History Main / AFathertohisMen

This commander cares deeply about their men and [[TheMenFirst exhibits it constantly]]. A {{mentor|Archetype}} to the officers under them, they take a deep personal interest in their welfare and try to keep them out of harm's way. They would never say "WeHaveReserves" unless they have [[IDidWhatIHadToDo absolutely no choice]] (and even then you can expect them to privately [[HeroicBSOD be torn up about it]]). Staff officers, engineers, TheMedic, and the CampCook will be treated with respect and made to feel as valued as the troops on the front line. However, they have no patience with the GloryHound or the ObstructiveBureaucrat. They will never lay claim to their subordinate’s work, and [[AllAPartOfTheJob will even downplay any credit that ]] ''[[AllAPartOfTheJob is]]'' [[AllAPartOfTheJob due to them]]. They will [[ItsAllMyFault own up to any mistakes]], even those of their subordinates. In the latter case, they often follow up with treating their subordinate's mistakes as {{Career Building Blunder}}s. When their followers are on the losing end of a battle, you better believe that NoOneGetsLeftBehind. And when their subordinates actually die, they will [[TheDeadHaveNames remember all of their names and faces]].

* ''Fanfic/{{Stray}}'': Big Boss fills this role, for [=FOXHOUND=]. [[spoiler:[=FOXHOUND=]'s membership includes two of his cloned offspring]].

*** Tony Stark, the oldest member of the team (by Earth years), does try his best to play a father figure to the others, mediating for them with the government, financing their operations and basically trying to play support. However, probably due to his own emotionally negligent father, he has no clue how to do it properly. In ''Civil War'', he basically treats the rest of the Avengers as wayward children, making decisions for them and refusing to listen (with good intentions, but...). His attempts to be a parental figure to Peter also seem to be on the same path - showering the kid with expensive presents (remodeling his room, the spider suit) but being unavailable when the boy needs to talk (ghosting him and fending him off on Happy, refusing to listen), and abrupt authoritarian and/or controlling measures (tracker in the spider suit, taking away the suit abruptly and buying Peter the first clothes likely saw). So Tony is trying to play TeamDad, but unfortunately ends up as the neglectful, controlling kind. Thankfully, he's improved by ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar''.

* In the ComicBook/UltimateMarvel universe, the otherwise stoic Nick Fury began to appreciate Peter Parker and groomed him, hoping that he would become a great superhero when he grows up. And when he died, he shed ManlyTears for him.

* The titular ''Film/MajorPayne'', while definitely a DrillSergeantNasty and (in the words of Emily) an "an insecure, overbearing, psychopathic, edictorial, ego maniacal, frigid lunatic asshole", but in his own warped way he definitely cares about his men. Be it by breaking a comrade's finger to take his mind off the pain of being shot, shooting the closet to "terminate the Boogeyman with extreme prejudice" so the young Tiger can go to sleep, or defending one of his students from their abusive and drunken step-father. [[spoiler:In fact, he becomes a ''literal'' example of this to one of his men in the end of the film where he marries Emily and adopts Tiger.]]

** While he might be TheStoic Nick Fury still regardless cares greatly for his S.H.I.E.L.D subordinates namely Phil Coulson, Maria Hill and Natasha Romanov aka Black Widow, as seen in ''Film/TheAvengers2012'' and ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier''. Fury’s apparent death was even enough to move Hill and Widow to tears, Fury also extends this trope to the Avengers as he has a strong bonds with Tony, Cap and Captain Marvel. The Russo brothers claimed Fury would’ve been a stabilising presence in ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar '' thus [[ConflictBall he was removed]].

