105th Shock Troops Division

The 105th Shock Troops Division is an Orbital Drop Shock Troops special operations force of the UNSC Marine Corps and part of the Marine Corps Special Operations Command. The division conducts missions for both Unified Special Warfare Command and Naval Special Warfare Command through UNSC geographical and space regions. Known as one of the most elite fighting forces in the UNSC Armed Forces, the 105th Shock Troops Division has participated in many battles and campaigns throughout its years of service. The 105th Shock Troops Division is also known as the Helljumpers and their insignia is a "Gold Comet."

Mission
The 105th's mission is to provide a special operations force to accomplish special operation missions assigned by the Unified Special Warfare Command, Naval Special Warfare Command, and Geographic Combatant Commander through their Theater Special Warfare Command. The Marines within the 105th are to assist with a variety of directives that range from direct contact with enemy troops to training colonial militias in special operation techniques. The 105th Shock Troops Division coordinates their deployments with the Unified Special Warfare Command and Naval Special Warfare Command, with engagement priorities throughout their assigned regional command.
 * Direct Action
 * Hostage Rescue
 * Special Reconnaissance
 * Unconventional Warfare
 * Counter-Terrorism
 * Counter-Insurgency
 * Counter-Contraband
 * Personnel Recovery

Organization
Under the command of a two-star General, the 105th Shock Troops Division has four active-duty Shock Troops Regiments that can conduct special operations. Each Shock Troops Regiment is led by a Colonel who oversees operations throughout the Battalions, Companies, and Platoons under his command. A Lieutenant Colonel leads a Shock Troops Battalion, there are four Battalions under each Regiment. Shock Troops Companies are led by a Major and there are four Companies under each Battalion. A Captain leads a Platoon; there are four platoons with each company. Within each platoon, there are five squads, four squads are focused on direct action and missions alike, while one squad specializes in special reconnaissance and similar missions for the company.

Each Regiment and Battalion have a Headquarters and Service Company. In contrast, Companies have a Headquarters and Service Platoon to assist the command and control element with overseeing operations and missions. In the event of augmenting units from the Support Group, Engineer, Light Armored Reconnaissance, Force Reconnaissance/ODST, and Space Assault Battalion, each Regiment is capable of becoming a Regimental Combat Team which is led by the Regiment Commander. The 105th Shock Troops Support Group is led by a Colonel and assists with assigning ODST Combat Service Specialists who specialize in fields like logistics and transportation along with ODST Capabilities Specialist who assist with intelligence, fire mission support, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and, a variety of other fields. Each Shock Troops Regiment has its own Support Group Battalion to staff enablers with platoons. The 105th Shock Troops Training Center is led by a Lieutenant Colonel who oversees the training of potential Marines to join the 105th Shock Troops Division and existing members who wish to attend more courses and schools to enhance their career as an ODST. For the 105th Shock Troops Engineer, they assist with mobility, counter mobility, survivability, and combat engineering support. The 105th Shock Troops Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion is a Light-Armored Vehicle Battalion capable of providing forward vehicular reconnaissance and capable of providing fire support for other vehicle battalions nearby. The 105th Force Reconnaissance/ODST and 105th Space Assault Battalion are the two special operations capable battalions assigned to the 105th Shock Troops Division. Both focus on mission-specific deployments to assist the command when they are deployed with a Marine Expeditionary Unit as an ODST Special Purposes Force or with a 105th Shock Troops Battalion.
 * Headquarters Battalion
 * 2nd Shock Troops Regiment
 * 9th Shock Troops Regiment
 * 19th Shock Troops Regiment
 * 26th Shock Troops Regiment
 * 105th Shock Troops Support Group
 * 105th Shock Troops Training Center
 * 105th Shock Troops Engineer Battalion
 * Shock Troops Heavy Transport Squadron 105
 * 105th Shock Troops Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
 * 105th Force Reconnaissance/ODST Battalion (SOC)
 * 105th Space Assault Battalion (SOC)

