interviews, interrogations, and examinations. The vetting process was a high priority, which resulted in a low rate of infiltration by Imperial spies.

The Empire's discriminatory stance against aliens provided the Alliance with an advantage in establishing SpecForce, giving them a large pool of non-Human candidates eager to fight against the New Order. Several of these species possessed abilities particularly suited to covert military operations. Moreover, the Empire's oppressive regime motivated many Humans to seek service with the Alliance, allowing for a more selective recruitment policy for SpecForce.

SpecForce candidates had already completed basic and specialist training. Once selected for special forces, the troopers would undertake another phase of advanced training at a drop-camp. Trainees were taught advanced skills essential for special forces service, but the main goal of this training phase was to eliminate candidates who lacked the determination to succeed in their missions. The standards in every area of training were high, and the drop-out rate was equally high. Many Alliance regular troopers were SpecForce washouts, though there was no stigma attached to such failure. Simply having been accepted onto a special forces training program was a mark of a trooper's superior qualities, and many failed candidates went on to have successful careers within the Alliance military. Basic SpecForce training included two months of weapons drill using blasters, heavy weaponry, hand weapons, and slugthrowers.

They also performed numerous deployment scenarios, including stealth drills, overland marches, and para-sail and dropship deployments. The exercises would increase in intensity and difficulty as the trainees progressed through the program, and included live-fire drills and failure-rigged reenactments. This stage of training concluded with a realistic war game scenario, the completion of which meant advancement to a further four weeks of specialization training. In addition to military training, recruits attended lectures on military history.

For specialization training, recruits were sent to another training camp where they would train in a particular area of expertise, depending on their natural attributes and proficiencies. This training built on the specific areas learned in basic SpecForce training and prepared them for assignment to one of the many specialized regiments within SpecForce divisions.

The identity of SpecForce recruits was a high-level secret. If the enemy discovered their identities, personality profiles to be constructed and/or their friends and family could be targeted. The trainee ID card carried a holoflat, rank, and security clearance only.

The SpecForces were the ground troops of the Alliance to Restore the Republic, assigned to fleets to be sent on detached duties to sectors that needed them. Infantry platoons of SpecForces were organized into formal units, much like the Imperial Army, but in the field they were also divided into task forces, consisting of as many soldiers and as much equipment needed to carry out a specific military objective.

The average SpecForce trooper was a few years older than a regular Rebel soldier, had above average physical and mental abilities and was dedicated to the Alliance and its cause. While they tended to be a little wild in their private lives, when in the field they generally were extremely professional. Like most Alliance soldiers SpecForce troopers were idealistic and committed to the Rebellion against the Empire, although they tended to be even more dedicated. A great number of them were former soldiers from the Empire.

SpecForce troopers were trained to use a variety of tactics, easily adapting to different environments and finding ways to take cover and hold a position in any situation. Hand blasters were standard for every soldier, but some divisions have been known to specialize in particular equipment for some of the more dangerous missions.

A large percentage of the Human SpecForce officers were ex-Imperial military officers who were extensively screened by Alliance Intelligence. They were generally a little younger than regular military officers especially towards the high ranks. The nature of special forces often meant that advancement was faster than regular forces partly because of the higher rate of attrition. SpecForce officers were highly intelligent, creative, and physically fit. They were among the finest military officers in the galaxy during the Rebellion era.

SpecForce personnel spent most of their time training, maintaining their equipment, and traveling. The boredom of preparation was punctuated by moments of extreme danger and stress. When SpecForce troopers were called-up for action, their tours of duty tended to be short and exceptionally unpleasant, in contrast to regular tours that were generally longer and carried a lower level of danger. The major difference between regular and SpecForce soldiers was that the latter actively saw trouble more frequently and were expected to function reliably.

SpecForce was organized into formal units much like its Imperial counterparts: divisions, regiments, companies, platoons, squads, and fire teams. However, due to scarcity of resources, they rarely operated as full units, instead organizing into taskforces consisting of the appropriate number of soldiers required for a certain mission.

