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The Last of Us Wiki
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(Undo revision 136802 by $SpyreShadow$ (talk) It's not confirmed if Mackenzie is the commander of the Atlanta QZ, or just a high-ranking officer there under the command of someone else)
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{{For|about=the group from the [[The Last of Us series|video game series]]|their appearance in the [[HBO series]]|Federal Disaster Response Agency (HBO series)}}
 
{{infobox faction
 
{{infobox faction
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|name = Federal Disaster Response Agency
|name = The Military
 
|image = The Military infobox.jpg
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|image = Fedra-logo.png
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|type = Government agency <br> Military dictatorship
|type = Armed Forces
 
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|headquarters = Central Command<ref name="LtTorresFinalMemorandum>[[Lt. Torres' final memorandum]]</ref>
|founded = June 14, 1775
 
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|locations = [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]] <br> [[Austin]], [[Texas]] {{n|formerly}} <br> [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] <br> [[Denver]], [[Colorado]] <br> [[Hartford]], [[Connecticut]] {{n|formerly}} <br> [[Jackson County Power Plant]], [[Wyoming]] {{n|formerly}} <br> [[Lincoln]], Massachusetts {{n|formerly}} <br> [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]] {{n|formerly}} <br> [[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]] {{n|formerly}} <br> [[Seattle]], [[Washington]] {{n|formerly}}
|headquarters = Various
 
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|leader = Several unnamed generals <ref name="JacksonPartII">"[[Jackson (Part II chapter)|Jackson]]"</ref><ref name="DraftingNotice">[[Drafting notice]]</ref> <br> Captain [[Mastros]] {{n|[[Pittsburgh]] QZ commander}} <br> Lieutenant [[Carmelo Torres]] {{n|[[Seattle]] QZ commander}} <br> Attorney General [[Arthur Munroe]] {{n|affiliate, Department of Justice}}
|locations = [[Boston]], Massachusetts <br> [[Denver]], Colorado <br> [[Atlanta]], Georgia <br>
 
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|members = Colonel [[Mackenzie]] <br> Major [[Banks]] <br> Captain [[Paul Douglas]] <br> Captain [[Regan Francis]] {{n|deceased}} <br> Sergeant [[Winston Asher]] {{n|deceased}} <br> Sergeant [[Ward]] {{n|deceased}} <br> [[Ramirez]] {{n|deceased}} <br> [[Riley Abel]] {{n|preparatory school, formerly; deceased}} <br> [[Ellie Williams]] {{n|preparatory school, formerly}} <br> General Robert E. Madison {{n|affiliate, National Guard}} <br> Margaret E. Boothe {{n|affiliate, Homeland Security}} <br>
[[Austin]], Texas <small>(formerly)</small> <br> [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania <small>(formerly)</small><br> [[Salt Lake City]], Utah <small>(formerly)</small> <br> [[Hartford]], Connecticut <small>(formerly)</small> <br> [[Lincoln]], Massachusetts <small>(formerly)</small> <br> [[Seattle]], Washington <small>(formerly)</small>
 
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|allies = [[Center for Disease Control]] <br> {{w|U.S. Military}} <br> [[#Collaborators|Collaborators]]
|leader = General of the Boston Quarantine Zone<ref name="DraftingNotice">[[Drafting Notice]]</ref> <br> Colonel [[Mackenzie]] <br> Major [[Banks]]
 
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|enemies = {{g|Fireflies}} [[Fireflies]] <br> {{g|Hunters}} [[Hunters]] <br> [[Smugglers]] <br> {{g|WLF}} [[Washington Liberation Front]]
|members = Captain [[Mastros]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> Captain [[Paul Douglas]] <br> Captain [[Regan Francis]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> Chief Warrant Officer [[Larry Caulfield]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> Lieutenant [[Carmelo Torres]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> Sergeant [[Winston Asher]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> Sergeant [[Ward]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> Warrant Officer [[Sean Brendon]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> Corporal [[Corporal "Dickhead"|"Dickhead"]]<ref name="FunAndGames">"[[Fun and Games]]"</ref> <br> Private [[Atwater]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> Private [[Coolidge]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> Private [[Shah]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> Private [[Eugene Ellis]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> Private [[Miller]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> [[Avery]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> [[Seb]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> [[Victor]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> [[Irina]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> [[Mali]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> [[Ramirez]] <small>(deceased)</small> <br> [[Riley Abel]] <small>(formerly; deceased)</small> <br> [[Ellie]] <small>(formerly)</small> <br> [[Perez]] <br> [[Green]] <br> [[Adams]] <br> [[Jeremy]]<ref name="LostHillNote">[[Lost Hill Note]]</ref> <br> [[Liz]] <br> [[Pam]]<ref name="LostHillNote"/> <br><small>(deceased)</small> <br> [[Waters]] <small>(deceased)</small>
 
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|games = ''[[The Last of Us: American Dreams]]'' <br> ''[[The Last of Us]]'' <br> ''[[The Last of Us: Left Behind]]'' <br> ''[[The Last of Us Part II]]''
|allies = [[Federal Disaster Response Agency]] <br> [[Center for Disease Control]]
 
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|founded = Pre-Outbreak
|enemies = [[Fireflies]] <br> [[Hunters]] <br> [[Smugglers]] <br> [[The Ravens]] <br> [[Washington Liberation Front]]
 
|games = ''[[The Last of Us: American Dreams]]''<br>''[[The Last of Us]]''<br>''[[The Last of Us: Left Behind]]''<br>''[[The Last of Us Part II]]''
 
 
}}
 
}}
{{Quote|Any straggler even looks at me the wrong way, I put his ass down.|A remark by a Boston soldier.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone">"[[The Quarantine Zone]]"</ref>}}
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{{Quote|Our strike against the FEDRA checkpoint worked. Killed at least three of those thugs...We'll kick those fascists out.|A [[Washington Liberation Front]] insurgent's remarks about FEDRA's rule in [[Seattle]].<ref name="WLFRecruiterJournal">[[WLF recruiter journal]]</ref>}}
'''The Military''' appear as an enemy faction in ''[[The Last of Us]]'' and are mentioned in ''[[The Last of Us Part II]]''. By 2033, the military, along with the [[Center for Disease Control]] and [[Federal Disaster Response Agency|Federal Disaster Response Agency (FEDRA)]], are the only known remnants of the United States government left.
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The '''Federal Disaster Response Agency''' ('''FEDRA''' or '''F.E.D.R.A.'''), colloquially known as '''the military''' or '''army''', is an antagonistic faction featured in ''[[The Last of Us]]'' and ''[[The Last of Us Part II]]''.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone">"[[The Quarantine Zone]]"</ref><ref name="SeattleDayOneEllie">"[[Seattle Day 1 (Ellie)|Seattle Day 1]]"</ref>
   
After the initial [[Cordyceps Brain Infection]] (CBI) outbreak, FEDRA and the military replaced the civilian leadership of the U.S. government, imposing martial law and dissolving the other organs of state.<ref name="RadioBroadcast">[[The Last of Us script|See the radio broadcast]]</ref> To keep the citizens under watch, the military transformed most cities into [[Quarantine Zones]], preventing citizens from leaving the city, subjecting them to forced labor, and when supplies were low, even restricting basic food rations. As time passed, their strict control became permanent, leading to the military consolidating a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_dictatorship dictatorship] within the cities they occupied. The [[Washington Liberation Front]] subsequently compared them to fascists.<ref name="WLFRecruiterJournal">[[WLF Recruiter Journal]]</ref>
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FEDRA was a government agency in the [[United States]], tasked with responding to disasters and managing emergencies. After the initial {{Cordyceps}} (CBI) outbreak, FEDRA seized control of the U.S. government and armed forces in order to set up the [[Quarantine zone|quarantine zones]] (QZs).<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" /> Becoming amalgamated with one another in the process, they imposed martial law and dissolved the other organs of state.<ref name="RadioBroadcast">[[Twenty Years Later]]</ref> In the QZs, soldiers prevented citizens from leaving the city, subjected them to forced labor,<ref name="DraftingNotice"/> and when supplies were low, restricted basic food rations.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" /><ref name="Pittsburgh">"[[Pittsburgh (chapter)|Pittsburgh]]"</ref> They often executed dissidents and criminals, or expelled them from the QZ. The [[Washington Liberation Front]] compared FEDRA soldiers to fascists.<ref name="WLFRecruiterJournal"/>
   
Twenty years later, the military only exercises power over a small number of fortified cities, most notably [[Boston]]<ref name="TheQuarantineZone"/> as most have been either destroyed, abandoned, or taken over by rebels.<ref name="Pittsburgh">"[[Pittsburgh (chapter)|Pittsburgh]]"</ref><ref name="BusDepot">"[[Bus Depot]]"</ref><ref name="SeattleDayOneEllie">"[[Seattle Day 1 (Ellie)|Seattle Day 1]]"</ref>
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By 2033, FEDRA only exercises power over a small number of fortified cities, most notably [[Boston]]<ref name="TheQuarantineZone"/> as most have been either destroyed, abandoned, or taken over by rebels.<ref name="Pittsburgh"/><ref name="BusDepot">"[[Bus Depot]]"</ref><ref name="SeattleDayOneEllie">"[[Seattle Day 1 (Ellie)|Seattle Day 1]]"</ref> FEDRA is one of the last remnants of the pre-outbreak [[United States]] government, alongside the {{w|Department of Defense}}, and the [[Center for Disease Control]] (CDC).<ref name="TheOutskirts">"[[The Outskirts]]"</ref>
 
The player encounters the military in the Boston Quarantine Zone.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone"/> Early on, [[9mm Pistol|pistol-wielding]] soldiers without [[Armor|body armor]] are encountered, but soldiers in body armor and riot helmets will begin to appear more often as time progresses, with [[Assault Rifle|assault rifles]] supplementing their pistols. [[The Infected|Infected]] members of the military are also present in the game, located mostly in the Boston [[The Outskirts|outskirts]].<ref name="TheOutskirts">"[[The Outskirts]]"</ref>
 
   
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
=== Early outbreak and creating quarantine zones ===
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=== Early outbreak and taking control ===
[[File:Early Military.png|thumb|A soldier during the initial outbreak.]]
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[[File:Early Military.png|thumb|A FEDRA soldier during the initial outbreak.]]
When the CBI outbreak [[Outbreak Day|began]], the military forces and local law enforcement attempted to contain it. As [[Sarah Miller|Sarah]] watched a news report, a soldier in the background orders his men to leave the area due to a gas leak nearby. An explosion interrupted the broadcast before the newscaster can be warned. When [[Joel Miller|Joel]], [[Tommy Miller|Tommy]] and [[Sarah Miller|Sarah]] attempted to escape the infection, they witnessed the military setting up roadblocks along the highways, which caused a large traffic jam.<ref name="Hometown">"[[Hometown]]"</ref> The military also resorted to shooting civilians suspected of infection, including children. In one instance, a soldier attempted to execute Joel and Sarah after his commanding officer ordered him to; he successfully killed Sarah but Tommy shot the soldier dead before he could kill Joel.<ref name="Hometown"/>
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Following the [[Outbreak Day|outbreak]] of {{Cordyceps}} (CBI) in September 2013, the Federal Disaster Response Agency, deployed across the [[United States|country]], working alongside with regular military forces and law enforcement, attempted to contain it. When [[Joel]], [[Tommy]], and [[Sarah]] attempted to escape the infection, they witnessed the military setting up roadblocks along the highways, which caused a large traffic jam. They also saw military helicopters flying over their heads. It is known that in [[Austin]], [[United States|Texas]] and other major cities, they were resorting to extreme measures to prevent the spread of the infection, such as summarily executing American citizens. An example of this was seen when a FEDRA soldier shot and killed Sarah.<ref name="Hometown">"[[Hometown]]"</ref>
   
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The pre-outbreak U.S. government was often at odds with FEDRA when it came to handling the infection. Shortly after a leaked report from the {{W|World Health Organization}} revealed that the latest ''Cordyceps'' vaccination tests had failed, a U.S. general affiliated with FEDRA announced on television that the government "bureaucrats" had been removed from power, and that they could finally take the necessary steps to "protect" the United States.<ref name="TwentyYearsLater"/> FEDRA went about this by declaring martial law and setting up quarantine zones in urban centers. The Department of Defense, as well some officials from the Department of Justice (such as Attorney General [[Arthur Munroe]]), worked closely with FEDRA during the initial outbreak.<ref name="NewspaperClipping"/> However, most other branches of government were indefinitely suspended. A notable exception was the [[Center for Disease Control]], which was retained to study ''Cordyceps''.<ref name="MedicalPamphlet"/>
As social order collapsed, the remaining military forces were deployed into major cities and created massive [[Quarantine Zones|quarantine zones]] (QZs) to contain the masses and isolate the infection.<ref name="EvacuationLetter">[[Evacuation Letter]]</ref> The Air Force {{w|Carpet bombing|carpet-bombed}} the surrounding areas of some of the quarantine zones, significantly the downtown area of [[Boston]], with the objective of killing as many of the infected as possible, while also creating buffer zones.<ref name-"EvacuationLeaflet">[[Evacuation Leaflet]]</ref> The military and [[Federal Disaster Response Agency|FEDRA]] also formed an alliance.<ref name="SeattleDayOneEllie"/><ref name="LoneFEDRASoldierJournalTwo">[[Lone FEDRA Soldier Journal 2]]</ref> Soon after, the military, per FEDRA Attorney General [[Arthur Munroe]]'s orders, began limiting their efforts to find civilians trapped outside the QZs, lowering their search radius to only ten miles from the QZs. This meant civilians in towns, universities and the countryside were left to fend for themselves against the Infected.<ref name="NewspaperClipping">[[Newspaper Clipping]]</ref>
 