Activation
Following the colonization of Reach in 2362, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Commanding General of Marine Corps Special Operations Command, and Commanding General of the ODSTs held a joint meeting with their staff to discuss the establishment of a Shock Troops Division in the Epsilon Eridani system. The three Generals expressed their desire to have a Shock Troops Division located at a strategic location to respond to threats that a Sol system Shock Troops Division was not capable of responding to in time. An officer from the ODST's staff suggested the 105th Shock Troops Division as its name and soon, the 105th Shock Troops Division began its preparations for becoming the first Marine Special Operations Force unit outside of Sol system.

Backlash within ODST Headquarters and MARSOC were met with opponents since there were enough ODST Divisions in the Sol system and it was much easier to move a reserve unit out instead of creating an entirely new active-duty SOF fighting force. However, support came from the Office of Naval Intelligence's Section One who found the idea to be smart and calculated due to the possible threats that could come about and the response time of the 105th to a threat. The Colonial Military Administration also showed support to the idea for having an elite unit to train colonists that join the ranks. Supporters won their arguments on response time, protecting civilians from unknown threats, and acting as a vanguard to the system. Unified Ground Command and Special Warfare Command feared that a unit out in the colonies would force them to spend more budget on maintaining a special operation fighting force that seemed to, on paper, pose no strategic value. With consistent backlash and support, the 105th Shock Troops Division ultimately made its way to the UNSC High Command to determine its activation in 2365.

In 2366, HIGHCOM authorized the activation of the 105th Shock Troops Division within the ODST Headquarters. The 2nd, 9th, and 19th Shock Troops Regiment moved under the banner of the new Division as logistical measures were put in place for the 105th to move out to Reach. The 105th Shock Troops Support Group and Training Center became the first subordinate units to assist the Division's Headquarters in supporting operations along with training ODSTs. For the rest of the decade, the 105th continued to build its ranks as it prepared to leave the Sol System by 2370 to settle on Reach.

Task Force Voyager
The UNSC put together Task Force Voyager to help establish the first few military units in a strategic location, the 105th worked closely with the 5th Interstellar Fleet to ensure safe travel for all cargo and passengers. Planners concluded land near the Highland Mountains to serve as the military installation for the Task Force and the UNSC coordinated its efforts to secure the area in preparation with the CMA. Over 60,000 people, including families, military personnel, and contractors prepared for their voyage to the Epsilon Eridani which kicked off in 2369. The 105th Shock Troops Division and other UNSC elements spread out elements of their troops across the ships to act as security against pirates and other threats encountered along the way. The voyage itself took nearly ten months for the Task Force to arrive at the Epsilon Eridani system.

Arriving at the system in 2370, the 105th Shock Troops Division conducted environmental reconnaissance and provided security for the logistics brigade to build settlements for everyone. The 105th HQ Battalion worked with the local CMA detachment to get a feel for the system and the current situation while the rest assisted with the building of Camp Hathcock and Independence. Following the establishment of the bases, the 105th provided security for the families moving within the walls while the rest continued to establish a defined perimeter to protect the newly build military bases. The 9th Shock Troops Regiment assisted at Tribute as the 19th Shock Troops Regiment protected Circumstance. As Task Force Voyager battleships formed two patrol battlegroups, the 2nd Shock Troops Battalion of the 2nd Shock Troops Regiment took the first rotation as the rest continued with building, ground security, and humanitarian assistance.

Throughout the rest of the 70s, the 105th Shock Troops Division built their numbers to add more assets to their numbers, conducted capability exercises with the armed forces, and trained the CMA in conducting operations. Being stationed on Reach, the 105th forward deployed two battalions to Tribute and Circumstance to act as a Crisis Response Force, while another served aboard ships to conduct counter-piracy and interdiction operations for six months. In the later part of the decade, the 105th served as personal security details to CAA liaisons to ensure their protection throughout their travels within the system. At the start of 2380, Task Force Voyager began to disband as the UNSC formalized many of their unified commands among the system's space and occupied planets.

