The Clone Wars
The Clone Wars
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"These recruits come from all over the galaxy. They swear loyalty to the Empire. They're not as skilled, but there's an endless supply of them."
―Captain Gregor[src]

Stormtroopers were the elite soldiers of the Galactic Empire following the end of the Clone Wars. The evolution of the former soldiers of the Galactic Republic, the clone troopers, the stormtroopers wore specialized white armor and helmets and were the mainstay of the Imperial Army. Introduced as TK troopers, they were recruited from loyal citizens across the galaxy and received training from veteran Clone Commandos. Stormtroopers quickly became the symbol of Imperial might throughout the galaxy, serving to enforce the laws of the New Order.

History[]

"With this momentous act, we shall usher in a new era, heralded by the Imperial Stormtrooper."
―Emperor Palpatine speaks on the Defense Recruitment Bill to the Senate[src]

Stormtroopers were created when Emperor Sheev Palpatine declared the Clone Wars over and reorganized the Republic into the Empire. At that time, the Republic's clone troopers were dubbed Imperial Stormtroopers. The clones were the primary backbone of the fledgling Empire's army, enacting armed occupations of former Separatist worlds, such as Raxus, to keep the populous in line. As time went on, however, Imperial command began an initiative called Project War-Mantle that planned to phase out clone troopers in favor of human soldiers. These non-clone conscripts were recruited from citizens of the galaxy who swore absolute loyalty to the Empire.

The transition from clones to recruits was made official when the Imperial Senate passed the Defense Recruitment Bill, an act that focused military funding on creating an army from conscripted citizens. Vice Admiral Rampart petitioned for the bill by arguing that clone soldiers were in short supply with the loss of the cloning facilities on Kamino, covering up the fact that he had personally carried out Tipoca City's destruction.

When the truth of this event became publicly known, however, Rampart was framed for acting on his own accord and arrested. Emperor Palpatine used the fact that his clone troopers so blindly followed his orders to manipulate the Senate into passing the Defense Recruitment Bill.

Recruitment and training of this new army began within months of the Empire's formation. These soldiers were initially classified as "TK troopers" and given updated armor to further distinguish them from the CT-numbered clones they were replacing. Clone Commandos oversaw their training at secret military installations. The most capable of these recruits were selected to become Elite Squad Troopers, serving in specialized squads on covert assignments.

Appearances[]

The Clone Wars[]

The Bad Batch[]

Books[]

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