   
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To contain the fungus, FEDRA had the military move all uninfected civilians into large [[quarantine zones]] (QZs) within major cities such as [[Boston]], [[Pittsburgh]] and [[Seattle]].<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" /><ref name="Pittsburgh" /><ref name="SeattleDayOneEllie" /> The number of entrants was limited - in [[Pittsburgh]], civilians were murdered en-masse by FEDRA to prevent the QZ from overcrowding. FEDRA then had the U.S. Air Force carpet bomb the surrounding areas of some of the QZs, most notably the downtown area of [[Boston]], to kill as many of the infected as possible, while also creating buffer zones.<ref name="EvacuationLeaflet">[[Evacuation leaflet]]</ref> To ensure the containment functioned smoothly, FEDRA developed their own Mycotoxin Containment Protocols, which had at least four levels of severity. At the most severe stage, Level 4, evacuees would be tested for infection, sanitized and their bags inspected before being split into different groups, with each group going to a different permanent quarantine zone.<ref name="BoysDiary">[[Boy's diary]]</ref> Preventing the infection's spread was paramount, heightened after the World Health Organization reported that the CBI had killed or infected at least 60% of the nation's population by the early 2010s.<ref name="NewspaperClipping">[[Newspaper clipping]]</ref>
By the mid-2010s, the military had consolidated control of all major cities in America. They successfully converted them all into QZs and built high walls to keep out rogue survivors and hordes of Infected.<ref name="LoneFEDRASoldierJournalOne">[[Lone FEDRA Soldier Journal 1]]</ref> The military had listening posts on the outskirts of the zones to monitor radio transmissions.<ref name="LoneFEDRASoldierJournalTwo"/>
 
   
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FEDRA established their own central command headquarters, colloquially referred to as "CENTCOM", independent from the QZs.<ref name="LtTorresFinalMemorandum">[[Lt. Torres' final memorandum]]</ref> To ensure they maintained connection with their units in the QZs, FEDRA created numerous outposts, using radios to communicate reports between QZs and their headquarters.<ref name="LoneFEDRASoldierJournalOne">[[Lone FEDRA soldier journal 1]]</ref><ref name="LoneFEDRASoldierJournalTwo">[[Lone FEDRA soldier journal 2]]</ref> Lt. [[Carmelo Torres]] worked closely with FEDRA captain [[Paul Douglas]], keeping in regular correspondence with him to coordinate FEDRA authority over the Seattle QZ.<ref name="LtTorresFinalMemorandum" /> FEDRA also worked with the CDC to produce various fliers and informative documents, ranging from informing civilians of wanted criminals,<ref name="WantedPoster">[[Wanted poster]]</ref><ref name="TraitorsFlyer">[[Traitors flyer]]</ref> to infographics about the stages of infected.<ref name="MilitaryPamphlet">[[Military pamphlet]]</ref><ref name="InfectedInfographic">[[Infected infographic]]</ref><ref name="MedicalPamphlet">[[Medical pamphlet]]</ref>
The military and FEDRA had a large presence at the Seattle general hospital which by that point was being overrun by Infected. It is insinuated that the hospital contained critical research regarding the CBI outbreak, as the military had sacrificed a significant amount of troops to retrieve files contained in the overrun lower levels of the facility.<ref name="SoldiersLetter">[[Soldier's Letter]]</ref><ref name="ChapelNote>[[Chapel Note]]</ref>
 
   
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FEDRA had the military fortify the zones with extreme levels of security. They placed soldiers and checkpoints at numerous points throughout the cities and created 30-foot-high concrete walls with guard towers and searchlights. The soldiers would often patrol the surrounding area to contain any citizens trying to escape or sneak into the zone and would pursue escapees several hundred meters from the zone's walls.<ref name="TheOutskirts" /> FEDRA also drafted civilians to perform work duties both inside and outside the quarantine zone, on a bi-yearly basis.<ref name="DraftingNotice" /> Civilians residing within quarantine zones could also join the military to bolster their numbers. Records of FEDRA members were subsequently kept in their headquarters.<ref name="YolandasNote">[[Yolanda's note]]</ref> FEDRA also maintained military boarding schools, where children were trained to become soldiers.<ref name="AmericanDreams">''[[The Last of Us: American Dreams]]''</ref>
The military also dispatched troops to deal with nests of Infected in buildings surrounding the zone.[[Avery]]'s patrol (containing [[Seb]], [[Victor]], [[Irina]] and [[Mali]]) was sent to the [[Hotel Blacray]] to clear the Infected present by planting explosives.<ref name="FEDRAOrders">[[FEDRA Orders]]</ref> However, their efforts failed, leading to the hotel surviving the blast but trapping the soldiers inside with the Infected. [[Stalker]]s eventually killed the soldiers.<ref name="SeattleDayThreeAbby">"[[Seattle Day 3 (Abby)|Seattle Day 3]]"</ref><ref name="FEDRAFinalNote">[[FEDRA Final Note]]</ref>
 
   
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FEDRA also worked in the early weeks of the outbreak to secure certain medical facilities. At the Seattle [[Lakehill Seattle Hospital|general hospital]] it is insinuated that the hospital contained critical research regarding the CBI outbreak, as FEDRA had sacrificed a significant amount of their soldiers to retrieve files contained in the overrun lower levels of the facility.<ref name="SoldiersLetter">[[Soldier's letter]]</ref><ref name="ChapelNote">[[Chapel note]]</ref> FEDRA also dispatched troops to deal with nests of infected in buildings surrounding the hospital. [[Avery]]'s patrol (containing [[Seb]], [[Victor]], [[Irina]] and [[Mali]]) was sent to the [[Hotel BlacRay]] to clear the infected present by planting explosives.<ref name="FEDRAOrders">[[FEDRA orders]]</ref> However, their efforts failed, leading to the hotel surviving the blast but trapping the soldiers inside with the infected. [[Stalker]]s eventually killed the soldiers.<ref name="SeattleDayThreeAbby">"[[Seattle Day 3 (Abby)|Seattle Day 3]]"</ref><ref name="FEDRAFinalNote">[[FEDRA final note]]</ref>
=== Resisting dissident groups and losing power ===
 
[[File:Soldiers_inject.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Soldiers euthanize someone scanned positive for infection.]]
 
During FEDRA's control over the quarantine zones, anger grew towards the military and their rule over America's people living in the cities. The first known dissident faction were the Fireflies, a group founded shortly after the military put Los Angeles under martial law in the 2010s. The group called for the return of all branches of government to end the military's rule and staged several attacks against the military. Anti-FEDRA and military sentiments began to appear throughout America after the military executed at least six Firefly members.<ref name="Hometown"/> Alongside this, a conspiracy began sprouting among people in the quarantine zones that the military were hoarding food for themselves rather than feed the civilians. In time, large numbers of civilians in numerous quarantine zones became captured by the Fireflies' idea of living under their own rule rather than the military's.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone"/><ref name="Pittsburgh"/><ref name="SeattleDayOneEllie"/>
 
   
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As the years passed, the U.S. Attorney General, [[Arthur Munroe]], made it clear that the military would be lowering their search radius to only ten miles from the QZs. This meant civilians in towns, universities, and the countryside were left to fend for themselves against the infected.<ref name="NewspaperClipping">[[Newspaper clipping]]</ref> Several citizens expressed outrage at the military not maintaining efforts to find survivors, noting failure to do so doomed those people to become infected, starve to death or turn on one another to survive.<ref name="TheSuburbs">"[[The Suburbs]]"</ref><ref name="LootingNote">[[Looting note]]</ref><ref name="NeighborExchange">[[Neighbor exchange]]</ref>
By the 2020s, numerous QZs fell into civil war between the citizens and the military, ranging from protests in [[Pittsburgh]] to outright warfare in [[Seattle]].<ref name="Pittsburgh"/><ref name="SeattleDayOneEllie"/> The Fireflies assisted in these uprisings, especially in Pittsburgh. The military fought hard to keep control of the zone, deciding to publicly execute three people they branded as traitors to the peace in the zone. This action only furthered Firefly support, with an alliance forming between them and the city's residents.<ref name="TraitorsFlyer">[[Traitors Flyer]]</ref> Large-scale fighting broke out over the next fourteen months,<ref name="NoteFromMom">[[Note from Mom]]</ref><ref name="LostHillNote/> ending with Captain [[Mastros]]' calling for his soldiers to abandon the zone,<ref name="AbandonZoneNote">[[Abandon Zone Note]]</ref> and the rebels executing any soldiers they captured by lynching.<ref name="FinalAttackNote">[[Final Attack Note]]</ref> They even captured and burned Mastros and his squad to death.<ref name="MobAttackNote">[[Mob Attack Note]]</ref> The rioting citizens didn't want to be controlled by FEDRA, nor take orders from the Fireflies. Thus, it wasn't long before they killed the Firefly agitators as well.<ref name="FirefliesNote">[[Fireflies Note]]</ref> They later found and killed the soldiers hiding out in the city's hotel, and secured a working Humvee from a fleeing military garrison, meaning the city was now completely under their control.<ref name="TruckNote">[[Truck Note]]</ref>
 
   
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By the mid-2010s, FEDRA had consolidated control of all major cities in the United States and converted them all into QZs. FEDRA initially allowed civilians living in the various QZs to write letters to inhabitants of other QZs that were delivered between them, even delivering them between zones over a period of two weeks.<ref name="NoteToWife">[[Note to wife]]</ref> However, FEDRA soon used the military's might to transform the zones into individual police states, exercising absolute power over the zones (including killing civilians).<ref name="BusDepot" /> Their growing tyranny prompted [[Marlene]] to create the [[Fireflies]], a militia group dedicated to defeating FEDRA, restoring the pre-outbreak government and finding a cure for the disease.<ref name="TwentyYearsLater">''[[Twenty Years Later]]''</ref>
Meanwhile in Seattle, military rule faced challenge from a terrorist group known as the [[Washington Liberation Front]], a group of dissident residents enraged by the banishments, food shortages, and executions the military conducted under [[Carmelo Torres|Lt. Torres]] and [[Ward|Sgt. Ward]]'s rule.<ref name="FEDRACensusDocument">[[FEDRA Census Document]]</ref> While the military had worked well in collaborating with civilians in the zone, even receiving help from [[Boris Legasov]] in combating the Infected around the Hillcrest community,<ref name="BorisDaughtersDrawing">[[Boris' Daughter's Drawing]]</ref> the WLF represented the wing of civilians against military rule.<ref name="TurnInBoris">[[Turn in Boris Note]]</ref><ref name="CondolenceNote">[[Condolence Note]]</ref><ref name="BorisConfession">[[Boris' Confession]]</ref> The WLF's leaders [[Emma Patterson|Emma]] and [[Jason Patterson]] conducted an anti-FEDRA campaign, distributing anti-FEDRA propaganda, stealing the military's supplies and inciting sedition among the Seattle residents.<ref name="ListOfKnownWLFAgitators">[[List of Known WLF Agitators]]</ref><ref name="JoinWLFNote">[[Join WLF Note (Downtown)]]</ref>
 
   
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===Resisting dissident groups and losing power===
[[File:Death_for_Freedom.jpg|250px|thumb|Soldiers that were executed by rebels in Pittsburgh.]]
 
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[[File:Soldiers inject.jpg|thumb|left|250px|FEDRA soldiers euthanize a woman that had been scanned positive for infection.]]
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During FEDRA's control over the quarantine zones, anger grew towards the military and their rule over America's people living in the cities. The first known dissident faction was the Fireflies, a group founded shortly after [[California|Los Angeles]] was placed under martial law in the 2010s. The group called for the return of all branches of government and staged several attacks against the military. Anti-FEDRA sentiments began to appear throughout contiguous America after the military executed at least six Firefly members.<ref name="RadioBroadcast" /> Alongside this, a conspiracy theory grew among people in the quarantine zones that FEDRA were hoarding rations for themselves rather than feeding the civilians. In time, large numbers of civilians in numerous quarantine zones came to believe in the Fireflies' idea of living under their own rule rather than that of the military's.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" /><ref name="Pittsburgh" /><ref name="SeattleDayOneEllie" />
   
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By the 2020s, numerous QZs fell into civil war between the citizens and FEDRA's soldiers, ranging from protests and riots in [[Pittsburgh]] to outright warfare in [[Seattle]].<ref name="Pittsburgh" /><ref name="SeattleDayOneEllie" /> The Fireflies assisted in these uprisings, especially in Pittsburgh. The military fought hard to keep control of the zone, deciding to publicly execute three people they branded as traitors to the peace. This action only furthered Firefly support, with an alliance forming between them and the city's residents.<ref name="TraitorsFlyer">[[Traitors flyer]]</ref> Large-scale fighting broke out over the next fourteen months,<ref name="NoteFromMom">[[Note from mom]]</ref><ref name="LostHillNote" /> ending with Captain [[Mastros]] calling for his soldiers to abandon the zone,<ref name="AbandonZoneNote">[[Abandon zone note]]</ref> and the rebels lynching any soldiers they captured.<ref name="FinalAttackNote">[[Final attack note]]</ref> They even captured and burned Mastros and his squad to death.<ref name="MobAttackNote">[[Mob attack note]]</ref> The rioting citizens did not want to be controlled by FEDRA, nor take orders from the Fireflies. Thus, it wasn't long before they killed the Firefly agitators as well.<ref name="FirefliesNote">[[Fireflies note]]</ref> They later found and killed the soldiers hiding out in the city's hotel and secured a working Humvee from a fleeing military garrison, meaning the city was now completely under their control.<ref name="TruckNote">[[Truck note]]</ref>
Eventually, the Pattersons were eliminated by the military, along with most of the other top officials of the Wolves, leaving [[Isaac Dixon]] as the last remaining original instigator of the rebellion.<ref name="ListOfKnownWLFAgitators"/> In retaliation for their deaths, Isaac killed three soldiers to avenge the Pattersons. While several citizens were morally against Isaac's actions, the remaining WLF members voted him as their new leader. Over the coming weeks, the WLF committed attacks on military checkpoints, assaulted convoys, and committed open armed conflict against the military. <ref name="WLFRecruiterJournal">[[WLF Recruiter Journal]]</ref>
 