Epsilon Eridani Conflicts
In early 2393, elements of the 105th worked alongside ONI Section One to track environmentalist movements who opposed the terraforming of Reach and Tribute. Other movements included unfair land, rights, and wealth distribution conducted by the local governments of each major region, leading to protests, strikes, and riots. The movements had spread across many other Inner Colony systems which put the 105th and other units within SPECWARCOM on alert. Piracy attacks spiked, multiple death threats against government officials and, ONI reports about hostilities nearing brought the UNSC to prepare for battle. The 105th worked with the CMA to provide training support and advisors for the detachments at first, giving a leg up to the CMA in counter-insurgency operations and keeping conflicts small. Throughout 2394 and early months of 2395, the UNSC ramped up their advisory efforts and allowed the 105th to serve as a force multiplier but with restricted rules of engagements to let the CMA lead the fight. By November of 2395, the CMA and CAA called for help and the 105th Shock Troops Division prepared to enter into the Inner Colony Wars.

The 19th Shock Troops Regiment augmented their four battalions into Expeditionary Targeting Forces with support from the Army Rangers, ONI Section One, and Air Force air support to conduct operations in dismantling movements across Reach. Combat operations revolved around air superiority, putting intel analyst with the ODSTs, and capturing rather than killing. The UNSC placed its emphasis on conducting non-kinetic operations to prevent further fighting in the later years. The benefits of paid off due to the unit's ability to capture leaders and essential personnel without firing many shots. Companies from the 19th Shock Troops Regiment also augmented themselves with CMA forces in high conflict zones to relieve combat stress on Tribute, where the fighting had only broken out in small, contained areas. Planners and Operation Officers worked to wear out the fighting of the enemy before making their move, knowing that the Navy and Army had set up blockades to prevent military equipment from reaching the enemy's hands. Both Reach and Tribute conflicts continued to grow as the UNSC continued to assist the CMA with more hands-on operations.

From 2397 to 2401, SPECWARCOM designated the 105th to focus on Reach and support Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Reach where a Regiment was deployed to Special Operations Task Force West and South while Rangers took to the North and East. Two Battalions were assigned to each geographical region with support elements from ONI, the Air Force, and the Navy. The 105th distinguished themselves in their geographical region by recruiting sources and conducting multiple operations to defeat the network established in their assigned area. Reconnaissance Platoons also became known for setting up in the enemy's backyard and providing actionable intelligence, often giving the assault force an element of surprise. Each Regiment during the time rotated every 175 days to keep troops fresh and prevent burnout. While one Regiment deployed, another focused on personal security detail and serving as the alert Regiment to respond to a crisis while the other trained forces at nearby bases.

By 2402, the 105th captured the leaders of three major movements and broke up the remaining networks, bringing an end to most hostilities across Reach. Turning their efforts toward Tribute and Circumstance, the 105th deployed to fill in the gaps of the planet's Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force to assist in shutting down the remaining movements. Throughout the rest of 2402 and 2403, the CAA began working on peace treaties, negotiating surrenders, and ending hostilities. During the time, the 105th provided overwatch for the remaining battles and served as a Quick Reaction Force if needed for the CMA command. On May 19, 2403, the movements collectively agreed to surrender which brought the 105th in to oversee the surrender of weapons, military supplies, and detaining anyone who resisted.

The Epsilon Eridani Treaty brought peace to the system and allowed the 105th Shock Troops Division to showcase their ability as a recognized fighting force for the UNSC Marine Corps by 2307. For the next three years, the 105th focused on preventing any movements from popping up as the governments for each planet got their bearings. The division saw a troop growth and activated the 26th Shock Troops Regiment along with adding more units to enable the active-duty regiments. In the nine-year conflict, the 105th suffered a 25% casualty rate while over 50% of those deployed had received a Purple Heart. Along with their actions, the Unified Earth Government awarded the 105th Shock Troops Division a Presidental Unit Citation for their actions during 2397 and 2401. Many historians considered the end of the Epsilon Eridani Conflicts to be the first step for the 105th Shock Troops Division in becoming one of the best Divisions for the UNSC Armed Forces.

