Corporal Sterling

Corporal Sterling is a member of NCR First Recon, who is currently stationed at Camp McCarran in 2281.

Background
One of the oldest members of the First Recon's Alpha Team stationed at McCarran. Sterling was not always a trooper, as nearly a decade ago in 2273, he was an NCR Ranger, one of the first to scout the Mojave Wasteland for the New California Republic. Over the years, he reckons he walked every inch of ground between Shady Sands and the Colorado, close enough to make his feet feel sore years later. While his friends scoped out Hoover Dam, he took the lay of the land and learned about the local tribes and other folk, paving the way for the Mojave Campaign.

Sterling's Ranger career would eventually come to an end after being captured by Legionaries near Malpais, who proceeded to smash any bone they could find in his hands and feet. However, they made the mistake of not tying him up, allowing Sterling to escape by crawling away on his knees and elbows, making it to the edge of the cliff and then tumbled down into the Colorado. He was rescued from drowning by a unit of fellow Rangers, who pulled him out of the river after they saw him tumble down into the water. Although Sterling recovered, he never returned to his duties as a Ranger, as the lasting damage done to his hands and legs prevented him from properly controlling a sidearm or taking part in long-range patrols.

While the Rangers would have given him an honorable discharge on medical grounds, Sterling was nothing if not persistent. He asked if there was a place for him in the military and was accepted into the Army after demonstrating his marksmanship skills. He was accepted together with other raw recruits. Lt. Gorobets had him transferred to First Recon, so that he can remain an asset to the Republic. He continued to use his old rifle, the lever-action La Longue Carabine, as opposed to the hunting rifles normally used by First Recon personnel. Gorobets didn't object: As long as Sterling could hit his target, it didn't matter what he used for the job.

Quests

 * I Don't Hurt Anymore: Sterling is needed for one of the paths to convince Corporal Betsy to get help for trauma.
 * I Put a Spell on You: When asked if he has seen anything suspicious, he tells you that he sees the light on in the control tower around 1 AM. He says it should be empty at that time.
 * Old School Ghoul: Talking to Sterling with Raul Tejada in the player's party will complete one of the requirements for Raul's quest.
 * Three-Card Bounty: The player can bring Sterling and the rest of Alpha Team to take down Driver Nephi.

Effects of player's actions

 * Killing him before initiating the necessary dialogue makes it impossible to complete Raul's companion quest Old School Ghoul.
 * Upon completing the Driver Nephi portion of the Three-Card Bounty quest by claiming Nephi's bounty, Alpha Team moves to Camp Forlorn Hope to help with the Legion at Nelson. Sterling can then be found inside the Camp Forlorn Hope command center.

Appearances
Corporal Sterling appears only in Fallout: New Vegas.

Behind the scenes

 * There is a cell found within the GECK, above the eastern cliffs of the Colorado River and across the river from Camp Forlorn Hope, named "MalpaisLegionCamp," perhaps alluding to Sterling's capture by the Legion near Malpais.
 * Sterling was Caucasian rather than African-American at some point during development.