History Main / MildlyMilitary

** They also made use of civilian research scientists and mercenaries, who could be Sebacean or other races, most of whom may have been some sort of indentured servants or slaves (like Linfer and Co-kura Strappa, and the Collartas from "Thanks for Sharing" and "Relativity".) Non-Sebacean mercenaries were sometimes apparently equals (the Coreeshi bounty hunters from "I Shrink Therefor I Am").

* Three female soldiers are ordered to paint a room at an Army base and the last order that the Sergeant gives is that they are not to get even one drop of paint on their uniforms. After conferring about this, the three soldiers decide to lock the door of the room, strip off their fatigues and paint in the nude. In the middle of the project, there comes a knock on the door. "Who is it?", calls one one of the soldiers. "Blind man" replies a voice on the on the other side of the door. The three female soldiers look at each other and shrug, and deciding that that no harm can come from letting a blind man into the room, they open the door. "Nice tits", says the male soldier, "where do you knockouts want me to put these blinds?".

* ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'':

Sometimes, this is justified by having [[OrganizationIndex the organization]] in question not be a real military, or a combined military/civilian organization, or some kind of special operations group whose members usually operate independent of the regular chain of command (and possibly of each other). Sometimes, the work is set in a time or place where military organizations were just not that disciplined (e.g. TheDungAges). Most of the time, it appears to be the result of lack of experience on the part of the writers on how the military actually operates.

** ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' takes place before Starfleet became combined with the military. As a result, Starfleet resembles a military service less than it does in any other incarnation of the franchise. The [=MACOs=] (Military Assault Command Operations), however, are essentially the 22nd century answer to the Marine Corps. While taking a few minor liberties, the [=MACO=]s observe military protocol, wear camouflage uniforms, and use real-world small unit combat tactics. In their debut episode, the [=MACO=] commander even points out why having TheMainCharactersDoEverything is a bad idea, insisting that his team handle a combat situation on a planet surface so that Starfleet security personnel are available if ''Enterprise'' gets boarded. The [=MACOs=] are added in Season 3 because the ''Enterprise'' is venturing into the Delphic Expanse to locate and destroy the Xindi Superweapon, and remain part of the crew afterwards.

** The Autobots we see are almost always a military contingent... and always act like they're just guys on vacation. Particularly notable with the obligatory [[KidAppealCharacter Bumblebee]], who generally acts like a TagalongKid on a military mission who somehow managed to get a formal rank instead of being shooed away or receiving proper training. Even when there ''is'' [[WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated proper training]], he will act like he just got out of elementary school and doesn't feel like doing his homework today.
** In ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'', the Autobots on Earth are a close-knit group who acknowledge Optimus Prime as their leader but don't bother to stand on ceremony; he's very much a TeamMom and TeamDad in one instead of a regular military leader, it helps that the 'Bots have so much respect for him. Plus, they've been together longer than humans have existed; Arcee even calls them a "[[TrueCompanions family]]" when asked if Bumblebee was her friend.
** As bad as the Autobots can be, they still aren't the Decepticons. When an [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder inclination to disobey orders]] is considered a valuable trait for your [[TheStarscream second in command]], discipline is going to suffer.
** [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in that the Autobots aren't so much an army as an ''ethnicity.'' They've had to militarize their entire culture out of necessity, but that militarization doesn't necessarily run very deep. As for the 'Cons, they've always operated more like an [[ChaoticEvil oversized street gang]] than a proper army.
** When [[SergeantRock Ultra Magnus]] is introduced to the Autobots, his hardass attitude clashes notably with the rest of Team Prime, particularly Wheeljack. Mercifully, he lightens up a bit.

* The BadassCrew you gather in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' usually demonstrates this trope. In the second game of ''[[VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration Original Generation]]'', the XO of the Hagane gains a rival who repeatedly points out this behavior…, but said rival is a [[TheNeidermeyer Neidermeyer]] with no respect for the lives of his soldiers or esteem for their opinions and input. He thinks this makes him a properly badass captain when it actually just makes him a regular ass. While he could argue that members of the SRX and ATX Teams are members of the military and ought to follow military protocol, those team members are essentially special forces who generally have more important concerns than minituae.

* SOLDIER in ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'' seems to work like this. Sure, sometimes they act like one would expect a military to act (all the "Sir! Yes, sir!"s when Zack is giving his speech to the new Thirds, for instance) but most of they time they're hanging out on the SOLDIER Floor talking about girls, company gossip, or whatever else happens to come up. Considering the simplicity of the chain of command (there are only three ranks, despite what some fanfiction might assume), the probable youth of most of the members, and that one SOLDIER is almost an army by himself, this is somewhat understandable.

