First Order

An autocratic military dictatorship rising from Imperial remnants to crush the New Republic and rule the galaxy.

The First Order is a fictional military movement introduced in the 2015 film The Force Awakens, formed following the fall of the Galactic Empire after the events of Return of the Jedi (1983). Secretly guided by the resurrected Sith Lord Palpatine, this autocratic dictatorship aims to destroy the New Republic and rule the galaxy. Emerging from a small redoubt in the Outer Rim, the organization spent three decades rebuilding its strength while violating armistice agreements. By the time of The Force Awakens, it had officially reorganized into a new government led by Supreme Leader Snoke until his overthrow by Kylo Ren, who assumed command until Palpatine's return.

Quick Facts

Location

Star Wars galaxy

Founded

By 21 ABY (officially formed); 29 ABY (publicly announced), from the remnants of the Galactic Empire

Enemies

Resistance
New Republic (defeated)
Jedi Order

Defunct

35 ABY, collapsed after the Battle of Exegol

Universe

Star Wars

Lore & Background

Following the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY, disorganized Imperial forces retreated to a heavily fortified redoubt on the fringe of the Outer Rim. The New Republic deemed liberating these sectors too costly and forced the Empire to accept the Galactic Concordance, a humiliating armistice imposing strict disarmament. Over three decades, fugitives reorganized into an isolationist hermit kingdom, secretly re-arming in violation of the treaty while pushing into the Unknown Regions to seize undeveloped worlds for resources.

The transition to the "First Order" officially occurred about six years before The Force Awakens when many Centrist worlds seceded from the New Republic to reunite with these remnants. Admiral Rae Sloane, introduced as a captain in A New Dawn (2014), and Commandant Brendol Hux served as de facto founders; Sloane coined the term "First Order" after achieving the rank of Grand Admiral. During this period, conspirators revealed Leia Organa was Darth Vader's daughter, severely damaging her political standing.

Reader's Guide

The Resistance, led by Leia Organa with support from former Rebel Alliance members like Admiral Ackbar, serves as the primary opposition. Formed as a private army after the New Republic Senate refused to recognize the First Order's military buildup, the Resistance operates with plausible deniability maintained by the Senate, though some Senators privately channel funds and resources to them. The relationship is described by comic writer Charles Soule as a "cold war" with occasional skirmishes prior to The Force Awakens. Key figures include General Hux, who appears as a child in Empire's End and is inferred to be mentored by Sloane, and Kylo Ren, whose technical designation for his elite TIE/vn fighter (TIE silencer) reflects its inspiration from the TIE Defender and TIE Advanced x1 prototype.

Did You Know?

TIE/fo fighters feature reversed color schemes compared to Imperial models: white solar panels on a dark metal frame.
Kylo Ren's elite TIE silencer is designated as "TIE/vn" and is heavily inspired by the TIE Defender.
The First Order developed hyperspace tracking technology, allowing them to chase ships through jumps until one runs out of fuel.