Breaking Down the Armor and Uniforms of the Marines From Halo: Combat Evolved

To mark the 20th anniversary of Halo we've decided to finally dip our toes into the franchise by looking at the highly memorable and unique look of the marines as seen in the original game Halo: Combat Evolved.
Be sure to stand by for our follow up video in which we build a full sized marine uniform boasting entirely metal armor!
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:44 Backstory
1:56 Marine Overview
2:57 Universal Items
5:51 Unarmored
8:06 Weapons
10:29 Armored
13:30 Outro
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Resources
405th Website: www.405th.com
Halo Props Facebook Group: / 528738863837600
The RPF: www.therpf.com/
CyNProps Instagram: cynprops?h...
Clothing
- BDUs: www.propper.com/propperr-bdu-... or search light gray (or green) BDUs
- Alternate pants for unarmored: Though more of a general search for G3 pants; Emerson or Crye amzn.to/3n48N5M
Headgear
- UNSC Pins/Patches: DF variants are more common on eBay while UNSC are more on etsy www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from... and www.etsy.com/search?q=unsc%20pin
- Patrol Cap: can be sourced on eBay or Amazon
- Boonie/Bucket hat: Same as above, just determine which style and go from there
- Do-Rag/Bandana: Again easy to source but a good option: amzn.to/3qvTjK9
Boots
- Tanker: www.uspatriottactical.com/cor...
- ATV/Motocross boots: You can really get a feel by looking around but the two shown were amzn.to/3C1OTN1 and amzn.to/3qqfy47
Unarmored
- Vest: This one is tricky, again you can use the M55 variants but they are expensive, eBay would be your best bet. For the PASGT vest cover they are all over eBay and often sold through surplus websites.
- Foam: Comes in varying quantities and with different textures but amzn.to/30gaBjm
- Climbing Wall Holds: Check ebay or just search, its a bit of a scavenger hunt since there are so many shapes and sizes
- Side Pouches: Open to interpretation but a good option is www.ebay.com/itm/173983987110...
- Lower Back Pouch: As stated it looks very similar to an M16 cleaning kit one, these can be found on eBay and through a variety of surplus websites
Upper back pouches/area: A mix of custom pouches and honestly random circuit boards or kit bashed items.
Weapons
Pretty much for these the best resources will be Etsy and The RPF for kits and props along with Thingiverse for the 3D files. Additionally groups like the 405th and Halo Props on Facebook. Just remember these are the actual names for each:
MA5B Assault Rifle
M6D Magnum Pistol
M90 Shotgun
SRS99C-S2 AM Sniper Rifle
M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose Frag Grenade (Smooth, non pineapple version)
M41 SPNKR Rocket Launcher
Armored
- Undersuit/vest: Again this is open to interpretation, best guess is a form of MOLLE plate carrier or cut down padded shirt. Two like the ones seen in the video are: amzn.to/3D4eEhb and amzn.to/304MNPb
- Neck protector/Balaclava bib: amzn.to/3oleuvL or amzn.to/3koWW0z
- Both Pepakura versions of the files as well as the 3D files can be found here: drive.google.com/drive/folder...
Helmet
- Green acrylic: eBay and Amazon are your best bet for these, they sell pretty cheap and in different sizes and thicknesses. Here is a good example: ebay.to/3Honcly
- Microphone Mouthpiece: Really any junk headset mouthpiece will do but a relatively accurate and somewhat funny one are the standard Xbox 360 headset ones as they are easy to work with and very cheap: www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Heads...
Name Stencil: These are easy, just search and download the Stencilla font offline, print your name and alter the letters. Being that only JENKINS is spelled out you'll have to get a bit creative when modifying them.
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Intro Music by: www.juliancrowhurst.com/
Halo (Original Soundtrack) by Martin O'Donnell & Michael Salvatori
Alien Corridors
Under Cover Of Night
Perchance To Dream
Brothers In Arms
Dust and Echos
A Walk In The Woods
Covenant Dance

[@serioussoldier7977]

I don’t know why but I’ve always had a soft spot for the OG marine armor.

[@Azrakoth1]

Same, man. Love the aesthetics of the CE marines and UNSC personnel in general.

[@giygas9305]

I love Em too

[@JoshuOfficial]

100% agree

[@Punidue]

Completely agree. It's still unmatched

[@Quackerilla]

It really is the best of the bunch. Reach are a close second.

