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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

PT Clone troopers: What makes a soldier, the man or the DNA?

Discussion in 'Prequel Trilogy' started by BoromirsFan, Feb 18, 2013.

  1. BoromirsFan

    BoromirsFan Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    May 16, 2010
    I was wondering what other people think of this topic?

    In the end does it really matter that Jango Fett was picked above others to make clones? Could theoretically any template have been used with the same results?

    It just seems that perhaps anyone could be a fearsome warrior based on certain experiences and mental disciplines.

    Edit:
    Fixed that for ya. :)
    -Sx3
     
  2. ILNP

    ILNP Jedi Knight star 1

    Registered:
    Apr 12, 2011
    My personal opinion is it's a little of both. In my experience as an infantryman in the Army I knew people who physically could perform the task of an infantry soldier but mentally weren't up to the job (i.e. couldn't handle long deployments, couldn't handle being yelled out by Drill Sergeants, couldn't handle the stress of always being in harms way, etc.). At the same time I knew people who physically couldn't handle the job required of an infantryman but mentally would have made excellent soldiers. For example, while in Basic, my platoon had 2 people who were discharged before completing training. One guy couldn't handle the stress of training though physically he could and did handle the physical aspects of the training. He told the Drill Sergeants that he had suicidal thoughts and was discharged. The other guy discovered, once he had arrived at Basic, that he had a physical condition which prevented him from completing training (something with his lungs). Even though this guy could not handle the physical aspects of the training, none of us questioned his wanting to be there (he showed us on many occations that he did) and even tried to find some way in which to stay and complete training. Unfortunately he had to be discharged as his condition put him at too great a risk. DNA and genetics can help or hurt, but it's no guarantee of a good soldier.
     
  3. Seagoat

    Seagoat Former Manager star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jan 25, 2013
    Ever heard of the Human Genome Project?

    In it, they identified thousands of "soldier genes" which would be ideal for making a person genetically predisposed to being a good soldier.
     
  4. SithStarSlayer

    SithStarSlayer Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2003
    In theory, any template would suffice...
     
  5. Sistros

    Sistros Jedi Grand Master star 6

    Registered:
    Jul 24, 2010
    I think an army of Sebulba's would have been great to see!

    leap kicking droids, ripping their arms off and growling "is this yours?"

    :p

    competitive and aggressive in combat, the clone wars would have been over in weeks :p
     
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  6. Lord Chazza

    Lord Chazza Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jan 4, 2013
    The upbringing is important as well - possibly more important. You don't magically become a soldier just because you have the right DNA (as AOTC seems to suggest.) The genes give you the potential to be a good soldier but It’s only potential. I'm pretty sure you could bring up a Fett clone to be a lazy whiny bastard who's totally unsuitable for war.
     
  7. Count Yubnub

    Count Yubnub Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Oct 1, 2012
    I imagine some people's genotype predisposes them to be better soldiers than others, provided they get the appropriate training.
     
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  8. CloneTrooperFox

    CloneTrooperFox Jedi Knight star 1

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2013
    Hmm... This is a pretty interesting topic! I would have to guess that it is more of the MAN more than the DNA. If we all remember in Attack Of The Clones they mention that some of the clones started to excel in their own combat.... Some excel more at being a pilot, gernades, rifleman, leadership, etc... We also see this in "The Clone Wars" TV Series. I believe Season 3 Episode 1... Cadet Clones. 5 Clone Cadets are trying to graduate from Cadet school and they cannot work together as a team. Ego's, Bad Leadership all play into factor for them, not to mention the old man clone "99" who is a maintance man at the academy. If everyone was the same than "99" would have passed and the 5 clones would not be having those issues.

    I personally Do not know a lot about cloning in real life. Humans, Animals... These are just my judgement calls from Star Wars. Jango Fett probably set the "foundation"down for the clones, but it was up to the indivudals themselves... more MAN THAN DNA in my opinion. They all have their own brain, mind, thoughts, etc...

    Interesting topic. : )
     
  9. SithStarSlayer

    SithStarSlayer Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2003
    It's the man. Not the dust suit that temporarily holds his soul.
     