*** Captain America is (at least till Wanda and Peter joins) the youngest member of the team (not counting the years in the ice), but is the closest to a TeamDad figure. He's the one who, for instance, consoles Wanda after the disastrous Laos mission and while on the run, is still involved enough with the others that he knows perfectly where to find Vision and Wanda who are in hiding.
*** Tony Stark, the oldest member of the team, does try his best to play a father figure to the others, mediating for them with the government, financing the operations and basically trying to play support. However, probably due to his own emotionally negligent father, he has no clue how to do it properly. In Civil War, he basically treats the rest of the Avengers as wayward children, making decisions for them and refusing to listen (with good intentions, but...). His attempts to be a parental figure to Peter also seems to be on the same path - showering the kid with expensive presents (remodelling his room, the spider suit) but being unavailable when the boy needs to talk (ghosting him and fending him off on Happy, refusing to listen), and abrupt authoritarian and/or controlling measures (tracker in the spider suit, taking away the suit abruptly and forcing Peter to rummage through the garbage for clothes. So Tony is trying to play TeamDad, but unfortunately ends up as the AbusiveParents kind.
*** Black Widow surprisingly manages to be a [[TeamMom mother figure]] to The Avengers as will readily console or reprimand her teammates but as ''Endgame'' shows she treasures them and is one who keeps tabs on all of them. [[spoiler: After her HeroicSacrifice, Tony asks Cap if Nat has any family and Cap just replies “Yeah, us”]].
** Yondu from ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014'' is this for the Ravagers whom he cares greatly for, especially Peter Quill aka Starlord, who's his surrogate son. In the [[Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2 sequel]], when Taserface mutinied and killed every man who was loyal to Yondu who ForcedToWatch, Yondu went on a OneManArmy RoaringRampageOfRevenge killing every single foe with his Yaka Arrow.
** Thanos is this to the Black Order whom he outright calls his “children” and they in turn call him “father” and determinedly [[WellDoneSonGuy want to please him]]. While a Thanos does favour Gamora, he was still upset about Ebony Maw getting killed [[spoiler: and was completely stricken at loss of his entire army at Tony’s hand in ''Endgame'']].

* Wrestling/{{KENTA|Kobayashi}} was this to No Mercy in Wrestling/ProWrestlingNOAH, sticking by his stablemates even when he was told to go home and rehabilitate injuries, even when they were soon to leave due to not renewing their contracts and most detrimentally, [[GenreBlind even]] when one Maybach Taniguchi all but admitted his plans to replace KETNA!

* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
** Optimus Prime, whenever he isn't depicted as suffering from the TheChainsOfCommanding.
** Believe it or not, ''[[BigBad Megatron]]'' is actually this in quite a few versions, albeit a gruff aloof one.
** In ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'', it is hinted that Breakdown is (or [[KilledOffForReal was]]) this to the Decepticon [[{{Mooks}} Vehicons]] under his command.

* When she is not having one of her "[[DespairEventHorizon off-days]]", Pink Diamond in ''Fanfic/{{Fractures}}'' acts as this towards the Off-Colors.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' fanfic [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6245901/1/Three_Years_At_Sea Three Years at Sea]], Shuang [[RedBaron the Traitor]] is this to his crew. When Zuko sinks his ship, he says he will surrender quietly if Zuko spares his crew rather than taking them to certain torture and execution by the Fire Nation. [[WhatASenselessWasteOfHumanLife Zuko being Zuko,]] he agrees.

* Papa Smurf is this to ''ComicBook/TheSmurfs''. In fact, in the English vocal track of [[Film/TheSmurfs the first live-action movie]], Gargamel goes so far as to have Papa Smurf say he has 99 sons and one daughter. Papa Smurf himself says that they're his family. In the film sequel ''Film/TheSmurfs2'', Papa Smurf treats Smurfette like his daughter.

* ''Fanfic/EquestriaGirlsFriendshipSouls'': [[spoiler:Tempest Shadow]] is almost universally loved by the Storm King's legions, and it's pretty clear ''she's'' the one who their true loyalty lies with. Fitting, considering her time as [[spoiler:the former 11th Division Captain, and exploited by the Storm King in order to gather as many followers as he could.]]
** Captain Celestia is also this. [[spoiler:Sententing her (and her sister) to death ]] was enough to cause a Civil War in the Soul Society.

** Zig-zagged among The Avengers - Captain America is (at least till Wanda and Peter joins) the youngest member of the team (not counting the years in the ice), but is the closest to a TeamDad figure. He's the one who, for instance, consoles Wanda after the disastrous Laos mission and while on the run, is still involved enough with the others that he knows perfectly where to find Vision and Wanda who are in hiding.

