Bred with extra capacity for tactics and coordination, the clones who were designated as commanders by the Kaminoans were able to lead regiments of over 2,000 clones. Distinguished by yellow markings on their armour, commanders led their soldiers throughout the Clone Wars, though they sometimes gave up their squads for Jedi generals to take charge. Commanders were often posted in stationary or mobile command centers, and in the larger artillery and transport vehicles. They carried standard equipment and armour, as only their genetics were altered slightly. While the commanders were given more independance, it was not enough to make them question orders or become fearful in battle. They were refined just so, and became valuable assets to the Republic.
Also sporting yellow markings on their armour, the pilots of the clone army were required to drive a number of machines, from the airborne gunships to the lumbering SPHA-T and AT-TE walkers. In order to distinguish the pilots from the commanders, clone pilots were issued with specialized helmets, with various functions used specifically for piloting. Although the standardized accelerated training undergone by the clone trooper ranks was modular, some clonetrooper pilots were better trained to handle certain vehicles: for example, the CT 5-series of pilots were generally recognized to be the best trained to handle the Jadthu-class landing ships, while others only piloted ground vehicles or speeder bikes.
Clone captains were trained to handle military speeders also. Not only did they helm a company of 144 clonetroopers, they preformed daring commando missions - explaining why they were often referred to as clone commandos. During the Battle of Geonosis, clone captains flew speeder bikes into battle, using them to fly rings around the clunky spider droids of the Commerce Guild. They destroyed numerous targets by flinging grenades onto the droids, before racing away as the enemy exploded.
Other clonetrooper units included sergeants - identified by green markings - and lieutenants, who featured blue markings. All together, there were 192,000 overall clonetroopers in the Battle of Geonosis. |