SpecForce consisted of about 10 divisions. One division, Command Division, was under General Crix Madine (via subordinate officers) and was attached to Alliance High Command at all times. It possessed regiments representing all SpecForce specializations, which were assigned to various elements of High Command. Five other divisions were allocated more or less regionally, with the balance deployed as rogue divisions operationally attached to sector commands or other SpecForce divisions as needed. The regionally allocated divisions were commanded by a general; the rogue divisions were theoretically under the command of whatever divisional general they were assigned to, but in practice were primarily commanded by the colonels of their regiments.

Regiments were made up of three to six companies (four being the norm), and were commanded by a colonel or, less often, a major. They were consistently numbered within each division by the type of specialist they provided. Like divisions, they were more of an accounting unit than a unit that actually saw action; they provided the pool from which taskforces were assembled. More on regimental specialties are described below.

Companies usually consisted of five platoons and were commanded by a major or captain, and were identified by aurebesh letters. There were two types: order companies (also order of battle companies or OBCs), consisting of a single specialist type and used for asset tracking rather than actually seeing action; and taskforce companies (TFCs), which comprised field mission units and were typically composed of two or three platoons of one specialist type, with two or three other platoons of mixed type rounding the unit out and providing operational flexibility. These companies were typically the largest unit to see combat.

Platoons consisted of four squads and were commanded by a lieutenant. They were designated numerically.

Squads consisted of five to fifteen troopers and were commanded by a sergeant. They were designated by color, and were primarily of a particular trooper specialty, though cross-attached elements (usually attached fire teams from other specialties) were common.

A notable squad that fought at the Battle of Hoth was 4th Squad commanded by Corporal Jobin.

Fire teams consisted of two to five troopers, supervised by a senior trooper (often called first trooper in scandocs). They were the basic tactical element of squad maneuvering, and it was recommended that troopers not act in the field without their fire team members.

Taskforces were the real units which performed SpecForce missions. They could be of nearly any size, though most were company or platoon sized. They were commanded by a taskforce commander (TC), a temporary position given an officer assigned to command a given mission. The TC was not a coveted position, and was given out on the basis of ability; usually, the TC was of a rank appropriate for the size of the taskforce (e.g., a platoon-sized taskforce would typically have a lieutenant as TC). Once selected, the TC would requisition as many appropriately sized units as were needed for the mission, subject to availability, to comprise the taskforce.

As mentioned, regiments were consistently numbered within each division, with the number indicating the type of specialist they consisted of.

SpecForce SpaceOps, also called SpecForce Marines or Rebel Marines, were trained primarily for combat on board ships, though they also had training in zero-g combat, space survival and space-suit operation, having access to the relatively few combat space-suits the Alliance had available. They were the Alliance's specialists in boarding and either taking over or destroying enemy vessels. They were also the first line of defense if their ship was boarded. They were trained to identify any weapons in any part of a ship and use those weapons to take out boarders without causing undue damage to the ship. They were armed with blaster pistols, rifles, missile launchers, grenades, and sometimes vibroblades. They had a reputation for having a charge-ahead attitude.

• Lieutenant Miko Beski [1] [6]

SpecForce 'Pathfinders' made clandestine drops into enemy territory, establishing beachheads, performing reconnaissance and holding territory until reinforcements arrived. These sort of operations were typically conducted by a fairly small task force no larger than company size. These task forces were often in great danger since they could easily be annihilated if they were not relieved or extracted before the enemy could mount an effective counter-attack. The secondary role of the pathfinder specialization was to scout for other SpecForce units in ground operations . These missions were also conducted by small units although there was a least backup if something went wrong. Pathfinders were trained for survival, alien species recognition, and repulsorcraft operation. They were normally equipped with blaster rifles, grenades and survival equipment while they often fielded heavy weapons and repulsorcraft for superior mobility. Pathfinder troopers relied on surprise to overwhelm enemy forces.

• Sergeant Brooks Carlson (Commando, Battle of Endor) [7]
• Lieutenant Mishowan Shigormallan [1]
• Lieutenant Teracca Torrh [8]

SpecForce Urban Combat Specialists (or UCS, often simply called Urban Guerrillas) were trained for street combat and were skilled in finding ways to adapt the tough urban fighting environment to suit them. They were also trained in making do with whatever equipment they had and were experts in hand-to-hand combat, street fighting, demolitions and light weaponry. They wore tight yet flexible gray jumpsuits, which partially absorb the shock of blaster bolts and also have visor-helmets.