** Black Widow surprisingly manages to be a [[TeamMom mother figure]] to The Avengers as will readily console or reprimand her teammates but as ''Endgame'' shows she treasures them and is one who keeps tabs on all of them. [[spoiler: After her HeroicSacrifice, Tony asks Cap if Nat has any family and Cap just replies “Yeah, us”]].

* Kimberly states this in ''Film/MightyMorphinPowerRangersTheMovie'' when she tells Zordon that he has been "a father to us all" [[spoiler:as he is dying]].

*** ...which is [[HarsherInHindsight odd]], given the ending of ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace''.

* Wrestling/TheUndertaker has a sterling reputation as a locker room leader in the [=WWE=], keeping prima-donna talent in check, giving insight and taking on a mentoring role towards the younger talent, and generally looking out for the rest of the locker room. Even wrestlers who left the company under acrimonious circumstances continue to speak glowingly of the big man, long after they've left, such as Wrestling/DrewGalloway and Ken Anderson.
** 'Taker is so well respected that ''Triple H'' reportedly asked him whether it was okay to date Stephanie [=McMahon=]. And since this is 'Taker? It could very well ''be true''.

* Imperial Guard commanders in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' tend to be either this or [[GeneralRipper General Rippers]]. There's one guy who not only remembers all the men he's had under his command, but tattooed the faces of those who died onto his body. This being 40K, one wonders how long it'll be until he runs out of space.
** As noted by Literature/CiaphasCain ('''HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!!!'''), very, very few commissars are this out of propaganda videos. However, those who rule exclusively through [[BoomHeadshot *BLAM*]]ings (outside of Penal Legions) tend to meet [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident heroic deaths]] [[UnfriendlyFire despite being nowhere]] [[KarmicDeath near the front line at the time.]]
** The Primarchs were this for the Legions under their command. Though most of the Loyalist Primarchs were definitely this trope (Mainly Sanguinius and Vulkan), the only Traitor Primarchs that seemed to have any sort of care for their Legions were [[TragicVillain Magnus]] and [[BadassPreacher Lorgar]], and of the two only Magnus has been shown to still have said care even into the 41st millenium (if only because Lorgar has more-or-less left the matters of his Legion to his highest commanders).

* ''WebComic/MagickChicks'': Faith [[MeaningfulName Abbot]] is Artemis Academy's [[AbsurdlyPowerfulStudentCouncil student council]] [[StudentCouncilPresident president]], which makes her responsible for safeguarding its students against perceived threats. And she takes that to heart, as [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/sharper_than_a_sanjiegun she'll go to great lengths]] [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/save_artemis to protect them.]] This is also seen on a more personal level, such as when Sandi recounts the time Faith [[spoiler: [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/she_looks_out_for_us took Sandi under her wing]], when she was younger, and taught her how to properly control her powers]].

* ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary''. Captain Kaff Tagon, the founder of Tagon's Toughs, is every bit of this for his men. And disrespecting him is a good way to get a faceful of fist (or other, rather higher energy things) from his men. Even Kaff Tagon's own father, Karl, is impressed by the loyalty that his son has produced in the troops.
** One example: after a particularly eventful mission (which included using the warhead of a ship-to-ship missle ''inside'' his own ship to repel boarders), the company decided to expand their ranks a little bit. While walking down a hallway he overhears one of the hiring interviews; the potential recruits state they want to work under him '''because''' he leads "from the front", and protects his men.

* [[EmbarrassingNickname Kitten]], Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes in ''WebAnimation/IfTheEmperorHadATextToSpeechDevice'', was elected Captain-General in the first place ''because'' his men adore him for his caring nature. They even tell him in episode 28 that they need a father more than a Warmaster. Even Whammudes, who only listens to him when he feels like it and [[spoiler:steals the position of Emperor's Caretaker from him]], admits that Kitten works two exhausting jobs for both the Emperor and his fellow Custodes. For instance, he bakes a custom pizza pie for every Custodes (numbering around 10,000) every day, and they're delicious.

-->'''Plo Koon:''' '''[[ClonesArePeopleToo Not]]''' [[MemeticMutation to me.]]

