Galactic Marines / Legends The Galactic Marines , originally known as the 21st Nova Corps of the 4th Sector Army , was an elite unit that was created as the Grand Army of the Republic diversified during the Clone Wars . Following the formation of the Galactic Empire in 19 BBY , they became known as Imperial Galactic Marines . Equipment . Specialized Armor . Galactic Marines wore special body armor with maroon or white coloration — and a backplate . They were usually armed with DC - 15A blaster rifle s , but were also seen equipped with WESTAR - M5 blaster rifle s . The Marines were distinguished by their unique visor gear : synthmesh designed to keep out various hazards such as snow , sand , airborne fungus , and ash . Vehicles . The Marines were known to utilize UT - AT , AT - OT and AT - RT walkers . These were painted with purple markings to identify their corps affiliation . Training . Under the leadership of Jedi General Ki - Adi - Mundi and Clone marshal commander Bacara , the 21st Nova Corps of the 4th Sector Army was made independent and became known as the Galactic Marines . The Marines were cross - trained to fight on a variety of environments in ground and space , making them extremely versatile . They specialized in boarding and capturing enemy starships as well as planetary assault , and were deployed at many planets such as Rhen Var , Aargonar , Boz Pity , Mygeeto and Toola . Bacara demanded the absolute best of his men , and would tolerate nothing less , unilaterally reassigning marines who did not meet his high standards , much to the dismay of General Ki - Adi - Mundi . The two maintained a respectful but contentious relationship , right up until the end of the war . The Marines training consists of three phases . Phase 1 : conditioning , Phase 2 : underwater and in - space ship boarding , and Phase 3 : marksmanship . These training courses made the Marines one of the most elite fighting forces in the Grand Army of the Republic . At the Battle of New Bornalex , the Galactic Marines made use of prototype spacetrooper powersuits . Although the weapon systems on their new suits failed , the Marines continued to fight on . They engaged B2 super battle droids in hand - to - hand combat , using the enhanced strength granted to them by their powersuits . Their actions at New Bornalex earned the Marines a fierce reputation , making them one of the Republic ' s most feared clone military units . Commander Bacara ( CC - 1138 ) and a squad of Galactic Marines fought alongside Ki - Adi - Mundi during the Battle of Mygeeto . After receiving Order 66 from Supreme Chancellor Palpatine , Bacara and his squad turned on the Jedi and fired upon him . Although he was able to defend himself briefly , Ki - Adi - Mundi was overwhelmed by numerous blaster shots and killed . While deployed on Toola , the marines battled Separatist Forces . When Order 66 was issued , they assisted Commander Keller in tracking down fugitive Jedi heading for Ithaqua Station . The Jedi rode on STAPs to flee their pursuit , while Keller and his men used local beasts of burden as mounts to navigate the frozen plains to fulfill their mission . Following the formation of the Galactic Empire , Galactic Marines became known as Imperial Galactic Marines . During the Empire Day festivities following the Battle of Yavin in 0 BBY , they served as sentries in the city of Theed and participated in the ceremonial parades . Staff Sergeant Rothax was an Imperial Galactic Marine who operated out of the Imperial Outpost on Talus . Imperial soldiers who fought valiantly in battle earned the right to receive Galactic Marine armor from Rothax . This armor would at times be painted in completely different colors , including blue , gray , and brighter shades of red . BO - 661 was another Imperial Galactic Marine who guarded an Imperial Detainment Facility on Yavin 4 , but he was killed by a Rebel agent during that year ' s Empire Day festivities . Behind the scenes . In " " , clone troopers in Galactic Marine armor are known as " clone commanders , " However , the " Battlefront II " clone pack by Hasbro identifies them as " Galactic Marines , " so this might be a retcon . They also use chaingun s in the game , however are normally seen in the films using DC - 15A blaster rifles and DC - 15S blasters . The armor also shares a resemblance to the later Galactic Empire ' s snowtrooper armor . In the " Star Wars Miniatures " game , miniatures representing the military group are called Elite Clone Troopers . The second edition of the figure is called a Galactic Marine .