Editing UNIT (section)

==Organisation==
[[File:UNIT logo 2.png|left|thumb|UNIT logo no longer in use]]

UNIT's status is supported by enabling legislation that allows it to assume [[State of emergency|emergency]] powers when necessary.<ref>{{cite serial |title=[[The Green Death]] |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Robert (writer) |last=Sloman |author-link=Robert Sloman |first2=Michael E. (director) |last2=Briant |author-link2=Michael E. Briant |network=BBC |station=BBC1 |date=19 May – 23 June 1973 }}</ref> Although it operates under the authority of the United Nations, its members are seconded from the host country's military and are still bound to obey that [[chain of command]].<ref name="spearhead"/> Within the UK section of UNIT, ranks are those of the [[British Army]]: Lethbridge-Stewart is a [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|Brigadier]],<ref name="the invasion"/> Yates is a Captain,<ref name="terror of the autons">{{cite serial |title=[[Terror of the Autons]] |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Robert (writer) |last=Holmes |author-link=Robert Holmes (scriptwriter) |first2=Barry (producer) |last2=Letts |author-link2=Barry Letts |network=BBC |station=BBC1 |date=2–23 January 1971 }}</ref> a Major appears in ''[[The Seeds of Doom]]'' (1976) and "[[The Christmas Invasion]]" (2005),<ref name="christmas invasion"/> and a Colonel and Captain appear in "[[The Sontaran Stratagem]]"/"[[The Poison Sky]]" (2008).<ref name="sontaran stratagem"/><ref name="poison sky">{{cite episode |title=The Poison Sky |episode-link=The Poison Sky |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Helen (writer) |last=Raynor |author-link=Helen Raynor |first2=Douglas (director) |last2=Mackinnon |author-link2=Douglas Mackinnon |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |date=3 May 2008 |series-no=4 |number=5 }}</ref> UNIT personnel are seconded from the [[Royal Navy]], British Army and [[Royal Air Force]], and are still bound by the UK [[chain of command]]. Major Blake reports to the Prime Minister in "The Christmas Invasion".<ref name="christmas invasion"/> UNIT is able to call on the conventional military branches for support, and in ''The Seeds of Doom'' gets the RAF to provide precision air-strikes. Due to the international nature of the organisation, it is sometimes viewed with suspicion by local military and national security agencies, who feel that it might impinge on their sovereignty.<ref name="ambassadors of death">{{cite serial |title=[[The Ambassadors of Death]] |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=David (writer) |last=Whitaker |author-link=David Whitaker (screenwriter) |first2=Michael (director) |last2=Ferguson |author-link2=Michael Ferguson (director) |network=BBC |station=BBC1 |date=21 March – 2 May 1970 }}</ref> UNIT's existence is known to the public, but mainly as a security organisation with scientific expertise;<ref name="the three doctors"/> its actual agenda is classified. Although the Brigadier originally states that UNIT do not arrest people,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/invasion/detail.shtml |title=Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide – The Invasion – Details |publisher=BBC |access-date=2017-05-28}}</ref> as of the 21st century, UNIT has the authority to detain persons indefinitely without trial, appeal, outside contact or legal representation, as experienced by [[Toshiko Sato]] before she was recruited to work for the British government by the [[Torchwood Institute]] in a flashback in the ''[[Torchwood]]'' episode "[[Fragments (Torchwood)|Fragments]]" (2008).<ref>{{cite episode |title=Fragments |episode-link=Fragments (Torchwood) |series=Torchwood |series-link=Torchwood |first=Chris (writer) |last=Chibnall |author-link=Chris Chibnall |first2=Jonathan Fox (director) |last2=Bassett |author-link2=Jonathan Fox Bassett |network=BBC |station=[[BBC Three]] |date=21 March 2008 |series-no=2 |number=12 }}</ref> The organisation was rearranged by Kate Stewart, the daughter of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. In "[[The Power of Three (Doctor Who)|The Power of Three]]" (2012), Kate heads UNIT's scientific research department, which now has authority over the military branch.<ref name="the power of three"/>