When an enemy, they are often the WorthyOpponent or FriendlyEnemy. If they’re a subordinate, the [[BigBad villain]]'s [[ItsAllAboutMe lack of concern]] for their men may be a source of MistreatmentInducedBetrayal. It if it the villain themselves, then there's a good chance he [[IControlMyMinionsThrough rules his minions with respect]], and will often avoid sending his entire army to their death if it can be helped. There's a good chance such a villain will be in the fight alongside his men as well.

When an enemy, they are often the WorthyOpponent or FriendlyEnemy. If they’re a subordinate, the [[BigBad villain]]'s [[ItsAllAboutMe lack of concern]] for their men may be a source of MistreatmentInducedBetrayal.

** Zig-zagged among The Avengers as on the surface it seems like just like in comics Captain America is the father figure as TheLeader, but apart from consoling Scarlet Witch at one point Cap [[DownplayedTrope doesn’t invoke this much]]. Iron Man on other hand does play this straight, acting as TeamDad often especially to the young Spider-Man and he even tried to calm down Starlord in ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' and soothes a manically depressed Thor in ''Film/AvengersEndgame''.

* There’s a reason they call Franchise/{{Batman}} and his sidekicks the ''Bat-Family'' because even if he’s only biologically related to one of them (Damien, his son) and the legal ParentalSubstitute for only a few of them (Dick, Jason, Tim and Cassandra). Bruce still treasures every single one of his protégés as his children in one way or another. Hurting, maiming or killing any Robin or Batgirl (as ComicBook/TheJoker is fond of doing) is a surefire way to piss Batman the hell off and guarantees a NoHoldsBarredBeatDown from him if your lucky.

** Xavier, the founder, was a surrogate father to both Scott and Jean, as well as everyone else in the original five, he cares deeply about them and their safety, with one issue showing, in detail, every person Xavier let die and show how it affected him emotionally. [[spoiler: In ''House of X'', Xavier states he can’t bare for any of his beloved X-Men to perish ever again and has “The Five” resurrect an entire team when they die on a mission]].

* ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe1'': Gru toward the minions, in a rare villainous example. He seems to genuinely care about them, and is upset when he has to lay them off. The minions reciprocate the feeling by offering to tap into their own savings to complete the Moon launch, indicating that Gru really ''was'' an above-and-beyond employer and that the minions really care about him in return. And don't forget the scene where they ''all'' want to be kissed goodnight!

** David, whose band of mighty men broke through the enemy's fortification just to bring him a bucket of water from his childhood well because they ''overheard him wishing for it''. Later on, when he was older, his men refused to let him fight giants anymore because he almost got killed, and they didn't want to "quench the light of Israel." (Translation: everyone would be heartbroken if you died.)
** ''God''. All of his followers are his children. He guides and comforts them, and some believe He even died for them.

* ''Theatre/{{Dunsinane}}'': Also {{Deconstructed}} with Siward. He cares so much about the lives of his men that he resorts to [[KnightTemplar increasingly drastic and brutal measures]] (such as [[KillItWithFire burning civilians alive]] as an intimidation tactic) to try and end the war, [[FallenHero sacrificing any semblance of morality in the process]], which of course [[HoistByHisOwnPetard ends up getting many more of his soldiers killed]].

* ''{{Webcomic/Sarilho}}'': implied to be the case of Olivia Mezzaferro, as she may seem distant but shows up to [[spoiler: Mikhail's funeral]] and even has some kind words to share with Nikita.

** Yondu from ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'' is this for the Ravagers whom he cares greatly for, especially Peter Quill aka Starlord, who's his surrogate son. In the [[Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2 sequel]], when Taserface mutinied and killed every man who was loyal to Yondu who ForcedToWatch, Yondu went on a OneManArmy RoaringRampageOfRevenge killing every single foe with his Yaka Arrow.

* ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe'': Gru toward the minions, in a rare villainous example. He seems to genuinely care about them, and is upset when he has to lay them off. The minions reciprocate the feeling by offering to tap into their own savings to complete the Moon launch, indicating that Gru really ''was'' an above-and-beyond employer and that the minions really care about him in return. And don't forget the scene where they ''all'' want to be kissed goodnight!

