How do Stormtroopers tell each other apart?

[enyawd72]

Clone Troopers come in all sorts of identifying colors and rank insignias, while Stormtroopers have none. Why?

I came up with a theory.

To make them even more difficult to defeat in battle, Stormtrooper armor has the same markings as Clone Trooper armor, but uses a special paint which is only visible to other Stormtroopers through special filtered lenses in their helmets.

This prevents commanders from being singled out as targets during battle.

[Captain]

I always thought it was by smell, but your theory makes way more sense��

[jwyblejr]

I've noticed in the new Rebels cartoon,Stormtroopers sometimes wear those shoulder pads they wore in ANH.

[Hedji]

It always seemed to me that they took orders not from other Stormtroopers, but from Imperial Officers. Like in the Star Wars Holiday Special, when they invade the Wookiee home. Also, I think in the Radio Drama, there are Imperial Officers giving orders to Stormtroopers who are searching the Escape Pod in the desert.

[enyawd72]

^If that's true it's a horrible approach. During a battle the last thing you would want is the guys in charge running around clearly identifiable and without any type of body armor. They'd be sitting ducks.

You might be right though...look at the Tantive raid.

*Maybe that's the Empire's way out of paying those officer pensions...none of them ever live long enough. It's either get shot or force choked by the boss.

[Gorn Captain]

They tell each other apart with a secret handshake. The higher in rank, the longer and more complicated the handshake.