===Equipment===
The British troops of UNIT have been armed with standard British Army weapons such as the [[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle]], [[Sterling submachine gun]], and [[Browning Hi-Power]] pistol, and they have worn [[58 pattern webbing]]. They are also shown using heavy weaponry such as bazookas, machine guns, mortars and, in ''[[Terror of the Zygons]]'' (1975), a [[depth charge]] launcher.<ref name="terror of the zygons">{{cite serial |title=[[Terror of the Zygons]] |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Robert Banks (writer) |last=Stewart |author-link=Robert Banks Stewart |first2=Douglas (director) |last2=Camfield |author-link2=Douglas Camfield |network=BBC |station=BBC1 |date=30 August – 20 September 1975 }}</ref> For ''[[Battlefield (Doctor Who)|Battlefield]]'' (1989), they have the [[Steyr AUG]] assault rifle while the Brigadier still uses a [[Webley Revolver]].<ref name="battlefield"/> In the 2000s, they use [[Heckler & Koch G36C]] carbine, the [[M4 carbine]] (with different scopes used such as [[Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight|ACOG]] and [[holographic weapon sight]]s, as well as equipping [[CQBR|CQB receivers]] for indoor use<ref name="poison sky"/><ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Stolen Earth |episode-link=The Stolen Earth |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Russell T (writer) |last=Davies |author-link=Russell T Davies |first2=Graeme (director) |last2=Harper |author-link2=Graeme Harper |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |date=28 June 2008 |series-no=4 |number=12 }}</ref>), [[SIG P226]] pistols, and for heavy duty, use [[Stinger missile]] launchers. In "[[The Power of Three (Doctor Who)|The Power of Three]]", they are further equipped with PASGT helmets, goggles, and riot armour for their shins.<ref name="the power of three"/>

UNIT's personnel have a wide range of [[firearm|weaponry]] to call on, some custom-made to combat specific threats. Among these are special ammunition described by the Brigadier in ''Battlefield'' as [[Armor-piercing shot and shell|armour-piercing]] rounds with a solid core and [[Teflon]] coating which "could go through a Dalek".<ref name="battlefield"/> Other munitions include [[explosive]] [[cartridge (weaponry)|rounds]] for Yetis, other armour-piercing rounds for robots, and gold-tipped rounds for use against the [[Cybermen]] (as well as silver bullets as suggested by the Doctor),<ref name="battlefield"/> and rad-steel coated bullets to neutralise Sontaran anti-bullet fields that target copper.<ref name="poison sky"/>

In ''The Invasion'' (1968), UNIT has a command centre established in the cargo hold of a [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|Lockheed Hercules]] military transport aircraft.<ref name="the invasion"/> ''[[The Dæmons]]'' (1971) features the UNIT Mobile HQ, a large bus-like vehicle that could be driven to the site of an incident.<ref>{{cite serial |title=[[The Dæmons]] |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Guy (writer) |last=Leopold |author-link=Guy Leopold |first2=Christopher (director) |last2=Barry |author-link2=Christopher Barry |network=BBC |station=BBC1 |date=22 May – 19 June 1971 }}</ref> A mobile command centre is also shown in "The Sontaran Stratagem" and "The Poison Sky", where it is depicted as a black [[articulated lorry]] with UNIT insignia.<ref name="sontaran stratagem"/><ref name="poison sky"/>

