History Main / FromCamouflageToCriminal

* The protagonist of ''Film/Scarface1983'' is Tony Montana, a former Cuban Army soldier who gradually becomes a fearsome Miami [[TheCartel cocaine kingpin]], known for his badassery and ruthlessness. Tony's military training could explain his deadly skills with firearms, such as an [[MoreDakka assault rifle]] and {{grenade launcher}} that he uses to [[OneManArmy kill dozens of enemy gangsters]] with in the ending battle.

* The bank robbery crew in ''Film/DenOfThieves'' is made up exclusively of ex-marines.

** A number of gangs in the US used to require members to enlist in the Army, go through at least basic training before leaving so they'd learn how to shoot straight.

* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_presence_in_the_United_States_military A small minority of (current) US military personnel are involved in criminal gangs]].

* A number of gangs in the US used to require members to enlist in the Army, go through at least basic training before leaving so they'd learn how to shoot straight.

* Michael Corleone from ''Film/TheGodfather'' was a [[SemperFi US Marine captain]] in {{UsefulNotes/WWII}}, and while he has tried to avoid becoming entangled in the "[[TheMafia family business]]" in the past, once he does get involved with it, he proves shockingly effective and ruthless in ways his other criminal rivals are completely unprepared for.

* Michael Corleone from ''Film/TheGodfather'' was a [[SemperFi US Marine captain]] in {{UsefulNotes/WWII}}, and while he has taken pains to avoid becoming entangled in the "[[TheMafia family business]]" in the past, once he does get involved with it, he proves shockingly effective and ruthless in ways his other criminal rivals are completely unprepared for.

* Michael Corleone from ''Film/TheGodfather'' was a [[SemperFi US Marine Captain]] in {{UsefulNotes/WWII}}, and while he has taken pains to avoid becoming entangled in the "[[TheMafia family business]]" in the past, once he does get involved with it, he proves shockingly effective and ruthless in ways his other criminal rivals are completely unprepared for.

* Michael Corleone from ''Film/TheGodfather'' was a [[SemperFi Marine Captain]] in WWII, and while he has taken pains to avoid becoming entangled in the "family business" in the past, once he does get involved with it he proves shockingly effective and ruthless in ways his other criminal rivals are completely unprepared for.

* Creator/AlPacino's character in ''Film/DogDayAfternoon'' tries to keep the police from storming the bank by saying that he and his cohort were in the Army in Vietnam and have no problem getting violent with the hostages. While at the time it seems like a desperate bluff, later on he is seen showing some of the hostages how he learned to march and handle a gun during training. His relationship with the hostages makes it pretty clear he doesn't intend to hurt them, however.
* The protagonist of ''Film/Scarface1983'' is Tony Montana, a former Cuban Army soldier who gradually becomes a fearsome Miami [[TheCartel cocaine kingpin]], known for his badassery and ruthlessness. Tony's military training could explain his deadly skills with firearms, such as an [[MoreDakka assault rifle]] and {{grenade launcher}} that he uses to [[OneManArmy kill dozens of enemy gangsters]] with in the ending.

* ''ComicBook/{{Venom}}'': Lee Price, the symbiote's sixth human host, was a member of the Army Rangers discharged after a mine damaged his hand, and who turned to crime to make ends meet.

* Literature/{{Parker}} served in the army in Europe during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII before being dishonorably discharged for black marketeering. Although he was probably a criminal before he enlisted (or was drafted), it is implied his time in the service is part of why he is so good with firearms. Due to ComicBookTime, his military service is not mentioned in the later novels.

* Literature/{{Parker}} served in the army in Europe during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII before being dishonorably discharged before for black marketeering. Although he was probably a criminal before he enlisted (or was drafted), it is implied his time in the service is part of why he is so good with firearms. Due to ComicBookTime, his military service is not mentioned in the later novels.

* In the aftermath of UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, several veterans in both Germany and America went on to formed armed militias and gangs:

* One of the major villains of the ''Literature/JohnRain'' series is Jim Hilger, ex-Special Forces and former CIA agent who causes the title character no end of headaches. Could also technicall apply to Rain himself, as he served in Vietnam before pursuing his career as a freelance assassin.

* ''VideoGame/WatchDogs'': Iraq is a dishonorably-discharged war veteran who applied his advanced military training to organized crime. To the public, he and his crew just look like another wannabe gang, but behind the scenes he's hacking government files and laundering military-grade arms.

** UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler himself served as a dispatch runner in WWI and was jailed for his role in the aforementioned Beer Hall Putsch coup before becoming a Chancellor of Germany. of Nazi leader

** UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler himself served as a dispatch runner in WWI and was jailed for his role in the aforementioned Beer Hall Putsch coup before becoming a Chancellor of Germany.

* Very common after the UsefulNotes/ThirtyYearsWar - for several years after its end bands of deserters and discharged veterans roamed Central Europe, essentially continuing in the wartime RapePillageAndBurn, especially in severely depopulated areas, without effective control of local governments.