History Main / MildlyMilitary

* [[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 [[VillainHasAPoint having a point]]). For instance, GeneralRipper comments on his discomfort with an archaeologist and an alien 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.

* ''Webcomic/AirForceBlues'': The comic takes place in a more-or-less realistic Air Force, but the characters are totally absurd, if [[BunnyEarsLawyer inexplicably competent]]. Leia's uniform violations [[IncrediblyLamePun would never fly]] in the real Air Force, and Barbie's manner of speaking to those above and below him in rank is unprofessional, to say the least.

* ''Film/Ravenous1999'': Invoked. The shithole fort that Boyd is [[ReassignedToAntarctica reassigned to]] after being a DirtyCoward in the Mexican-American War is populated exclusively by outcasts and rejects and it's in the middle of nowhere in the Californian wilderness, meaning none of them(except for [[SociopathicSoldier Reich]]) feel any inclination to actually act like they're in the army all the time.

** In ''Literature/{{Jingo}},'' the Ankh-Morpork army is thrown together in a hurry (the place hasn't needed one for a while), by a bunch of {{upper class twit}}s who believe that breeding and ethnic superiority will be enough.

-->'''Shepard:''' Good to see you, sir.\\

* ''Franchise/GIJoe'', as we all know, "America's Highly Trained Special Mission Force", consisting of the elite of the nation's armed forces. As such, Joes enjoy privileges like extremely lax uniform and grooming regulations. Joes sporting full beards, non-regulation haircuts and battle togs including baseball caps, sports jerseys, blue jeans, sunglasses and/or full face masks are pretty much par for the course. But the most egregious breach of military protocol is arguably the Joes' extremely loose observation of chain of command. Three-star army General Clayton "Hawk" Abernathy, by virtue of his appropriately high rank, pretty much averts this as the overall Commander and head honcho of the team. But Duke, G.I. Joe's First Sergeant, despite never accepting a promotion to a rank higher than E-8 (Enlisted), is nevertheless universally recognized as Hawk's immediate second-in-command and not only gives orders to officers such as fighter pilot Ace and Green Beret lieutenant Falcon, but also seamlessly assumes command if Hawk is ever missing, indisposed, or otherwise unavailable. Warrant Officer Flint, Hawk's designated third in command, is also guilty of this to a lesser degree.

* Spitfire from ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' acts [[DrillSergeantNasty the part]], but her tendency to allow her recruits to talk back to her in public, her encouragement of SociopathicSoldier behavior, somewhat loose loyalty to her squadmates, questionable leadership abilities, and her thinking it was in any way okay or a good idea to grab Scootaloo by the neck/shoulders and shake the kid while screaming in her face reflects very poorly on her as an officer. It's justified a little by ''both'' the common reasons, her squad is both a special forces division and straddles the line of military/civilian, and Rainbow Dash has delivered a couple of WhatTheHellHero speeches to her about these tendencies.

** The team is split into two groups. On the one side, you've got Coulson, May, and Ward, three professional SHIELD agents who are used to giving and taking orders. On the other side, you've got [[TheDividual Fitz-Simmons]] and Skye, the first two being a pair of quirky scientists who act like they share a brain, and Skye being a BoxedCrook who was living out of her car. On the first mission where they all go into the field together, Skye breaks radio silence to ask Ward about the bathroom issues that arise when they're not allowed to leave the van. They don't even have ranks, per se; just security clearance levels.

* In ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'', the Integrity Knights are the closest thing the human lands of the Underworld have to a standing army, but Bercouli, their commander, is fairly relaxed with regards to etiquette, as seen when he insists that Alice, his protégé and subordinate, not salute to him.

* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoViceCityStories'' Has the game start off in a military base where the main character and a few important {{Non Player Character}}s are shown to be wearing their uniform improperly. And no one on the base ever seems to mind.

** In ''Recap/ObelixAndCo'', The garrison of Totorum has degraded to just lazing around marking time until they get rotated out without any thought of drill, discipline, or even doing actual soldiering. Their replacement unit is utterly horrified when they see this. Then they get into a fight with Obelix and realize that trying to be a crack unit in this part of Gaul just isn't worth the effort, and settle down to do the same thing themselves.

* The United States Lighthouse Board (1852-1910) was like this as well. It consisted of uniformed Army and Navy officers who oversaw lighthouses, but of course their expertise was primarily technical and logistical. The postings were often relatively comfortable, with each officer having his own house at the post, and allowed to have his family live with him.

** By ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ'', Bright has more-or-less given up trying to maintain discipline on the ''Argama''. At one point, when Judau is going off on yet ''another'' unauthorized excursion, and Astronage asks Bright if it's okay, Bright replies with "''You'' stop him if it's not." [[spoiler: The ''Nahel Argama'' isn't even a military unit, it's a partisan ship under Beecher's command, and discipline involves squabbling with TheCaptain until he does the right thing.]]
** On the flip side of the Universal Century, Axis Neo-Zeon is barely functional as an organization, and are held together more by personal loyalty to Lady Haman than by military discipline; individuals tend to screw around freely, subordinates either try to manipulate their superiors or simply disobey orders, and their commanders range from [[TheStarscream treacherous]] to [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} flat-out insane]]. [[spoiler: Not surprisingly, Neo-Zeon eventually [[EnemyCivilWar splits in half]] when Haman's most powerful subordinate decides to take the throne for himself in mid-war.]]