SpecForce Wilderness Fighters, sometimes called Rangers, were trained to use their terrain for the best tactical advantage in fighting. They were more mobile than their urban counterparts, and often equipped with A280 and A295 blaster rifles. Since there were so many different terrain types, companies specialized for specific combat conditions: arctic, aquatic, jungle/forest, mountain, desert and plains. White-uniformed rangers, trained to work in cold terrain, were present during the Battle of Hoth and stealthy forest-camouflaged rangers struck at the Battle of Endor. The wilderness regiment within a division tended to be spread a little thinner than others. Alliance bases were more than often located in deep wilderness on isolated worlds as far from the Imperial center as possible, and therefore wilderness fighters were often assigned to these bases, when not engaged in active operations, to reinforce Sector Force troopers. Wilderness fighters were typically issued with blasters and survival packs. Since they were expected to be more mobile than UCS, wilderness fighters would often use repulsorcraft such as speeder bikes, skiffs and hovertanks. Wilderness regiments were the only SpecForce branch to maintain repulsortank units without the involvement of other trooper specializations. They were trained to use heavy weapons and artillery to reduce their reliance on Heavy Weapons Specialists.

• Major Fisk Csino [1]
• Grond [4]
• Jielu [4]
• Corporal Jobin [4]
• Roj [4]
• Sora [4]

Rebel Infiltrators were among the most feared of the SpecForce divisions, specially chosen for their distinct hatred of the Empire. They operated as secret agents and spies, trained to slip through enemy lines and sow seeds of rebellion on Imperial worlds or sabotage important installations and ships. Equally comfortable on abduction and rescue missions, infiltrators were trained to use a variety of tactics and weapons. Most stuck to a basic weapon layout to stay light on their feet, but many infiltrators carried sniper rifles and thermal detonators as well. Infiltrators have rarely been seen leaving the scene of the deadly explosion they caused.

• Lieutenant Dal Konur [9]
• Colonel Vin Northal [10]
• Major Mart Stevez [1]
• Lieutenant Vu Nin [1]

SpecForces Heavy Weapons Specialists or HWS provided protection against enemy air and ground units and reinforce friendly forces. They were trained in starship gunnery. Though well trained, their casualty rates were high. This is because once an artillery piece's location has been revealed in battle, the enemy tends to desperately try to disable or destroy it. SpecForce Heavy Weapons Specialists were trained to die rather than abandon their guns. Often they were armed with explosives, such as HX2 antipersonnel mines, standard thermal detonators and the HH-15 projectile launcher or missile tubes. When assigned to a taskforce, HWS personnel were commonly called either "gunners" if they specialized in heavy blaster weaponry or vehicle-mounted weapons, or "vanguards" if they specialized in shoulder-fired missile launchers in an anti-mechanized unit role.

• Sergeant Whumparrin [1]
• Captain Yutani (Commando, Battle of Endor)

The 7th Regiment was a catch-all unit for miscellaneous specialists. Technically, all members of this regiment were SpecForce Technicians, but the term was usually reserved for mechanics and combat engineers.

SpecForce Drivers and Pilots were trained to pilot vehicles to provide back-up and support for their comrades. They wore unique helmets with dark-tinted visors and dark green jumpsuits. They also carried CR-1 blaster cannons.

SpecForce Scanner-communications Operators (often shortened to "scanners," "scan-com operators," or "eyes") were trained in both sensor operation and communications equipment.

SpecForce Interrogators would acquire information in cases where the Alliance Intelligence interrogators were unavailable because the prisoner in question could not be moved, the information was time-critical, or combat theater danger made using such an interrogator inappropriate.

SpecForce Procurement Specialists (or "scroungers") were personnel adept at acquiring important combat material from unorthodox sources. They were only sent on medium-term or long term missions, and though often deficient in combat skills, their abilities to acquire needed supplies through purchases, loans, requisitions, or outright theft often were critical to missions success.

