The Szokzoldiners or SKZ, literally meaning "Shock Soldier" in Brazerian, were an elite corps of shock troops deployed by the Union of Independent Republics during the Pendulum Wars. The initial concepts used by the Szokzoldiners and other shock organizations were originally pioneered by the Brazerian Army during the first decade of the Pendulum Wars as a way to break through COG trenches. After many early successes, the rest of the UIR demanded that the Brazerians assist them in training their own shock units. Despite initial misgivings, the Brazerians eventually complied and the term came to be synonymous with all UIR shock troops rather than just those of Brazerian origin. Characterized by their swift and violent attacks and blue uniforms (a trait that would later be carried over to their combat armor, along with other UIR special forces), the SKZ were as feared by the COG's Gears as the Indies were of the Onyx Guard.