#and the most amusing thing about mando sarges is that
I’m deep in research mode so I’m currently digging a lot of Clone Wars-era source materials at once and along the way it hits me the funny realization about Mandalorian training sarges. Like, I knew this fact for years, but having this knowledge collated with other data makes it plainly visible how Clone Commandos were special compared to common troopers and ARCs. Not only in how their training was structured differently but also they are like one of few clones who actually get officially their (nick)names way before it became the norm (with a clear Jedi influence there).
I mean, Legends sources, especially around 2002-2005/6, were quite consistent that before Geonosis, clones rather did not have a proper (nick)name. Kaminoans considered names to be a weakness - something that changed after Jedi and clones started working more closely together and ARC-17 took over training the future clone officers (x). This approach against names (individuality) mostly touched the common troopers (mass trained) but also Advanced Recon Commando (personally trained by Jango Fett). And then we have Mandalorian training sarges like Kal Skirata and Walon Vau - men with a very different training methods and approach to their trainees - who apparently decided to fuck that rule on the spot.
As Prima Guide states, Vau literally gave his Delta Squad - and logically assuming all subordinates - nicknames (or a full Mandalorian name, at least in case of Atin) so they have a sense of uniquenessandimportance
which is pretty much the opposite of what Kaminoans originally wanted.
So it is really hilarious in insight, because whatever we could say about Kal Skirata and Walon Vau - and there is plenty to say about both - they came to Kamino, got bunch of little clone cadets who were meant to be obedient and expendable and totally disagreed with Kaminoans take on clone troopers individuality and were like,
No names for clones? We are gonna fixthat.
And this is both sweet and hilarious at the same time.
Sweet because even if names were clone commandos’ private secret, something to share only with the closest brothers and training sergeants (x), they had the names, identity, something personal and just theirs outside of Kaminoan control.
Hilarious because trust Mandalorians to be a bunch of stubborn individuals who most likely were the biggest thorn in Kaminoans side for like eight to ten years (and Jango apparently not helping much in that regard).