   
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Meanwhile in Seattle, FEDRA rule faced challenge from a terrorist group known as the [[Washington Liberation Front]], a group of dissident residents enraged by the expulsions, food shortages, and executions the military conducted under [[Carmelo Torres|Lt. Torres]] and [[Ward|Sgt. Ward]]'s rule.<ref name="FEDRACensusDocument">[[FEDRA census document]]</ref> While FEDRA had worked well in collaborating with civilians in the zone, even receiving help from [[Boris Legasov]] in combating the infected around the [[Hillcrest]] community,<ref name="BorisDaughtersDrawing">[[Boris' daughter's drawing]]</ref> the WLF represented the wing of civilians against military rule.<ref name="TurnInBoris">[[Turn in Boris note]]</ref><ref name="CondolenceNote">[[Condolence note]]</ref><ref name="BorisConfession">[[Boris' confession]]</ref> The WLF's leaders [[Emma Patterson|Emma]] and [[Jason Patterson]] conducted an anti-FEDRA campaign, distributing anti-FEDRA propaganda, stealing the military's supplies and inciting sedition among the Seattle residents.<ref name="ListOfKnownWLFAgitators">[[List of known WLF agitators]]</ref><ref name="JoinWLFNote">[[Join WLF note (Downtown)]]</ref>
To counter the WLF's growing aggression, Torres ordered the soldiers open fire on any and all WLF protests, including peaceful ones. The order led to the Thursday Market massacre, an event that saw the military's brutal put-down of the WLF march cause a surge in WLF support and membership among the Seattle residents. The action was particularly controversial as the protesters were campaigning for food for their families and ended the military's propaganda campaign to frame the WLF as a terrorist group filled with murderers; the WLF now became known as the citizens' own freedom fighters.<ref name="PleaToAFriendLetter">[[Plea to a Friend Letter]]</ref> The increased membership led to increasing success for the WLF, with even FEDRA soldiers defecting to join the militia group.<ref name="WLFRecruiterJournal"/>
 
   
  +
[[File:Death for Freedom.jpg|250px|thumb|FEDRA soldiers that were executed by rebels in Pittsburgh.]]
In time, the military gave up on their campaign to defeat the WLF, with Torres ordering Ward to evacuate the military personal from the city along with [[Zivah Saunders]] and their family.<ref name="RabbiSaundersLetter">[[Rabbi Saunders' Letter]]</ref> Torres penned a note to [[Paul Douglas]] at FEDRA Headquarters conceding that the zone was lost.<ref name="LtTorresFinalMemorandum">[[Lt. Torres' Final Memorandum]]</ref> The WLF did not allow the soldiers to leave peacefully though, instead using a tip off from a Seattle resident to corner the soldiers on the highway, where they slaughtered them in open combat. Torres and Ward's squad managed to escape the battle but the WLF chased them to the courthouse, where they finished the fight in a final skirmish, successfully killing the military's leadership and ending their official reign over the city.<ref name="NoteToInformant">[[Note to Informant]]</ref> Within a few months, the WLF successfully captured all of FEDRA's military checkpoints in the city. With that, the WLF had successfully won the war against FEDRA and now controlled the QZ.<ref name="LoneFEDRASoldierJournalOne"/><ref name="PleaToAFriendLetter"/>
 
   
  +
Eventually, the military eliminated the Pattersons, along with most of the other WLF leaders, leaving [[Isaac Dixon]] as the last remaining original instigator of the rebellion.<ref name="ListOfKnownWLFAgitators" /> In retaliation, Isaac killed three soldiers to avenge the Pattersons. While several citizens were morally against Isaac's actions, the remaining WLF members voted him as their new leader. Over the coming weeks, the WLF attacked military checkpoints, assaulted convoys, and committed open armed conflict against the military.<ref name="WLFRecruiterJournal">[[WLF recruiter journal]]</ref>
However, some military personal fled into the city's suburbs. Unwilling to let them reintegrate into the city's community, the WLF hunted them down to clear the city of the military completely.<ref name="YolandasNote">[[Yolanda's Note]]</ref><ref name="RebeccasTipOff">[[Rebecca's Tip Off]]</ref><ref name="PleaToAFriendLetter"/> They also killed Boris and his daughter [[Sofia Legasov]] in Hillcrest.<ref name="BorisConfession"/><ref name="CondolenceNote"/>
 
   
  +
Some Seattle residents were known to break away from the WLF and collaborate with FEDRA for their own benefits and privileges. In one such incident, [[Jiao]] tipped off an anti-WLF action that [[Mei]] and [[Bo]] were planning with an illegal shipment of goods.<ref name="Jasmine Bakery safe"/> As such, the WLF instituted a zero-tolerance policy towards any WLF members who collaborated with FEDRA in any way.<ref name="SeattleDayTwoEllie">"[[Seattle Day 2 (Ellie)|Seattle Day 2]]"</ref>
However, a portion of the military force assigned to Seattle managed to pull out successfully. Notably, [[Perez]], [[Green]], [[Adams]] and an unnamed soldier succeeded in escaping the WLF's slaughter and hid out at a radio outpost in the city for several days.<ref name="LoneFEDRASoldierJournalTwo"/><ref name="LoneFEDRASoldierJournalOne"/>
 
   
  +
To counter the WLF's growing aggression, Torres ordered the soldiers open fire on any and all WLF protests, including peaceful ones. The order led to the Thursday Market massacre, an event that saw the military's brutal response to the WLF march cause a surge in WLF support and membership among the Seattle residents. The action was particularly controversial as the protesters were campaigning for food for their families and ended the military's propaganda campaign to frame the WLF as a terrorist group filled with murderers; the WLF now became known as the citizens' own freedom fighters.<ref name="PleaToAFriendLetter">[[Plea to a friend letter]]</ref> The increased membership led to further success for the WLF, with even FEDRA soldiers defecting to join the militia group.<ref name="WLFRecruiterJournal" />
The Fireflies continued their efforts to disrupt the military's rule throughout the country. [[Tommy Miller]] and [[Eugene Linden]] were stationed in Denver to commit to a war effort against the military in the city.<ref name="JacksonPartII">"[[Jackson (Part II)|Jackson]]"</ref> The Fireflies also successfully defeated the military in [[Salt Lake City]], converting the [[St. Mary's Hospital|local hospital]] into their primary base by the early 2030s.<ref name="TheFireflyLab">[[The Firefly Lab]]</ref> However, by 2033, the tide began to turn back into the military's favor.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone"/>
 
   
  +
In time, the military gave up on their campaign to defeat the WLF, with Torres ordering Ward to evacuate the military personal from the city along with rabbi [[Zivah Saunders]] and their family.<ref name="RabbiSaundersLetter">[[Rabbi Saunders' letter]]</ref> Torres penned a note to [[Paul Douglas]] at FEDRA Headquarters conceding that the zone was lost.<ref name="LtTorresFinalMemorandum">[[Lt. Torres' final memorandum]]</ref> The WLF did not allow the soldiers to leave peacefully though, instead using a tip from a Seattle resident to ambush the soldiers' convoy on the highway, where they slaughtered them in open combat. Torres and Ward's squad managed to escape the battle, but the WLF chased them to the courthouse, where they finished the fight in a final skirmish, successfully killing the military's leadership and officially ending their reign over the city.<ref name="NoteToInformant">[[Note to informant]]</ref> Within a few months, the WLF successfully captured all of FEDRA's military checkpoints in the city. With that, the WLF had successfully won the war against FEDRA and now controlled the QZ.<ref name="LoneFEDRASoldierJournalOne" /><ref name="PleaToAFriendLetter" />
=== Late outbreak and remnants of control ===
 
[[File:New Military.png|thumb|left|A soldier 20 years into the outbreak.]]
 
By 2033, according to Joel, the military had lost control over many Quarantine Zones, and that Hunter rule was the norm in these areas.<ref name="Pittsburgh"/> Their only known fully operational QZ is Boston, where the residents circumvented the military's strict rule through their [[Smugglers|smuggling trade]]. An entire battalion was stationed here,<ref name="MarlenesJournal">[[Marlene's Journal]]</ref> and the soldiers still possessed high-grade weapons like [[Assault Rifle]]s and [[Humvee]]s.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone"/> Despite this, they did not control the mall within the city and were running low on supplies by July that year.<ref name="WarningNote">[[Warning Note]]</ref>
 
   
  +
However, some FEDRA personnel fled into the city's suburbs. Unwilling to let them reintegrate into the city's community, the WLF hunted them down to clear the city of the military completely.<ref name="YolandasNote">[[Yolanda's note]]</ref><ref name="RebeccasTipOff">[[Rebecca's tip off]]</ref><ref name="PleaToAFriendLetter" /> They also killed Boris's daughter [[Sofia Legasov]] in Hillcrest.<ref name="BorisConfession" /><ref name="CondolenceNote" />
Much like the former QZs, Boston was plagued with starving citizens, rigid work duties and strict curfews on all residents.<ref name="FunAndGames"/> The military used barriers to prevent anyone from leaving without permission or entering certain areas in the city. There were regular checkpoints throughout these zones where civilians were required to present papers, and there were also random infection checks, with the military killing infected people immediately via lethal injection or outright shooting them. Like in Seattle and Pittsburgh, people here believed the soldiers were hoarding food for themselves.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone"/> Citizens also had to assist the military in work duties, such as fortifying the wall. Citizens who refused had their ration cards revoked and were placed in solitary confinement, punishments which the people heavily disparaged.<ref name="DraftingNotice"/>
 
   
  +
A portion of the military force assigned to Seattle managed to pull out successfully. Notably, [[Perez]], [[Green]], [[Adams]] and an unnamed soldier succeeded in escaping the WLF's slaughter and hid out at a radio outpost in the city for several days.<ref name="LoneFEDRASoldierJournalTwo" /><ref name="LoneFEDRASoldierJournalOne" />
Regardless, many outside the Boston QZ believed living within the walls under military rule was a safer life than those living outside the zone.<ref name="NoteToBrother">[[Note to Brother]]</ref> Further, complaints against FEDRA were low enough that the soldiers did not bother to arrest people for sedition, despite it being a crime according to FEDRA in former QZs. Indeed, the thriving smuggling market of food, guns and drugs appeared to placate Boston's residents enough to not rebel openly to FEDRA rule. The only openly active resistance to FEDRA rule came from [[Marlene]] and the Fireflies living the zone, who bombed checkpoints daily and got into numerous skirmishes with the military throughout the city. However, by the summer of 2033, the military had clamped down on the Firefly insurgents, leading Marlene to order her troops to withdraw from the city, meaning the military's rule over Boston uniquely survived militia rebellion for control.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone"/>
 
   
  +
The Fireflies continued their efforts to disrupt FEDRA's rule throughout the country as well. In Denver, [[Tommy Miller]] and [[Eugene Linden]]'s Firefly cell waged war against the military in the city, regularly bombing checkpoints. The pair even tortured a FEDRA general while stationed there.<ref name="JacksonPartII">"[[Jackson (Part II chapter)|Jackson]]"</ref> The Fireflies successfully defeated the FEDRA soldiers in [[Salt Lake City]], converting the [[St. Mary's Hospital|local hospital]] into their primary base by the early 2030s.<ref name="TheFireflyLab">"[[The Firefly Lab]]"</ref>
The military did recently control [[Hartford]] but that too fell to rule by Hunters because of food shortages. Some citizens from Hartford were trying to sneak into the Boston QZ. Sergeant [[Winston Asher]] encountered them and killed the ones that were Infected. He wrote to his superior [[Major Banks]] regarding the incident, asking for more patrols, but didn't expect the officer to reply as he felt Banks was incompetent and the military were running low on supplies at the time.<ref name="WarningNote"/>
 
   
==== Events of ''American Dreams'' ====
+
===Late outbreak and remnants of control===
  +
[[File:New Military.png|thumb|left|A FEDRA soldier 20 years into the outbreak.]]
The military has little tolerance for Fireflies and their sympathizers. They cause "disappearances" and summarily execute civilians suspected of being Fireflies. According to Ellie, they even train teenagers at their military preparatory schools on how to kill Fireflies.<ref name="BackInAFlash">"[[Back in a Flash]]"</ref> The military, in their mission to eliminate the Fireflies, engaged them in key points throughout Boston. At one point, they successfully pinned them down in the streets, nearly succeeding in defeating all of Marlene's squad. However, [[Riley Abel]], situated on a roof above the firefight, intervened by tossing [[Smoke Bomb|smoke grenades]] at them, disrupting their line of fire, enabling the Fireflies to escape. The soldiers attempted to shoot Riley, but she escaped.<ref name="AmericanDreams">''[[The Last of Us: American Dreams]]''</ref>
 
  +
By 2033, according to Joel, FEDRA had lost control over many quarantine zones, and hunter rule was the norm in those areas.<ref name="Pittsburgh" /> Hartford is falling apart, leaving Boston as the only known fully operational QZ. Many of the residents circumvented the military's strict rule through their [[Smugglers|smuggling trade]], from land and sea. At least an entire battalion was stationed here,<ref name="MarlenesJournal">[[Marlene's journal]]</ref> under the command of a general,<ref name="DraftingNotice" /> and the majority of soldiers still possessed high-grade weapons like [[assault rifle]]s and .50 caliber MG-mounted [[Humvee]]s.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" /> Despite this, many soldiers only carry a sidearm rather than a primary weapon, and some weapons that would have been antiquated in the U.S. military by 2013, such as [[Revolver|revolvers]], have been brought back into service. The military also did not control the mall within the zone and were running low on supplies by July that year.<ref name="WarningNote">[[Warning note]]</ref> Soldiers talked about the prospect of riots breaking out. Still, they had been largely successful during their summertime crackdown on the Firefly presence in the city.
   
