Marcus Fenix
right|thumb| Marcus Phenix Son of famed military scientist Adam Fenix, Marcus established a reputation as a brilliant soldier during the Pendulum Wars, earning field promotions and decorations. He was on a fast track to an outstanding military career, until the war with the Locust Horde began. One long decade after Emergence Day, the Horde Army breached Jacinto Plateau's defenses and Marcus defied orders so he could save his father. He was too late, and in addition to losing his father, Marcus was charged with dereliction of duty and was sentenced to 40 years in Jacinto Maximum Security Penitentiary.[1] It's later shown that Marcus's father was mapping the underground tunnels of the Locust Horde (a detail integral to the plot of Gears of War), although it's never revealed whether Marcus was aware of how important his father's research was when he attempted to save him, or whether he specifically knew it related to the Locust Horde. Fourteen years into his sentence, the Horde overtook the Jacinto Penintentiary, but Marcus was rescued by his best friend, Dominic Santiago, so that he could join the fight against the Locust Horde Army. Marcus Fenix is 35 years old at the start of Gears of War. Marcus Fenix's design varied at several points in the development of Gears of War. It appears that at one time in development, he had a different appearance. Early game art and renders show that he was originally bald and did not have any facial hair. Popular voice actor Steven Jay Blum originally voiced Marcus Fenix in early build of the game, but was later replaced by John DiMaggio. DiMaggio is well known as the voice of the character Bender from the TV series Futurama. Marcus' final character model carries an Epic Games logo on his bandanna Template:Clr
Dominic Santiago
right|thumb| Dominic Santiago Dominic Santiago is a vocal, colorful and yet practical soldier. He's loyal to a fault, especially with his friends, and has no patience for those that think of themselves first. Dominic has always believed in his country and his leaders, but his faith has been slipping in the face of this endless war. Dom lost his wife in the Emergence Day cataclysm. For him, the fight against the Horde is deeply personal. By testifying in Marcus' defense, Dom prevented an execution, but was forced to accept the heavy judgment the military tribunal handed down to his childhood friend. Never forgetting, Dom seized his first opportunity to save Marcus' life, and convinced Lieutenant Minh Young Kim to enlist Marcus into his squad. In the beginning of Gears of War, Dominic Santiago frees Marcus Fenix from the Jacinto Maximum Security Penitentiary under orders from Lieutenant Mihn Young Kim. The two characters begin the campaign trying to escape the prison, which is now overrun with Locust Horde. Template:Clr
Cole Train
right|thumb|Cole Train Cole, aka "The Cole Train", is an adrenaline junkie and former professional thrashball player for the Cougars. He craves action, and prefers to take the most direct path to the Locust Horde in any situation. What he lacks in finesse, he makes up for in raw energy. Along with his child-like enthusiasm and charm, Cole is supremely confident in his own abilities to overcome anything, regardless of the odds—and he hasn't been proven wrong yet. Cole and Damon Baird have served together for years, and he treats Baird as he would an older brother with a younger brother's license to torment. Augustus "Cole Train" Cole is voiced by Lester "The Mighty Rasta" Speight. While relatively unknown, Lester Speight is legendary for his acting as the man who plays as "Terrible" Terry Tate, the "Pain Train", in the Office Linebacker commercials made for Reebok. The game's cinematic ending also leads into a credits sequence featuring a hip-hop remix of the various "Cole Train" voice overs encountered throughout the game. He is listed at being 6'2 and close to 280 pounds (110 Kg.) Template:Clr
Damion Baird
right|thumb|Damion Baird Despite being a dipshit and cynical soldier, Baird excels at the military life. Baird is perfectly capable of being a successful officer, but has never been promoted due to his poor attitude, short temper and his unwillingness to take on any responsibility. Baird's greatest strength is his intelligence. He not only fights the Locust, but he studies and observes them as well. He's the closest the COG have to an expert, and when Baird tells his comrades to be quiet and listen, they know it is in their best interest to do exactly that. Baird's only motivation is self preservation. He's willing to do whatever it takes to get through the war alive -- even march along side a troublemaker like Fenix. Baird's expertise also includes a specialization in mechanical and repair-related skills. In Act 4 of Gears of War, when Delta Squad finds an APC offline, Baird is able to fix it given time and the use of pure ingenuity. Template:Clr It also appears Baird has found time to get the tips of his hair bleached...
Lt Minh Young Kim
right|thumb|Lt Kim Lieutenant Kim is a proud, dedicated and ambitious soldier, a by-the-books believer in all things COG. To Kim, the Coalition of Organized Governments is humanity's only hope for survival and feels that it is an honor and privilege to serve as a Gear. Kim moved quickly through the ranks, but after a run of bad luck he was left leading the misfits of Delta Squad. Feeling undervalued and overlooked, Kim has something to prove. Only the strength of Dom's faith -- and the scarcity of experienced soldiers -- convinced Kim to consider bringing former prisoner Marcus Fenix into his squad. Near the end of Act 1 of Gears of War, a King Raven helicopter comes to evacuate Delta Squad and Alpha Squad. However, Nemacyst spores bring the King Raven down and emergence holes spring up everywhere. Amidst all the chaos, Kim is yelling out orders while General RAAM emerges with all manner of drones. Kim is skewered by General RAAM's blade in a cinematic sequence.