* The United States Air Force is often considered "military-lite" by the other branches, but this is neither new nor unique to the United States. Rather it seems to be endemic to air forces in general. Winston Churchill once referred to RAF airmen as "uniformed civilians" during the Second World War. There are several reasons for this: the physical requirements and level of danger are generally lower (especially in the 21st century). Actual fighting is overwhelmingly done by a comparatively small number of officers, with most enlisted personnel regulated to maintenance and support. Air forces must operate out of airbases, ensuring a minimal level of creature comforts for personnel stationed there (and indeed creating an expectation of such). Everyone tends to have a specific task to perform, leaving fewer occasions where giving orders is necessary. The chance that these tasks will have to be performed under direct fire is also extremely low. The result of all this being the emphasis on discipline and subordination to superiors is considerably relaxed. However this is all by comparison to other branches. For ''actual'' civilians, life in the air force will still seem highly regimented.

* ''Series/TheOuterLimits1963'' episode "The Invisible Enemy". The crew of the (clearly military) M2 expedition to Mars acts in a completely undisciplined manner, repeatedly violates their orders and as a result gets two members of the expedition killed. How General Winston could have considered them his top team for the job is beyond understanding.

A lot of the time, military forces in the media don't really seem all that military. The characters get to wear neat uniforms and live in a CoolShip or base, but don't have to deal with the strict hierarchy, discipline and training that exists in the RealLife military. A MilitaryMaverick who disobeys orders is likely to receive no harsher punishment than getting assigned to PeelingPotatoes, a stint in the brig, or at worst being "[[GetAHoldOfYourselfMan disciplined]]" (i.e. PunchedAcrossTheRoom) by a superior officer. It seems like the only thing keeping them together is [[BigBookOfWar The Code]].

** Starfleet is both a military and an exploration and research organization, also acting as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gendarmerie top-level]] [[SpacePolice law enforcement]] and the [[GunboatDiplomacy advance scouts and bodyguards]] of TheFederation's diplomatic corps and intelligence network. It acts like a conglomeration of a Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Marines & Army, local & international intelligence and law enforcement agencies, Diplomatic corps, the United Nations, space exploration, and a military & engineering industrial complex, as well as large-scale medical and research bureau. A captain may need to think like Colin Powell or like Jacques Cousteau--or all of these may apply at once. Creator/GeneRoddenberry suggested something like the civilian space program ([[UsefulNotes/YanksWithTanks if it were operated by the military.]]) Since he was in the Army Air Forces during World War II, it's ''very'' likely that some part of his experience had a part in shaping ''Star Trek''. Nicholas Meyer was proudly made military sci-fi, while Creator/JJAbrams has it stated verbatim in his film that "Starfleet is a peace-keeping military armada" and (per Scotty) "We're not a military agency!". Sometimes characters within the story will comment on Starfleet's ambiguous position. However, all in all, Captain Kirk says it best:

* ''Anime/LegendOfGalacticHeroes'' plays with this trope: the alliance, and '''especially''' the "Yang Team" are ''very'' casual: you will see them throwing parties, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1yYQ0VVPq0 drinking alcohol during strategic meetings]], going after [[ReallyGetsAround every girl they meet]], and even making fun of their leader's (lack of) sex life [[DudeWheresMyRespect in front of him]]. Do not take this for a lack of competence or discipline: they ''know'' the horrors of the war, and have chosen to enjoy life as much as they can between battles: when the [[LetsGetDangerous battle starts]], you're quick to remember [[OneManArmy why]] [[AcePilot they]] [[CulturedWarrior were]] [[TheSquad handpicked]] by [[TheStrategist Yang]].

* Blackwatch from ''VideoGame/{{Prototype}}'' have no ranks or protocol, belittle and mock their officers, and deliberately use improper radio terminology ("kill confirmed, over aaaand oouuuuut."). The [[VideoGame/Prototype2 sequel]] takes it up to eleven for laughs, Blackwatch goons can do pretty much whatever they want as long as they [[SociopathicSoldier shoot anybody who looks at them funny]].

* [=TerSA=] in ''Webcomic/{{Galaxion}}'' is Mildly Military, but the eponymous ship's crew takes it UpToEleven with their [[TeamMom mama captain]] Fusella Miertier. They're really [[TrueCompanions one big family]].

