From Hl2land

=A Brief History

Military OverWatch Section 22 was established on October 1, 2006, a joint project between ex-intel officers and Special Forces soldiers of several nations who were fed up with the kinds of petty disputes which have plagued humankind throughout its existence and intent on toppling Combine rule. Drawing its organization from not one but many previous establishments and armed forces, members were trained extensively in all areas essential in combat, as well as negotiation, stealth, information gathering, and manipulation. The combat training was roughly equivalent to that used by the British SAS, ensuring only the very finest made it through to the end. Each operative was equally talented in the area of language and its use, however, enabling them to distort the truth to suit their needs without actually breaking it.

For 3 years, Ovw.S.22 gathered intel and used it to play 'undesirable' groups like serious criminals, bigoted activists and the Combine off against each other, with highly successful results. Its "OverWatch" designation, a coincidental choice, served to keep the Combine blinded and also strike fear into the hearts of those working to further their own agendas at the cost of the species. Under the command of Alex Ross, Section 22 seeded a vast network of operatives across every continent, some in deep cover and others overtly displaying their associations. However, careful operation has allowed S.22 to remain virtually unknown to the main human resistance groups, let alone the Combine. Senior officers, Overseers, are placed in charge of designated regions, and recruit Field Observers to collect intel. Combat ranks are based loosely on a hybrid of the British, American and German systems.

Section 22's cell in City 45 (known simply as 22/45) is led by Osr.Jane L. Fletcher, a qualified sniper and efficient intel gatherer. 22/45 has a disproportionately large ratio of officers to enlisted, as it is a major center for Section 22 operations in eastern Europe. As of this current year of 2009, 22/45 has managed to infiltrate not only the Sector 6/7 Nexus through CPs, but even Combine OverWatch troops who wear specially-crafted infiltration suits to make up for their lack of Combine 'augmentation'.

Osr.Jane L. Fletcher

Identifying Section 22 Officers

The higher classes of Overseers often wear their jet-black dress uniforms publicly rather than rely on civilian cover, allowing them to be easily recognized - and respected. The two chief ranks, Overseer and Junior Overseer (First and Second Class, respectively) are likely to be seen in uniform [note - custom skins and models are in the works] and can be identified fairly quickly.

Section 22 dress uniforms are based heavily on the M40 design used by the Heer of WWII, with a golden eagle embroidered above the right breast pocket and, if the officer sees fit to wait them, medal ribbons or specialist insignia over the left. Shoulder flashes reading "OVERSEER" in gold are stitched onto each sleeve, and a small diamond bearing the number of their assigned city (also in gold) generally sits beneath these. Enlisted operatives and combat troops wear their area of operation badge elsewhere, as their rank insignia occupies this position.

Full Overseer uniforms are jet black and bear crimson piping, whilst the similarly black Junior Overseer uniform has cobalt blue piping instead. Epaulette insignia varies from a single blue loop (J.Osr) to a trio of loops (Osr), and collar tabs also differentiate rank - a dot and a bar for J.Osr, and a dot and two bars for Osr.

Overseer (First Class) uniform

Overseer (Second Class) uniform

Recruitment

Section 22 recruits by INVITATION ONLY. Founded by berkut