Star Warshas provided a definitive structure for the clone army and the many different types of clones, courtesy of Captain Rex himself. Introduced inStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, the Grand Army of the Republic may consist of clones - but they are not all created equally. The Kaminoans genetically engineered certain clones with specific skillsets and abilities (most notablyClone Force 99), and trained different clones for specific ranks.
Marc Sunerak’sThe Secrets of the Clone Troopersprovides a definitive in-universe guide to the clone army, courtesy of Captain Rex, the narrator. As he notes, “Having clones with unique areas of training helped to optimize our effectiveness in battle, no matter the terrain or the operation.” Here are the sub-groups of clones he identifies.
8Clone Officers
Captain Rexwas technically an ARC Trooper, but he definitely counts as a Clone Officer as well. As he notes, “The Grand Army had multiple ranks of clone officers - sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and commander. Each had varying degrees of authority within their unit, but all clone officers reported to a Jedi general.” It’s reasonable to assume thatautonomy increased as a clone commander rose through the ranks.
Captain Rex
A key figure among the clones, Captain Rex served under Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano during the Clone Wars. He defected after the establishment of the Empire, becoming an important leader in the early rebellion. A disillusioned Rex ultimately retired, but was brought back into play courtesy of Ahsoka’s abiding influence.
The example of Captain Rex is an informative one, because it shows the bond of trust that could develop between a clone officer and their Jedi. Rex became a close friend to Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ahsoka Tano, and it even seems likely he knew about Anakin’s secret marriage to Padmé Amidala; he certainly helped Anakin keep his meetings with Padmé secret inStar Wars: The Clone Warsseason 7. Rex often led missions without direct oversight.
7Advanced Recon Commandos
Advanced Recon Commandos (ARC troopers) were soldiers who had served with distinction on the battlefield. Potential ARC troopers were identified at an early stage of training in Kamino, and they were monitored carefully.ARC troopers received more intensive training, and they were given better armor and equipment.
Captain Rex’s description of the ARC troopers conveys a remarkable sense of pride in the status. “ARC troopers were some of the finest fighters to ever pick up a blaster rifle,” he insists. “It was the respect that came along with the title that really made all the extra training worthwhile.” It wouldn’t be a surprise to learn ARC troopers were among the most resistant toOrder 66, with a stronger degree of independence.
6Clone Commandos
Clone Commandos were even more elite, some chosen and some - such as the members of Clone Force 99 - deliberately engineered to possess unique skills and abilities that would help them operate in battle. Clone Commandos “received enhanced training and augmented armor that placed them at a level high above the standard trooper.“They were trained to operate in small squads, with high degrees of independence.
“Whenever these top-tier troopers were called into action, you knew things were about to get serious,” Rex observes. He’s right; the Clone Commando units typically took on the most dangerous assignments, including infiltration missions. The example of Foxtrot Group suggests they suffered high casualty rates.
5Coruscant Guard
Most clone troopers served on the front lines, but some were chosen to serve on the galactic capital of Coruscant itself. The Coruscant Guard - also known as shock troopers - was responsible for protecting senators and diplomats.The shock troopers were no doubt carefully monitored by Palpatine himself, and he surely used their reports as a source of information on potential political enemies.
The Coruscant Guard is sadly notable for its support of Order 66. As seen inThe Mandalorianseason 3, the Coruscant Guard served as backup to the 501st during the attack on the Jedi Temple; the shock troopers watched for escaping Jedi, and hunted them down. They failed to apprehendKelleran Beqand Grogu
4Clone Gunners
All clone troopers were naturally trained in the use of standard weapons, but Clone Gunners received additional training to operate advanced weaponry, both on the ground and in combat vehicles. Standard gunners often operated turrets on starships and in vehicles such as the All Terrain Tactical Enforcers. Heavy gunners used blaster cannons, while sharpshooters were trained as snipers.
It’s reasonable to assume there’s overlap between Clone Gunners and other types referenced here. As an example, Crosshair - although considered a Clone Commando - was undoubtedly a Clone Gunner. In this case, his genes had been manipulated to make him one of the best marksmen among the clones.
3Clone Scout Troopers
Scout Troopers were trained for important recon missions, and Rex singles them out as some of the most intelligent clones. “They also excelled at survival and combat on even the most unforgiving terrain,” he adds. Their armor was lighter than that of standard clones, giving them an advanage in missions that required speed and stealth. Their best were found in the Advanced Recon Force.
Recon Force Troopers were often found in All Terrain Reconnaissance Transports, and they can be seen on many key missions in the Clone Wars. Mace Windu and Obi-Wan Kenobi both worked with Recon Force Troopers on occasion, and Windu seems to have enjoyed the experience, perhaps suggesting the kind of missions he worked on with them. It would be interesting to see whether their intelligence and independence meant they resisted Order 66 at a higher rate.
2Other Specialist Clone Types
There were other clones who received specific training. This included:
The Empire followed the same pattern when it established the Stormtrooper Corp as part ofProject War Mantle. Although most stormtroopers wore standardized armor, others were given specific training and weapons. The Flametroopers in particular continued, and it is amusing to note that both armies saw the need for specific groups who operated flamethrowers.
1Shadows
Star Wars: The Bad Batchintroduced Shadows, a group of clones who had been captured and brainwashed at Mount Tantiss. Run by Doctor Hemlock, this facility was established under Palpatine and conducted many secret operations on his behalf - even initially attempting to unlock the secret of implanting midi-chlorians in clones, key to the Emperor’s resurrection plans. The Shadows were a useful side-project, andthey appear to have been discontinued when Mount Tantiss was shut down.
It’s reasonable to assume Hemlock chose candidates for the Shadow project carefully, looking for skills he found particularly useful. They were trained to operate individually, with a high degree of independence and autonomy, but their brainwashing was so strong they had an unbreakable loyalty to the Empire. Hemlock tried to turn Crosshair into one ofStar Wars' Shadows, but the mutant clone was able to resist the programming.