  +
Much like the other QZs, Boston was plagued with starving citizens, rigid work duties and strict curfews on all residents.<ref name="FunAndGames" /> The military used barriers to prevent anyone from leaving without permission or entering certain areas in the city. There were regular checkpoints throughout these zones where civilians were required to present identification papers, such as a quarantine passport. There were also random infection checks, with the military killing infected people immediately via lethal injection or outright shooting them. Like in Seattle and Pittsburgh, people here believed the soldiers were hoarding food for themselves.<ref name="Mallrats">"[[Mallrats]]"</ref> Citizens also had to assist the military in work duties, such as fortifying the wall.<ref name="DraftingNotice" /> While doing so, they had to wear yellow suits crafted in a similar fashion to the military's uniforms, except these clearly denoted their ranks as civilian workers rather than soldiers. In contrast, the soldier's blue uniforms had the word "ARMY" on their chest patches, as well as on FEDRA-owned doors and devices.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" /> Citizens who refused had their ration cards revoked and were placed in solitary confinement, punishments which the people heavily disparaged.<ref name="DraftingNotice" />
==== Events of ''The Last of Us'' ====
 
When Joel and Tess are [[Smugglers|smuggling]] [[Ellie]] outside of Boston, they are surprised by two soldiers patrolling the outskirts who subdue Joel and order Tess and Ellie to put their hands on the heads and kneel down. When scanned for infection, Ellie stabs the soldier in the leg, causing the soldier to knock her down. Joel tackles him, wrestles his gun away, and kills him; Tess shoots [[Ramirez|the other]] dead before making their escape. [[Humvee]]s and infantry pour into the area to search for them but eventually retreat when they lose track of the group. Such implies any "stragglers" found outside the Boston wall are sent back to the QZ and charged, as Joel and Tess were going to be escorted back before Ellie was scanned.<ref name="TheOutskirts"/>
 
   
  +
Regardless, many outside the Boston QZ believed living within the walls under military rule was a safer life than those living outside the zone.<ref name="NoteToBrother">[[Note to brother]]</ref> Further, complaints against FEDRA were low enough that the soldiers did not bother to arrest people for petty sedition, despite it being a crime according to FEDRA in former QZs. Indeed, the thriving smuggling market of food, guns and drugs appeared to placate Boston's residents enough to not rebel openly to FEDRA rule. The only openly active resistance to FEDRA rule came from [[Marlene]] and the Fireflies living in the zone, who bombed checkpoints daily and got into numerous skirmishes with the military throughout the city. However, by the summer of 2033, the military had clamped down on the Firefly insurgents, leading Marlene to order her troops to withdraw from the city, meaning the military's rule over Boston uniquely survived militia rebellion for control. However, the smugglers within the city learned that supplies were running out, meaning the chance of civilians rebelling against the military's rule within the zone was increasing.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" />
While crossing through a building, the trio encounters dead soldiers and several who had turned into Runners, who had left the zone to search even the severely damaged downtown for supplies despite the high risk. This implies the military is becoming increasingly desperate to find supplies to keep the QZ from falling apart.<ref name="TheOutskirts"/> They learn the soldiers (officer [[Waters]], Private [[Shah]], Private [[Coolidge]], and Private [[Atwater]]) had encountered Infected but died while awaiting reinforcements.<ref name="FieldOpsLog">[[Field Ops Log]]</ref>
 
   
  +
The military did recently control [[Hartford]] but that too fell to rule by hunters because of food shortages. Some citizens from Hartford were trying to sneak into the Boston QZ. Sergeant [[Winston Asher]] encountered them and killed the ones that were infected. He wrote to his superior [[Major Banks]] regarding the incident, asking for more patrols, but did not expect the officer to reply as he felt Banks was incompetent and the military were running low on supplies at the time.<ref name="WarningNote" />
By morning, the military caught up to the trio at the Capitol Building, having earlier killed the Fireflies that they were supposed to rendezvous with. Tess killed two soldiers before dying, while Joel and Ellie evaded the others via fighting past various squads of soldiers before making it to the subway line, narrowly avoiding being shot at by a [[Humvee]].<ref name="TheOutskirts"/>
 
   
  +
====Events of ''American Dreams''====
They are shown to conduct vehicle patrols that go outside the walls to search for anything worth taking. One such patrol was overrun by Infected and crashed into [[Lincoln]] high school. [[Bill]] wanted to steal the battery from a truck, as the military are the only ones who make new batteries any more.<ref name="BillsTown">"[[Bill's Town]]"</ref> This indicates that they have at least some industrial capacity; given how it seems standard policy for smugglers to be captured if possible, it is possible the military uses prisoners as labor to allow troops to focus on their duties.
 
  +
FEDRA has little tolerance for Fireflies and their sympathizers. They cause "disappearances" and summarily execute civilians suspected of being Fireflies. According to Ellie, they even train teenagers at their military preparatory schools on how to kill Fireflies.<ref name="BackInAFlash">"[[Back in a Flash]]"</ref> The military, in their mission to eliminate the Fireflies, engaged them in key points throughout Boston. At one point, they successfully pinned them down in the streets, nearly succeeding in defeating all of Marlene's squad. However, [[Riley Abel]], situated on a roof above the firefight, intervened by tossing [[Smoke bomb|smoke grenades]] at them, disrupting their line of fire, enabling the Fireflies to escape. The soldiers attempted to shoot Riley, but she escaped.<ref name="AmericanDreams">''[[The Last of Us: American Dreams]]''</ref>
   
==== Events of ''Left Behind'' ====
+
====Events of ''The Last of Us''====
  +
When Joel and Tess are following Marlene to where [[Ellie]] is hiding, they cross through FEDRA soldiers fighting and capturing Firefly militia. Marlene comments that she and her fellow Fireflies intended to leave peacefully, but the military attacked their various hideouts. She believes the military's recent attacks against her group are intended to distract the Boston residents from the growing food shortage FEDRA are suffering from, deducing the military intend for her to become a scapegoat for the city's problems.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" />
The military has an "infection protocol" in place; with no cure discovered, all personnel that become infected are to be executed immediately. This includes civilians. Chief Warrant Officer [[Larry Caulfield]] was executed by [[Regen Francis|Captain Regan]] after the former was bitten when their helicopter crashed at the [[Colorado Mountain Plaza]]. The pilot, [[Sean Brendon]], was also bitten but died upon impact.<ref name="SalonNote">[[Salon Note]]</ref> Regan later showed regret, writing that she "shot him like a dog" while he begged and tried to tell her that he still had time left.<ref name="GeneratorNote">[[Generator Note]]</ref> However, when [[Eugene Ellis|Private Ellis]] got bit, Regan immediately amputated his right arm, thinking it would prevent the fungus from infecting him. With no recorded precedent of a human ever surviving a bite via amputation, the two wondered whether Regan's actions were right or not. Regan initially thought of abandoning Ellis but later decided to stay with him.<ref name="AtriumRecorder">[[Atrium Recorder]]</ref> Ellis later killed her out of fear that he would be killed when she reached for her gun and died of his injuries in an air duct after escaping from some Infected.<ref name="DuctRecorder">[[Duct Recorder]]</ref> [[Ellie]] can find recordings of their predicament left all around the shopping mall.<ref name="AtriumNote">[[Atrium Note]]</ref><ref name="CrewPhoto">[[Crew Photo]]</ref>
 
   
  +
By night time, when Joel and Tess are [[Smugglers|smuggling]] Ellie outside of Boston, they are surprised by two soldiers patrolling the outskirts who subdue Joel and order Tess and Ellie to put their hands on the heads and kneel down. When scanned for infection, Ellie stabs the soldier in the leg, causing the soldier to knock her down. Joel tackles him, wrestles his gun away, and kills him; Tess shoots [[Ramirez|the other]] dead before making their escape. [[Humvee]]s and infantry pour into the area to search for them but eventually retreat when they lose track of the group. Such implies any "stragglers" found outside the Boston wall are sent back to the QZ and charged, as Joel and Tess were going to be escorted back before Ellie was scanned.<ref name="TheOutskirts" />
==== Events of ''The Last of Us Part II'' ====
 
  +
Around 2038, FEDRA and the military were still active in New Mexico, battling a rebel group known as [[the Ravens]].<ref name="SeattleDayOneEllie"/>
 
  +
While crossing through a building, the trio encounters dead soldiers and several who had turned into runners, who had left the zone to search even the severely damaged downtown for supplies despite the high risk. This implies the military is becoming increasingly desperate to find supplies to keep the QZ from falling apart.<ref name="TheOutskirts" /> They learn the soldiers (officer [[Waters]], Private [[Shah]], Private [[Coolidge]], and Private [[Atwater]]) had encountered [[stalker]]s but died while awaiting reinforcements.<ref name="FieldOpsLog">[[Field ops log]]</ref>
  +
  +
By morning, the military caught up to the trio at the Capitol building, having earlier killed the Fireflies that they were supposed to rendezvous with. Tess killed two soldiers before dying, while Joel and Ellie evaded the others via fighting past various squads of soldiers before making it to the subway line, narrowly avoiding being shot at by a Humvee.<ref name="TheOutskirts" />
  +
  +
They are shown to conduct vehicle patrols that go outside the walls to search for anything worth taking, going as far as [[Lincoln]]. One such patrol was overrun by infected and crashed into [[Lincoln High School]]. [[Bill]] wanted to steal the battery from a truck, as the military are the only ones who make new batteries anymore.<ref name="BillsTown">"[[Bill's Town]]"</ref> This indicates that they have at least some industrial capacity; given how it seems standard policy for smugglers to be captured, if possible, it is possible the military uses prisoners as labor to allow troops to focus on their duties.
  +
  +
====Events of ''Left Behind''====
  +
FEDRA's entire 4th Infantry Division was stationed in the [[Denver]] QZ.<ref name="SalonNote" /> Members from this section followed an "infection protocol"; with no cure discovered, all personnel that become infected are to be executed immediately. This includes civilians. Chief Warrant Officer [[Larry Caulfield]] was executed by [[Regan Francis|Captain Regan Francis]] after the former was bitten when their helicopter crashed at the [[Colorado Mountain Plaza]]. The pilot, [[Sean Brendon]], was also bitten but died upon impact.<ref name="SalonNote">[[Salon note]]</ref> Regan later showed regret, writing that she "shot him like a dog" while he begged and tried to tell her that he still had time left.<ref name="GeneratorNote">[[Generator note]]</ref> However, when [[Eugene Ellis|Private Ellis]] got bit, Regan immediately amputated his right arm, thinking it would prevent the fungus from infecting him. With no recorded precedent of a human ever surviving a bite via amputation, the two wondered whether Regan's actions were right or not. Regan initially thought of abandoning Ellis but later decided to stay with him.<ref name="AtriumRecorder">[[Atrium recorder]]</ref>
  +
  +
Ellis later killed her out of fear that he would be killed when she reached for her gun and died of his injuries in an air duct after escaping from some infected.<ref name="DuctRecorder">[[Duct recorder]]</ref> [[Ellie]] can find recordings of their predicament left all around the shopping mall.<ref name="AtriumNote">[[Atrium note]]</ref><ref name="CrewPhoto">[[Crew photo]]</ref>
  +
  +
====Events of ''Part II''====
  +
Sometime before 2034, according to [[Dina]], some disgruntled FEDRA members broke off from the organization to form a group in New Mexico called the [[Ravens]], who were known for running protection rackets and taking multiple wives.<ref name="SeattleDayOneEllie" />
   
 
==Equipment==
 
==Equipment==
===Hand-held gear===
+
===Hand-held equipment===
The military has changed drastically since the early outbreak. They use [[Assault Rifle|assault rifles]] with [[Flashlight|mounted flashlights]] and wear [[Gas Mask|gas masks]] and [[Armor|body armor]], but clearly don't have enough to spare for every soldier to use. Thus, many soldiers go without adequate protection, and/or are forced to use [[9mm Pistol|9mm pistols]] as their primary weapons.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone"/> Some soldiers even use [[revolver]]s.<ref name="TheOutskirts"/> They also use [[Smoke Bomb|smoke grenades]] when facing against Firefly militia.<ref name="AmericanDreams"/>
+
FEDRA soldiers use [[assault rifle]]s with [[Flashlight|mounted flashlights]] and wear [[gas mask]]s and [[Armor|body armor]], but clearly do not have enough to spare for every soldier to use. Thus, many soldiers go without adequate protection, and/or are forced to use [[9mm pistol]]s as their primary weapons.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" /> Some soldiers even use [[revolver]]s.<ref name="TheOutskirts" /> They also use [[Smoke bomb|smoke grenades]] when facing Firefly militia.<ref name="AmericanDreams" />
   
Their uniforms have changed completely; they now wear blue uniforms (possibly the [[wikipedia:Operational Dress Uniform|Operational Dress Uniform]]). Their old uniforms were likely replaced due to deterioration over the course of 20 years, and the military's limited industrial capacity made it easier for them to produce plain blue uniforms rather than camouflage; possibly since the latter would need to be produced in greater quantities, due to requiring forest, urban, winterized versions and so forth. In addition to their standard uniforms, some soldiers wear ballistic vests and police-style riot helmets. These riot helmets are likely used to protect the face from attacks by hostile survivors and infected, although they are shown to function in the capacity of a [[wikipedia:Combat helmet|combat helmet]] as well, being capable of saving the wearer from a headshot with a firearm.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone"/> Handheld scanners have been developed, which allow troops to easily test individuals for infection. They are very accurate, one correctly identifying Ellie as infected within seconds.<ref name="TheOutskirts"/>
+
Their uniforms have changed completely; they now wear blue uniforms (possibly the {{w|Operational Dress Uniform}}). Their old uniforms were likely replaced due to deterioration over the course of 20 years, and the military's limited industrial capacity made it easier for them to produce plain blue uniforms rather than camouflage; possibly since the latter would need to be produced in greater quantities, due to requiring forest, urban, winterized versions and so forth. In addition to their standard uniforms, some soldiers wear ballistic vests and police-style riot helmets. These riot helmets are likely used to protect the face from attacks by hostile survivors and infected, although they are shown to function in the capacity of a {{w|combat helmet}} as well, being capable of saving the wearer from a headshot with a firearm.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" /> Handheld scanners have been developed, which allow troops to easily test individuals for infection. They are very accurate, one correctly identifying Ellie as infected within seconds.<ref name="TheOutskirts" />
   
 
[[File:Scanner.jpg|250px|thumb|A standard military scanner. It scans for traces of infection.]]
 
[[File:Scanner.jpg|250px|thumb|A standard military scanner. It scans for traces of infection.]]
   
