[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] RobInDantePose I have a feeling that you do not know what you are on about, good sir. Have you read the books at all?[/quote] Let me stop you right there. I have already had to purchase 3 copies of each book because I have read them so often. I have forgotten more about those books than you probably remember. And I have forotten damn little. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] RobInDantePose Their training started a 6, they were pushed everyday to become the best they could be. They learnt how to survive on their own, as part of a squad, how to fight, how to shoot, how to do everything over the course of EIGHT YEARS.[/quote] Notice, regular Marines training them. So special weapons training. Nothing out of the ordinary for regular Marine training. In fact they used the exact same obstical courses and running routes as the rest of the Marines who were/are being trained at that particular base. The only difference is the length of training. With in a year each of those children were combat ready, just like any Marine. However due to the development of the augmentations (which didnt recieve their final testing before aplication in the first quarter of 2525) and the ongoing designing and development of the MJOLNIR armor system (wasnt even complete when they first got it) they were forced to extend their training time. This gave them alot of practice but no real experience. The one good thing that did come out of it was that they forged very close bonds with each other unlike other military units who have men rotated in and out all the time. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] RobInDantePose Once they received their augmentations, they took a massive step up. Their teamwork evolved to the point where they developed an almost "telepathic" understanding of each other. I'm going to say, read the Fall of Reach. I can't be bothered to quote out of the book, I can't be bothered to explain why Spartan's are better than ODST's and better trained in EVERY SINGLE WAY. Fall of Reach will explain it in a better way than I could.[/quote] They were in "training" (more like reconditioning) for 5 months. That is due to them fully adjusting to their new physical performances. And most of it was spent in space on the [i]Atlas[/i]. And I am quite certain they spent a large amount of that time in the cryochambers. Please reread that book and you will find what I have said to be accurate. There are only two other major differences in their training in comparison to a Marines. 1: They went through formal schooling during training. Marines have already gone through that before they even enter the service. This can also account for a lengthy training time. Dont want an uneducated soldier now do we. 2: They are given training to pilot any UNSC vessel up to a Pelican. However this still can be debated as it may have been done during their active war time instead of during boot camp. of the two I find that the latter idea is the more likely. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] RobInDantePose And it would stop you making a fool of yourself spouting nonsense :)[/quote] Just because I am not enamored by the "legends" of the Spartans doesnt mean I "spout nonsense". I do find them to be great soldiers, in their armor and out side of it. However outside of it they are basicly no better than an ODST in terms of skill and in alot of cases physical ability. Please keep your snide comments to yourself next time as they do you little credit. And as for the genetic manipulation, the answer is still a no. They were not geneticly manipulated in any way shape or form. There were a few mutations as well as accidents that occured during the augmentation process that killed many of them and left several others deformed. And yet again those "deformities" were documented side effects of the augmentations. They were not unexpected. The fact of the matter is in order to do genetic manipulation you have to go down on to a scale equivilent of a DNA strand and physicly move parts of the strand around to create an all together different compound. As this does not occur in the Spartan-II augmentation process it is not genetic manipulation. In the Spartan-III process there is a slight manipulation, however the term "mutation" is more appropate. It doesnt actually alter the DNA or genetic coding of the subject however it does enhance particular areas of the brain that allow more basic or "animalistic" instincts to be reached easier during times of stress. Again no genetic manipulation. Oh and before I forget, their kill record doesnt exceed all of the ODST divisions. I will quote: [b][u]First Strike[/u][/b], page 104 paragraph 4: ""Those 'freaks,'" Hood said over his protest, "have more confirmed kills than any [i]three[/i] divisions of ODSTs and have garnered every major citation the UNSC awards." (Thats from memory) [Edited on 10.07.2009 2:36 PM PDT]