Operation: ODYSSEY TURBULENCE
In 2431, ONI Section One and Three along with the 105th joined together under NAVSPECWAR Group 105 to conduct covert Counter-Insurgency and Terrorism operations across FLEETCOM Sector One Inner Colonies. The plan revolved around two Shock Troop Regiments deploying to newly colonized systems to prevent safe havens for enemies fleeing from the fallout of the Inner Colony Wars. Within the UNSC, the force became known as the Counter-Terrorism Tracking Force to take an initiative in preventing hostilities from breaking out again. The force focused on nearby systems that were easy to reach since they wanted to act swiftly once inside of the systems. The UNSC Navy and Air Force provided transorbital Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance to help the Force pinpoint suspectable spots to further study once they had troops on the ground. The 19th Shock Troops Regiment deployed to the Asimov System while the 26th Shock Troops Regiment arrived at the Anu System by the end of 2431.

Throughout 2432, both Regiments participated in the capture or kill of numerous leaders that declared war against the CAA and UEG. The Force established Covert Compounds to set up close to enemy activity and have a place to store prisoners they detained during raids. Supporting the local CMA forces, the NAVSPECWAR group build target profiles and participated in raids to prevent the enemies from getting anything they wanted. The CTTF in both systems provided options for the UNSC to wipe out threats before the enemy had a chance to move, leading to an increase of missions, personnel, and a broader range of targets to go after. As ONI continued to build networks of sources to feed the Force intel, the action arm spent their time tracking and capturing people to interrogate. Such methods gave the Force actionable intelligence for the 105th and Section Three to launch more raids against the enemies. By 2434, the Force had contributed to deterring 57% of terrorist activity while also preventing such movements from popping up again. However, those who were not captured began fleeing towards the Outer Colonies which slowly became a haven for like-minded people.

The operation then set its scope on 61 Virginis and 61 Urase Majoris system where ONI Section One elements tracked fleeing targets to the systems in search of refuge. By 2436, the 105th rejoined the Counter-Terrorism Tracking Force with two Regimental Combat Teams to assist the CMA with taking down sancutary camps across the colonies. Due to the desire of the CMA wanting to take the lead in operations, the UNSC conducted their own missions which brought disagreements among commanders in both organizations. Working around politics, the 105th worked with Section One on infiltrating into the sancutary cities and identifying key leaders to remove. After identifying leaders, capture platoons moved in to take away the leaders which led to the disbandment of many cities where more people fled towards the Outer Colonies. In 2441, the 105th succeded in taking down a number of threats and turning their attention more towards the fringes of Outer Colonies space.

For the rest of the 2440s, the UNSC continued to a maintain a presence around the Inner Colonies near Sector One while the 105th and CTTF deployed to systems with the most activity. Reconnaissance Platoons from the deployed Regiments augmented themselves with Section One and deployed to the Outer Colonies where they gathered intelligence on movements of enemies and activities. Most of the platoons that deployed worked in two to three person teams with ONI counterparts and spent the majority of their time on Non-Official Cover rosters to protect their identities. The rest of the Regiment spent their time cross training with the CMA and conducting missions. In 2452, the UNSC declared Operation: ODYSSEY TURBULENCE a success and quietly ordered the 105th to focus on deployments to the Outer Colonies.

