Survey Corps (Attack on Titan)
The Survey Corps is an organization that features in Attack on Titan.
Contents[hide] |
History
The Survey Corps (Japanese: 調査兵団, Hepburn: Chōsa Heidan?) was a branch of the military of the forces of Eldia on Paradis Island.
After the coup d'état when Historia Reiss is crowned Queen, the Survey Corps experienced a recruitment boost through transfers from other branches of the military.[26] This increases their numbers, only for the majority of them to be wiped out during the Battle of Shiganshina District. Regardless of the horrific numbers lost during the operation, the battle ended in their victory. The Survey Corps ultimately reclaiming Wall Maria from the Titans and as a result, obtained many truths about humanity's situation within the Walls and who their enemy truly was.
After the coup d'état when Historia Reiss was crowned Queen, the Survey Corps experienced a recruitment boost through transfers from other branches of the military. This increases their numbers, only for the majority of them to be wiped out during the Battle of Shiganshina District. Regardless of the horrific numbers lost during the operation, the battle ended in their victory. The Survey Corps ultimately reclaiming Wall Maria from the Titans and as a result, obtained many truths about humanity's situation within the Walls and who their enemy truly was.
Overview
It was originally the smallest branch of the Military in terms of membership where at first it numbered to around 300 soldiers. This already-limited number of volunteers was made less and less by commonplace deaths and an infamy surrounding the body count that frightens most away from joining. While 300 is a common headcount for membership in the Survey Corps, there had been several occasions where expeditions took place with around only 100 soldiers. Unlike the Military Police, there was no laziness or incompetence in the Survey Corps with no corruption existing in this branch of the military.
One of their duties was the reclamation of human territory from Titan-infested lands through the act of setting up small bases, camps, resupply stations, and extra fortifications in available areas outside the Walls.
A lesser and more unofficial duty of the Corps was Titan observation and research. This allowed them to determine a Titan's pain tolerance, sunlight dependence, and intelligence.
Feelings of pride of the individual soldiers were also very high, as they were aware of not only being the bravest of the three Military branches but whatever victories mankind gains against Titans are gained at the cost of the soldiers' lives. They realized this as they boldly go into the realm where most humanity dares not their pride is rightfully justified. Trust between leaders and subordinates was absolute.
Despite their small numbers, the discipline and fighting prowess of the Survey Corps was regarded as the best out of the three military branches. There was no class-based segregation between officers and enlisted men, with all ranks sharing equally in the work and dangers. The Survey Corps had a well-earned reputation for toughness and cool-headed courage in the face of extreme hardship; members would fight on even in the smallest, most isolated of groups. Survey Corps members were physically and mentally tough, highly adaptable, and could be counted on not to panic even when the Garrison and Military Police personnel around them have broken ranks.
Unfortunately, this branch was also in the most uncomfortable position, politically and financially, despite being the best out of the three military branches in terms of the overall quality of its officers and enlisted men. The bureaucrats, rich conservatives, and many Military Police members disliked the Survey Corps and viewed it as a waste of money and resources, due to the Survey Corps' lack of definite, decisive successes and high losses of lives. Only from the support of the King did the Survey Corps still remain intact and protected from the greedy bureaucrats and hostile conservatives. Membership thus involves little glory, and Survey Corps members are thus arguably humanity's finest and most sincere soldiers - not after money, glory or promotions, but truly committed to buying humanity a better tomorrow, whatever the cost may be. Any graduate from the Training Corps could join the Survey Corps for that it does not have a certain requirement, unlike the Military Police branch.
Another reason for its low membership was on account of its high rate of fatality which when combined with their low success rate meant that many people were discouraged from joining their ranks. Thus, the Survey Corps was known to suffer a constant personnel shortage and the only soldiers who entered the Survey Corps were completely dedicated to the cause of humanity, usually at the cost of their own lives.
Commander Erwin Smith was responsible for developing the Long-Distance Enemy Scouting Formation that focused on Titan avoidance. As the Survey Corps could not afford to fight every Titan out in the open, the entire Survey Corps was spread out over a large area in the formation where they maximized visibility. Upon encountering a Titan, a red flare indicated the danger and all soldiers who saw the flare, fire a red flare of their own, allowing Erwin to quickly be alerted to the Titan's presence. He would then fire a green flare in the desired direction to avoid this Titan with all members firing a green flare as well to allow the information to spread quickly.
A key piece of equipment used by the Corps was vertical manoeuvring equipment (立体機動装置 Rittai kidō sōchi?).
They later came to make use of Thunder Spears (雷槍 Raisō?) that were used to fight the Armored Titan.
Their stables also include a total of 600 specially-bred horses, including reserves. The Survey Corps made use of specially bred horses that allowed them to outrun Titans when outside the Walls. These horses were capable of running long distances and were not easily frightened by Titans. The animals were exceptionally valuable and bred for great speed, stamina, and calm temperament
Members
- Erwin Smith :
- Levi Ackerman :
- Hange Zoë :
- Eren Yeager :
- Mikasa Ackerman :
- Armin Arlert :
- Jean Kirstein :
- Reiner Braun :
- Annie Leonhart :
- Mike Zacharias :
- Connie Springer :
- Sasha Blouse :
- Floch Forster :
Notes
- The Survey Corps was created by Hajime Isayama where it featured in the setting of the Attack on Titan universe.
In other media
Television
- In Attack on Titan, the Survey Corps appeared in the setting of the anime television series.
Films
Video games
Appearances
- Attack on Titan:
External Links
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