Clone Training - Tumblr Posts
Overall, I think the competency and the badass-ness of the Clones and their skills is SUPER underrated.
Like, they are trained constantly for 10 years. Full 12 hour days, using blasters, battle strategy (for the CC), all sorts of culture and language, physical training, sparring, simulations, and probably more that I’m not even getting.
(This part is more Headcanon)
They all probably know the basics of how to do everything. Everyone can theoretically fly a fighter, scuba dive, use speeders, cannons, heavy machinery, repair all kinds of weapons, ships, gear, and tech system.
Not to mention the variety of weapons they would be trained with
Now, are they all top notch and the best? No, fighter pilots don’t need to dive in the water so their scuba training is rusty and may need a crash course. But they know the basics.
This isn’t even talking about the practical knowledge they know. Most likely multiple languages, including Mando’a, the cultures associated, and where they can be found.
Ignoring all this, and my headcanon bit, they trained 12 hours a day for 10 years sparring and fighting at LEAST. These would be the scariest most skilled fighters around and I feel like they don’t get the kudos they deserve.
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.
Clone OC 'Pyro' CT-5838
Pyro is part of the Commander Jet's Flamethrower Battalion. As a tubie, his tank had a heating malfunction. This is just the beginning of his relation to heat. As a cadet, he continueally has had incidents with fire, either the droids he was training with spontaneously bursting into flames, his bunk malfunctioning and catching his blankets on fire, or accidentally setting his Alpha trainer on fire (he is very sorry and no one knows how).
Despite his many childhood accidents, he was incredibly skilled and was at the top of his entire cadet grouping (idk there are like 6 squads (based on what we saw with Domino Squad) for cadets but 4 squads is a Platoon in the GAR so idk what the number is but you get it). Despite this his trainer removed him from his squad and reassigneed him to work with a new flamethrower squad, who were also trained as a bomb squad. Despite working primarily flamethrowers, they dealt with anything fire or explosive. Due to their suits and nature of their training, it is very efficient and practical.
He met and worked with Commander Jet as a cadet and was practically his second in command. They were very good friends and he does know Commander Bacara (along with the rest of the flamethrower battalion).
Now, all this fire and accidents does not mean he got his name from his curious accidents. In fact its quite the opposite. See, he is -by all definitions of the word- a pyromaniac. Sure these accidents were not his fault or he intentionally caused them, but here were many later in life that he DID cause.
He is a very chill and honest man, with a kind soul. He loves people and seeing new things. He can be a little mean when deserved and is serious when it comes to the lives of his brothers. However, once Commander Jet gives the go ahead, he becomes manic and laughs uncontrollably. He can and will set fire to everything he sees.
Eventually, closer to the end of the war (not Order 66 bc that doesn't exist to me) he develops pyromania. It had always been present but his brothers would help with the urges. As time went on, the urges became to strong and to cope he would carry a small lighter. While it didn't necessarily help, it distracted his mind and satiated the urges during missions.
Once the war had ended and the Jedi left Coruscant (getting into personal headcanons here). Though they still lived with the Jedi at one of the older renovated temples, he found life much too quiet. Unfortunately, unlike other battalions, the Flamethrower Troopers had to learn to skills rather than apply already known ones, most of the time. Several clones from all over decided to take up outside jobs or missions with Jedi Masters/Shadows, Pyro decided to work as a bounty hunter and Jedi Shadows.
During his time as a bounty hunter, his pyromania did not worsen. However, he did indulge it with more than a lighter. He would occasionally take work for a demonlition guild, allowing him to set fire or blow up whatever was required.
His time as a bounty hunter/shadow was not all wonderful. During a mission gone bad with Jedi Shadow Quinlan Vos, he had lost an arm below the elbow and a leg below the knee. With quick treatment he was able to get mechanical replacements, which he then had himself and his Flamethrower buddies upgrade to shoot fire from the arm.
While having jet boots would be awesome, he already had a jetpack. Instead he chose to upgrade the leg with several blades. The leg can fully split open and spit out a sword or the foot can push into the ankle joint and pop out a blade at the heel, like a bladed high heel shoe. With this blade, his kicks would slice whatever came into contact with it.
Looks wise, Pyro hasn't changed much over the years. He's not heavy into body mods like some of the others and keeps things relatively tame. He has simple flowing tattoos that resemble lava flow on his arms and down his thighs. The magma stems from his spine and reaches just at his jaw. The ink used glows bright orange in the dark. Down his spine says 'born of fire' in Mando'a that glows red.
He keeps his hair short and his eyes are a more golden than standard. Pyro, like most flamethrower trooper, has burn scars on his forearms and hands.
Due to his time as a flamethrower trooper, he has lung damage like most. His helmet is equipt with many air filters and seals to keep his lungs safe. Not only that but his lenses have multiple filters to see people/targets through fire/large heat sources.