Contrast ArmyOfThievesAndWhores, where the army in question truly ''is'' an undisciplined rabble.

[[quoteright:350:[[ComicBook/{{Asterix}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/legionaire3.png]]]]

* ''Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers'', kind of. Most characters have military uniforms as their “standard” outfit, but no other appearance restrictions (I.e. shaving) seem to apply to them, though this could be {{Hand Wave}}d by the fact they are NationsAsPeople. They are also depicted wearing the uniforms presumably off-duty fairly often, and ArtisticLicense is often taken with the uniforms as well. The [[DistaffCounterpart Nyotalia]] characters are even worse, with their uniforms going beyond inaccurate and being mostly subject to RuleOfCool.

* The ''VisualNovel/{{Sunrider}}'' may be a military assault carrier, but her crew’s discipline is rather lax, to the frustration of her XO Ava Crescentia. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in that, apart from Lieutenant Kryska Stares, none of your [[AMechByAnyOtherName Ryder]] pilots are actual soldiers: [[GenkiGirl Asaga]] is an idealistic mercenary and self-styled “Hero of Justice” [[spoiler:who also happens to be a runaway princess]], [[ShyBlueHairedGirl Chigara]] is a mechanical genius who was running a hybrid space dock-and-bakery when you first meet her, [[{{Tsundere}} Icari]] is a bounty hunter and underworld assassin, [[GenderBlenderName Claude]] is an unlicensed quack who cons her way onto the ship by pretending to have legitimate medical credentials, and [[ReiAyanamiExpy Sola]] [[LivingRelic is a warrior-princess from two thousand years ago]]. The ''Sunrider'' was also understaffed and without any Ryders when it fled [[DoomedHometown Cera]], forcing Captain Kayto Shields to accept anyone who could fill the missing positions in his crew.

** Non-combatant bases (most notably [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HaKirya the Kirya]]) also tend to have a very informal attitude about them, unless they’ve a lot of work to do.[[note]]The IDF is particularly notorious for its constant internal bickering, resulting in a rift between various corps. This can result in some offices having four secretaries with virtually no work, and another with one secretary collapsing under the pressure of four secretaries’ work, as the head of one corps was better at gaining more human resources, and the unprofessional (as they were conscripted and not hired) people handled managing them half-assedly.[[/note]] However, they still have to make sure their uniforms are proper and not be seen drinking in uniform, lest the hated Military Police or just a mean-spirited officer catch them and bring them to military court. Also, breaking minor laws like jaywalking can also get them doubly screwed when in uniform. In fact, IDF personnel carry their weapons [[http://tokicollection.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/israel-part-one-chu-chu-my-camel-friend-from-israel when they're off-duty]] and [[http://hubpages.com/politics/Israeli-Girl-Soldiers-in-Bikinis out of uniform]].

* While [[UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRustingRockets Modern Russian Military]] always had cracks in unit cohesion and discipline, these problems came to the forefront during the 2022 Invasion of Ukraine. Due to the abusive nature of training and widespread discrimination, many Russian soldiers fail to develop genuine respect for their military, commanding officers and even fellow rank-and-file soldiers.[[note]]In contrast, while Western military training is also harsh, recruits were taught to respect their superiors and fellow soldiers with diversity training enforced to prevent racial animosity that could undermine cooperation.[[/note]] Subsequently during the invasion, there were many reports of Russian soldiers looting stores, sabotaging their own equipment to avoid fighting and even surrendering to unarmed Ukrainians. It also doesn't help that many Russian conscripts belong to ethnic minorities like Buryats and Dagestanis who are routinely discriminated by non-Slavic Russians, leading to worsened cooperation in combined-arms combat.
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** This is given a nice lampshade in ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers'', where during a conversation Hayate had with her former commanding officer, Major Nakajima, it's mentioned that while ace mages (such as Nanoha, Fate, and Hayate herself) tend to get promoted ''very'' quickly, the ranks are really there for show more than anything else. It's made obvious what is meant by that during the same scene; Hayate is a Lieutenant Colonel, and thus technically Nakajima's superior, but both of them act like Nakajima's the one in charge.

