I think it is from Alpine: http://www.yojoe.com/action/85/alpine.shtml

Edit: Lance beat me to it.

Re: The Scud Easter Egg
Before Dan Harmon made the big bucks as Community's creator and show runner, he worked on a bunch of Channel 101 shows. Rob Schrab, creator of Scud the Disposable Assassin, also created Channel 101. I think Dan Harmon was giving a nod to a friend.

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No, no, no that is clearly Alpine's grappling hook.

In other news, GeneralsJoes posted among other articles about Hasbro being a part of the process without being at all creatively involved, a hulu link showing some behind the scenes for how the show was put together. Unfortunately nothing about the customs or commercials.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/617596

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Rob Schrab also directed the episode. That may have had a factor in the Scud appearance.

I think you may be right Pluv.

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That behind the scenes video was pretty good. The most interesting thing was this alternate character design for the Dean:



Before I saw the episode and I was trying to think of additional figures I could make, I had thought "Deanstro" would be a good mashup. With the bald head and the Dean's interest in lavish costumes, I wonder why they went with Assistant Cobra Vice Commander.

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Guessing here, but probably because of the Zartan joke and wanting to use a major character for GI Jeff to cause harm on. The Commander, as the leader and the most flamboyant in speech and body movement, probably fit better character wise.

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