Pauldrons were a type of armor worn by soldiers of the Galactic Republic, the Galactic Empire, the First Order, and Mandalore. These represented the wearer's rank or affiliation. These varied in color, and could sometimes feature symbols associated with the wearer's commander.
Clone Captain Rex wears a pauldron
The Galactic Republic's specialized and officer clone troopers utilized pauldrons. Advanced Recon Commandos were known to utilize them, as well as Clone Sergeants, Clone Lieutenants, Clone Captains, and Clone Commanders.
The Wookiee warriors of the Republic planet Kashyyyk utilized decorative pauldrons.
An Imperial shadow trooper equipped with a type of pauldron.
Members of the Imperial Stormtrooper Corps known as Stormtrooper Commanders wore pauldrons to represent their position as officers. Pauldrons also were placed on the armor of sandtroopers, magma troopers, Purge Troopers, and death troopers. A black colored pauldron seen on a stormtrooper indicated an enlisted trooper but also could be used for some Stormtrooper Commanders, such as corporals and sergeants. Indeed, in the case of Stormtrooper Commanders, pauldron color could indicate the wearer's rank, position or specialization. White was for sergeants, red was for squad leaders, and orange was for unit leaders, including a squad leader, sergeants, captains, or commanders.
Incinerator troopers wore red while artillery stormtroopers wore yellow. Imperial stormtroopers stationed aboard Grand Admiral Thrawn's flagship Chimaera wore pauldrons that, although in the normal color variations, featured a symbol of a stylized chimaera in the middle. This symbol was associated with the Grand Admiral, and also appeared on the uniforms of Imperial officers aboard the ship. Death troopers used black pauldrons to signify specialists, who had access to additional weapons and equipment. The pauldrons provided additional information when viewed through a death trooper's helmet.
The rise of the First Order witnessed the continuity of Imperial customs, one such tradition being the use of pauldrons to denote rank or specialty, such as stormtrooper officers in the First Order military. Officers wore red pauldrons, sergeants wore black, and squad leaders wore white.
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