Imperial cadets were individuals recruited by the Galactic Empire to be trained as stormtroopers and other service-related professions in the Imperial Military.
Han Solo was a cadet in the Imperial Navy
Following the transformation of the Galactic Republic into Emperor Palpatine's First Galactic Empire, numerous Republic Military academies and complexes would be transferred under the oversight of the newly formed Imperial Academy system. Imperial cadets would come to serve in the ranks of the academy, with young children offered classes on pro-Imperial history such as Current Events. Some academies began training cadets as young as thirteen years old.
Given white and grey uniforms, children in one-year junior academies such as in the Outer Rim world of Lothal's Academy for Young Imperials would often undergo tasks such as facing a programmable obstacle course known as the Well, along with learning the loyalty it took to become a stormtrooper. Following completion, students could return to their former lives, but could also continue their education in the Imperial Academy's many senior academies before entering specialized service academies, eventually becoming a member of the Empire's many governmental organizations.
Imperial cadets wore a white helmet along with gray and white clothing. The uniforms represented symbols of unity, solidarity, discipline, and prestige.
In training exercises, cadets carried E-11 medium blaster rifles locked to the low power setting.
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