* Although they are frequently called an army, most sets of units the player assembles in ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' are just an atypically large RagtagBunchOfMisfits. Most of the series justifes this, as these groups are rebelions (2, 2nd half of 4, 5, parts of 10), working for in-exile governments for most of the game (1/11, 8) mercanary companies (9 and parts of 10) or not actually an army, just a search team (early 4, 7), 3/12 and 6 don't have good reasons, but employ a greater precentage of professional soilders/mercanaries compared to the civilian heavy "armies" of most games. In 13, the Shepherds begin as a band of royally sanctioned vigilantes, but then [[spoiler:the ''actual'' army is utterly destroyed by a neighboring kingdom]], seemingly promoting them to the country's official armed forces.

--->It looks terribly military, and indeed it is, but under the surface a Highland unit has curious currents which are extremely irregular. There is a sort of unspoken yet recognized democracy which may have its roots in clanship, or in the Scottish mercenary tradition, and which can play the devil with rank and authority unless it is properly understood.

---> "Uniforms were not worn . . . Though there was no rank and no-one was required to salute, it was the rare man who didn't address Chennault as 'Colonel' and salute. But when the work day was over and the men played baseball or volleyball . . . when [Chennault] acted as umpire, it was a common sight to see some mechanic screaming at him in rage when he called out on strikes."

* When building a militia in ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'', you will discover that your attempts at having a nice, orderly militia will be foiled [[ArtificialStupidity by your]] [[WhatAnIdiot dwarves]]. Instead, you will most likely get a [[LeeroyJenkins mob of dwarves randomly]] [[AttackAttackAttack attacking all goblins in sight]], [[TooDumbToLive sometimes not even with all of their armor or weapons]]. Other than that, dwarves tend to have an orderly military.

** Starfleet is both a military and an exploration and research organization, also acting as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gendarmerie top-level]] [[SpacePolice law enforcement]] and the [[GunboatDiplomacy advance scouts and bodyguards]] of TheFederation's diplomatic corps and intelligence network. It acts like a conglomeration of a Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Marines & Army, local & international intelligence and law enforcement agencies, Diplomatic corps, the United Nations, space exploration, and a military & engineering industrial complex, as well as large-scale medical and research bureau. A captain may need to think like Colin Powell or like Jacques Cousteau--or all of these may apply at once. Creator/GeneRoddenberry suggested something like the civilian space program ([[UsefulNotes/YanksWithTanks if it were operated by the military.]]) Since he was in the Army Air Forces during World War II, it's ''very'' likely that some part of his experience had a part in shaping Star Trek. Nicholas Meyer was proudly made military sci-fi, while Creator/JJAbrams has it stated verbatim in his film that "Starfleet is a peace-keeping military armada" and (per Scotty) "We're not a military agency!". Sometimes characters within the story will comment on Starfleet's ambiguous position. However, all in all, Captain Kirk says it best:

** ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' takes place before Starfleet became combined with the military. As a result, Starfleet resembles a military service less than it does in any other incarnation of the franchise. The [=MACOs=] (Military Assault Command Operations), however, are essentially the 22nd century answer to the Marine Corps. While taking a few minor liberties, the [=MACO=]s observe military protocol, wear camouflage uniforms, and use real-world small unit combat tactics. In their debut episode, the [=MACO=] commander even points out why having TheMainCharactersDoEverything is a bad idea; insisting that his team handle a combat situation on a planet surface so that Starfleet security personnel are available if ''Enterprise'' gets boarded.

** Starfleet is both a military and an exploration and research organization, also acting as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gendarmerie top-level]] [[SpacePolice law enforcement]] and the [[GunboatDiplomacy advance scouts and bodyguards]] of TheFederation's diplomatic corps and intelligence network. It acts like a conglomeration of a Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Marines & Army, local & international intelligence and law enforcement agencies, Diplomatic corps, the United Nations, space exploration, a military & engineering industrial complex as well as large scale medical and research bureau. A captain may need to think like Colin Powell or like Jacques Cousteau--or all of these may apply at once. Creator/GeneRoddenberry suggested something like the civilian space program ([[UsefulNotes/YanksWithTanks if it were operated by the military.]]) Since he was in the Army Air Forces during World War II, it's ''very'' likely that some part of his experience had a part in shaping Star Trek. Nicholas Meyer was proudly made military sci-fi, while Creator/JJAbrams has it stated verbatim in his film that "Starfleet is a peace-keeping military armada" and (per Scotty) "We're not a military agency!". Sometimes characters within the story will comment on Starfleet's ambiguous position. However, all in all, Captain Kirk says it best:

* [[Series/StargateSG1 Stargate Command]] and the [[Series/StargateAtlantis Atlantis expedition]] are relatively restrained versions of this trope. Make no mistake, they are very Mildly Military; but this is lampshaded and explained on a semi-regular basis, as well as being a frequent bone of contention between the SGC and their Earth-based antagonists (who are occasionally depicted as having a point). For instance, GeneralRipper comments on his discomfort with an alien and an archaeologist being on a front-line Special Forces team, but the logic is that [[BunnyEarsLawyer since they get the job done they can get away with it]], and also the fact that their situation means that they have to play things by ear on a regular basis. Daniel's linguistic and cultural knowledge and Teal'c's first-hand experience are invaluable on a team that regularly makes FirstContact. The Atlantis expedition, meanwhile, was actually intended as a bunch of civilian scientists with a military contingent, since no one had any idea about the Wraith. Thereafter, there are power struggles between the military and civilian wings of the mission (in the military case, mainly from outside - Sheppard, Atlantis's military commander, doesn't always do what Weir says, but he rarely does what ''anyone'' says, and after early friction, supports her unconditionally). However, the civilian contingent largely remains in charge, save for Colonel Carter's tenure as mission leader (and she's a scientist as well as an officer), for various reasons: mainly Doctor Weir's force of personality and hypercompetence, her popularity with both subordinates and residents of the Pegasus Galaxy, and the support of the now-General O'Neill. After that, it was because the IOA wanted Woolsey, their own man, in command of Atlantis.

* [[Series/StargateSG1 Stargate Command]] and the [[Series/StargateAtlantis Atlantis Expedition]] are relatively restrained versions of this trope. Make no mistake, they are very Mildly Military; but this is lampshaded and explained on a semi-regular basis, as well as being a frequent bone of contention between the SGC and their Earth based antagonists (who are occasionally depicted as having a point). For instance, GeneralRipper comments on his discomfort with an alien and an archaeologist being on a front-line Special Forces team, but the logic is that [[BunnyEarsLawyer since they get the job done they can get away with it]], and also the fact that their situation means that they have to play things by ear on a regular basis. Atlantis, meanwhile, was actually intended as a bunch of civilians with a military contingent, since no one had any idea about the Wraith. Thereafter, there are power struggles between the military and civilian wings of the mission (in the military case, mainly from outside - Sheppard, Atlantis' military commander, doesn't always do what Weir says, but he rarely does what ''anyone'' says, and after early friction, supports her unconditionally). However, the civilian contingent largely remains in charge, save for Carter's tenure, for various reasons: mainly, Doctor Weir's force of personality and hypercompetence, her popularity with both subordinates and residents of the Pegasus Galaxy, and the support of the now General O'Neill. After that, it was because of the IOA wanted Woolsey, their own man, in command of Atlantis.
** It was also noted behind the scenes in Season 2 when the then Air Force Chief of Staff was briefly appearing AsHimself, Creator/RichardDeanAnderson asked if he'd ever encountered any Colonels as bad about obeying orders as [[MilitaryMaverick Jack O'Neill]]. The answer was, apparently, "Son, we've got Colonels who're as bad, and worse." RealityIsUnrealistic, it seems.
* ''Series/StargateUniverse''. Icarus Base was strictly a research base, and a pretty laid back one at that; they just happened to have a military contingent in place, as is standard. Nobody was counting on the bad guys shooting up their base, their planet blowing up, and then getting stranded some unGodly distance from Earth onboard a rickety ship that they can't fully control. Add in the fact that they have to fend off power takeovers from within and hostile takeovers from without and it becomes really clear why SMOP (Standard Military Operating Procedure) went out the airlock.

** The above being said, Hawkeye started to straighten up a little bit more when Potter came on board. As often as not, Blake's commands were ignored, and he was known to Hawkeye and Trapper as "Henry". Burns' orders were straight-up disobeyed the few times that [[TyrantTakesTheHelm he took command]], and he was known to pretty much everyone as "Frank" ''if he was lucky''[[note]]In reality, as much of a [[StealthPun major]] horse's ass that Burns was, technically, Hawkeye and Trapper could have been disciplined many times over for insubordination for their treatment of him.[[/note]]. On the other hand, Hawkeye tended to defer to Potter's orders more, and only on a handful of occasions (those being OOCIsSeriousBusiness or YouCalledMeXItMustBeSerious occasions) did he address Potter by his first name rather than his rank. It was mostly because Potter was a very definite ReasonableAuthorityFigure at the camp, unlike Blake, whom Hawk and Trap looked upon as an equal, or Frank who was... well... Frank.