During the initial outbreak, a soldier is seen wearing a uniform with woodland camouflage commonly seen as part of a MOPP Suit worn by soldiers during chemical warfare. Coupled with the gas mask, this implies that the government believed (not incorrectly) that the disease could have been airborne or spread by physical contact, explaining the high amounts of protection.<ref name="Hometown"/>
+
During the initial outbreak, a soldier is seen wearing a uniform with woodland camouflage commonly seen as part of a MOPP Suit worn by soldiers during chemical warfare. Coupled with the gas mask, this implies that the government believed (not incorrectly) that the disease could have been airborne or spread by physical contact, explaining the high amounts of protection.<ref name="Hometown">"[[Hometown]]"</ref>
   
=== Types of soldiers ===
+
===Types of soldiers===
In ''The Last of Us'', there are three types of soldiers that are encountered. Some soldiers are armored and often wield assault rifles more than pistols. They patrol on top of buildings and guard checkpoints, as well as being the primary troops who conduct operations outside the safety of the wall, such as patrols or supply runs. These appear to be the "regulars" of the military.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone"/>
+
In ''The Last of Us'', there are three types of FEDRA soldiers that are encountered. Some soldiers are armored and often wield assault rifles more than pistols. They patrol on top of buildings and guard checkpoints, as well as being the primary troops who conduct operations outside the safety of the wall, such as patrols or supply runs. These appear to be the "regulars" of the military.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" />
   
Other, non-armored troops are seen to only have blue uniforms and field caps, carrying pistols more than assault rifles. These lightly-equipped soldiers are mostly encountered inside of the Boston wall, so it can be assumed that they are recruits or some form of city defense force. Although their jobs appear to be centered more on policing than combat, they are encountered in the same squads as heavier troops in some situations.<ref name="TheOutskirts"/>
+
Other, non-armored troops are seen to only have blue uniforms and field caps, carrying pistols more than assault rifles. These lightly-equipped soldiers are mostly encountered inside of the Boston wall, so it can be assumed that they are recruits or some form of city defense force. Although their jobs appear to be centered more on policing than combat, they are encountered in the same squads as heavier troops in some situations.<ref name="TheOutskirts" />
   
Another type of soldier is also seen just once, who cannot be fought. They carry assault rifles and wear HAZMAT suits, gas masks, and oxygen tanks. They deal with environments that are contaminated by spores, such as the condemned apartment building where civilians are hiding during the beginning of the game. Their equipment appears to offer enhanced protection from spores over just having a respirator; their oxygen tanks suggest that they can operate in spore-contaminated zones for longer periods of time than other troops.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone"/>
+
Another type of soldier is also seen just once, who cannot be fought. They carry assault rifles and wear HAZMAT suits, gas masks, and oxygen tanks. They deal with environments that are contaminated by spores, such as the condemned apartment building where civilians are hiding during the beginning of the game. Their equipment appears to offer enhanced protection from spores over just having a respirator; their oxygen tanks suggest that they can operate in spore-contaminated zones for longer periods of time than other troops.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" />
   
  +
There were also medical squads within the military, seen in ''Left Behind''. For instance, a squad of soldiers from the Denver QZ wore green uniforms similar to the non-armored soldiers in Boston, with the notable distinction of having a Red Cross arm band on their right arms. They lacked bulletproof vests but typically carried surgical supplies with them.<ref name="TheEnemyOfMyEnemy">"[[The Enemy of My Enemy]]"</ref>
=== Vehicles ===
 
The military still use M939s along with [[Humvee|Humvees and mounted .50 caliber machine guns]] and loudspeakers. A wrecked M35 truck was also seen in Lincoln, appearing to be a short-body variant. Several long-abandoned ones were seen scattered across the country, and the Fireflies once used of some at the University of Eastern Colorado.<ref name="TheUniversity">"[[The University]]"</ref> Two burned-out M2 Bradley IFVs were seen in Pittsburgh. Another long-abandoned one was seen in the FEDRA camp in [[Salt Lake City]].<ref name="BusDepot"/> Bill's dialogue suggests that they scavenge fuel from abandoned vehicles.
 
   
  +
===Vehicles===
It is interesting to note that no operational aircraft are seen post-outbreak, although Tess explains after leaving the Boston Quarantine Zone that the military carpet-bombed the city around the QZ to create a buffer zone and kill as many of the Infected as possible.<ref name="TheOutskirts"/> A crashed military helicopter, possibly a UH-60 Blackhawk, appeared in the [[Colorado Mountain Plaza]], indicating that there is still a handful in use.<ref name="TheEnemyOfMyEnemy"/>
 
  +
FEDRA's soldiers still use M939s along with [[Humvee|Humvees and mounted .50 caliber machine guns]] and loudspeakers. A wrecked M35 truck was also seen in Lincoln, appearing to be a short-body variant. Several long-abandoned ones were seen scattered across the country, and the Fireflies once used of some at the University of Eastern Colorado.<ref name="TheUniversity">"[[The University]]"</ref> Two burned-out M2 Bradley IFVs were seen in Pittsburgh. Another long-abandoned one was seen in the FEDRA camp in [[Salt Lake City]].<ref name="BusDepot" /> Bill's dialogue suggests that they scavenge fuel from abandoned vehicles.
  +
  +
It is interesting to note that no operational aircraft are seen post-outbreak, although Tess explains after leaving the Boston quarantine zone that the military carpet-bombed the city around the QZ to create a buffer zone and kill as many of the infected as possible.<ref name="TheOutskirts" /> A crashed military helicopter, possibly a UH-60 Blackhawk, appeared in the [[Colorado Mountain Plaza]], indicating that there is still a handful in use.<ref name="TheEnemyOfMyEnemy" />
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:Abandoned_Humvee.jpg|An abandoned Humvee.
+
File:Abandoned_Humvee.jpg|An abandoned FEDRA Humvee.
Humvee.png |Military Humvee with .50 cal mounted.
+
Humvee.png|A FEDRA Humvee with .50 cal mounted.
Truck.png |A military cargo truck.
+
Truck.png |A FEDRA cargo truck.
 
File:Decayed_Tank.jpg|An abandoned Bradley IFV.
 
File:Decayed_Tank.jpg|An abandoned Bradley IFV.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
== Strength ==
+
==Strength==
The military is the strongest faction the player encounters, rivaled only by elite members of the Fireflies, as they still have access to assault rifles, body armor, and [[Humvee]]s despite being fought at such an early stage. The military is so strong that the Fireflies actions to defeat them have proved mostly futile, with the military resisting many terrorist attacks on checkpoints and rioting in various cities throughout post-apocalyptic America.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone"/>
+
FEDRA's military units are the strongest faction the player encounters, rivaled only by elite members of the Fireflies, as they still have access to assault rifles, body armor, and [[Humvee]]s despite being fought at such an early stage. The military's strength is so strong that the Fireflies actions to defeat them have proved mostly futile, with the military resisting many terrorist attacks on checkpoints and rioting in various cities throughout post-apocalyptic America.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" />
   
However, the [[Hunters]] and Fireflies combined forces were enough to defeat the military in cities like Pittsburgh, greater numbers contesting the military's training and resources.<ref name="FinalAttackNote"/><ref name="LostHillNote/><ref name="AbandonZoneNote"/> The [[Washington Liberation Front]] was also able to defeat the military garrison stationed in [[Seattle]], even after suffering heavy casualties due to a string of successful military counter-insurgency operations.<ref name="LtTorresFinalMemorandum"/>
+
However, the hunters and Fireflies combined forces were enough to defeat the military in cities like Pittsburgh, greater numbers contesting the military's training and resources.<ref name="FinalAttackNote" /><ref name="LostHillNote" /><ref name="AbandonZoneNote" /> The [[Washington Liberation Front]] was also able to defeat the military garrison stationed in [[Seattle]], even after suffering heavy casualties due to a string of successful military counter-insurgency operations.<ref name="LtTorresFinalMemorandum" /> Regardless, lone survivors typically struggle.<ref name="TheOutskirts" />
   
Regardless, lone survivors typically struggle. Engaging them in a firefight is ill-advised due to the player lacking powerful guns and ammunition. As such, stealth killing or simply sneaking past them is preferable. However, if faced in smaller or weaker numbers (like in the [[Capitol|Capitol building]] or the abandoned railway station underneath it) the player could face them head-on then since they only use pistols rather than assault rifles.<ref name="TheOutskirts"/>
+
The player is unable to combat them when first encountering them in Boston. Attempting to attack or bump into the soldiers there causes them to shove the player back and give a warning. Bumping into the same guard again will make them knock the player down and fire a shot into their head instantly killing the player.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" /> Later, when in the outskirts, engaging them in a firefight is ill-advised because the player lacks powerful guns and ammunition. As such, stealth killing or simply sneaking past them is preferable. However, if faced in smaller or weaker numbers (like in the [[Capitol|Capitol building]] or the abandoned subway station underneath it) the player could face them head-on then since they only use pistols rather than assault rifles.<ref name="TheOutskirts" />
   
  +
Of the groups shown to face infected, the military has actually lost a lot of their soldiers despite being the best-trained and equipped faction left. The squad that encountered infected in downtown Boston were overrun, many becoming infected or being killed.<ref name="FieldOpsLog" /> Avery's squad in Seattle, that encountered a group of stalkers, met a similar fate.<ref name="FEDRAOrders" /><ref name="FEDRAFinalNote" /> A heavily armed squad sent to retrieve data research about the infected from the Seattle hospital were also all slaughtered by the infected living there.<ref name="SoldiersLetter" /> A mounted patrol was also overrun, crashing into Lincoln high school.<ref name="BillsTown" /> Even a four-man unit lost two men when facing just one runner.<ref name="SalonNote" /> However, there was one account where a [[Winston Asher|soldier]] defeated three runners by himself, without being bitten.<ref name="WarningNote" />
Joel and Tess managed to overpower the two soldiers who attempted to arrest them after Ellie distracted one. Tess shot one dead while Joel easily tackled and killed the other one, displaying poor training in hand-to-hand combat, despite having better equipment. Alternatively, they may not have expected trouble from three seemingly ordinary survivors.<ref name="TheOutskirts"/>
 
   
  +
==Known members==
Of the groups shown to face Infected, the military has actually lost a lot of their soldiers despite being the best-trained and equipped faction left. The squad that encountered Infected in downtown Boston were overrun, many becoming infected or being killed.<ref name="FieldOpsLog"/> Avery's squad in Seattle, that encountered a group of Stalkers, met a similar fate.<ref name="FEDRAOrders"/><ref name="FEDRAFinalNote"/> A heavily armed squad sent to retrieve data research about the Infected from the Seattle hospital were also all slaughtered by the Infected living there.<ref name="SoldiersLetter"/> A mounted patrol was also overrun, crashing into Lincoln high school.<ref name="BillsTown"/> Even a four-man unit lost two men when facing just one Runner.<ref name="SalonNote"/> These losses are likely due to the QZ stationed soldiers rarely encountering Infected, unlike the [[Cannibals]], who face them daily to find supplies.<ref name="TheEnemyOfMyEnemy">"[[The Enemy of My Enemy]]"</ref> The higher casualties for the Military could also be due to the more dangerous nature of urban combat, especially at night. However, there was one account where a [[Winston Asher|soldier]] defeated three Runners by himself, without being bitten.<ref name="WarningNote"/>
 
  +
<div style="column-count: 2; width:60%;">
  +
* [[Adams]]
  +
* Private [[Atwater]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* [[Avery]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* Major [[Banks]]
  +
* [[Benny]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* Lieutenant [[Carmelo Torres]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* Private [[Coolidge]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* [[Corporal "Dickhead"]]<ref name="FunAndGames">"[[Fun and Games]]"</ref>
  +
* [[Ellie Williams]] {{n|preparatory school; formerly}}
  +
* Private [[Eugene Ellis]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* [[Green]]
  +
* [[Irina]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* [[Jeremy]]<ref name="LostHillNote">[[Lost Hill note]]</ref>
  +
* Chief Warrant Officer [[Larry Caulfield]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* Colonel [[Mackenzie]]
  +
* [[Liz]] {{n|preparatory school}}
  +
* [[Mali]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* Captain [[Mastros]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* Private [[Miller]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* [[Pam]]<ref name="LostHillNote"/> {{n|deceased}}
  +
* Captain [[Paul Douglas]]
  +
* [[Perez]]
  +
* [[Princess]]
  +
* [[Ramirez]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* Captain [[Regan Francis]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* [[Riley Abel]] {{n|preparatory school; formerly; deceased}}
  +
* Warrant Officer [[Sean Brendon]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* [[Seb]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* Private [[Shah]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* [[Victor]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* Sergeant [[Ward]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* [[Waters]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
* Sergeant [[Winston Asher]] {{n|deceased}}
  +
</div>
   
==Trivia==
+
===Collaborators===
  +
* [[Jiao]] {{n|allegedly}}<ref name="Jasmine Bakery safe">[[Jasmine Bakery safe]]</ref>
* Bumping into a guard in the Boston quarantine zone causes them to shove the player back and give a warning. Bumping into the same guard twice will make them knock the player down and fire a shot into their head instantly killing them.
 
  +
* As with other factions, the military recruits females but they are not encountered during in-game combat. Regardless female Runners outfitted within military uniforms and gear can be fought in "[[The Outskirts]]".
 
  +
==Behind the scenes==
* The highest-ranking member of the Boston QZ is a General.<ref name="DraftingNotice"/>
 
  +
*The name FEDRA resembles the real world {{w|Federal Emergency Management Agency}} (FEMA).
* On the photo mode of the ''Remastered'' edition, the military ironically register as friendlies until the player faces them at the Capitol building.
 
  +
*During development, ''Naughty Dog'' first called FEDRA the "Military Safe Force" (MSF) and later "Federal Disaster Response ''Administration''". Some signs for these mid-development names can still be found in the original game and on some maps in ''[[Factions MP]]''.
* Some soldiers are seen to have radio contact with "Ops", as they refer to it. The purpose of "Ops" appears to be relaying intelligence to soldiers, such as notifying them if any personnel have been killed in the area.
 