* ''Fanfic/{{Stray}}'': Big Boss fills this role, for [=FOXHOUND=]. [[spoiler:[=FOXHOUND=]'s membership includes two of his cloned offspring.]]

This commander cares deeply about their men and [[TheMenFirst exhibits it constantly]]. A [[MentorArchetype mentor]] to the officers under them, they take a deep personal interest in their welfare and try to keep them out of harm's way. They would never say "WeHaveReserves" unless they have [[IDidWhatIHadToDo absolutely no choice]] (and even then you can expect them to privately [[HeroicBSOD be torn up about it]]). Staff officers, engineers, TheMedic, and the CampCook will be treated with respect and made to feel as valued as the troops on the front line. However, they have no patience with the GloryHound or the ObstructiveBureaucrat. They will never lay claim to their subordinate’s work, and [[AllAPartOfTheJob will even downplay any credit that ]] ''[[AllAPartOfTheJob is]]'' [[AllAPartOfTheJob due to them]]. They will [[ItsAllMyFault own up to any mistakes]], even those of their subordinates. In the latter case, they often follow up with treating their subordinate's mistakes as {{Career Building Blunder}}s. When their followers are on the losing end of a battle, you better believe that NoOneGetsLeftBehind. And when their subordinates actually die, they will [[TheDeadHaveNames remember all of their names and faces]].

This commander cares deeply about their men and [[TheMenFirst exhibits it constantly]]. A [[MentorArchetype mentor]] to the officers under them, they take a deep personal interest in their welfare and try to keep them out of harm's way. They would never say "WeHaveReserves" unless they have [[IDidWhatIHadToDo absolutely no choice]] (and even then you can expect them to privately [[HeroicBSOD be torn up about it]]). Staff officers, engineers, and the CampCook will be treated with respect and made to feel as valued as the troops on the front line. However, they have no patience with the GloryHound or the ObstructiveBureaucrat. They will never lay claim to their subordinate’s work, and [[AllAPartOfTheJob will even downplay any credit that ]] ''[[AllAPartOfTheJob is]]'' [[AllAPartOfTheJob due to them]]. They will [[ItsAllMyFault own up to any mistakes]], even those of their subordinates. In the latter case, they often follow up with treating their subordinate's mistakes as {{Career Building Blunder}}s. When their followers are on the losing end of a battle, you better believe that NoOneGetsLeftBehind. And when their subordinates actually die, they will [[TheDeadHaveNames remember all of their names and faces]].

-->'''Sergeant Sinker:''' We're just clones, Sir. We're meant to be expendable

* Captain Flowers of ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'' isn't just a Father To His Men; he's a [[GoodParents pathologically paternal]] NiceGuy. [[spoiler:He's also Agent Florida of Project Freelancer so this is somewhat questionable as the begininning of Season 14 shows.]] The best example of this is Sarge. Despite his abusive treatment throughout the show, he does really care about the Blood Gulch teams, [[spoiler:Wash, and Carolina]] more than he lets on. When the teams are under attack in the season 11 climax, he can be loudly heard yelling "You Bastards stay away from my men!" [[spoiler:before he gets shot by Locus's concussion rifle, knocking him out, and the team loses it's first major battle. MoodWhiplash at its finest. He also takes Grif's departure in season 15 pretty hard. They have an awkward reunion once they meet again.]]

* ''Fanfic/Fanfic/GodzillaNewEra'': G-Force Commander Takaaki Aso, continuing a trend in the Heisei era of Godzilla films the story is a sequel to. A ReasonableAuthorityFigure, he puts the safety of his troops and civilians first in his plans and has his office in a readily accessable spot to not put himself above them. Considering his deepset fear of becoming like the commanders of the Imperial era Japanese military, this is a conscious choice to try and keep himself grounded.

* There’s a reason they call Franchise/{{Batman}} and his sidekicks the ''Bat-Family'' because even if he’s only biologically related to one of them (Damien, his son) Bruce still treasures every single one of his protégés as his children in one way or another. Hurting, maiming or killing any Robin or Batgirl (as ComicBook/TheJoker is fond of doing) is a surefire way to piss Batman the hell off and guarantees a NoHoldsBarredBeatDown from him if your lucky.