Jackboots were Snowpiercer's (and Big Alice's) Security Force, acting as the army of the train. They were under the command of Commander Grey, former SAS member. They were seen not only guarding the tail, but also escorting prisoners and maintaining order and security for VIP such as Melanie Cavill when she visited certain parts of the train. A specific group of Jackboots with full facial protection apparently followed Commander Grey when he was on duty, presumed to be Elite Jackboots, as they were more ferocious.
History
Joseph Wilford was responsible for creating the Jackboots that were on Snowpiercer (and Big Alice) to maintain order, when Melanie Cavill confronted Wilford for removing half of her geneticists from the passenger list for Jackboots, she then asked for at least 12 Geneticists in exchange for 12 Jackboots, Wilford only agreed to 6. At boarding, when survivors arrived at the main gate, Grey was ordered by Wilford to use deadly force if needed and when the group of 6 geneticists and their children arrived (who Cavill needed and had tickets), Wilford orders their deaths. During the chaos at boarding many Jackboots were killed or thrown off the train (or left behind), but they were instrumental in stopping more stowaways, later known as "Tailies", from getting aboard. However, they were ultimately unsuccessful in pushing them off the train, managing to only lock them in the last 3 cars[1].
During the Year Three Rebellion, the Tail revolted, but was blind at every door and was defeated, 62 were killed and 13 (including Old Ivan) lost a arm, it is unknown how many Jackboots were killed. During the failed revolution, at least 13 Jackboots were killed. The Jackboots then froze off Suzanne’s arm as punishment. While solving the murder Andre Layton escaped from his cell to give train information to the tail, but failed and was beaten bloody by the Jackboots. A Jackboot that was guarding Nikki Genet was killed by Erik Sotto so he could kill Nikki. When Erik was discovered to be the murderer, the Jackboots trapped him in the Sub-Train of Utility Car (C0778) and killed him. When Melanie Cavill went to The Chains to stop third class from going on strike, the Jackboots abused two people when they spoke out. When Melanie Cavill was revealed to be acting as Mr. Wilford, Commander Grey had all Jackboots (except Jefferson) moved to the front of the train, allowing Andre Layton and Bess Till to infiltrate and free the tail.
Jackboot Jefferson was the first to die when the revolution began. After being knocked out by Bess Till in the Bio-Security Car, he was decapitated and his head was put in a box in the Night Car. Many Jackboots (at least 15) were killed in the Sub-Train by a large spike firing machine, manned by Big John, Jakes Carter and several Tailies. When they ran out of spikes, Big John held off the Jackboots while the machine was moved to the next barricade, killing 2 before he fell. At the same time, Commander Grey and a group of Jackboots were ambushed in the Night Car, after discovering Jefferson's head in a box. After a bloody battle (that killed at least 14 Jackboots), Commander Grey and the surviving Jackboots were forced to retreat. However a group of Jackboots returned with gas grenades and forced the rebels to retreat and capturing at least 39.
Afterwards, 102 Jackboots (Including Commander Grey) were killed when Melanie Cavill and Andre Layton disconnected 7 cars from Snowpiercer and left them to freeze to death on a siding.[2] 4 Jackboots were known to survive the car separation, 2 guarded Ruth Wardell in The Hospitality Car when she broadcasted the surrender of the rebels, during the surrender ruse and 2 stood guard outside of the control room to The Engine after it was locked down. The surviving Jackboots were then disbanded.
After Zarah discovers that Josie Wellstead is still alive, an orderly tells her that a couple of Jackboots brought Josie in just before the fighting started.
As problems intensify on Snowpiercer, one of the Breakmen reveals that there is a rumor that the surviving Jackboots have rebuilt a command. After Wilford retakes control of the train, 6 Jackboots arrest Andre Layton and are seen active again and working for him.
When Andre Layton and Ruth Wardell take control of Big Alice, they kill 2 Jackboots guarding the Control room and Javier De La Torre using two of Wilford's swords. At the same time, Bennett Knox kicks another Jackboot out of Snowpiercer's Engine and overpowers Sykes.