Operation: FREQUENT TUNDRA
Following the end of Operation: ODYSSEY TURBULENCE, ONI Section One and the 105th formed a Special Reconnaissance Project named Juliet-37 Task Group under NAVSPECWAR to conduct covert reconnaissance in the Outer Colonies. The Project's goal was to build better target profiles against Targets of Interest around the Chi Eridani and 68 Eridani system based on the growing number of havens and sanctuary communities propping up. In 2453, Section One recruited reconnaissance platoons from the 105th and combined forces to build covers and trust among the two organizations working together. The teams began deployments to the two systems under the cover of merchants in 2454 and began their year-long missions of gathering intelligence.

Both systems proved to be hotbeds for terrorist activity and J-37TG spent little time waiting as they created profiles for TOI in their assigned systems. Mapping out the networks and building sources allowed the Task Group to understand the operational level of the enemy and its activities. In 2457, Section Two joined the Task Group where they began a program to conduct covert political and economical tampering as well as spreading propaganda. The 105th focused on infiltrating military arms of the organizations to understand their capabilities and conducted sabotage missions while also assisting Section One missions. Demolition and Snatch missions became the norm for the 105th as well where they continued to act covert and often outside of military law. Their findings located other cells throughout Sector One Outer Colonies and Inner Colonies, which led to stopping terrorist attacks on growing colonies. By 2468, the Task Group set their eyes on the Eridanus system where the UNSC and CMA had the least amount of intelligence on.

Assessment and Selection
The Assessment and Selection program, better known as Selection among the training cadre, is a three-week-long program that looks for the right candidates. The first phase is known as the physical test that looks at the candidate's physical strength, toughness, and ability to perform combat maneuvers. Only getting four hours of sleep, candidates are pushed to their limits so that the cadre can see the true characters of each candidate being assessed. The physical week is the one section where many candidates washout and voluntarily withdraw; it has been noted for being one of the hardest weeks among training cadres in the UNSC Marine Corps. The physical week also serves as a baseline for each candidate, telling the cadre where the candidate is not strong and looking for ways to improve it soon.

The second phase is known as the academic, which is a week-long section focused on the candidate's intelligence, mental resolve, and critical thinking skills. From classroom lectures to psychology exams, the medical staff of the cadre is looking to see if candidates can think during a high-stress situation and command fellow troops. The physical intensity is dialed down to let the candidates focus more on their academics, but wants to keep the body weak to ensure the medical staff can make an accurate assessment. After an academic week, the final week includes an oral board and a final physical test to determine if the candidate should be in the 105th Shock Troops Division. Interviews are held by the senior and command staff of the cadre to determine the true fate of the candidate. After passing Selection, candidates move onto ODST Qualification Training.

ODST Individual Training Course
The 105th Individual Training Course is a three-month-long course focused on developing a candidate's fundamentals in fitness, tactics, combat techniques, and mental toughness. After candidates pass through Selection, the intensity of training is more focused on the mind of the candidate rather than their ability to reach time limits and status quo. The ITC pushes to help develop candidates into capable ODSTs that can conduct a range of missions within a Drop Jet Platoon. In the Fitness Section, the training focuses on hand-eye coordination, teaching candidates to become more endurance, and taking care of their bodies. Medical Officers from the training cadre teach health courses and assist the candidates by employing tactics throughout their training. The Tactics Section educates ODSTs on basic Shock Infantry techniques and developing plans to conduct special operation missions. Members from the 105th and ONI Section One teach ODSTs how to read maps, tell time without watches, navigate areas, create plans in a small team and, execute tasks throughout several environments. Tactics lead right into Combat Techniques, which then helps the candidates stimulate what they learned in tactics and add a combat element. All of the candidates learn field skills such as Survival, Evade, Resistance, Escape, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Fire Mission Support, and Communication Techniques. The Final Section, known as Mental Toughness, runs the candidates through a test to see if the candidate can perform the tasks they have learned throughout the ITC. Often put against the training cadre, the candidate is forced to use all of the knowledge he accumulated in three months to pass through the final test. After passing the ITC, the candidate becomes an ODST and earns a spot at the ODST Troop Training Phases to join a Drop Jet Platoon.

