Born October 15th, 2532, Aqil Hafsa was raised in an Islamic home on Sigma Octanus IV. At the age of 18 he entered the UNSC Marine Corp, and entered the main Corp as a Private in late 2551. After the battle of Sigma Octanus IV, Hafsa volunteered to enter the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, was accepted, and assigned to Sergeant Anderson's subdivision in the 105th ODST division. Anderson's subdivision was assigned to the Pillar of Autumn. Soon after their assignment the Battle of Reach occurred, but most of Anderson's subdivision landed on one of Threshold's moons.