• Corporal Dansra Beezer (Commando, Battle of Endor) [12]
• Corporal Midge (Commando, Battle of Endor) [13]
• Aven Cholus [14]

Despite their similar names, Special Forces and Alliance Special Operations were distinctly different entities. Special Forces comprised highly skilled military professionals who executed meticulously planned operations, whereas Special Operations agents engaged in ambiguous, clandestine missions and disorganized, impromptu operations with minimal guidance from Alliance Command. Although SpecForce members recognized the necessity of SpecOps, and vice versa, a deep-seated rivalry persisted between the two groups. SpecForce personnel regarded SpecOps (or "spooks," as they called them) as amateurs who depended on luck for success, while SpecOps personnel viewed SpecForce as arrogant, rigid, and excessively trained.

SpecForce sometimes utilized Mission Group personnel as "other specialists" in roles such as transportation, piloting, communications, translation, medicine, and supply (thereby integrating them operationally within a division's 7th Regiment). SpecForce units often referred to such personnel as "recovering spooks."

Conversely, Special Operations units occasionally included Special Forces troops, whom other SpecForce personnel referred to as "specters."

• Commando Team One [15]
• Delta Team [14]
• Eclipse Team [16] [17] Twilight Squadron Midnight Squadron Shadow Squadron Storm Squadron
• Endor Strike Team
• Harrier Infiltration Team [18]
• Katarn Commandos
• Nishr Taskforce [1]
• Outpost Cinder [8]
• Reekeene's Roughnecks [19]
• Renegade Squadron
• Scandium Team [20]
• Taskforce Shen [1]
• Team 19 [1]

• General Crix Madine (Command Division) [1]
• General Brenn Tantor (Command Division - Battle of Endor) [21]
• Major Bren Derlin (Command Division)
• Major Viran Qol [22]
• Major Morgan Q. Raventhorn (Special Operations)
• Lieutenant Ma'w'shiye (Marksman) [17]
• Lieutenant Alfonso Luiz Obota [23]
• Lieutenant Dal Konur [9]
• Lieutenant Nik Sant (Survival Expert - Commando, Battle of Endor) [24]
• Lieutenant Greeve (Scout - Commando, Battle of Endor) [12]
• Lieutenant Judder Page (Intelligence/Special Operations - Commando, Battle of Endor) [25]
• Lieutenant Mosara Thiirn [16]
• Sergeant Bruckman (Pointman - Commando, Battle of Endor) [24]
• Sergeant Junkin (Demolitions expert - Commando, Battle of Endor) [12]
• Sergeant Squalls (Demolitions expert - Commando, Battle of Endor) [12]
• Corporal Delevar (Medic - Commando, Battle of Endor) [12]
• Corporal Janse (Sharpshooter - Commando, Battle of Endor)
• Corporal Kensaric (Rearguard - Commando, Battle of Endor) [24]
• Kapp Dendo [15]
• Jai Raventhorn [26]
• Orrimaarko [27]
• Spane Covis [28]
• Deena Shan

• Amphibians (also known as Amphibs or Fish): These are Aquatic Wilderness Fighters, a group that included amphibian species such as the Mon Calamari and the Quarren. [1]
• Black-hats (also known as shadows or shadowmen): This is another name for Imperial Storm Commandos. [1]
• Blaster magnet: This is a slang term for an Imperial officer. [1]
• Cold (also referred to as chilly or frosty): This describes a trooper's capacity to remain composed while under enemy fire. [1]
• Commando: This is a general term often used by those outside of SpecForce to refer to SpecForce troopers. [1]
• Cool drop: This refers to an insertion into a relatively secure area, generally using a para-sail or a para-wing glider. [1]
• Drop (also known as paradrop): This is a landing accomplished by parasail, where troopers arrive in the designated DZ. [1]
• Drop zone (DZ): This is a pre-determined area where troopers are deployed. [1]
• Field promotion: This is an advancement in rank that is awarded to troopers during combat. It can also be a euphemism for killed in action, frequently after completing a successful operation. [1]
• Ghosts: This is a designation for SpecForce Infiltrators. [1]
• Gunner: This refers to a SpecForce heavy weapons specialist, specifically a trooper who utilizes an ISW. [1]
• Hardpoint (also referred to as strongpoint): This describes a heavily defended target or an enemy fortification. [1]
• High drop: This is the deployment of troopers from an orbital position. [1]
• Hot drop: This is a landing that occurs in a hazardous area, typically while under fire or within an area patrolled by the enemy. [1]
• ISW: This stands for Infantry Support Weapon. [1]
• KIA: This is an acronym for Killed In Action. [1]
• KSA: This stands for Kinky Silver Armor, a term used by Special Ops agents when referring to Radiation Zone Assault Troopers. [1]
• Landing zone (LZ): This is the area where troopers land. [1]
• Low drop: This refers to the deployment of troopers while still within the atmosphere. [1]
• Mindspook: This is a Special Ops agent who possesses enhanced mental abilities, frequently derived from the Force. [1]
• Mud foot: This is a derogatory term used to describe inexperienced Alliance infantry. [1]
• Nature lovers: This is a designation for SpecForce Wilderness fighters. [1]
• OBC: This stands for Order of Battle Companies. [1]
• Plastic soldiers: This is a nickname for Stormtroopers. Other nicknames include toy soldiers, whitehats, and snowmen. [1]
• Pop gun: This refers to a compressed air slugthrower. [1]
• Puppetmen: This refers to Imperial special missions (ISM) troops. The name comes from their practice of framing "Rebel terrorists" for various atrocities. [1]