Clone Types
Each clone specialty is pretty much pre-determined from decanting. The bad batch doesn't apply
Troopers that use heavy weaponry like Hardcase and Thorn are 'heavy' class troopers, built stronger and have more muscle (think like football (american) players, they've got some meat on them). THey are the standard 6' 0".
Snipers like Longshot are called 'sleek' class troopers, built slim and trim, and two inches shorter at 5' 10. ARF troopers, 'scouts', are very similar only an inch shorter.
The Scuba troopers, 'scubas', are more lean and built for endurance. They are the standard 6' 0".
Heavy weapon troopers, 'gunners', are built very similar to 'heavy' class troopers, though at a height of 6' 2". However, their ears are modified to be more resistant to the loud noises of their cannons. Basically, they are born a little hard of hearing. Also, they do not have the same workout regime as the 'heavy' class to be more weighty so their bodies can absorb some of the shock; like rugby players, they've got a little fat on them.
Alpha class troopers were built with strength, stamina, endurance, and speed on max and at a height of 6' 4".
Flametroopers, 'burners', are also similar to 'heavy' troopers, with only an extra inch and more endurance. They are also modified to have thicker and tougher skin to combat the heat and burns.
Commandos are more built like ARCs, though capping out at 6' 3" and their stats turned to 75% rather than 100%.
The CCs are built just below Commandos, but receive more specialized and intense training compared to the Commandos.
Was thinking about CCs train and shit when it hit me. There are a few commanders, such as Monnk, Jet, Blackout, and Hound (he’s a cc to me) who would have to be trained alone or with CT’s, since their specialty requires so much work.
So, I have come with an idea. Since the standard week is 5 days, 3 of the 5 are spent in specialized classes. They’d do their flash training and then be taken by other trainers. They would train with a squad of others, and put in charge.
For Hound, since it’s a special case of having a Massiff buddy. Those three days are set together and Grizzer would stick with him all day, and night. To strengthen their bond, they would spend off time together and Hound would have his official trainer (an Mandalorian) set Grizzer in the bunk with him. This was a not great idea for some massiffs but Grizzer loved the pod and would wiggle like hell when the Alpha picked him up.
I can just imagine, Monnk coming back to his squad from specialized training soaking wet and cold. Having his Alpha help him peel off the dry suit before he goes to bed. Talking all about the fun things he learned and saw with his Mandalorian trainer. Actually, I headcanon that Monnk and his trainer got along incredibly well is basically adopted by the Mandalorian. Monnk got his name and the sea dragon across his armor from the Mandalorian. (I also headcanon that Dred Priest hated the Mandalorian and reconditioned Monnk to get at him. Dred ended up in a bacta tank and the Mandalorian retaught Monnk everything from scratch. (Monnk was about 3 standard at the time.))
Jet scared the shit out of his trainer with how well he was able to control the flame. He was also taught what alternate fuels could be used on different planets and Jet got so interested he found all the options he could on Kamino (only 2) and he switched out the fuel, Pyro (my OC) was all to happy to help. They both were found sitting on the floor with the flamethrower between them, quietly watching the flames. Turns out, all of the flame troopers either had or developed pyromania to *some* degree. The trainer in charge was quite happy to find out about this as he had a severe case himself and was all to happy to indulge his troopers under the excuse of teaching the troopers.
Blackout is a special operations clone trooper, trained for stealth operations and piloting. While he did not have a super close bond with his trainer, they both still enjoyed each others company and considered each other friends. Blackout is one of the few who was already good at lying, but his training made him the best (better than even Fox, which he is very proud of). He wasn't as close with as many of his troopers due to their numbers being quite large, but he (like the rest of the spec ops troops) does his best to instruct and learn about his troopers in their short time together.
Bacara, though not recieving any special training, caught the eye of a Concord Dawn Mandalorian who took him for special Marine training for one day a week. It would be till later when they decided to have a Marine Corps that he would become the specialist.
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.