When Wilford found out about Melanie's rescue attempt, he, Alexandra Cavill and 5 Jackboots went to the Engine Big Alice. As a Jackboot cut through the armored door to the Control Room, he had another bring Jupiter. 3 Jackboots then beat Javier De La Torre bloody and was then mauled by Jupiter. After the Jackboots removed Javier and Jupiter, 2 were present when Alex cut Wilford with a razer and carried him to the Headwoods for medical treatment, afterwards Wilford orders the two to find her.
2 Jackboots later escort Josie Wellstead and the Headwoods, to a EVA Car and close a door, to make sure she goes outside to breach The Engine per Wilford's orders.
Later, Bojan Boscovic and 7 Jackboots that are attacking him are killed when Josie breaches The Aquarium and destroys the car, creating the Pirate train. 3 Jackboots also accompany Wilford when he is confronted by Layton at the Aquarium.
6 months after the separation of the Pirate train, Jackboot Tyson was forced to work in Compost and asked Pike to get her out and gave him a bathing token (baths for the resistance), to which he said he would in about a week.
Later, Jackboot Stu Whiggins (a former Firstie), was in charge of Water Security and told Kevin McMahon, he heard the Second Class Watermaster gives hot baths for service to the resistance.
Equipment and types
The jackboots all share the same uniform, a dark blue full sleeve uniform adorned with the logo of Wilford industries at the arms and cargo pants, arm padding to protect against blows and a load bearing vests with pockets. There are different helmet types to differentiate between normal Jackboots and Elite Jackboots led personally by Commander Grey, with normal Jackboots using a standard helmet and the elite Jackboots using balaclava and a full ballistic facial cover.
Weapons include batons hoisted at the back, which is standard issue for every Jackboots and acts like a secondary weapon. Axes and spears are their main weapon in enforcing law and order. The Jackboots carried firearms during the boarding of the Snowpiercer, notably HS Produkt VHS-DS, Norinco QBZ-95 and SIG SG 552/553 assault rifles.
They also utilize shields in enforcement duties or to quell rebellions, using a circular ballistic shield for personal protection, and larger riot police rectangular shields for large scale battles and riots.
There are two types of jackboots, the standard Jackboots that perform patrols intendem with brakeman and act as soldiers to quell rebellions and are notorious for fighting without tactics, clashing with rebels like a medieval fight. The other being the Elite Jackboots, those who's faces are concealed, they are presumed to be the best of the Jackboots and follow the Commander wherever he goes and are ferocious in battle as seen in the nightcar battle and also uses tactics like forming shield walls and spear walls.
Members
- Commander Nolan Grey - Deceased
- Lieutenant Gardiner - Deceased
- Jackboot Alvarez - Deceased
- Jackboot Clifford
- Jackboot Donaldson - Deceased
- Jackboot Jefferson - Deceased
- Jackboot Kaffey
- Jackboot Mansfield - Deceased
- Jackboot Rogers - Deceased
- Jackboot Stroud - Deceased
- Jackboot Trotter - Deceased
- Jackboot Tyson
- Jackboot Stu Whiggins
Appearances
- Season One
- First, the Weather Changed
- Prepare to Brace
- Access Is Power
- Without Their Maker
- Justice Never Boarded
- Trouble Comes Sideways
- The Universe Is Indifferent
- These Are His Revolutions
- The Train Demanded Blood
- 994 Cars Long
- Season Two
- Many Miles From Snowpiercer (flashbacks only)
- The Eternal Engineer
Trivia
- When Snowpiercer was brought to a stop and Alexandra Cavill boarded, she told Snowpiercer they have 13 minutes to surrender before the cold overcomes and they all freeze to death. Which means the Jackboots in the 7 separated cars, froze to death in 13 minutes after separation. Most of the power in the Utility Cars was drained out before separation.
- If Grey had access to the Engine, he could have turned of the life systems and froze the rebel army and Third Class to death, instead of the plan to gas them.