UNIT employs unarmed helicopters for transport.<ref name="the day of the doctor">{{cite episode |title=The Day of the Doctor |episode-link=The Day of the Doctor |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Steven (writer) |last=Moffat |author-link=Steven Moffat |first2=Nick (director) |last2=Hurran |author-link2=Nick Hurran |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |date=23 November 2013 }}</ref> It is also shown using a tank in ''[[Robot (Doctor Who)|Robot]]'' (1974–75).<ref name="robot">{{cite serial |title=[[Robot (Doctor Who)|Robot]] |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Terrance (writer) |last=Dicks |author-link=Terrance Dicks |first2=Christopher (director) |last2=Barry |author-link2=Christopher Barry |network=BBC |station=[[BBC One]] |date=28 December 1974 }}</ref> In "[[Planet of the Dead]]" (2009), it uses trucks with [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]] launchers.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Planet of the Dead |episode-link=Planet of the Dead |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Russell T |last=Davies |author-link=Russell T Davies |first2=Gareth (writers) |last2=Roberts |author-link2=Gareth Roberts (writer) |first3=James (director) |last3=Strong |author-link3=James Strong (director) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |date=11 April 2009 }}</ref>

In "The Christmas Invasion", UNIT is shown to have translation software which can decipher alien languages with great accuracy. The software, or at least the results from the translation, can be loaded on a hand-held device.<ref name="christmas invasion"/>

In "The Poison Sky", UNIT is shown to be able to command and co-ordinate the world's combined nuclear arsenal for strategic strikes on orbiting alien craft.<ref name="poison sky"/>

In "[[The Sound of Drums]]" (2007), the [[Airborne aircraft carrier|flying aircraft carrier]] the ''Valiant'' is introduced.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Sound of Drums |episode-link=The Sound of Drums |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Russell T (writer) |last=Davies |author-link=Russell T Davies |first2=Colin (director) |last2=Teague |author-link2=Colin Teague |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |date=23 June 2007 |series-no=3 |number=12 }}</ref> The ''Valiant'' is also shown (in "The Poison Sky") to be equipped with a scaled down version of the [[Torchwood Institute]] weapon that destroyed the Sycorax ship in "The Christmas Invasion".<ref name="christmas invasion"/><ref name="poison sky"/>

It is mentioned in ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' story ''[[Death of the Doctor]]'' (2010) that UNIT has a Moonbase.<ref name="death of the doctor">{{cite serial |title=[[Death of the Doctor]] |series=The Sarah Jane Adventures |series-link=The Sarah Jane Adventures |first=Russell T (writer) |last=Davies |author-link=Russell T Davies |first2=Ashley (director) |last2=Way |author-link2=Ashley Way |network=[[CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC]] |date=25–26 October 2010 }}</ref>

In "[[The Power of Three (Doctor Who)|The Power of Three]]", UNIT is shown to have a scientific research department with a large laboratory in the base beneath the Tower of London. During the story, the laboratory is dedicated to studying cubes that appeared out of nowhere. Kate Stewart, daughter of the Brigadier and head of the scientific research department, has a handheld device that can scan a body (picking up the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s twin hearts), and also serves as a communication device. The computers at UNIT HQ can detect anomalies such as artron energy spikes, and can also access CCTV on the streets. There is also mention of them using helicopters and tanks while testing the destructibility of the cubes.<ref name="the power of three"/>

"[[The Day of the Doctor]]" (2013) shows that the Tower of London base contains the Black Archive housing various alien technological devices that UNIT has salvaged over the years and kept hidden away. Protected by various alien defences that erase the memories of visitors to ensure that they cannot reveal what is inside the Archive, the Archive is also '[[TARDIS]]-proof', and has been used by UNIT as a means of assessing [[Doctor (Doctor Who)|the Doctor]]'s [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companions]] to confirm whether they can be trusted. UNIT is also shown to at least have access to the Under-Gallery, a secret gallery containing works of art dating back to the [[Elizabethan era]] that [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]] ordered locked away as they were too dangerous for the public.<ref name="the day of the doctor"/>

===Uniform===

Across the eras, UNIT have been identified with different styles of uniform.