• Pyroman (also known as boomer): This refers to a demolitions expert. [1]
• Recovering Spook: This describes a mission group agent who is attached to a SpecForce unit. [1]
• Rocket Jockey: This is a term for a Starfighter pilot. [1]
• Sand Banthas: These are SpecForce Desert Wilderness Fighters. [1]
• Scanner: This refers to a sensor specialist. [1]
• Scanner: This is also a type of sensor. [1]
• Sec: This is an abbreviation of Sector, as used in SecForce. [1]
• SecCom: This stands for Sector Command. [1]
• SecForce: This refers to a Sector Force. [1]
• Shadowmen: This is a name for Imperial Storm commandos. [1]
• Shadows: This is another name for Imperial Storm Commandos. [1]
• Shadows: This is also a designation for SpecForce Infiltrators. [1]
• Shuttling your dead: This refers to the SpecForce policy of retrieving the bodies of fallen comrades before leaving an area. [1]
• Smokers: This is a term for smoke grenades. [1]
• Snowmen: This is a nickname for Stormtroopers. [1]
• Spec (also known as SpecTrooper): This is short for Special Forces Trooper. [1]
• SpecCom: This stands for Special Forces Command. [1]
• SpecForce: This refers to the Alliance Special Forces. [1]
• SpecTech (also known as Tech): This refers to a SpecForces Technician or technical services in general. [1]
• SpecOps: This stands for Alliance Special Operations. [1]
• Special: This is a general military term that means unusual. It is also used to describe anything that is odd or suspicious. [1]
• Special forces: These are fighting units that receive specific training to undertake particularly challenging missions. It is also a branch of the Alliance military. [1]
• SpecTrooper: This refers to an Alliance Special Forces Trooper. [1]
• Specter: This is a SpecForce trooper who is assigned to Special Operations. [1]
• Spook: This is a term for an Alliance SpecOps Agent. [1]
• Spooky: This describes a SpecOps attitude or mission. [1]
• Superspook: This refers to an Alliance free agent. [1]
• Tauntauns: These are SpecForce Arctic Wilderness Fighters. [1]
• TC: This stands for Task Force Commander. [1]
• TFC: This stands for Task Force Companies. [1]
• TK: This refers to a Sniper, derived from Telekinesis, highlighting the sniper's capability to strike from a great distance. [1]
• Townies: These are SpecForce Urban Combat Specialists (UCS). [1]
• Toy soldiers: This is a nickname for Stormtroopers. [1]
• TrekSpecs (also known as Trekker): These are SpecForce Pathfinders. [1]
• Troopies: This refers to Alliance regular soldiers, typically SecForce troopers. [1]
• UCS: This stands for SpecForce Urban Combat Specialists. [1]
• Useless: This refers to Imperial Officers, especially ranking officers in the rear-echelon. [1]
• Vacheads: This is a SpecForce SpaceOps trooper. [1]
• Vapebait: An Imperial officer
• Whiskers: This refers to accumulated experience, as in "has got long whiskers." It can also be a literal description, as SpecTroop human males often wear beards. [1]
• Whitehats: This is a nickname for Stormtroopers. [1]
• Wookiees: These are SpecForce Forest Wilderness Fighters. [1]
• Wraiths: These are SpecForce Infiltrators. [1]