Imperial Navy Trooper

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Imperial Navy Troopers, also known as Naval Troopers, Imperial fleet troopers, were the naval soldiers of the Imperial Navy, the space branch of the Galactic Empire's military. Those infantry, who were separate from the elite, white-armored stormtroopers or the regular troopers of the Imperial Army, were trained in advanced warfare and independent command, which included shipboard combat, repulsing boarders, and pacifying escaped detainees. Additionally, most were cross-trained in some operational duty. Like gunners and ground crewmen, Navy Troopers played a vital role in day-to-day operations.

Description

Role

While not as feared by rebel troopers as their stormtrooper brethren, they still maintained an aura of importance^[7] as they participated in Imperial Military assaults on installations^[8] and other on-the-ground operations.^[9] However, they were most commonly found guarding and maintaining far-away outposts, mining stations, and jails, and generally were not as well trained or competent.^[8] Although stormtroopers could serve in a similar capacity,^[10] they were also found aboard Imperial starships, such as the Executor-class Star Dreadnought, as a secruity force.^[11] Aboard the Cantwell-class Arrestor Cruiser, Imperial Navy Troopers served in an operator role on the bridge.^[12]

Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin himself selected a number of Navy troopers, later known as Death Star Troopers, to set up a commanding force aboard the Death Star battle station. Aboard the Death Star, those elite troopers were charged with a variety of duties for which their combat skills were not necessarily required, such as guarding detention blocks and operating the battle station's planet-killing superlaser alongside Imperial weapons technicians.^[3] Gate officers were Navy Troopers who controlled which ships could pass through the Shield Gate over Scarif to reach the facilities below.^[4]

Uniform

There were three different uniforms worn by the troopers, although all featured the distinctive large, black protective helmet with a chinstrap. The first uniform was a black Imperial officer's uniform, sometimes complete with code cylinders and a rank insignia plaque.^[4] The other uniforms consisted of boiler suits similar to the ones worn by Imperial technicians. Just as with technicians, they could be black^[13] or light grey.^[14]

History

Navy troopers investigated Mitth'raw'nuruodo's planet early in the era of the Galactic Empire, only to fall victim to Thrawn's traps before he boarded their Star Destroyer, the Strikefast. After Thrawn had risen through the ranks of the Imperial Navy and became an Admiral, Navy Troopers served under him in the Battle of Batonn.^[9]

In 13 BBY, three navy troopers guarded the room in which Imperial Navy Cadet Han Solo's tribunal was held. As Solo pled his case, he began approaching Commodore Almudin, prompting one of the troopers to aggressively step forward. Solo stopped speaking and stepped back.^[15]

During the Lothal campaign, several navy troopers worked in Lothal's Imperial Complex's command center. During the final battle to liberate Lothal, former ISB agent turned Rebel Alliance Captain Alexsandr Kallus disguised himself as a trooper. The troopers then allowed Governor Pryce and the Rebels to land. When the rebels attacked, the troopers attempted to lock down the complex to no avail. The remaining navy troopers perished after Protocol 13 was initiated and the complex was destroyed.^[16]

In 3 ABY, several navy troopers dragged away the lifeless body of Lorth Needa aboard the Executor, after he was strangled to death with the Force by Darth Vader.^[11]

Navy troopers also took part in the on-the-ground engagements of the Siege of Inyusu Tor against the 61st Mobile Infantry on Sullust^[8] and the Battle of Endor.^[13]