For ''[[The Invasion (Doctor Who)|The Invasion]]'', Privates and Corporals wore [[British Army uniform#No.7: Warm weather barrack dress|No.7 dress]], while ranks of Sergeant and above wore uniforms based on [[British Army uniform#No.4: Warm weather Service Dress (officers only)|No.4 dress]], but lacking buttons and with the jacket – which appears to be fastened by [[velcro]] – tucked into the trousers. All UNIT members wore oval patches with 'U.N.I.T' embroidered on them on their left sleeves and NCOs wore their badges of rank on their right sleeves.<ref name="the invasion"/> Sand/Beige coloured berets, similar to those worn by the [[Special Air Service]] with the black UNIT logo on a round white background as a cap badge were worn by all ranks. For UNIT's next appearance, ''[[Spearhead from Space]]'' (1970), the No.4s became uniform for all ranks, except for two radar operators seen in the opening who wear No.7s; the female officer wearing a tie with a UNIT logo printed on.<ref name="spearhead"/> The No.4 style of uniform stayed throughout ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'' (1970).<ref>{{cite serial |title=[[Doctor Who and the Silurians]] |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Malcolm (writer) |last=Hulke |author-link=Malcolm Hulke |first2=Timothy (director) |last2=Combe |author-link2=Timothy Combe |network=BBC |station=BBC1 |date=31 January – 14 March 1970 }}</ref>

Christine Rawlins had a new futuristic-looking design produced for ''[[The Ambassadors of Death]]'' (1970), which features only in this story. All ranks are given khaki-coloured zip-up jackets without lapels, which are worn over tan rolled-neck sweaters. The Brigadier retained his No.4 uniform.<ref name="ambassadors of death"/>

For ''[[Inferno (Doctor Who)|Inferno]]'' (1970), these changed to [[Denison smock]] camouflage uniforms.<ref name="inferno">{{cite serial |title=[[Inferno (Doctor Who)|Inferno]] |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Don (writer) |last=Houghton |author-link=Don Houghton |first2=Douglas (director) |last2=Camfield |author-link2=Douglas Camfield |network=BBC |station=BBC1 |date=9 May – 20 June 1970 }}</ref> From ''[[Terror of the Autons]]'', producer [[Barry Letts]] decided to have UNIT wearing 1960 pattern fatigues, as well as appropriate contemporary British Army or RAF uniform, such as [[British Army uniform#No.2: Service dress (temperate parade uniform)|service dress]] and [[British Army uniform#No.13: Temperate barrack dress|barrack dress]]. The UNIT patches and tan berets remain standard, although personnel are also seen in British Army peaked caps with regulation cap badges.<ref name="terror of the autons"/>

In ''[[Terror of the Zygons]]'', they wear [[Disruptive Pattern Material|DPM camouflage]] jackets and tactical black cap badges.<ref name="terror of the zygons"/> ''[[The Android Invasion]]'' (1975) sees them wearing barrack dress,<ref>{{cite serial |title=[[The Android Invasion]] |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Terry (writer) |last=Nation |author-link=Terry Nation |first2=Barry (director) |last2=Letts |author-link2=Barry Letts |network=BBC |station=BBC1 |date=22 November – 13 December 1975 }}</ref> which they also wear for their brief appearance in ''[[The Seeds of Doom]]'' (1976).<ref name="seeds of doom"/>

UNIT then had a lengthy absence from the screen. They made a small cameo appearance in "[[The Five Doctors]]" (1983), which sees Colonel Crichton wearing service dress and a Sergeant in barrack dress, both with the oval patches on their uniform. Captain Yates returns in the serial also wearing service dress but with no markings.<ref>{{cite serial |title=[[The Five Doctors]] |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Terrance (writer) |last=Dicks |author-link=Terrance Dicks |first2=Peter (director) |last2=Moffatt |author-link2=Peter Moffatt |network=[[PBS]] |date=23 November 1983 }}</ref>

