Pathfinders / Legends The Pathfinders were a specialist division of the Alliance to Restore the Republic ' s Special Forces . Skilled in stealth and reconnaissance , Pathfinders were dropped into enemy territory to perform forward scouting missions , or secure beachheads and landing zones for further ground assaults . Lightly armed and mobile , Pathfinders relied on surprise and finesse to achieve their mission objectives , lest they be overwhelmed by a larger , more organized enemy force . Organization . The Pathfinders were a military speciality of the Alliance to Restore the Republic ' s Special Forces . The 2nd Regiment of each individual Division was designated as the Pathfinder regiment . Pathfinders were deployed as the initial wave of an assault , inserted via covert drop into enemy territory via various means including parachute s and para - wing glider s to establish beachheads and hold their position until relieved by stronger forces , or to conduct reconnaissance missions . Pathfinders traveled light , relying on total surprise to overwhelm the enemy before they realized that the Pathfinders were among them . However , it was a difficult undertaking to insert large forces with sufficient heavy weapons without being detected , and were usually undertaken by small units , usually no larger than a company . Relying on mobility and stealth , a small number of Pathfinders were capable of causing havoc amongst the ranks of the enemy if they achieved total surprise . However , if the enemy was able to organize and regroup , they would be able to pose a real threat to the smaller Pathfinder force , risking annihilation unless relieved . Pathfinders were also deployed in small units to act as scouts for other SpecForce units during ground operations . In these situations , the Pathfinders enjoyed the luxury of better reinforcements . Pathfinders also carried out reconnaissance and data retrieval mission at the behest of Alliance Intelligence . History . During the Galactic Civil War , a Pathfinder platoon was deployed to the planet Nishr after a series of crackdowns against the native population , the near - Human Nish , were conducted by local Imperial forces . The Pathfinders reported on the state of Imperial - Nish relations and marked potential base sites on the planet . Inside three weeks , the Pathfinders were joined by three Wilderness Fighters platoons ; the resulting unit , the Nishr Taskforce , was assigned to hinder Imperial operations on the world in attempt to draw reinforcements away from other locations in the sector , and encourage the local resistance . The taskforce ' s Pathfinders were mounted on speeder bikes , and frequently operated out of Nishr Base Ten . A Pathfinder platoon was assigned to Taskforce Shen , an elite silent missions forces that operated throughout the Mid Rim . Taskforce Shen was commanded by Major Mart Stevez , and was based around two Infiltrator platoons tasked with conducting silent raids , ambushes and tactical strikes . Shortly after the Battle of Yavin , the Pathfinder platoon was commanded by Lieutenant Mishowan Shigormallan . Outpost Cinder was an Alliance field base staffed by Team Blade under the command of Lieutenant Teracca Torrh . The base was responsible for monitoring the Bid ' jerma Detention Block on the planet Bid ' jerma , which housed Alliance prisoners , and to formulate a plan for their rescue . As the Galactic Civil War entered a state of conventional warfare , Pathfinders were expected to be deployed alongside Infiltrators to prepare beachheads and landing zones for invasion forces . Personnel . Pathfinders were generally natives of nondescript planets , usually in the Colonies . As youths , they explored the rural wilds of their homeworlds extensively , and traveled far and wide gaining an appreciation for visiting new places while learning valuable navigation skills along the way . Many of the Jiivahar that joined the Alliance were effective woodland Pathfinders . Upon joining the Alliance , the acquired skills saw them assigned to SpaceForce Pathfinders . After drop camp , Pathfinders spent two weeks learning to survive in a variety of terrains , underwent stealth training , and learned how to operate repulsorlift vehicles . Self - reliant and practical , Pathfinders were calm and collected with little patience for the flashier Specs such as Heavy Weapon Specialists , Marines , or pilots , prefering to work with Infiltrators and Wilderness Fighters . Minimal contact with the enemy and low profile insertion missions were their stock in trade , as Pathfinders preferred to employ finesse over brute force . They were often referred to as " TrekSpecs " or " Trekkers " by other Specs . During the Galactic Civil War , Team Razor was commanded by a Major , and was comprised of Razke , Acle , Reku , Jal , Henle , and a rookie . Team Razor conducted the preliminary scouting and set - up for Outpost Cinder on Bid ' jerma , while the Outpost ' s primary mission was conducted by Team Blade under Lieutenant Torrh . Lieutenant Shigormallen was a native of Yelsain who served with Taskforce Shen , while Sergeant Brooks Carlson served with the strike team that destroyed the shield generator bunker during the Battle of Endor . During the early years of the New Republic , Lilla Dade served as the Pathfinder in the elite Katarn Commandos . Skills . Pathfinders were trained extensively in stealth tactics , and in survival across various terrain types . The possessed knowledge about the various alien species throughout the galaxy , and how to scout through unexplored and unknown locations . Combat training for Pathfinders included how to handle blasters and blaster rifles , as well as grenades , blaster artillery , and vehicle mounted blasters . Basic training in unarmed combat was provided for Pathfinders , and they were skilled in the operation of repulsorcraft . Technical skills , such as computer use , demolitions , and repair were not strongly focused on , and Pathfinders were able to apply first aid when needed . Equipment . Standard equipment for Pathfinders included blaster rifles , at least two grenades , survival gear and survival packs . Mission specific equipment included heavy weapons , flame carbine s , and available repulsorcraft such as speeder bikes ; Pathfinders favored modified Mobquet Overracer speeder bikes . Pathfinders employed camouflage poncho s for stealth , and , on occasion , light scout armor and climbing equipment . The Graph 18 surface locator was employed during missions , along with landing beacons . ShadoWing - 4 para - wing glider s were used for insertion , along with parachutes . Pathfinders were also known to employ native riding beasts , such as Cracian thumper s . They also rarely employed comlinks , except for when absolutely necessary .