Phase One
Known as the Small-Unit Tactics Phase, the two sections focus on fireteam and squad tactics with candidates to determine how they work together. The first section consists of fireteam exercises where the candidates learn how to conduct missions in a small team of four personnel. Emphasis is placed on building trust and respect among those in the fireteam to execute complex special operation tasks under stressful scenarios. The Fireteam section includes live-round exercises such as room clearing, maneuvering on targets across various geographical lands, and honing skills as a team. Other exercises include the usage of tactical training rounds to stimulate fireteam battles better with the help of the 105th ODST Combat Training Unit. The three-week-long section builds into the squad section which brings in another fireteam to build trust and comradery with other ODST candidates. The squad section lasts another three-weeks and ends with the new squad preparing for Phase Two.

Phase Two
The Platoon and Company phase of ODST Troop Training allows candidates to train within an ODST Drop Jet Platoon; candidates continue to perform stimulated special operation missions with the platoon. The Platoon section of ODST Troop Training is the first time ODST candidates can interact with active-duty members of the division. The two-week training period gives time to the platoon to assess and educate the new candidates on how to employ their training. Following the end of the Platoon section, new candidates have joined the 105th Shock Troops Division and prepare for the Company Section. By the Company Section, the five platoons are working together to stimulate combat operations along with doing work-ups for the next deployment. Company exercises include stimulated shock infantry maneuvers, conducting missions with various elements, and using critical thinking to produce effective plans in a short amount of time.

Phase Three
Battalion and Regiment training come in last, they are considered the last Phase for a newly-minted ODST before deployment. The Battalion section focuses on four companies working together to conduct special operations for the UNSC Marine Corps. Battalion troop training includes wargaming against other battalions within the division and, participating in joint capability exercises with the UNSC Army. Battalion training is often done with a variety of units within the Division to keep ODST skills sharp. The Regimental Section is the last and final section of ODST Troop Training, which focuses on a full deployment of a Regiment. Training largely reflects what's done during the Battalion section but heavily focused on the geographical terrain as to where the Regiment is deploying. The Regimental Section is conducted one-week till deployment and ensures that all ODSTs are prepared for their deployment.

Advanced Training
The 105th Shock Troops Division encourages ODSTs to continue attending courses and schools to become better fighters and thinkers for the Division. Many ODSTs attend schools within their assigned MOS to become more skilled and specialized while others build themselves up as well-rounded service members. The Marine Corps Special Operations Command holds several courses and schools to give ODSTs a variety of options to choose from, such as advanced special reconnaissance, master breacher, assaulting, and advanced driving courses. The UNSC Air Force often trains ODSTs in combat medicine, conducts Search and Rescue Capability Exercises, qualifies Joint-Terminal Attack Controllers, and simulate transorbital operations for Space Assault Battalions. ODSTs often attend SERE Courses through the Air Force due to their dedicated SERE's program. The UNSC Army offers a host of schools that range from Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course, Ranger School, Long-Range Target Interdiction, Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis, and Exploitation Technique Course. The UNSC Army often assists with providing crucial special operations educations to ODSTs to ensure they have a strong background in their field of expertise. The UNSC Naval Special Warfare Command provides a wide range of maritime, EVA, individual skills development, and vessel boarding techniques such as the Naval Special Warfare Sniper School, Advanced EVA tactics, and close-quarters battle aboard ships.

The Office of Naval Intelligence Section One assists with training ODSTs in intelligence and target identification along with helping select ODSTs become case officers. Section One also assists in teaching ODSTs how to operate undercover and ways to produce actionable intelligence, giving students the best chances to gather the best information for fellow ODSTs in their company. Officers who attend Section One courses can often serve as a liaison officer later in their career and become a spy handler within the Division during deployments. Section One courses and schools are considered the most elite where veteran ODSTs attend after spending a number of years in the Division.