[@YummyNukes]

The Reach army and marine armor and BDUs were my personal favorite

[@BlueTeam-John-Fred-Linda-Kelly]

If you look at it from the perspective of the UNSC losing a 20 odd-year war against technologically superior aliens while also losing contact with over half of their planets or literally seeing them burn and crumble, it would make sense that the UNSC was: 1. Low on recorces. 2. Low on time. The UNSC didn't have much choice, they knew that plasma weapon damage was diminished by large metal/ ceramic plates, and thus the uniforms of front-line troops became streamlined and basic. All in a veiled effort to decrease resource usage and increase survivability.

[@darklord7479]

@Mister Majestic what humanity had 800 worlds and the covenant only glassed, 76

[@NomadShadow1]

Don’t forget the cigar if you want to go for the Sgt. Johnson look

[@Chad_Thunder-Koch]

Let’s fucking go! Been waiting for this one.

[@honzabalak3462]

Could you please make a video about the fake "Soviet" uniforms and gear used in Red Dawn and Rambo 3? For what it's worth they did a rather good job with the limited materials and info they had available.

[@tankieflanker4119]

I would like to see a video on the uniform of Japanese Strategic Self-Defense (JSSDF) from End of Evnagelion. It's one of the most unique and interesting uniforms of the screen I've ever seen. I haven't found any KZbin videos detailing the equipment, making a video on this be a first & would bring in more viewers interested in underrated topics such as this.

[@KyuMachi]

They should do videos on the irl JSDF as well

[@dallindunn1186]

the different police in akira would be cool too

[@tankieflanker4119]

@@dallindunn1186 I love Akira,but totally forgot about them lol

[@shovellord1117]

Happy 20 Spartans!

[@trooperodst6880]

Ooorah 🙏🙏 yes

[@MrDowdy11753]

I didn't notice this until now, but the Halo sniper rifle is just a Denel NTW 20 that somehow feeds from the bottom.

[@supersourbob]

Great video. Still looking forward to the SG-1 episode!

[@BenLoula]

Every time I see the intro I get a stab of panic that I missed the video.

[@KillerOrca]

You chose an EXCELLENT time to roll this out! As a note; the now discontinued Halo Loot Crate included a patrol cap that practically matches the one seen in the game, but in the darker green color from the figures (officially its Johnsons from Halo 2, but take that as you will).

[@supersiultimate373]

The uniform of the Detroit police department of robocop movies

[@SgtPorkchop91]

Cant wait to see future Halo Uniform videos

[@icarusgaming6269]

Been waiting a long time for this. I'm glad it'll be a series. This is exactly the level of detail we needed to begin to untangle the UNSCDF's long and convoluted dress code history. Thank you

[@DeanmC261993]

YAY EVERY CHANNEL IS COMING UP HALO, I never thought we’d be in a halo renaissance 💜

[@trooperodst6880]

UNSC Uses a lot of BDU. Mostly they could differ due parts of beign in different UNSC Space.

[@hiphip4808]

Love it, although I really want the MW2 Russian Paras

[@CoolSmoovie]

I feel like the reason so many people were enamored but Halo is because of how grounded it was. 343 kinda just threw that aspect away lol

[@sdguardscpfoundationbruh]

you know one soldier squad literally no one talks about? the cabin in the woods guards can you do a video about these fellas?

[@gorkamorka999]

For those older games (or movies etc) with less fidelity in the final graphics/resolution that were made with a bigger budget it may be worth looking into artbooks and concept art as well. Details that may be hard to make out in the finished product are probably explained better in the concept art if you can find it. (I'm mentioning AAA productions specifically cause they often sells artbooks as supplementary merch where the art gets a bit of extra polishing after the product has shipped as well. For any indie or low budget production you'll likely see more differences between concept art and shipped product or maybe even none at all, because they just gotta make ends meet and are not gonna make much money off of an artbook either way. Caveat is of course that there are always minor differences between concept and final piece.)

[@SpartanJess]

New video about Halo uniforms? Yes Please!

[@renedog23]

Oh my body has been waiting for this episode. And with my favorite sets from the games too

[@MistahFox]

It's awesome to see you do a Halo video! My favorite part of making a new costume is learning history and facts about it that you would never know otherwise. (Did you know that the Halo 3 ODST armor is different from the Halo 3: ODST ODST armor? That's a bit of a mouthful every time my friend and I discuss our armors!)

[@Name-nw9uj]

still waiting for that metal armor video...

