#clone trooper training

[fox-trot]

Star Wars: Threats Of The Galaxy (2008)

[comma-gremlin]

The Kamino Files

You Can’t Eat the Color Mint

Summary: Meditation has its discomforts, yes, but sitting at a desk all day was a different kind of trial entirely. One that left Shaak Ti stiff, irritable, and far less centered than she preferred. However, it is all made worth it with the small interactions she gets to have with the coolest people she’s ever met.

OR

CT-3337 eats shit and is forced to sit out of swim training. Instead, he meets the coolest person he’s ever met.

Word Count: 930

Shaak Ti stretched until her lekku swayed slightly behind her, easing the ache from her shoulders and spine. Meditation had its discomforts, yes, but sitting at a desk all day was a different kind of trial entirely. One that left her stiff, irritable, and far less centered than she preferred.

Kaminoan politics would do that to anyone.

Still, as liaison, she liked to believe she’d made a difference. Subtle improvements. Small mercies, but mercies nonetheless.

She rose from her chair and left her office, exhaling as the door slid shut behind her.

This. This was her favorite part of the day.

The training facilities were alive in a way offices never were.

Whistles echoed before she even reached the aquatic wing. As the doors hissed open, Shaak squinted against the sharp fluorescent lights reflecting off endless stretches of water. Pools filled the cavernous room. Cadets lined up at diving boards, seated in tight formation while instructors gestured sharply at holoboards. Others clustered at pool edges, watching demonstrations, while others churned through drills in the water itself.

“Breathe, kick, streamline!” an instructor barked.

“Yes, sir!” the cadets echoed in unison.

Shaak moved slowly along the perimeter. Instructors stiffened the moment they noticed her. They didn’t like Jedi getting involved in their training tactics. She offered only nods in return, never lingering long enough to draw cadet attention away from their lessons. Swim training was no small thing here. There had been far too many drownings over the years. Too many losses that could have been prevented.

She was about to move on when she noticed him.

A cadet, Year 3 most likely, sat apart from the others with his back against the wall, knees drawn up. One hand pinched his nose; the other rested awkwardly in his lap. His regulation swim blacks were still damp and torn slightly at the knee. As Shaak drew closer, the glint of blood caught the light, and the swelling bruise beneath his right eye had already begun to darken.

She slowed her steps.

He startled when he noticed her, scrambling to his feet.

Shaak raised a hand, palm outward.

He froze, then sank back down.

At this age, they all wore identification bracelets. Inside, a chip that could be scanned to pull up everything from vitals to batch assignments. On the outside, only a designation number.

“CT-3337?” She read off of it.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“That looks quite painful,” she said, settling beside him. Her gaze flicked to the instructor already watching them.

The cadet followed her line of sight and quickly added, “I fell, ma’am.”

“I see.”

She spoke to the cadet, attempting to get his mind off of his busted nose. They eventually landed on the topic of colors.

“What’s your favorite color?” she asked.

He blinked, thinking hard. “Shades. I like shades. Sky blue, lilac, mint green.” He thought some more before offering: “I used to like colors when I was younger. Blue. Red. Green. What’s your favorite color?”

“Orange, because you can eat it,” she explained, “and you can’t eat other colors. Unless you eat mint, of course,” she added.

He frowned, trying to follow. “Mint isn’t a color, it’s a shade.”

Shaak laughed softly. “And you would be right.”

They talked as the drills continued in front of them.

“My batch went to Sector Fifty-Six a few rotations ago,” 3337 said. “We got to try nat-born foods. I like jogan fruit.”

“Mmm,” Shaak hummed. “I don’t think my palette is quite as evolved as yours.”

“There’s still time.”

She smiled at that. Something cadets and younglings seemed to have in common was their ability to drop wisdom without even realizing it.

“What year are you in?” she asked.

“Year Three.”

“And what do you do in Year Three?”

“Lots of individual testing. The trainers say it’s important, but I’m not a fan.”

“Well,” Shaak said lightly, “the good news is it’s mostly team-based assignments in Year Fifty-Two.”

3337 gawked at the number.

She laughed quietly.

“Do you get along with everyone in your batch?” she asked, watching his brothers run drills across the pool.

“Yes,” he said. Then, after a beat, “Do you get along with everyone in your batch?”

Her gaze flicked briefly to the door, where Commander Colt stood waiting for her. “Yes,” she said softly. “I do. And do you get along with your trainers?” she asked.