  +
*In the original game, FEDRA and the U.S. military appeared to be two distinct groups, judging from how dialogue specifically named them as separate entities. Further to this, the unarmored soldiers had (in small text) 'ARMY' on their shirts. However, in the updated models in ''[[The Last of Us Part I]]'', all types of soldiers and functioning military vehicles now sport FEDRA markings. Additionally, the military barriers seen on several doors inside QZ apartments had the text on them changed from "U.S. ARMY" to "FEDRA". Combined with this and FEDRA's military detachment present in ''Part II'' and numerous collectibles referring to FEDRA and the military as the same group, the consensus is that the Naughty Dog developers retconned the distinction between FEDRA and the military.
* "CENTCOM" is mentioned on some QZ military signs. "CENTCOM" presumably means "Central Command". In real life, the United States Central Command is a theater-level command that is concerned with the Middle East. In the game, it likely refers to a city-level command.
 
  +
*FEDRA recruits females but they are not encountered during in-game combat. Instead, they appear in cinematics and as NPCs while moving around the checkpoint in Boston. Regardless female runners outfitted within military uniforms and gear can be fought with Boston's downtown area.<ref name="TheQuarantineZone" /> Ironically though, when using the photo mode on the ''Remastered'' edition, all FEDRA NPCs register as friendlies until the player faces them as the Capitol building.<ref name="TheOutskirts" />
* The US Army guards Boston, evidenced by the word 'ARMY' being visible on soldiers' chest patches. Also, "US Army" is visible on many of the locking devices placed on doors in various areas.
 
  +
*The crashed helicopter in ''Left Behind'' bears an incorrect paint scheme and markings. Blackhawks that are used for medical evacuation would be painted an overall dark grayish-green, with small Red Cross markings on the nose and side doors.<ref name="TheEnemyOfMyEnemy" /> In ''Part II'', an M1 Abrams tank that can be found in Seattle while exploring the downtown area with Dina bears markings "USMC 198533", identifying that it had previously belonged to the United States Marine Corps.<ref name="SeattleDayOneEllie" />
** It can be assumed that the remaining police forces in the US were integrated into the military.
 
** The military also primarily uses police-esque uniforms; very similar to the uniforms of the US coast guard, as well as Finnish police
 
** The symbol on their right shoulder is very similar to the coat of arms of the Finnish Police, also worn on the shoulder.
 
* In the first section of ''[[The Quarantine Zone]]'', several civilians tasked with duties outside the walls are shown wearing similar uniforms to military personal. However, these suits are colored yellow instead of blue, displaying their status as workers instead of soldiers.
 
* Military helicopters are briefly seen flying by in the prologue of the game.
 
** Interestingly, the crashed helicopter in ''Left Behind'' bears an incorrect paint scheme and markings. Blackhawks that are used for medical evacuation would be painted an overall dark grayish-green, with small Red Cross markings on the nose and side doors.
 
* According to Marlene's diary, there was at least one battalion (300-1000 troops) assigned to Boston. However, the presence of a general officer suggests a larger force.<ref name="DraftingNotice"/> If this commander is a Brigadier General, they likely command a brigade (2,000-4,000 troops). If they are a Major General, there might be an entire division (10,000-15,000 troops), which seems more likely given the [[Denver]] QZ had the entire 4th Infantry Division stationed there.<ref name="SalonNote"/>
 
* The corpses of Denver QZ soldiers discovered in the events of the ''Left Behind'' DLC were colored green and lacked the protective vests and equipment of other US Army soldiers post-outbreak. Interestingly enough, in the photo discovered of the crew before the mission, they are seen in the Standard Issue US Army uniform utilized in the 2030s. It is unknown why there was such a discrepancy, but it may have had to do with their status as a medical unit. 
 
* An M1 Abrams tank that can be found in Seattle while exploring the downtown area with Dina bears markings "USMC 198533", identifying that it had previously belonged to the United States Marine Corps.
 
   
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
=== ''The Last of Us'' ===
+
===''The Last of Us''===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
  +
FEDRA-0.png|The FEDRA logo.
Boston Quarantine zone.jpg|Concept art of the military in the Boston Quarantine Zone
 
  +
FEDRA.png|A FEDRA statement.
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725193251 copy.jpg|Soldier with heavy armor and a pistol
 
  +
MSF.png|An MSF sign.
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725190706 copy.jpg|Soldiers next to a Humvee
 
  +
FEDRA Evacuation Order (Factions Bills Town).jpg|FEDRA Evacuation Order found on the [[Factions MP]] map [[Bill's Town (map)|Bill's Town]].
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725190516 copy.jpg|Securing potential infected people
 
  +
Boston Quarantine zone.jpg|Concept art of FEDRA soldiers in the Boston quarantine zone.
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725190208 copy.jpg|Providing security for HAZMAT troops
 
  +
The Military infobox.jpg|Two FEDRA soldiers in the Boston zone.
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725190859 copy.jpg|Armored soldier
 
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725185819 copy.jpg|A street guard
+
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725193251 copy.jpg|A FEDRA soldier with heavy armor and a pistol.
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725185736 copy.jpg|Another street guard
+
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725190706 copy.jpg|Soldiers next to a Humvee.
  +
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725190516 copy.jpg|Securing potential infected people.
File:Soldier_over.jpg|A soldier knocks Joel down for getting too close
 
  +
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725190208 copy.jpg|Providing security for HAZMAT troops.
File:Soldier_sign.jpg|A soldier guarding the main gate, wearing body armor without a helmet. Note the sign of rules behind him
 
  +
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725190859 copy.jpg|Armored soldier.
File:Joel_beats_soldier.jpg|Joel beats a soldier when fleeing Boston
 
  +
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725185819 copy.jpg|A street guard.
File:Soldier_skeletons.jpg|Soldiers in Pittsburgh, killed by rebels that would later become the Hunters. Note the graffiti on the wall.
 
  +
The Last of Us™ Remastered 20150725185736 copy.jpg|Another street guard.
File:Tess_military.jpg|The military arriving in the back of a truck
 
File:Soldier_pistol.jpg|A soldier searching for Joel and Ellie
+
Soldier over.jpg|A soldier knocks Joel down for getting too close.
File:Soldier_gasmask.jpg|A soldier wearing a gas mask being held at gunpoint
+
Soldier sign.jpg|A soldier guarding the main gate, wearing body armor without a helmet. Note the sign of rules behind him.
File:Soldier_searches.jpg|Joel avoiding the soldier's light
+
Joel beats soldier.jpg|Joel beats a soldier when fleeing Boston.
  +
Soldier skeletons.jpg|FEDRA soldiers in Pittsburgh, killed by rebels that would later become the hunters. Note the graffiti on the wall.
File:Ramirez.png|[[Ramirez]], a soldier.
 
  +
Tess military.jpg|The military arriving in the back of a truck.
Soldier.png |Soldier with a pistol.
 
  +
Soldier pistol.jpg|A soldier searching for Joel and Ellie.
Revolver boy.jpg|Soldier with a revolver.
 
  +
Soldier gasmask.jpg|A soldier wearing a gas mask being held at gunpoint.
Soldier 2.png |Checkpoint guard, note the missing faceplate
 
Soldier 9.png |A soldier from the Boston Quarantine Zone checks IDs
+
Soldier searches.jpg|Joel avoiding the soldier's light.
  +
Ramirez.png|[[Ramirez]], a FEDRA soldier.
Soldier 10.png |Checkpoint guard
 
  +
Soldier.png|A soldier with a pistol.
  +
Revolver boy.jpg|A FEDRA soldier with a revolver.
  +
Soldier 2.png|A checkpoint guard, note the missing faceplate.
  +
Soldier 9.png|A soldier from the Boston quarantine zone checks IDs.
  +
Soldier 10.png|A FEDRA checkpoint guard.
 
Infected soldier runner.jpg|A soldier from Boston that had turned into a runner, now being strangled by Joel.
 
Infected soldier runner.jpg|A soldier from Boston that had turned into a runner, now being strangled by Joel.
Infected soldier.jpg|A soldier from Boston that turned into a Clicker
+
Infected soldier.jpg|A soldier from Boston that turned into a clicker
 
Atwater.jpg|A soldier from Boston that was mauled to death by infected.
 
Atwater.jpg|A soldier from Boston that was mauled to death by infected.
Soldier_floor.jpg|A dead soldier in the outskirts.
+
Soldier floor.jpg|A dead soldier in the outskirts.
Soldier_mauled.jpg|A soldier's mauled corpse.
+
Soldier mauled.jpg|A soldier's mauled corpse.
Atwater.png|Another soldier from Boston that was mauled to death by infected
+
Soldiers corpse.jpg|A third soldier from Boston that was mauled to death by infected.
File:Soldiers_corpse.jpg|A third soldier from Boston that was mauled to death by infected
+
Army soldier.png|A soldier with a small 'ARMY' patch on his chest.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
=== ''Left Behind'' ===
+
===''The Last of Us Part I''===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
  +
Remaster modelviewer fedra.png|FEDRA soldiers post-outbreak in the model viewer.
Ellis.jpg|The corpse of [[Eugene Ellis]] from the Denver Quarantine Zone
 
  +
NationalGuards.png|National Guardsmen in [[Austin]] during the initial Cordyceps outbreak.
Regan's corpse.jpg|The corpse of [[Regan Francis]] from Denver
 
  +
Remaster fedra green.png|A FEDRA soldier during outbreak day in the model viewer.
  +
FEDRApistoleers.jpg|FEDRA soldiers in Area 5, Boston QZ.
  +
FEDRA squad 2.png|A squad of FEDRA soldiers in downtown Boston.
  +
FEDERAL.png|An armored, pistol-wielding FEDRA soldier.
  +
FEDERAL2.jpg|Two FEDRA soldiers encountering Joel.
  +
JoelFEDRAHumvee.png|A .50-mounted Humvee.
  +
FEDRAsweep.png|FEDRA sweeping the Capitol building.
  +
FEDRA squad.png|A squad of FEDRA soldiers armed with handguns.
  +
Remaster military 2.png|An infected woman being euthanized by Boston QZ soldiers.
  +
Remaster military guards.png|FEDRA soldiers within the Boston QZ.
  +
FEDRArevolver.png|FEDRA soldiers fighting in the Capitol building.
  +
Remaster fedra 2.png|FEDRA soldiers in a Humvee. FEDRA markings have been added in the remaster.
  +
Deadsoldier.png|A soldier that was mauled to death by infected. Note the darker uniform.
  +
FEDRA dead.png|A badly mauled FEDRA soldier's corpse.
  +
FEDRAblockade.png|FEDRA closing down the streets in the Boston QZ.
  +
FEDRA clicker.png|A former FEDRA soldier, which turned into a clicker.
  +
FEDRA cinematic runner.png|A FEDRA soldier that turned into a runner.
  +
FEDRA runners.jpeg|Three FEDRA soldiers that turned into runners.
  +
FEDRASTAGESS.png|FEDRa's stages of infection pamphlet (clean).
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
=== ''American Dreams'' ===
+
===''Left Behind''===
  +
<gallery>
  +
Ellis.jpg|The corpse of [[Eugene Ellis]] from the Denver quarantine zone.
  +
Regan's corpse.jpg|The corpse of [[Regan Francis]] from Denver.
  +
</gallery>
  +
  +
===''American Dreams''===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
TLOU.png|Two soldiers smoking in Boston.
 
TLOU.png|Two soldiers smoking in Boston.
TLOU2.png|Soldiers caught in a firefight.
+
TLOU2.png|FEDRA soldiers caught in a firefight.
 
TLOU3.png|A soldier calls out as a smoke bomb lands near him and a fellow soldier.
 
TLOU3.png|A soldier calls out as a smoke bomb lands near him and a fellow soldier.
 
TLOU4.png|Entrance to the military preparatory school.
 
TLOU4.png|Entrance to the military preparatory school.
 
TLOU5.png|Children being drilled at the military preparatory school.
 
TLOU5.png|Children being drilled at the military preparatory school.
TLOU6.png|A soldier in the comic, depicted with a rifle that looks like a G36.
+
TLOU6.png|A soldier in the comic, depicted with a rifle that looks like a G36C.
  +
</gallery>
  +
  +
===''The Last of Us Part II''===
  +
<gallery>
  +
FEDRA_Seal.jpg|The FEDRA seal as seen in the Synagogue in downtown [[Seattle]].
  +
FEDRA_Scanner.jpg|A broken, FEDRA-manufactured, [[Cordyceps brain infection|CBI]] scanner found in downtown Seattle.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
== References ==
+
==References==
 
{{Reflist|2}}
 
{{Reflist|2}}
   
  +
{{Navbox/Characters}}
== Navigation ==
 
  +
<!-- Interwiki links -->
{{Nav American Dreams characters}}
 
  +
[[es:Federal Disaster Response Agency]]
{{Nav characters}}
 
  +
[[fr:Agence Fédérale de Réponse aux Catastrophes]]
{{Nav Left Behind characters}}
 
  +
[[ru:Федеральное агенство по урегулированию стихийных бедствий]]
{{Nav 2 characters}}
 
  +
[[Category:The Last of Us groups]]
<!--Interwiki links-->
 
  +
[[Category:The Last of Us Part II groups]]
[[de:Das Militär]]
 
[[fr:Les Militaires]]
 
[[ru:Военные]]
 
[[Category:The Last of Us: American Dreams human groups]]
 
 
[[Category:The Last of Us enemies]]
 
[[Category:The Last of Us enemies]]
[[Category:The Last of Us human groups]]
+
[[Category:The Last of Us: American Dreams groups]]

Latest revision as of 02:00, 5 April 2024



Our strike against the FEDRA checkpoint worked. Killed at least three of those thugs...We'll kick those fascists out.
―A Washington Liberation Front insurgent's remarks about FEDRA's rule in Seattle.[4]

The Federal Disaster Response Agency (FEDRA or F.E.D.R.A.), colloquially known as the military or army, is an antagonistic faction featured in The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II.[5][6]

FEDRA was a government agency in the United States, tasked with responding to disasters and managing emergencies. After the initial Cordyceps brain infection (CBI) outbreak, FEDRA seized control of the U.S. government and armed forces in order to set up the quarantine zones (QZs).[5] Becoming amalgamated with one another in the process, they imposed martial law and dissolved the other organs of state.[7] In the QZs, soldiers prevented citizens from leaving the city, subjected them to forced labor,[3] and when supplies were low, restricted basic food rations.[5][8] They often executed dissidents and criminals, or expelled them from the QZ. The Washington Liberation Front compared FEDRA soldiers to fascists.[4]

By 2033, FEDRA only exercises power over a small number of fortified cities, most notably Boston[5] as most have been either destroyed, abandoned, or taken over by rebels.[8][9][6] FEDRA is one of the last remnants of the pre-outbreak United States government, alongside the Department of Defense, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).[10]

History

Early outbreak and taking control

Early Military

A FEDRA soldier during the initial outbreak.

