N7 is a vocational code in the Systems Alliance military. The "N" designates special forces and the "7" refers to the highest level of proficiency. It applies to marines who have graduated from the Interplanetary Combatives Training (ICT) program.

Contents 1 N7 Training 2 Equipment 2.1 Armor 2.2 Weapons 3 Known N7 Operatives 4 Known Operations 5 Trivia

N7 Training Edit

Interplanetary Combatives Training (ICT) is the Systems Alliance's premier school for leadership and combat expertise. The Interplanetary Combatives Academy, sometimes called "N-School" or "the villa," recruits officers from every branch of Earth's militaries to partake in grueling courses at Vila Militar in Rio de Janeiro.

Initially, candidates train for more than 20 hours per day, leading small combat teams through hostile terrain with little sleep or food. Trainees who do well are awarded an internal designation of N1 and are invited to return. Subsequent courses - N2 through N6 - are often held off-planet and include instruction in zero-G combat, military free-fall (parachuting), jetpack flight, combat diving, combat instruction, linguistics, and frontline trauma care for human and alien biology.

The highest grade of training, N6, provides actual combat experience in combat zones throughout the galaxy. If the trainee survives these scenarios in "admirable and effective fashion," he or she finally receives the coveted N7 designation. N7 is the only ICT designation that may be worn on field or dress uniforms.

There is little shame in failing an N course - the training is so extreme that even qualifying for N1 elevates an officer to a position of respect. The universal prestige of merely attending the academy helps to restrain trainees from taking excessive risks in pursuit of higher honors.

Although ICT qualification by itself does not guarantee higher rank, those officers who are able to complete the program are typically well suited to senior leadership positions.

Equipment Edit

Armor Edit

In Mass Effect, if Shepard is equipped with any weight of Onyx Armor, the distinctive N7 and red detail on the right arm will be emblazoned on it.

In Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, the N7 emblem is visible on all customizable armor chest pieces except for the Kestrel Torso Sheath.

Weapons Edit

Mass Effect 3 introduces several N7 branded weapons, one for each class of weapon:

• N7 Valkyrie Assault Rifle
• N7 Crusader Shotgun
• N7 Hurricane Submachine Gun
• N7 Valiant Sniper Rifle
• N7 Eagle Pistol

Known N7 Operatives Edit

• David Anderson - One of the first graduates of the N7 training program.
• Commander Shepard
• Kai Leng - Former Alliance Marine and current Cerberus operative.
• Lee Riley - An N7 operative commended for her actions on Cyone.
• James Vega - Offered entry into the program during his stay on the Normandy. He may decide to accept the offer depending on the actions of Commander Shepard.

Known Operations Edit

• A news report by Emily Wong on the Citadel in 2185, states that a team of N7 Marines were deployed in batarian space from a Normandy Class Stealth Frigate.

Trivia Edit

• According to The Art of Mass Effect, the red detail on the emblem symbolizes the human blood Shepard must sacrifice to stop Saren Arterius. The red stripe is also a historical reference to the red stripes commanders wore on early space missions to make them instantly recognizable.
• The Medal of Valor achievement (completing Mass Effect on Insanity difficulty) unlocks an N7 gamer pic.
• The design is available as a number of objects from apparel to miscellaneous items at the Bioware Store.
• The origin of the term is actually the Look N77 ski binding. They simply removed one of the sevens.