Ailon Nova Guard The Ailon Nova Guard , also known simply as the Nova Guard , was a mercenary group based on the planet Ailon . Overview . The Ailon Nova Guard had a rich history that dated as far back as 13 , 000 BBY , with many successes and battle honors and consisted nearly exclusively of non - Humans of the Ailon species . They believed in the concept of survival of the fittest and as such they often trained — almost religiously — to the highest possible standard . The Guard used a wide variety of weaponry , most notably the Eklot . The reputation of the Ailon Nova Guard was so impressive that they were often compared to the Mandalorians and the Emperor ' s Royal Guard . Their annual Ailon Military Celebrations were a major tourist attraction for the Ailon system , and were broadcast galaxy - wide . During the reign of the Empire , elite Imperial units also participated in these parades and ceremonies . History . During the Clone Wars , the Nova Guard fought for the Galactic Republic and participated in at least two battles , the Battle of Ord Canfre and the Battle of Bassadro . The Nova Guard was also said to have participated in the slaughter of the Mandalorian Protectors at Norval II . The Nova Guard believed that Galactic Emperor Palpatine embodied their belief , and supported him however they could . The Humanocentric Empire took advantage of this , and often hired them for " glorious " battles which were really suicide missions . They were used as disposable assets and their deaths in combat provided Imperial commanders with real - time intelligence . Two notable missions by the Nova Guard during this period were the toppling of King Satyr Azzlectico and the Sundering of Slession . After the Battle of Endor , however , they worked to eliminate any Imperial threats . The Nova Guard started by fighting Imperial forces in the Inner Rim and , due to their high success rate , later targeted fortress worlds in the Mid Rim . During the Yuuzhan Vong War , the Ailon Nova Guard switched its allegiance to the impressive Yuuzhan Vong and aided the alien invaders in conquering the Inner Rim most notably Cona , Manaan , and Zeltros . Organization and Philosophy . Numbering close to a billion soldiers , the Ailon Nova Guard was one of the most successful and fiercest fighting forces in the galaxy , a characteristic clearly visible in the organization of its ranks . Upon entering the Nova Guard , a new recruit would be given the rank of guardsman and could be promoted from there on . The next rank was corporal who led a group of forty men called a section . Next came lieutenant who led a platoon which consisted of six sections . A major , who led a company which was made up of eight platoons , came after lieutenant . Next came the position of lieutenant colonel who led battalions which were made up of eight companies . A colonel who led a regiment , a group consisting of two or more battalions , was the next rank up from lieutenant colonel . Next came major general s who led a division , which was made of six regiments . Next came field marshal s who led corps , all of whom made up the Ailon Marshalate , an elite command force that also doubled as a Ruling Council . The Supreme Commander of the Ailon Nova Guard was the High Marshal of Ailon .