[@death31313]

While I love the aesthetic, metal armor common in sci-fi always struck me as odd If you're going for a futuristic look. Metal armor hadn't been viable for quite some time. A better choice would be composite polymer or ceramic construction or some combination of both.

[@KillerOrca]

Canonically Im pretty sure its heat resistant ceramic intended to deflect or at least help nullify Covenant plasma.

[@death31313]

@@KillerOrca Halo Combat Evolved Marine armor was pretty clearly metal, it was a shiny grey color and looked a lot like steel to me. In the later games it could be argued that their armor was some sort of ceramic or polymer since the design team made the decision to give their armor a flat OD paint job, though the ODST's armor was still pretty clearly made of metal. For that matter you can also tell Master Chief's armor was some sort of metal as the scratches and chipped paint showed silver under the green.

[@elikyler631]

@@death31313 I can say that canonically Mr. Killer Orca is right. It is not metal but a mash up of kevlar, ceramic, and other materials. The ODST armor is the same but also has ballistic gel in it if I remember correctly. But I definitely understand your side too. It does look like metal, just one of those things where the lore and game just don't appear the same

[@death31313]

@@elikyler631 not trying to be argumentative here but I just copied this from the Halo fandom wiki about the ODST armor "The current version incorporates technology initially developed for the Mjolnir Armor. This includes CTCs for body armor, titanium and ceramic composite armor plating to give the user added protection" not sure where the wiki pulled that info from but it seems to be the concensus that at least ODST armor is made partially from titanium. I should also note from Halo CE's sound design the Marine armor had a distinct metallic clank when they moved and used the same sound file when you shot the dead bodies as shooting a metal wall.

[@elikyler631]

@@death31313 yeah no not trying to be argumentative either. But hey you're right, there's some titanium in it, so it is a partial metal

[@HarryA3G]

Fantastic video, thank you for this

[@train_rec]

I love to have a video like this for all of the game

[@AD3PTUZ]

An episode on the Genome Soldiers from Metal Gear Solid would be awesome.

[@cthrly]

Finally a video after a long time

[@lebendigesgespenst7669]

Ah yes, two of my biggest interests combine

[@squidyy2k]

The only problem I have with the vid is that you called the rocket launcher a spunker rather than it’s official(in universe and out) shorthand name of “Spanker”

[@ihatethatyoutubedisplaysyo8106]

I find spanker weird imo, it's spelt SPUNKr or something like that

[@austinhinton3944]

@@ihatethatyoutubedisplaysyo8106 It’s spelled “SPNKr”. Colloquially called the ‘Spanker’. It’s a continuation of a trend from Halo’s older brother Marathon, which had weapons such as the ‘T0ZT” (toast) flamethrower and the “W3ST-3m” (waste ‘em) shotgun. ‘Spunker’ sounds what what some frat bro would call his dick.

[@ihatethatyoutubedisplaysyo8106]

@@austinhinton3944 really gonna call 'spunker' dumb yet let 'spanker' slide?

[@remobothic]

@@ihatethatyoutubedisplaysyo8106 Yes.

[@randycheow4268]

Would like to see a breakdown video on the UNSC marine armor from Halo 2 and 3

[@NorthKoreaUncovered]

Great video. Could you do a video on the Gurlukovich Soldiers from MGS2?

[@theweenisman1542]

Thank you

[@yourpaldar445]

I’d love to see a video covering the kryptek uniforms, and see an in depth review of how they performed in field tests, I know they were a runner up for the army’s camp pattern contract, I’d love to learn more about them!

[@yourpaldar445]

Camo*

[@ienjoy8008s]

this makes me so happy lol

[@trooperodst6880]

Same here!!! So happy to see this finally!

[@conscript900]

I think whats going on with the unarmoured is they are wearing a something like you proposed and older marine flackjacket. Or its a plate carrier with the black things being a form of pocket. as for the back, i think they were a form of light Radio backpack. Just an idea as it looked like they were wearing an armour on close inspection but being so light its more of a shrapnel protection.

[@lebendigesgespenst7669]

Dude I’d love a series focusing on every game up to infinite. It’d be godly if you did that

[@dasmara432]

Awesome video. Minor correction though, Pillar of Autumn is a cruiser, not a frigate.

[@zgSH4DOW]

The more practical their kit is, the lamer it gets

[@eyehere2119]

What would be a modern and realistic Spartan armor?So what would the Master Chief be outfitted in modern day?

[@badkarma2761]

Probably just regular US Marine Corps uniform. The military could have some top-secret experimental power-suit, they've come up with some pretty scifi-ish stuff for soldiers before.

