When we get to the final act of Rogue One, right as the team lands on Scarif, something about Jyn Erso’s look immediately stands out. She’s ditched her Rebel gear and is now wearing a sleek black outfit that looks way more Imperial than anything we’ve seen her in before. On her back, she’s carrying a pair of strange rods that resemble ninja swords — long, curved tools strapped in an X pattern.
If you’ve ever wondered what exactly she’s wearing and what those things are, you’re definitely not the only one.
She’s Wearing an Imperial Ground Crew Uniform
Let’s rewind to just before the final act on Scarif. When the Rogue One team launches their mission to steal the Death Star plans, they land on Scarif during an active Imperial inspection protocol. As their ship touches down, we see a group of Imperials board it: two Stormtroopers, an officer, and one member of the Imperial ground crew.
To infiltrate the base, the team needs disguises. After luring the Imperials onboard, we see Cassian Andor dressed as an officer, Jyn Erso in the uniform of the Imperial ground crew, and the bodies of the two Stormtroopers hidden aboard the ship.
So what exactly is this uniform? According to Wookieepedia, “Imperial ground crews, also known as Imperial technicians or Imperial deck technicians, were Imperial personnel who ensured the smooth operation of Imperial craft through regular maintenance at space-bound and ground-based Imperial installations, such as the major Imperial security complex on Scarif.”
Further confirmation comes from Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide by Pablo Hidalgo, which names one of the ground crew members as Technicant Kent Deezling. The book explains, “Busy Imperial surface ports benefit from dedicated crewmembers who help direct traffic where automated systems cannot typically make decisions fast enough on a rapidly changing landing field.”
So it’s clear—Jyn Erso “borrowed” the uniform of an Imperial ground crew technician, a role responsible for directing landing traffic and assisting ship operations at bases like Scarif.
And Those “Ninja Swords” on Her Back?
Those aren’t actually swords. The gear Jyn wears as part of the Imperial ground crew uniform includes a pair of batons—more accurately called illuminated traffic wands. These are standard equipment for Imperial technicians who manage landing traffic at busy installations like Scarif. Just like real-life airport ground crews use glowing batons to guide aircraft, these wands help direct Imperial ships during landings and takeoffs.
From the Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide mentioned earlier, we get a full breakdown of the Imperial ground crew gear. The book explains:
“The deck technicians are plugged into air traffic control via their headsets, but seem to prefer analogue solutions. They wave ships in with luminous wands and eyeball distances without sensors. These techs wear piloting gear, as they are authorised to commandeer certain vessels in order to steer them into proper positions on a landing deck.”
So those “ninja swords”? Just another example of how grounded, real-world design elements sneak into Star Wars.
Illuminated traffic wands are also referenced in another Star Wars source, Solo: A Star Wars Story – The Official Guide.