He glanced toward the far end of the pool to El-Les. “Yeah. My trainer this year is nice. Year Two was nice too. I don’t remember Year One, but I think they were probably nice.”

“You must be on a lucky streak,” Shaak said. “Good things happen in threes.”

They talked a little longer.

“I want to be a scuba trooper,” he said, “and a sniper.”

“You should add one more thing,” Shaak said. “Do you know why?”

He smiled. “Because good things happen in threes?”

“Exactly.”

A medic walked through the doors, looking around before making his way to the pair. Commander Colt walked with him. 3337 wouldn’t be allowed back into the pools until he was cleared by the medic as was protocol.

“If I come back,” 3337 asked quickly, “will you still be here?”

“Maybe,” Shaak said. “Why?”

“You’re the coolest person I’ve ever met.”

Something warm bloomed in her chest.

“If you come back,” she said, offering her hand, “will you be a scuba trooper and a sniper?”

“I am a scuba trooper and a sniper.”

She squeezed his hand gently. “And you’re a third thing.”

He frowned. “What’s that?”

“You’re the coolest person I’ve ever met.”

Authors Note: Just a short little one-shot in theory was cute but turned out to be a pain in the ass to write lol. I was planning on doing more world building but decided to simplify it to something short and sweet.

I hope you enjoyed this cheesy little fic! Please check out the series this fic is apart of: The Kamino Files

Commander Colt was probably wholly unnecessary, but I really wanted to try and start showing him and Shaak Ti’s interactions. Will definitely write more about that dynamic duo in later fics!

Also, on a good note, 3337’s nose ended up not being broken AND he most definitely gushed about his interaction with High General Ti to his batchmates when he got back from medical.

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/78809666

[chancellor-tesalicious2]

Command Clone Currency

The clones are unpaid and therefore broke. They can’t really pay each other to do things since they have no money so they go for a new currency: favors

Now, the CTs don’t really do it the same as the Commanders because they have to be specific. They can’t return a favor between battalions quickly, due to fighting/locations/schedule. They’re at the whim of the war and pick and choose their repayment time.

The Comanders are different. They trade and barter like crazy. It’s favors with a few cases of alcohol. They can trade favors they are owed to others all the time, so anyone can cash it. They can pull the strings to get their payment quick.

For example, Cody needed a save from a small squad. He knew Delta was on planet doing some mission and he needed a detour but he had no connection or favor. However, Fox (for some reason) did. Cody offered a case of spotchka and a favor Monnk owed in return for having Delta do the detour. Delta owed fox one less favor, Cody owed no favors (which is the best outcome, since Fox WILL cash it) and Fox got something on Monnk and free (very expensive) spotchka.

Few CTs knew they did it this way, and the CT captains such as Rex and Keeli had to quickly adapt to this way of thinking. Rex made the mistake of owing Bacara before anyone told him. Keeli was lucky enough to meet the SpecOps CC Blackout, who clued him in on the difference but left him high and dry when it came to implementing his knowledge. (Keeli ended up owing Blackout two mini guns for his ‘friendly advice’)

Though, when times are tough and there is little time to barter, it is common to put off the payment until after the act is completed. Though many hate doing this as the trading can become unfair. What often happens is the party in need already has a deal prepared and states their need and their payment, it is hardly ever contested (however the helper may tack on another fee which is accepted or denied).

For example, Doom needed backup from Jet’s flame troopers. He quickly called, stated his need, and his payment of a case of charges. Jet had found the payment (though correct in price, unpractical for his squad) and changed it to half a case of fuel (easier for Doom to get a hold of and just as useful as charges to a Demolition team). Doom accepted the terms and Jet’s squad arrived right on time.

Though the bartering is mostly physical, many deal in the intangible. Perfect examples are all of the Coruscant Guard and the Special Operations teams. These are the only two groups who has everyone (including CT shinies) in on this system. They have the least to offer when it comes to normal ops, after all what GAR commander needs to know where a random Senator is going to be at what time or who slept with who. However, this trading info is perfect for the Guard who constantly works with/against (yay embezzlement and blackmail) these same Senators and for the SpecOps who need to know political climates and interpersonal relationships for recon and assassinations.

Most trading goes on between those two, and their prices are often higher since the missions are higher stake. Often Commando Squads are up for bids (who doesn’t want a four man 100% mission completion rate squad in their pocket), blackmail on natborn officers, republic secrets, senators schedules, crime syndicates favor and areas of interest, etc.