Following the outbreak of Cordyceps brain infection (CBI) in September 2013, the Federal Disaster Response Agency, deployed across the country, working alongside with regular military forces and law enforcement, attempted to contain it. When Joel, Tommy, and Sarah attempted to escape the infection, they witnessed the military setting up roadblocks along the highways, which caused a large traffic jam. They also saw military helicopters flying over their heads. It is known that in Austin, Texas and other major cities, they were resorting to extreme measures to prevent the spread of the infection, such as summarily executing American citizens. An example of this was seen when a FEDRA soldier shot and killed Sarah.[11]

The pre-outbreak U.S. government was often at odds with FEDRA when it came to handling the infection. Shortly after a leaked report from the World Health Organization revealed that the latest Cordyceps vaccination tests had failed, a U.S. general affiliated with FEDRA announced on television that the government "bureaucrats" had been removed from power, and that they could finally take the necessary steps to "protect" the United States.[12] FEDRA went about this by declaring martial law and setting up quarantine zones in urban centers. The Department of Defense, as well some officials from the Department of Justice (such as Attorney General Arthur Munroe), worked closely with FEDRA during the initial outbreak.[13] However, most other branches of government were indefinitely suspended. A notable exception was the Center for Disease Control, which was retained to study Cordyceps.[14]

To contain the fungus, FEDRA had the military move all uninfected civilians into large quarantine zones (QZs) within major cities such as Boston, Pittsburgh and Seattle.[5][8][6] The number of entrants was limited - in Pittsburgh, civilians were murdered en-masse by FEDRA to prevent the QZ from overcrowding. FEDRA then had the U.S. Air Force carpet bomb the surrounding areas of some of the QZs, most notably the downtown area of Boston, to kill as many of the infected as possible, while also creating buffer zones.[15] To ensure the containment functioned smoothly, FEDRA developed their own Mycotoxin Containment Protocols, which had at least four levels of severity. At the most severe stage, Level 4, evacuees would be tested for infection, sanitized and their bags inspected before being split into different groups, with each group going to a different permanent quarantine zone.[16] Preventing the infection's spread was paramount, heightened after the World Health Organization reported that the CBI had killed or infected at least 60% of the nation's population by the early 2010s.[13]

FEDRA established their own central command headquarters, colloquially referred to as "CENTCOM", independent from the QZs.[1] To ensure they maintained connection with their units in the QZs, FEDRA created numerous outposts, using radios to communicate reports between QZs and their headquarters.[17][18] Lt. Carmelo Torres worked closely with FEDRA captain Paul Douglas, keeping in regular correspondence with him to coordinate FEDRA authority over the Seattle QZ.[1] FEDRA also worked with the CDC to produce various fliers and informative documents, ranging from informing civilians of wanted criminals,[19][20] to infographics about the stages of infected.[21][22][14]

FEDRA had the military fortify the zones with extreme levels of security. They placed soldiers and checkpoints at numerous points throughout the cities and created 30-foot-high concrete walls with guard towers and searchlights. The soldiers would often patrol the surrounding area to contain any citizens trying to escape or sneak into the zone and would pursue escapees several hundred meters from the zone's walls.[10] FEDRA also drafted civilians to perform work duties both inside and outside the quarantine zone, on a bi-yearly basis.[3] Civilians residing within quarantine zones could also join the military to bolster their numbers. Records of FEDRA members were subsequently kept in their headquarters.[23] FEDRA also maintained military boarding schools, where children were trained to become soldiers.[24]

FEDRA also worked in the early weeks of the outbreak to secure certain medical facilities. At the Seattle general hospital it is insinuated that the hospital contained critical research regarding the CBI outbreak, as FEDRA had sacrificed a significant amount of their soldiers to retrieve files contained in the overrun lower levels of the facility.[25][26] FEDRA also dispatched troops to deal with nests of infected in buildings surrounding the hospital. Avery's patrol (containing Seb, Victor, Irina and Mali) was sent to the Hotel BlacRay to clear the infected present by planting explosives.[27] However, their efforts failed, leading to the hotel surviving the blast but trapping the soldiers inside with the infected. Stalkers eventually killed the soldiers.[28][29]

As the years passed, the U.S. Attorney General, Arthur Munroe, made it clear that the military would be lowering their search radius to only ten miles from the QZs. This meant civilians in towns, universities, and the countryside were left to fend for themselves against the infected.[13] Several citizens expressed outrage at the military not maintaining efforts to find survivors, noting failure to do so doomed those people to become infected, starve to death or turn on one another to survive.[30][31][32]

By the mid-2010s, FEDRA had consolidated control of all major cities in the United States and converted them all into QZs. FEDRA initially allowed civilians living in the various QZs to write letters to inhabitants of other QZs that were delivered between them, even delivering them between zones over a period of two weeks.[33] However, FEDRA soon used the military's might to transform the zones into individual police states, exercising absolute power over the zones (including killing civilians).[9] Their growing tyranny prompted Marlene to create the Fireflies, a militia group dedicated to defeating FEDRA, restoring the pre-outbreak government and finding a cure for the disease.[12]

Resisting dissident groups and losing power

Soldiers inject

FEDRA soldiers euthanize a woman that had been scanned positive for infection.

During FEDRA's control over the quarantine zones, anger grew towards the military and their rule over America's people living in the cities. The first known dissident faction was the Fireflies, a group founded shortly after Los Angeles was placed under martial law in the 2010s. The group called for the return of all branches of government and staged several attacks against the military. Anti-FEDRA sentiments began to appear throughout contiguous America after the military executed at least six Firefly members.[7] Alongside this, a conspiracy theory grew among people in the quarantine zones that FEDRA were hoarding rations for themselves rather than feeding the civilians. In time, large numbers of civilians in numerous quarantine zones came to believe in the Fireflies' idea of living under their own rule rather than that of the military's.[5][8][6]

By the 2020s, numerous QZs fell into civil war between the citizens and FEDRA's soldiers, ranging from protests and riots in Pittsburgh to outright warfare in Seattle.[8][6] The Fireflies assisted in these uprisings, especially in Pittsburgh. The military fought hard to keep control of the zone, deciding to publicly execute three people they branded as traitors to the peace. This action only furthered Firefly support, with an alliance forming between them and the city's residents.[20] Large-scale fighting broke out over the next fourteen months,[34][35] ending with Captain Mastros calling for his soldiers to abandon the zone,[36] and the rebels lynching any soldiers they captured.[37] They even captured and burned Mastros and his squad to death.[38] The rioting citizens did not want to be controlled by FEDRA, nor take orders from the Fireflies. Thus, it wasn't long before they killed the Firefly agitators as well.[39] They later found and killed the soldiers hiding out in the city's hotel and secured a working Humvee from a fleeing military garrison, meaning the city was now completely under their control.[40]

Meanwhile in Seattle, FEDRA rule faced challenge from a terrorist group known as the Washington Liberation Front, a group of dissident residents enraged by the expulsions, food shortages, and executions the military conducted under Lt. Torres and Sgt. Ward's rule.[41] While FEDRA had worked well in collaborating with civilians in the zone, even receiving help from Boris Legasov in combating the infected around the Hillcrest community,[42] the WLF represented the wing of civilians against military rule.[43][44][45] The WLF's leaders Emma and Jason Patterson conducted an anti-FEDRA campaign, distributing anti-FEDRA propaganda, stealing the military's supplies and inciting sedition among the Seattle residents.[46][47]

Death for Freedom

FEDRA soldiers that were executed by rebels in Pittsburgh.

Eventually, the military eliminated the Pattersons, along with most of the other WLF leaders, leaving Isaac Dixon as the last remaining original instigator of the rebellion.[46] In retaliation, Isaac killed three soldiers to avenge the Pattersons. While several citizens were morally against Isaac's actions, the remaining WLF members voted him as their new leader. Over the coming weeks, the WLF attacked military checkpoints, assaulted convoys, and committed open armed conflict against the military.[4]

Some Seattle residents were known to break away from the WLF and collaborate with FEDRA for their own benefits and privileges. In one such incident, Jiao tipped off an anti-WLF action that Mei and Bo were planning with an illegal shipment of goods.[48] As such, the WLF instituted a zero-tolerance policy towards any WLF members who collaborated with FEDRA in any way.[49]

To counter the WLF's growing aggression, Torres ordered the soldiers open fire on any and all WLF protests, including peaceful ones. The order led to the Thursday Market massacre, an event that saw the military's brutal response to the WLF march cause a surge in WLF support and membership among the Seattle residents. The action was particularly controversial as the protesters were campaigning for food for their families and ended the military's propaganda campaign to frame the WLF as a terrorist group filled with murderers; the WLF now became known as the citizens' own freedom fighters.[50] The increased membership led to further success for the WLF, with even FEDRA soldiers defecting to join the militia group.[4]

In time, the military gave up on their campaign to defeat the WLF, with Torres ordering Ward to evacuate the military personal from the city along with rabbi Zivah Saunders and their family.[51] Torres penned a note to Paul Douglas at FEDRA Headquarters conceding that the zone was lost.[1] The WLF did not allow the soldiers to leave peacefully though, instead using a tip from a Seattle resident to ambush the soldiers' convoy on the highway, where they slaughtered them in open combat. Torres and Ward's squad managed to escape the battle, but the WLF chased them to the courthouse, where they finished the fight in a final skirmish, successfully killing the military's leadership and officially ending their reign over the city.[52] Within a few months, the WLF successfully captured all of FEDRA's military checkpoints in the city. With that, the WLF had successfully won the war against FEDRA and now controlled the QZ.[17][50]

However, some FEDRA personnel fled into the city's suburbs. Unwilling to let them reintegrate into the city's community, the WLF hunted them down to clear the city of the military completely.[23][53][50] They also killed Boris's daughter Sofia Legasov in Hillcrest.[45][44]

A portion of the military force assigned to Seattle managed to pull out successfully. Notably, Perez, Green, Adams and an unnamed soldier succeeded in escaping the WLF's slaughter and hid out at a radio outpost in the city for several days.[18][17]

The Fireflies continued their efforts to disrupt FEDRA's rule throughout the country as well. In Denver, Tommy Miller and Eugene Linden's Firefly cell waged war against the military in the city, regularly bombing checkpoints. The pair even tortured a FEDRA general while stationed there.[2] The Fireflies successfully defeated the FEDRA soldiers in Salt Lake City, converting the local hospital into their primary base by the early 2030s.[54]

Late outbreak and remnants of control

New Military

A FEDRA soldier 20 years into the outbreak.

By 2033, according to Joel, FEDRA had lost control over many quarantine zones, and hunter rule was the norm in those areas.[8] Hartford is falling apart, leaving Boston as the only known fully operational QZ. Many of the residents circumvented the military's strict rule through their smuggling trade, from land and sea. At least an entire battalion was stationed here,[55] under the command of a general,[3] and the majority of soldiers still possessed high-grade weapons like assault rifles and .50 caliber MG-mounted Humvees.[5] Despite this, many soldiers only carry a sidearm rather than a primary weapon, and some weapons that would have been antiquated in the U.S. military by 2013, such as revolvers, have been brought back into service. The military also did not control the mall within the zone and were running low on supplies by July that year.[56] Soldiers talked about the prospect of riots breaking out. Still, they had been largely successful during their summertime crackdown on the Firefly presence in the city.

