Stormtrooper

Stormtroopers (STs)—also known as Imperial stormtroopers and often derogatorally referred to as "bucketheads"—were the elite shock troops of the Galactic Empire, and were part of the Stormtrooper Corps, an independent military branch operating under the Imperial Army. These elite, obedient and zealous soldiers wore armor consisting of white plastoid plates over a black body glove, and their standard issue weapon was the E-11 medium blaster rifle. In addition to the standard variant trooper, various specialized units such as scout troopers and snowtroopers comprised the ranks of the corps. Alongside Imperial-class Star Destroyers and TIE fighters, stormtroopers served as reminders of the absolute power of the Empire. In addition, stormtroopers would serve with the regular infantry to enforce oppressive rule over the galaxy.

Taking their name from the "storm" of galactic history, clone troopers served as the first generation of stormtroopers, and were gradually replaced by Imperial recruits known as TK stormtroopers. Clone troopers were composed of the clones who formed the backbone of the Grand Army of the Republic from its inception at the end of the Clone Wars when the Sith Lord Darth Sidious declared the Galactic Republic at an end and himself Galactic Emperor. Into the early years of the Imperial Era, the cloning operation on Kamino was shut down as the Empire turned to conscription and voluntary recruitment in order to fill the stormtrooper ranks. The remaining clones were gradually retired from service due to their rapid aging, their legacy inherited by natural-born humans who were also trained to render total allegiance to the Emperor and his New Order.

Stormtroopers were spread throughout galaxy, from the galactic capital of Coruscant in the Core Worlds, to major installations and vital worlds, enforcing widespread terror and mass oppression. These infantry fought many battles against the forces of the Alliance to Restore the Republic during the Galactic Civil War, including the Battle of Scarif, the Battle of Hoth, and the Battle of Endor. Shortly before the Battle of Yavin, Princess Leia Organa was captured by stormtroopers who served under the Emperor's lieutenant, Darth Vader. However, Organa was rescued by Luke Skywalker and Han Solo who, disguised as stormtroopers, infiltrated the first Death Star. The Emperor stationed a legion of stormtroopers on Endor to protect the shield generator of the second Death Star, although they were defeated by the Alliance's Ewok allies.

With the deaths of Emperor Palpatine and Lord Vader, Counselor to the Empire Gallius Rax took control of the Empire, which rallied to his homeworld of Jakku to make a final stand against the New Republic during the Battle of Jakku, however the Empire collapsed, with its replacement of the New Republic consequently demobilizing stormtrooper forces.

Despite this, during the New Republic Era, a variant known as Remnant Stormtroopers continued under the Imperial Remnant as the core infantry. By the rise of the First Order, a new generation of stormtroopers emerged from the Unknown Regions as standard soldiers.

Text and facts from the “Stormtrooper” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.