For the Guard, their trading goes further. They work with crime syndicates to keep it off the streets while keeping profit up. Those who do not work with them, go down. They’ve gain control of the lower 2000 levels through this and those who do not conform are forced to by the Guard or the citizens of the lower levels who don’t want to deal with the Guard, (peer pressure and bullying at its finest.)

The commanders learned this from watching the Cuy’val Dar, who would often trade on Kamino. The Alphas picked it up and used it but the CCs truly made it valuable beyond belief. The trainers traded for free shifts and booze, the CCs traded for mission successes and heavy artillery.

Many CTs attempt to learn how this system works. However, as few know it’s different, even fewer see the affects; those that do, know well enough to leave it be.

Despite there being no real difference in intelligence between the CCs and CTs, witnessing the speed and weight of the trades, makes even the Jedi’s head spin.

The Padawans are one of the few outsiders to see it in action. They do not really like it, but many pick it up for lesser trades (help with this paper or answers for this homework). Cal Kestis surprisingly picks it up the best. He’s the youngest so very impressionable, eager to learn, his CC Commander Steel, is very good at it, and Steel is possibly the only one to teach their General’s Padawan.

Steel sees that Cal isn’t going to be on the field much (Steel agrees with this and makes sure he stays on the Venator). So, if Cal ever needs help, he knows how to get it. Steel has made him be present for several trades and even made him come up with theoretical ones. Cal becomes very good at it, but is unable to flex his skills much due to the other Padawans unable to match his speed or skill. They are several years older, see it as in-Jedi like or are bad at it (or their Captains are bad at it and can’t teach them well), their concept of value is off (Jedi don’t often put a price on things and those that do have a habit of underselling due to being nice), and/or they do not know the range of what can be traded.

It’s very personal, with different Commanders wanting different things. Knowing who wants what can often make the payment cheaper for the offering party.

For example, the Marines often need heavy snow gear and blankets. So, offering a box of heating blankets in return for a case of bacta and blaster packs. This is a much better deal than offering a case of mini guns for the bacta and blaster packs. In the second case, Bacara may say no the mini guns or want a case of something else along with the mini guns.

[fox-trot]

Clone Trooper Facts (Legends/EU) (TheForce.Net, 2005 (Archived))

[fox-trot]

✨2nd-Gen-ARC-pilot-BARC-scuba-diver-knows-a-few-words-of-Huttese-can-use-his-left-hand-to-write Commander Cody✨

[fox-trot]

Q: One thing i wanted to know was whether or not the Clone Commandos undergo the same training as Mandalorian supercommandos would. Meaning would a Mandalorian recruit be taught more than a Clone Commando or would Walon Vau etc hold back on some things for cultural reasons?

A: You'll note there's a reference to Kal Skirata teaching the lads things that weren't in the book - bar-brawl tactics. (You see a lot more of Kal's unique approach in RC:TZ. And Vau's.)

That's a clear indication that each instructor brought their own style to the training they gave their squads. On top of the core military training that all clones had, the Cuy'val Dar (and you'll see hard numbers about them in the GAR article and RC:TZ) each instructor added all their own skills plus core commando training.

And there was a degree of cross-training - commandos would often be taught certain subjects by instructors who weren't their company sergeant. (Like the Sullustan cryptographer in RC:HC.) But the bulk of their time was spent in close contact with their individual sergeant, who had an enormous influence on them, exactly as a parent would.

But don't make the assumption that all Mandalorians soldiers are supercommandos. I have no idea where that came from (I know someone quoted a source) but it wasn't in RC:HC, nor do I agree that they were all Supercommandos by definition. (The numbers were too high, I think.) Once you read my definitions of Mandalorians and how they operate, that'll make more sense.

So...Vau and Skirata aren't Supercommandos. They're special forces soldiers with very individual skills, and they have murky pasts even in Jango's opinion. Both of them have very strong views on Mandalorian culture, and Skirata in particular is a traditionalist. (Remember this when you read RC: TZ.)

A minority of the Cuy'val Dar weren't Mandalorian, and it shows. When Dar refers to the instructors who didn't care what clones felt and treated them much as the Kaminoans did, this was who he was referring to.

By and large, the Mandalorians see the clone commandos as Mando men. It's embedded in their culture to train sons as warriors. So they make terrific training sergeants.

Sadly, Jango couldn't find enough of them to fill all the Cuy'val Dar posts. It meant that most of the seriously bad (and loyal) Mandos were out of circulation for years, remember.