For their full return in ''[[Battlefield (Doctor Who)|Battlefield]]'', their look was completely updated. Their appearance in this serial is close to the real-world United Nations Peacekeeping troop outfits. UNIT are represented by a nuclear missile convoy wearing UN issued blue berets and DPM camouflage. They have a new UNIT insignia patch of a winged globe, which is worn the upper sleeves and beret. There is also a [[Czech people|Czech]] engineer team wearing Czech camouflage with the same UN issued blue beret as the convoy. The Brigadier returns, wearing at different times service dress, barrack dress, and DPM while wearing a cap rather than beret.<ref name="battlefield"/>

After the series was cancelled and recommissioned, UNIT first had a minor appearance in the episode "[[Aliens of London]]" (2005). In this episode, UNIT were represented by four high-ranking US military officers, wearing [[Army Green Service Uniform|Army Service Uniform]] with real UN peacekeeper patches on the sleeves, and [[Uniforms of the United States Navy#Service Dress Blue|Navy Service Uniform]]. Only the female officers wore headwear, the Army officer a [[garrison cap]], the Navy officer a white female variation [[combination cap]].<ref name="aliens of london"/>

UNIT's first major appearance in the new series was in "[[The Christmas Invasion]]" in 2005. Here, a new insignia has been designed based on the ''Battlefield'' version. The troopers wear black uniforms consisting of police clothing/[[Special Air Service|SAS]] Counter Revolutionary Warfare (CRW) Wing overalls and a red Royal Military Police beret, and equipment. Insignia is a small silver-metal UNIT parawings on a red beret and a large UNIT Parawing patch worn over the left breast pocket on the utility vest or fatigues. Commanding officers wear [[British Army Uniform#No.2: Service dress (temperate parade uniform)|No. 2 service dress]] with UNIT insignia.<ref name="christmas invasion"/> Variations include Captain Magambo from "[[Turn Left (Doctor Who)|Turn Left]]" (2008) wearing a black version of service dress with a red beret,<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Turn Left |episode-link=Turn Left (Doctor Who) |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Russell T (writer) |last=Davies |author-link=Russell T Davies |first2=Graeme (director) |last2=Harper |author-link2=Graeme Harper |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |date=21 June 2008 |series-no=4 |number=11 }}</ref> and Colonel Karim in ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' story ''[[Death of the Doctor]]'' wearing black civilian clothes with UNIT insignia and rank epaulettes.<ref name="death of the doctor"/>
 
UNIT returns in the series 7 episode "[[The Power of Three (Doctor Who)|The Power of Three]]". Their uniforms in this series are an alteration of the uniforms seen since 2005. They no longer wear ID cards on the right breast pocket, and appear to lack the logos on the arms. They wear PASGT helmets with black covering and black goggles in place of berets. They also wear riot armour for their forearms and shins, and plain black brassards on the left arm. The scientific research department that now serves as the head of UNIT consists of plainclothes civilians.<ref name="the power of three"/>

The series 8 episode "[[Death in Heaven]]" introduces an officer uniform, consisting of black or navy-blue jacket and trousers, white shirt and black tie, with medal ribbons and rank epaulettes, inspired by (but not identical to) officers' No. 2 service dress, sans the gloves, peaked cap and Sam Browne shoulder belt.

===Prominent members of UNIT===
[[File:UNIT Logo New.png|200px|right|thumb|U.N.I.T logo used in ''[[The Day of the Doctor]]'' (2013)]]

[[The Doctor (Doctor Who)|The Doctor]], the main [[protagonist]] of ''Doctor Who'', is a member of UNIT. In "[[Aliens of London]]", after reading up about the Doctor during his twelve-month absence, [[Mickey Smith]] tells [[Rose Tyler]] that the [[Ninth Doctor]] knows UNIT because "he's worked for them".<ref name="aliens of london"/> In "[[The Sontaran Stratagem]]", [[Colonel Mace]] tells the [[Tenth Doctor]], "Technically speaking, you're still on staff."<ref name="sontaran stratagem"/> In "[[The Day of the Doctor]]", the [[Eleventh Doctor]] tells [[Clara Oswald]] that he works for UNIT and that UNIT is his "job".<ref name="the day of the doctor"/> In "[[Death in Heaven]]" (2014), [[Kate Lethbridge-Stewart|Kate Stewart]] describes the [[Twelfth Doctor]] as "technically" still "on the payroll", as he never resigned.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Death in Heaven |episode-link=Death in Heaven |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Steven (writer) |last=Moffat |author-link=Steven Moffat |first2=Rachel (director) |last2=Talalay |author-link2=Rachel Talalay |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |date=8 November 2014 |series-no=8 |number=12 }}</ref>