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  10. Arawn_Fenn

    Arawn_Fenn Chosen One star 7

    Registered:
    Jul 2, 2004
    I don't think that's in AOTC. Was that in the book?
     
  11. CloneTrooperFox

    CloneTrooperFox Jedi Knight star 1

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2013
    I think you maybe right. I swear i heard them talking about that somewhere! A video game? Maybe im just overthinking! Lol.
     
  12. Jedi_Ford_Prefect

    Jedi_Ford_Prefect Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 9, 2003
    [​IMG]

    Am I the only one who thought of this from the thread title alone?
     
  13. BoromirsFan

    BoromirsFan Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    May 16, 2010
    seagoat's post made me reminisce of MGS
     
  14. EHT

    EHT Manager Emeritus star 7 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Sep 13, 2007
    I think it's a combination. The whole "nature vs. nurture" debate, basically.
     
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  15. SHAD0W-JEDI

    SHAD0W-JEDI Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    May 20, 2002
    Agree that its a combination, but I don't think that means you can discount the benefits of starting with a good physical model. Jango is a formidable combatant, and part of the reason for that is his physical gifts. I think it is fair to assume that he has significant physical strength and endurance, he probably has a high pain threshold, isn't prone to injury (muscle tears, etc), has terrific reflexes and hand-eye coordination, and the like. The cloners probably did a little tampering with that - believe it is implied or stated in the movies that there was tampering to make the clones more compliant, if nothing else.

    Look at it this way - if you were going to choose someone to be a pro quarterback, would you start with the DNA of "some random guy", or would you start with the DNA of, say, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, or Joe Montana, etc? Simply starting with that DNA wouldn't be enough of course- the way the clone was brought up would influence temprament, etc - but having a good physical template to begin with would sure seem to make sense.
     
  16. SithStarSlayer

    SithStarSlayer Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2003
    Archie Manning was awful 90% of the time, Eli is garbage during the regular season and Peyton chokes in the playoffs...

    And two out of those three will make it to the Hall of Fame.
    Meh. At least Eli wins when it counts the most.
     
  17. EHT

    EHT Manager Emeritus star 7 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Sep 13, 2007
    So if the Republic wanted an army of kickass quarterbacks, which one should they have cloned? :p
     
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  18. SithStarSlayer

    SithStarSlayer Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Oct 23, 2003
    Otto Graham.
    If one goes by WINNING championships and yards gained per pass ATTEMPT.
     
  19. I Are The Internets

    I Are The Internets Shelf of Shame Host star 9 VIP - Game Host

    Registered:
    Nov 20, 2012
    It's a matter of good hygiene and good dieting.
     
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  20. DARTHVENGERDARTHSEAR

    DARTHVENGERDARTHSEAR Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 8, 2002
    Exactly. Archie Manning's talent being passed down to Peyton and Eli is probably the best example here. They may not have the same skill, but they all are or were NFL QBs, nonetheless. There was a third son, but I guess he got screwed. lol.

    Even though genetics don't guarantee anything, the odds are still good when it comes to physical appearance, intelligence and athleticism. And I'm sure a cloned specimen has even better odds of getting these traits than natural born children, too.
     
  21. rumsmuggler

    rumsmuggler Chosen One star 7

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2000
    Both, but training brings it all together. Jango having a hand in their training makes a big difference, since their true purpose is to kill Jedi. Jango got the job in the first place because he defeated Dooku's former apprentice.
     
  22. StarWarsVerses

    StarWarsVerses Jedi Knight star 1

    Registered:
    Feb 14, 2013
    Really good dieting.

    [​IMG]
     
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  23. Joe

    Joe Jedi Grand Master star 6

    Registered:
    Dec 25, 2012
    Agreed. The Kaminoans were trying to create the best army possible. Jango was the best. Plus, Jango was on-hand for training and consulting on a variety of other army-related things, such as the armor and weapons.
     
  24. TheDarkSyde

    TheDarkSyde Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Feb 27, 2013
    The DNA makes the soldier, nothing more and nothing less.
     
  25. Darth kRud

    Darth kRud Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Nov 1, 2012
    Determinism, free will, fatalism....I don't know. I'd think the differences between clones would mostly have social (subjective) causes but first we would need to question the thought that each clone has the same personality.