Republic Commando: Triple Zero Q/A (TheForce.Net Message Boards (2005))

[chancellor-tesalicious2]

I love to imagine the training differences between the Jedi and the Clones. Not even like the difficulty of attitude towards it but the trainers themselves and what’s expected.

These clones need to grow up fast and learn to overcome personal issues and batch problems quickly. Their trainers (trainers that are older Clones such as Colt or Alpha-17) are harsh but ready to show them the way. They will yell and scream and beat their lessons into them, but when all is said an done they'll treat the cadets wounds with bacta and soft words, holding them if needed.

Jedi trainers and NOT THAT. They are sweet, gentle (most of the time (they are dealing with kids)), patient, loving, and caring. They use a slow and steady hand to guide the younglings, not only with physical training but also their personal training. They will work with the younglings, slow and patient til they understand and get it.

All of this deep dive for one comedic scene in my brain. Anyway.

In order to bridge the gap between the two organizations, several small groups of jedi younglings are taken to Kamino to meet other cadets and learn how they think/act for when each group joins the war. The younglings get to view training, visit the tubies and clones of all ages, speak with the trainers/commanders stationed there, see some of the labs, and play with some of the 'babies' and younger cadets.

During the view of a spar, the younglings are quiet and taking in the cadets (about age 10 looking) with each other. Alpha-17 is talking to the younglings, explaining their regiment and who is good at what. Once the spar is done, 17 has the same two cadets go again. He explains what he is looking for, how he sees their spar, when -after the third spar with the same pair- 17 pauses and screams:

"CT-42-9686! You drop that arm again before you're strike and i'll break it off and beat you with it! Raise it up! Do it again or I'll give you to Havoc and he'll beat it out of you!

Needless to say this got some questionable reactions and lots of squawking from the Jedi Trainer and younglings. While, the cadet adjusted his form and the others laughed.

When the younglings reaturned to their friends at the temple, they were aprehensive to share their stories of scary Clone Trainers that were mean and yelled at the Cadets and the Cadets who seemed to like it!

Meanwhile, the cadets are astonished when they had visited the temple and a Jedi trainer paused a spar and personally adjusted the younglings form and then quietly explained why it was better to do the adjustment. The next few times the youngling forgot the adjustment, the Trainer would call out 'do the adjustment!' softly and kindly.

When they returned to Kamino, they didn't know how to start explaining the Jedi's teaching methods. There were not words for them. The next time they got yelled at, they ran up and hugged their trainer and cried at how happy they were.

Needless to say, neither group will be changing their training methods any time soon.

[fox-trot]

Republic Commando Q/A (StarWars.com, 2006 (Archived))

Q: who is truly the better trooper a republic commando or an ARC trooper?

A. Neither. Horses for courses. They're each best fitted to what they trained to do. Same for the clone troopers. There is no "better"; only "more suited to a specific task". It's not about competence, it's about role, same as in a real army.

Q: Yeah that's about how I was thinking. training-wise they’re about the same right, yet the ARC's genetics are more independant (slightly) making them the closest to Jango right? On a side note would Commandos prefer to be idependant, or would they (hmm whats the word) "chafe" at having an ARC leading them. I'm assuming they wouldn't really care one way or the other. though they would enjoy having vesitility and freedom to make their own decisions. Am I close or do I have this all wrong?

A. They haven't got cookie-cutter personalities, so their individual attitudes would vary, but you'll see more of their relationships with ARCs and what they think of different specialties in TZ.

This is largely about role, and much less about personality. What you're really describing is how soldiers feel about orders and following the instructions of those above them in the command chain. It's not actually about the ability to think in an original way.

RCs make their own decisions, as do the CTs when given the opportunity. It's not like they wouldn't have a clue what to do if they found themselves alone. They would. They'd get on with the job. But they're best suited to group deployment because that's how they're trained, and they don't have the genes that tend to stop them being team players.

Independence isn't a single factor but a combination of behaviours; I think the phrase that describes the ARC best is ‘happier working alone.’ That's not actually independence, as defined in Webster's, although that's the shorthand phrase that's been used throughout the GFFA: ARCs obey Jango, even after he's dead. The RCs - and the CTs - comply with their "family", as 98% of humans do.

Remember - training, training, training. Genes only predispose. And genetic predisposition can be enhanced by training, or ironed out of behaviour if you condition someone thoroughly enough. Take someone with an anti-social tendency, and have an anti-social person train them, and chances are you'll get a solitary player at the end of it.