Special Tactics and Reconnaissance "SPECTRE"
Active:	16 September 698 CE - present
Affiliation:	United Citadel Council of Species New United Galactic Front of Races Galactic Dominion Unified Republics of the Milky Way
Type:	Special operations/extra-governmental agency
Role:	Direct Action Special Reconnaissance Counter-Terrorism Covert operations
Size:	{Classified}
Colors:	White, black and steel
Engagements:	Krogan Rebellions Council-Terminus War Twelve Days' War Eden Prime War Collector Campaign Reaper War Second Morning War Second War for Omega Border War Post-Apocalyptic War Terra-Rannochian War Dominion Civil War
Notable:	Saren Arterius † Marcus L. Shepard † Nihlus Kryik † Tela Vasir † Jondum Bau † Kaidan Alenko † Jessica Alenko Tali'Shepard † Garrus Vakarian † Numerous others

"Spectres are not trained, but chosen. Individuals forged in the fire of service and battle - those whose actions elevate them above the rank and file."

— Line 2, Spectre's Creed.

The Special Tactics and Reconnaissance (SPECTRE), abbreviated SPECTACRECON and whose members are referred to as Spectres, is an extra-governmental agency composed of military assets from numerous Council species that serve the purpose of upholding galactic security, peace and integrity, performing these actions through espionage, sabotage, assassination and counter-terrorism. Considered the galaxy's elite, only those chosen by the Council are allowed to become spectres, and their exact number is classified. While largely operating individually and with translegal authority, Spectres are known to work in groups if the threat is deemed large enough.

The term "Spectre" and "SPECTRE" were first used to refer to a special operations unit created by the Council during the Krogan Rebellions. The members of this decorated unit would later, after the war, go on to become the first official spectres.