Delta Squad Headcanons
Focusing on Advisor
During transport and some missions, Asvisor will wear his dress grays which are actually pitch black so Admirals can distinguish commando squad advisors from the other regular clones (though most have no idea what the black means, just that it is different)
Few of the GAR know about advisors at all and those who do are very high up commanders (when I say GAR, this includes ARC, CTs, regular CCs, literally anyone but the Commandos and the Advisors)
Advisors often work with multiple squads at one time, though their missions usually don’t overlap (ie, two different missions at the same time, not two squads on the same mission)
In the beginning of the war, it was common for multiple squads in the same planet working together and the command center to be very active with Advisors working maps, intel, and avoiding the GAR
The more dangerous missions occur right before or lead to a campaign and no one is the wiser, though its about equal between those that happen before and those that happen during
In one instance, Delta squad was on a LAAT/i heading toward their ship and saw an LAAT/i heading toward the planet carrying troops
The commandos themselves have small ports on them to inject bacta into for damage and internal stress
All that’s needed is to lock a small container of bacta into the port with a click and it auto injects
There is one port per arm and one port on the upper and lower leg, then two on the front and back of their chest below the ribs
These ports are meant for long missions with little rest time, injections are saved until enough damage is accumulated or one major injury
These are inputted at standard age 2 and they all put completely out and given a week recovery before the ports can be used
All commandos have basic medical training, however there are a few specially trained medic commandos that stick to one squad and partner with others for missions
Walon Vau, while a very strict and harsh teacher, did care about Delta squad in his own way
This care continued into the instruction of the Delta squad Advisor CC-01/425
The Advisor program came along about a year after the Commando project began, however they took CC cadets with low physical score and high intelligence and processing to be the candidates
These cadets had essentially no continued combat training since age 2, with only one day a week reserved for it (half day of blasters and half day of sparring)
The rest of the days would be full of strategy, team management, intelligence collecting, map reading, etc. everything they’d need to lead a squad from an ship in orbit safe and sound
(They were never really safe and sound. They were the squads almost guide and half guy in the chair with a smidge of leader and decision maker, any and all failure in any compacity fell to them. Squad failure=their failure and just as harsh of punishment. Death)
Each Mandalorian in charge of a squad would teach a class for the advisors. Though with the amount of mandalorians, only the ones with top ranking squads would get to teach
Walon would often pass up to teach Delta, but a training accident that left three squads out of commission for a week left him and Mird restless
He decided to watch some of these advisors and CC-01/425 caught his eye
He had a look of defiance and a ‘take no shit’ attitude that was perfect for his squad
During that week, Vau rearranged the training system so each day included 3 hours of physical training as well as their full day
During these three hours, Vau had the Deltas study on their own while he took CC-01/425 for personal training
In the beginning, these three hours were spent playing strategy games and gambling, sabaac was a key game. Gambling games were used to teach how to read others who show little and how to weigh risks
He also taught him how to command and care for Mird, since Vau wanted him to learn that responsiblity (also he would get Mird if anything happened to him)
Eventually, these changed into sparring and language studies (ie, mando'a), and taught him a lot of the mandalorian customs that he taught the Deltas (so CC-01/425 could understand how the Deltas think/act and to be competable with them)
Though Vau taught CC-01/425 with the purpose of advising the Deltas, he kept them separate and did not tell them about each other (he does care for CC-01/425 just as much as the Deltas)
This choice was because he cared for CC-01/425, since if CC-01/425 bonded with them as children, his judgments would change based on his past experiences
Keeping them separate kept him unbaised and able to be brutally honest and strict with the Deltas while on missions
The only time they've interacted is on a training mission, which ended in success for the Deltas and the highest score of all the commando groups
Due to Vau's want to prepare CC-01/425 for the Deltas, he modified the Advisors training track, overall improving the quality of troopers; with their intelligence and strategy matching the command track CCs (CCs specialize in large scale attacks, Advisors specialize in small strike teams and stealth missions)
One Advisor can operate and strategize for -at most- 3 Commando Squads before another needs to step in. However, if all the squads are on the same mission, the number rises to 5 squads since the commands go to each squad instead of every member of a squad
There has been a few instances where Advisors have helped/guided GAR troopers on stealth missions. Though the Advisors are referred to a different titles (depending on the mission) and they have never truly made contact with the men they were helping
GAR troopers rarely work with Commandos, due to the animosity between the groups (especially the ARC troopers). During those times, Commando squads will defer to their Advisor rather than the ranking officer, even if the officer is a nat-born
Delta has drawn the short end of the stick the most and often find themselves working around the GAR, keeping their mission secret
There were a few training sessions were the CCs would work a Commando squad, these would often end in longer mission times and lower success rates
Vau often enjoyed watching these sessions and would have CC-01/425 analyze what the CCs were doing wrong to improve his strategies
Vau would also take Delta to watch other Commando squads training sessions to see how different squads act during a mission. He would also have them watch CTs completing sims to see the difference in techniques and approaches
Though, Vau doesn't let them interact with the non-Mandalorian trainers. This is not because of anything about them but rather Vau knows from experience that the trainers care little for improving the individual troopers but just that their numbers are met
Vau is particular with who his troopers interact with (trainer wise), not letting them interact with trainers such as Dred Priest. Despite this strictness, Delta works with Skirata's Commandos very often and will let the Nulls teach the Deltas when he goes to train with CC-01/425
The Commando barracks are on a completely separate building on Kamino with their own sim and training areas for them to learn without the distractions of the CTs and other CCs, though the Advisors are kept on the same building as the Commandos
I'm already on a part 2, who knew Tumblr had a character limit?