Much like the other QZs, Boston was plagued with starving citizens, rigid work duties and strict curfews on all residents.[57] The military used barriers to prevent anyone from leaving without permission or entering certain areas in the city. There were regular checkpoints throughout these zones where civilians were required to present identification papers, such as a quarantine passport. There were also random infection checks, with the military killing infected people immediately via lethal injection or outright shooting them. Like in Seattle and Pittsburgh, people here believed the soldiers were hoarding food for themselves.[58] Citizens also had to assist the military in work duties, such as fortifying the wall.[3] While doing so, they had to wear yellow suits crafted in a similar fashion to the military's uniforms, except these clearly denoted their ranks as civilian workers rather than soldiers. In contrast, the soldier's blue uniforms had the word "ARMY" on their chest patches, as well as on FEDRA-owned doors and devices.[5] Citizens who refused had their ration cards revoked and were placed in solitary confinement, punishments which the people heavily disparaged.[3]

Regardless, many outside the Boston QZ believed living within the walls under military rule was a safer life than those living outside the zone.[59] Further, complaints against FEDRA were low enough that the soldiers did not bother to arrest people for petty sedition, despite it being a crime according to FEDRA in former QZs. Indeed, the thriving smuggling market of food, guns and drugs appeared to placate Boston's residents enough to not rebel openly to FEDRA rule. The only openly active resistance to FEDRA rule came from Marlene and the Fireflies living in the zone, who bombed checkpoints daily and got into numerous skirmishes with the military throughout the city. However, by the summer of 2033, the military had clamped down on the Firefly insurgents, leading Marlene to order her troops to withdraw from the city, meaning the military's rule over Boston uniquely survived militia rebellion for control. However, the smugglers within the city learned that supplies were running out, meaning the chance of civilians rebelling against the military's rule within the zone was increasing.[5]

The military did recently control Hartford but that too fell to rule by hunters because of food shortages. Some citizens from Hartford were trying to sneak into the Boston QZ. Sergeant Winston Asher encountered them and killed the ones that were infected. He wrote to his superior Major Banks regarding the incident, asking for more patrols, but did not expect the officer to reply as he felt Banks was incompetent and the military were running low on supplies at the time.[56]

Events of American Dreams

FEDRA has little tolerance for Fireflies and their sympathizers. They cause "disappearances" and summarily execute civilians suspected of being Fireflies. According to Ellie, they even train teenagers at their military preparatory schools on how to kill Fireflies.[60] The military, in their mission to eliminate the Fireflies, engaged them in key points throughout Boston. At one point, they successfully pinned them down in the streets, nearly succeeding in defeating all of Marlene's squad. However, Riley Abel, situated on a roof above the firefight, intervened by tossing smoke grenades at them, disrupting their line of fire, enabling the Fireflies to escape. The soldiers attempted to shoot Riley, but she escaped.[24]

Events of The Last of Us

When Joel and Tess are following Marlene to where Ellie is hiding, they cross through FEDRA soldiers fighting and capturing Firefly militia. Marlene comments that she and her fellow Fireflies intended to leave peacefully, but the military attacked their various hideouts. She believes the military's recent attacks against her group are intended to distract the Boston residents from the growing food shortage FEDRA are suffering from, deducing the military intend for her to become a scapegoat for the city's problems.[5]

By night time, when Joel and Tess are smuggling Ellie outside of Boston, they are surprised by two soldiers patrolling the outskirts who subdue Joel and order Tess and Ellie to put their hands on the heads and kneel down. When scanned for infection, Ellie stabs the soldier in the leg, causing the soldier to knock her down. Joel tackles him, wrestles his gun away, and kills him; Tess shoots the other dead before making their escape. Humvees and infantry pour into the area to search for them but eventually retreat when they lose track of the group. Such implies any "stragglers" found outside the Boston wall are sent back to the QZ and charged, as Joel and Tess were going to be escorted back before Ellie was scanned.[10]

While crossing through a building, the trio encounters dead soldiers and several who had turned into runners, who had left the zone to search even the severely damaged downtown for supplies despite the high risk. This implies the military is becoming increasingly desperate to find supplies to keep the QZ from falling apart.[10] They learn the soldiers (officer Waters, Private Shah, Private Coolidge, and Private Atwater) had encountered stalkers but died while awaiting reinforcements.[61]

By morning, the military caught up to the trio at the Capitol building, having earlier killed the Fireflies that they were supposed to rendezvous with. Tess killed two soldiers before dying, while Joel and Ellie evaded the others via fighting past various squads of soldiers before making it to the subway line, narrowly avoiding being shot at by a Humvee.[10]

They are shown to conduct vehicle patrols that go outside the walls to search for anything worth taking, going as far as Lincoln. One such patrol was overrun by infected and crashed into Lincoln High School. Bill wanted to steal the battery from a truck, as the military are the only ones who make new batteries anymore.[62] This indicates that they have at least some industrial capacity; given how it seems standard policy for smugglers to be captured, if possible, it is possible the military uses prisoners as labor to allow troops to focus on their duties.

Events of Left Behind

FEDRA's entire 4th Infantry Division was stationed in the Denver QZ.[63] Members from this section followed an "infection protocol"; with no cure discovered, all personnel that become infected are to be executed immediately. This includes civilians. Chief Warrant Officer Larry Caulfield was executed by Captain Regan Francis after the former was bitten when their helicopter crashed at the Colorado Mountain Plaza. The pilot, Sean Brendon, was also bitten but died upon impact.[63] Regan later showed regret, writing that she "shot him like a dog" while he begged and tried to tell her that he still had time left.[64] However, when Private Ellis got bit, Regan immediately amputated his right arm, thinking it would prevent the fungus from infecting him. With no recorded precedent of a human ever surviving a bite via amputation, the two wondered whether Regan's actions were right or not. Regan initially thought of abandoning Ellis but later decided to stay with him.[65]

Ellis later killed her out of fear that he would be killed when she reached for her gun and died of his injuries in an air duct after escaping from some infected.[66] Ellie can find recordings of their predicament left all around the shopping mall.[67][68]

Events of Part II

Sometime before 2034, according to Dina, some disgruntled FEDRA members broke off from the organization to form a group in New Mexico called the Ravens, who were known for running protection rackets and taking multiple wives.[6]

Equipment

Hand-held equipment

FEDRA soldiers use assault rifles with mounted flashlights and wear gas masks and body armor, but clearly do not have enough to spare for every soldier to use. Thus, many soldiers go without adequate protection, and/or are forced to use 9mm pistols as their primary weapons.[5] Some soldiers even use revolvers.[10] They also use smoke grenades when facing Firefly militia.[24]

Their uniforms have changed completely; they now wear blue uniforms (possibly the Operational Dress Uniform). Their old uniforms were likely replaced due to deterioration over the course of 20 years, and the military's limited industrial capacity made it easier for them to produce plain blue uniforms rather than camouflage; possibly since the latter would need to be produced in greater quantities, due to requiring forest, urban, winterized versions and so forth. In addition to their standard uniforms, some soldiers wear ballistic vests and police-style riot helmets. These riot helmets are likely used to protect the face from attacks by hostile survivors and infected, although they are shown to function in the capacity of a combat helmet as well, being capable of saving the wearer from a headshot with a firearm.[5] Handheld scanners have been developed, which allow troops to easily test individuals for infection. They are very accurate, one correctly identifying Ellie as infected within seconds.[10]

Scanner

A standard military scanner. It scans for traces of infection.

During the initial outbreak, a soldier is seen wearing a uniform with woodland camouflage commonly seen as part of a MOPP Suit worn by soldiers during chemical warfare. Coupled with the gas mask, this implies that the government believed (not incorrectly) that the disease could have been airborne or spread by physical contact, explaining the high amounts of protection.[11]

Types of soldiers

In The Last of Us, there are three types of FEDRA soldiers that are encountered. Some soldiers are armored and often wield assault rifles more than pistols. They patrol on top of buildings and guard checkpoints, as well as being the primary troops who conduct operations outside the safety of the wall, such as patrols or supply runs. These appear to be the "regulars" of the military.[5]

Other, non-armored troops are seen to only have blue uniforms and field caps, carrying pistols more than assault rifles. These lightly-equipped soldiers are mostly encountered inside of the Boston wall, so it can be assumed that they are recruits or some form of city defense force. Although their jobs appear to be centered more on policing than combat, they are encountered in the same squads as heavier troops in some situations.[10]

Another type of soldier is also seen just once, who cannot be fought. They carry assault rifles and wear HAZMAT suits, gas masks, and oxygen tanks. They deal with environments that are contaminated by spores, such as the condemned apartment building where civilians are hiding during the beginning of the game. Their equipment appears to offer enhanced protection from spores over just having a respirator; their oxygen tanks suggest that they can operate in spore-contaminated zones for longer periods of time than other troops.[5]

There were also medical squads within the military, seen in Left Behind. For instance, a squad of soldiers from the Denver QZ wore green uniforms similar to the non-armored soldiers in Boston, with the notable distinction of having a Red Cross arm band on their right arms. They lacked bulletproof vests but typically carried surgical supplies with them.[69]

Vehicles

FEDRA's soldiers still use M939s along with Humvees and mounted .50 caliber machine guns and loudspeakers. A wrecked M35 truck was also seen in Lincoln, appearing to be a short-body variant. Several long-abandoned ones were seen scattered across the country, and the Fireflies once used of some at the University of Eastern Colorado.[70] Two burned-out M2 Bradley IFVs were seen in Pittsburgh. Another long-abandoned one was seen in the FEDRA camp in Salt Lake City.[9] Bill's dialogue suggests that they scavenge fuel from abandoned vehicles.

It is interesting to note that no operational aircraft are seen post-outbreak, although Tess explains after leaving the Boston quarantine zone that the military carpet-bombed the city around the QZ to create a buffer zone and kill as many of the infected as possible.[10] A crashed military helicopter, possibly a UH-60 Blackhawk, appeared in the Colorado Mountain Plaza, indicating that there is still a handful in use.[69]

Strength

FEDRA's military units are the strongest faction the player encounters, rivaled only by elite members of the Fireflies, as they still have access to assault rifles, body armor, and Humvees despite being fought at such an early stage. The military's strength is so strong that the Fireflies actions to defeat them have proved mostly futile, with the military resisting many terrorist attacks on checkpoints and rioting in various cities throughout post-apocalyptic America.[5]

However, the hunters and Fireflies combined forces were enough to defeat the military in cities like Pittsburgh, greater numbers contesting the military's training and resources.[37][35][36] The Washington Liberation Front was also able to defeat the military garrison stationed in Seattle, even after suffering heavy casualties due to a string of successful military counter-insurgency operations.[1] Regardless, lone survivors typically struggle.[10]

The player is unable to combat them when first encountering them in Boston. Attempting to attack or bump into the soldiers there causes them to shove the player back and give a warning. Bumping into the same guard again will make them knock the player down and fire a shot into their head instantly killing the player.[5] Later, when in the outskirts, engaging them in a firefight is ill-advised because the player lacks powerful guns and ammunition. As such, stealth killing or simply sneaking past them is preferable. However, if faced in smaller or weaker numbers (like in the Capitol building or the abandoned subway station underneath it) the player could face them head-on then since they only use pistols rather than assault rifles.[10]

Of the groups shown to face infected, the military has actually lost a lot of their soldiers despite being the best-trained and equipped faction left. The squad that encountered infected in downtown Boston were overrun, many becoming infected or being killed.[61] Avery's squad in Seattle, that encountered a group of stalkers, met a similar fate.[27][29] A heavily armed squad sent to retrieve data research about the infected from the Seattle hospital were also all slaughtered by the infected living there.[25] A mounted patrol was also overrun, crashing into Lincoln high school.[62] Even a four-man unit lost two men when facing just one runner.[63] However, there was one account where a soldier defeated three runners by himself, without being bitten.[56]

Known members

Collaborators

Behind the scenes

  • The name FEDRA resembles the real world Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
  • During development, Naughty Dog first called FEDRA the "Military Safe Force" (MSF) and later "Federal Disaster Response Administration". Some signs for these mid-development names can still be found in the original game and on some maps in Factions MP.
  • In the original game, FEDRA and the U.S. military appeared to be two distinct groups, judging from how dialogue specifically named them as separate entities. Further to this, the unarmored soldiers had (in small text) 'ARMY' on their shirts. However, in the updated models in The Last of Us Part I, all types of soldiers and functioning military vehicles now sport FEDRA markings. Additionally, the military barriers seen on several doors inside QZ apartments had the text on them changed from "U.S. ARMY" to "FEDRA". Combined with this and FEDRA's military detachment present in Part II and numerous collectibles referring to FEDRA and the military as the same group, the consensus is that the Naughty Dog developers retconned the distinction between FEDRA and the military.
  • FEDRA recruits females but they are not encountered during in-game combat. Instead, they appear in cinematics and as NPCs while moving around the checkpoint in Boston. Regardless female runners outfitted within military uniforms and gear can be fought with Boston's downtown area.[5] Ironically though, when using the photo mode on the Remastered edition, all FEDRA NPCs register as friendlies until the player faces them as the Capitol building.[10]
  • The crashed helicopter in Left Behind bears an incorrect paint scheme and markings. Blackhawks that are used for medical evacuation would be painted an overall dark grayish-green, with small Red Cross markings on the nose and side doors.[69] In Part II, an M1 Abrams tank that can be found in Seattle while exploring the downtown area with Dina bears markings "USMC 198533", identifying that it had previously belonged to the United States Marine Corps.[6]

Gallery

The Last of Us

The Last of Us Part I

Left Behind

American Dreams

The Last of Us Part II

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Lt. Torres' final memorandum
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Jackson"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Drafting notice
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 WLF recruiter journal
  5. 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 "The Quarantine Zone"
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 "Seattle Day 1"
  7. 7.0 7.1 Twenty Years Later
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 "Pittsburgh"
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Bus Depot"
  10. 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 "The Outskirts"
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Hometown"
  12. 12.0 12.1 Twenty Years Later
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 Newspaper clipping
  14. 14.0 14.1 Medical pamphlet
  15. Evacuation leaflet
  16. Boy's diary
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Lone FEDRA soldier journal 1
  18. 18.0 18.1 Lone FEDRA soldier journal 2
  19. Wanted poster
  20. 20.0 20.1 Traitors flyer
  21. Military pamphlet
  22. Infected infographic
  23. 23.0 23.1 Yolanda's note
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 The Last of Us: American Dreams
  25. 25.0 25.1 Soldier's letter
  26. Chapel note
  27. 27.0 27.1 FEDRA orders
  28. "Seattle Day 3"
  29. 29.0 29.1 FEDRA final note
  30. "The Suburbs"
  31. Looting note
  32. Neighbor exchange
  33. Note to wife
  34. Note from mom
  35. 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 Lost Hill note
  36. 36.0 36.1 Abandon zone note
  37. 37.0 37.1 Final attack note
  38. Mob attack note
  39. Fireflies note
  40. Truck note
  41. FEDRA census document
  42. Boris' daughter's drawing
  43. Turn in Boris note
  44. 44.0 44.1 Condolence note
  45. 45.0 45.1 Boris' confession
  46. 46.0 46.1 List of known WLF agitators
  47. Join WLF note (Downtown)
  48. 48.0 48.1 Jasmine Bakery safe
  49. "Seattle Day 2"
  50. 50.0 50.1 50.2 Plea to a friend letter
  51. Rabbi Saunders' letter
  52. Note to informant
  53. Rebecca's tip off
  54. "The Firefly Lab"
  55. Marlene's journal
  56. 56.0 56.1 56.2 Warning note
  57. 57.0 57.1 "Fun and Games"
  58. "Mallrats"
  59. Note to brother
  60. "Back in a Flash"
  61. 61.0 61.1 Field ops log
  62. 62.0 62.1 "Bill's Town"
  63. 63.0 63.1 63.2 Salon note
  64. Generator note
  65. Atrium recorder
  66. Duct recorder
  67. Atrium note
  68. Crew photo
  69. 69.0 69.1 69.2 "The Enemy of My Enemy"
  70. "The University"