[@dingram1066]

Awesome video have you thought about covering the rainbow six franchise

[@_agent_orange__]

LETS GO

[@coletenbass4086]

Can you do update on the scorpion patterns with a darker one in the lighter one

[@fankgaming7753]

Halo dropping multiplayer on the 15th was so pog

[@Bigs_Builds]

Will you guys be doing the history of the USMCs Frogskin camo?

[@Danny344S]

Please make a armor break down of wolf brigade aka Kerberos panzer cop armor

[@PerogiPalooka]

Any update on the metal armor?

[@drcorvus5327]

You should do death korps of krieg next

[@RSAleft9]

Boys it's been 2 years. I think it's time for Halo 2

[@uazfoursixnine]

Niiiiice!

[@eazy8579]

You should do the NCR uniforms from Fallout New Vegas

[@Jezz16A1]

can you do berezka or klmk next please?

[@marcuselensar4099]

Small edit, Pillar of Autumn is a cruiser not frigate

[@KasperMcKay]

More please

[@MaxterandKiwiKing]

"Spanker", not "Spunker". Also the M6 pistols are commonly just referred to as "the Magnum", I don't know where you got "the handcannon" from. It is what would be considered a Handcannon, but it's not *The* Handcannon

[@christianhiggins2342]

Let’s gooooo

[@painfulhades9876]

Can you do battlefield bad company 1/2 us army/marines next they have m81 if I am not mistaken but their gear is interesting

[@gachaofthegalaxy915]

The pillar of autumn isn't a frigate it's alight cruiser

[@nolanmccrary3832]

Please do the merc and all other factions from black ops 2! I beg. I need to find the merc pants so bad!

[@Dalek-caan-15]

Can you please do the ce remake marine armor

[@nathanarvello8470]

How's that build coming?

[@brianfung7]

I’d take Uniform Daddy over Master Chief any day

[@thatferalbadger]

Cerberus Uniform from Manhunt and FIB Uniform from GTA 5

[@Geezer2006]

Just make these videos your hole channel

[@ElementttH2H]

The Pillar of Autumn is of the Halcyon Light Cruiser Class, not a Frigate. Otherwise the rest is fine, though Spunker? Lmao thats a new way to call out the Spankr Rocket Launcher

[@ShutUpBubi]

If you didn't play Halo CE & 2 back in the early 2000s you rlly missed out

[@pyeitme508]

Wow

[@Dalek-caan-15]

Please do the remake

[@Soldier_50918]

Do scp Nine Tailed Fox uniform

[@Buditokid]

Made praying mantis pmc from metal gear solid 4

[@primusvsunicron1]

Halo 2 and 3 please

[@allanlane135]

Hey Uniform History, I just wanted to ask if you make video sometime in the future going over Time Variance Authority (TVA) uniforms from the series Loki, I really love their uniform with that retro 70s look to it and would like to see you break down the uniforms of what type stuff they used for it

[@chpfan8869]

Idea: Half life 2 combine civil protection or combine overwatch

[@trogo3402]

Cruiser, not frigate

[@erenjaeger6204]

The helmets look like those worn by European firefighters

[@meccanica3754]

Star gate when?

[@UniformHistory]

Oh it’s coming.

[@trooperodst6880]

@@UniformHistory Really like the Halo Reach Marines/Army Troopers pretty nice and realistic. Bungies best design. Also Halo 2/3 designs are pretty awesome ones too!!!

[@Munishin]

Based

[@Geezer2006]

Based on whay

[@shovellord1117]

Very

[@Geezer2006]

@@shovellord1117 what do you mean by that

[@trooperodst6880]

Really based. Chad video totally 🙏🙏🔥💯

[@mat8448]

What is with the frame rate in your video, urgh

[@azovac]

i cant speak for your other viewers but im subscribed due to an interest in military gear, prop and costume guides for fictional media really are not my cup of tea

[@prylosecorsomething3194]

This isn't the first video they've done like this. They've done quite a few fictional uniforms in the past and likely won't stop any time soon

[@lancekilkenny721]

Variety can be good.

[@kutter_ttl6786]

Vast majority of videos are still real world. There are 12 videos of uniforms of the screen series (like this one) while with real world camo there's 46 videos. If these aren't your thing than don't watch it, there's plenty of us who do enjoy these videos.

[@GodLike66669]

I subbed for the real camo, and fell in love when I saw this series