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Anonymous
ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper) The Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, or "ODST", are an elite special operations unit within the UNSC Marines. Their role on the battlefield is usually described as that of an aggressive shock infantry raid force. As their name implies, ODSTs are dropped from low-orbital positions onto the surface of planets (or in the case of both Halo rings, ancient artifacts), often directly into combat situations. They are deployed via SOEIVs (Single Occupant Exo-atmospheric Insertion Vehicle, also called HEVs, for 'Human Entry Vehicle'), one-man ceramic pods designed to carry soldiers to their drop point. This unique delivery method makes them collectively less susceptible to enemy ground-to-air defenses than conventional Marines, who have to be ferried to battle in large troop carrier dropships - the reasoning being that casualties are less with the destruction of a pod than that of a dropship. Once at their destination, the ODSTs have to move quickly in order to regroup, secure a perimeter, and treat the less fortunate of their ranks. Their drop pods are uncontrolled after release, and it's not uncommon for them to miss their target and/or land into unfortunate places, like against rocks, crushing the pod and the soldier inside or landing in a lake, drowning the soldier. Despite the risks, the ODST always seem to land either on target or very close by if not launched under emergency situations.
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