Prominent members of the British contingent of UNIT include [[Liz Shaw|Dr. Elizabeth Shaw]],<ref name="spearhead"/> [[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart]],<ref name="the invasion"/> Sergeant Benton,<ref name="ambassadors of death"/> Captain Yates, UNIT operative [[Jo Grant]]<ref name="terror of the autons"/> and later, [[Harry Sullivan (Doctor Who)|Surgeon-Lieutenant Harry Sullivan, RN]].<ref name="robot"/> After leaving the Doctor, [[Martha Jones]] joins UNIT.<ref name="sontaran stratagem"/> In ''[[The Claws of Axos]]'' (1971), an American agent named Bill Filer was sent from [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] to assist in the hunt for [[Master (Doctor Who)|the Master]].<ref>{{cite serial |title=[[The Claws of Axos]] |series=Doctor Who |series-link=Doctor Who |first=Bob |last=Baker |author-link=Bob Baker (scriptwriter) |first2=Dave (writers) |last2=Martin |author-link2=Dave Martin (screenwriter) |first3=Michael |last3=Ferguson |author-link3=Michael Ferguson (director) |network=BBC |station=BBC1 |date=13 March – 3 April 1971 }}</ref> Kate Stewart, the Brigadier's daughter, becomes Head of Scientific Research<ref name="the power of three"/> and Chief Scientific Officer,<ref name="the day of the doctor"/> and then Commander in Chief of UNIT, and appears in multiple episodes beginning with "[[The Power of Three (Doctor Who)|The Power of Three]]" in 2012.<ref name="the power of three"/>

===Republican Security Forces===
[[File:Doctor Who Republican Security Forces logo.svg|100px|right|thumb|RSF logo used in ''[[Inferno (Doctor Who)|Inferno]]'']]
The 1970 serial ''[[Inferno (Doctor Who)|Inferno]]'' sees the [[Third Doctor]] visit a parallel universe. In this reality, Great Britain is a fascist republic, where the Royal Family was executed for treason in 1943, as depicted in the novel ''I, Alastair''; the novel also shows that this universe's leader of Britain was an associate of [[Oswald Mosley]], and eventually became leader of the country following the downfall of the old order, with his picture being visible in the Brigade Leader's office in ''Inferno''. The parallel version of the British contingent of UNIT is an [[SS]]-like state paramilitary organisation known as the '''Republican Security Forces''' (RSF), manning their version of the drilling project as a "scientific labour camp".

They are armed with a mixture of Soviet and German weapons, such as the [[SKS]] rifle and the [[Walther P38]] pistol. Their rank system uses titles based loosely on that of the [[British Union of Fascists]]: Sergeant Benton is Platoon Under Leader Benton, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart is Brigade Leader Lethbridge-Stewart, and Elizabeth Shaw, a soldier rather than a scientist in their dimension, has the rank of Section Leader (which appears to be an officer rank). Their uniforms consist of contemporary US Army olive green military fatigues for Other Ranks, tan uniforms with black rank slides on the shoulders (based on the [[Sturmabteilung|brown shirts]]) for officers, and black garrison caps with white piping and an RSF cap-badge as head-dress for both. The organisation has full authority to interrogate, court-martial, and formally execute prisoners as they see fit under the "Defence of the Republic Act, 1943".

By the end of the story, most of the members of the RSF are killed when a volcanic cataclysm engulfed Great Britain and left much of their world devastated.<ref name="inferno"/>