* ''Literature/LegendOfTheGalacticHeroes'' 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]].

* ''Film/{{Aliens}}'': James Cameron has admitted that the {{Space Marine}}s came off as a lot less disciplined than actual Marines; rather, they were more a reflection of Vietnam-era regular Army conscripts. The behavior is semi-justified by TheReveal of [[spoiler: Burke's plan to bring the xenomorphs back to the company]] and the fact that the inexperienced Lt. Gorman is in charge. Some specific examples:

* The Kelvinverse ''[[Film/StarTrek2009 Star Trek]]'' and its sequels have a lax attitude to military discipline, the main characters only occasionally obey orders without [[RulesLawyer arguing about regulations]], and romance between shipmates is allowed. At one point in ''[[Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness Into Darkness]]'', an [[LampshadeHanging officer actually mentions]] that Starfleet is supposed to be [[JustifiedTrope exploration focused rather than primarily military]]. On the other hand, Kelvinverse Starfleet is much more willing to punish wrongdoing than in the original timeline - unlike in ''[[Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan The Wrath of Khan]]'', when Kirk cheats on [[UnwinnableTrainingSimulation the Kobayashi Maru]] he's put on academic suspension, and when he breaks the Prime Directive in ''Into Darkness'' he loses captaincy of the ''Enterprise'', and only gets it back [[spoiler: because he's the fall guy for the villains]].

* In ''Literature/TheLostFleet'' series the Alliance navy has become this after a century of constant warfare and massive attrition in the officer ranks. Neither officers or enlisted personal salute anymore and ship captains actually get to vote on the fleet commanders battle strategy. When Jack Geary is put in charge of the fleet he reintroduces saluting and makes sure that his orders are followed without any voting. His main problem is that he does not have enough senior competent officers to replace all the idiots and glory hounds who refuse to follow his orders. The only units who still maintain proper military discipline are the Marine detachments. However, even they are frequently subject to this due to the insistence of ship and fleet commanders on micromanaging their actions during ground and boarding engagements. It is a little strange that this is allowed, as Marines are supposed to have their own chain of command. Another strange (and idiotic) thing that appears to be par for the course is the fact that, whenever a ship commander is rescued from captivity, he or she immediately demands to be put in command of an appropriate ship. The current ship commander is expected to be reassigned elsewhere. Geary is incredulous and initially assumes it's a joke. After all, why would anyone replace a competent ship commander, who, likely, has a good working relationship with the crew, with someone who has spent months or even years as a prisoner-of-war, simply because of seniority? After all, the person who's currently in command of that ship has earned that right, and reassigning him or her in favor of some GloryHound would be an unfair punishment. The only reason the war's been grinding on for a century of brutal, bloody stalemate is because the military of [[OneNationUnderCopyright the Syndicate Worlds]] are as bad or worse, with a command structure that's half feudal and half ''office politics''. [[spoiler: That a third-party is subtly playing both sides against the middle to keep humanity's two largest power blocs squabbling amongst themselves probably has something to do with all the above.]]

** You disobey a direct (and sensible) order from your CO to get some rest and (probably) go AWOL along with your team and a helicopter pilot to Costa Rica for the last level to hunt down some terrorist dude. Rather than being disciplined for misappropriating equipment, going AWOL on an unauthorised mission you are [[spoiler: offered a promotion to Deputy Director!]]
** Another example occurs in the prologue. [[spoiler: Gabriel Nowak disobeys an order to hold fire, and in doing so starts a firefight in a roomful of hostages that gets a negotiator killed. And yet, he wasn't kicked off the team for this; he simply doesn't get a leadership position. This affront was apparently enough for him to become the BigBad and kill civilians in Vegas]].

* ''VideoGame/AceOnline'' makes it clear that the mercenary unit Free S.K.A. is said to have "more personal issues", but is just as good as regular Bygeniou army. The instant giveaway is however Operator Gina herself; no army employs their personnel with BareYourMidriff uniform with fishnets!

* In ''Fanfic/{{Fractured}}'', a ''Franchise/MassEffect''[=/=]''Franchise/StarWars''[[spoiler:[=/=]''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'']] [[MassiveMultiplayerCrossover crossover]] and its sequel ''Fanfic/{{Origins}}'', this is mostly played straight by the [[Franchise/StarWars Trans-Galactic Republic]]. Especially the case compared to the more resource-constrained Citadel races as Star Destroyers are both [[BiggerIsBetter larger]] and [[StarshipLuxurious more comfortable]] due to being [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien more advanced technologically]] wherein building such opulent ships isn't really an issue. Furthermore, the politicians of the Home Galaxy have made the seemingly-silly distinction that the Trans-Galactic Republic [[ExactWords has no military]], only "protection" forces (Spacelane, Planetside). Hence, on [[LoopholeAbuse that technicality]], being "non-military" fits, even if the ships are [[MileLongShip huge]] and [[TheBattlestar armed to the teeth]]. Never mind that the legal system still calls it "Standardized Regulations of ''Military'' Law." This is even lampshaded--something along the lines of "We follow the parts that help us do our jobs, but ignore things like 'rules regarding hair length.'"

* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': The main cast are college-aged aspiring Huntsmen learning how to use their innate powers to defend their home kingdoms. Those kingdoms already have their own military and police forces, which are as regimented as would be expected, but Huntsmen are actually ''encouraged'' to be as free-spirited, distinct, colorful, and individualistic as they can be without sacrificing efficiency. This is because eighty years before the setting's present, the world was wracked by a simultaneous interstate conflict, fascist uprising, and a struggle for civil rights, and the survivors took up a tradition of ColorfulThemeNaming, to remember they had fought against fascists who wanted to stifle all forms of art and self-expression. The fact that the Kingdom of Atlas has merged their Huntsmen and their military, and are much more regimented as a result, is generally considered a bad thing by everyone else. [[spoiler:The difference between them ends up being explored during the Atlas Arc when BigBad Salem arrives in the Kingdom of Atlas and the heroes and Atlas Military Huntsmen have different thoughts on how to handle the situation and eventually turn against each other as a result.]]

* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': The main cast are college-aged aspiring Huntsmen learning how to use their innate powers to defend their home kingdoms. Those kingdoms already have their own military and police forces, which are as regimented as would be expected, but Huntsmen are actually ''encouraged'' to be as free-spirited, distinct, colorful, and individualistic as they can be without sacrificing efficiency. This is because eighty years before the setting's present, the world was wracked by a simultaneous interstate conflict, fascist uprising, and a struggle for civil rights, and the survivors took up a tradition of ColorfulThemeNaming, to remember they had fought against fascists who wanted to stifle all forms of art and self-expression. The fact that the Kingdom of Atlas has merged their Huntsmen and their military, and are much more regimented as a result, is generally considered a bad thing by everyone else.

** The Vanguard's leadership consists of three Guardians, one representing each class. The Hunter Vanguard, who was never happy with the position (having got the seat because he lost a bet), died a few years ago after slipping out alone on an unsanctioned field mission. He has yet to be replaced, initially because every eligible Hunter immediately found a reason to be as far from headquarters as possible to avoid being selected.

* It should be noted this is {{Averted}} with the Republic Of Korea Army due to their strict adherence to discipline, conduct, and regulations. As such, exhibiting this kind of lax behavior is generally frowned upon, and expects their troops (including their commanders) to display rigid forms of discipline regardless of circumstance. This is one of the major reasons as to why the [=ROKA's=] Entertainment Unit was [[https://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/23/world/asia/south-korean-celeb-soldiers/index.html permanently disbanded]] as they are able to do things that the regular grunts from other divisions can't (such as visiting massage parlors, bars and clubs, etc.).

* The Netflix series ''Series/AnotherLife2019'' takes this to an extreme. Uniforms were done away with years before, the chain of command seems to depend more on consensus and intimidation ([[AsskickingEqualsAuthority and occasional violence]]) than actual rank, insubordination is common, and fraternization is rampant and even encouraged. The lack of discipline plays a major part in the expedition's disastrous course and high death toll, as nearly everything that goes wrong happens because someone wasn't following orders.

* There's some question as to how professional your unit is going to be in the various ''VideoGame/MechWarrior'' games. There isn't a lot of character ''per se'' until around the time of ''Mechwarrior 3''. Before then, you played a member of the extremely martial [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Clans]] for much of ''Mechwarrior 2'', and the Inner Sphere based ''1'' and ''2: Mercenaries'' had very little interaction with the chain of command, though your lancemates in ''2: Mercs'' varied from military professionals to mouthy psychos--at least they'd obey orders. Come ''3'', however, and you get your DeadpanSnarker lancemates getting mouthy with MissionControl, and not an awful lot of professional behavior out of people who are ostensibly professional soldiers on a commando operation of significant importance. This trend increases as the series goes on through ''Mechwarrior 4'', ''4: Black Knight'', and ultimately ''4: Mercenaries'', where your character has a callsign, a personality, and a tendency to make cracks at everyone, including the people trying to kill him and the people who cut his checks. No, your lancemates don't get any less sarcastic and individualistic as time goes on, either. In the TournamentPlay for the games, every unit had their own internal rules, but the trend is that units favoring the Clans adopted a more rigid FantasticRankSystem based on the system the Clans use in [[Tabletopgame/BattleTech the boardgame]], with players gaining rank by completing a [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority Trial Of Position]] against their clanmates, while Inner Sphere units are more egalitarian, such as the Knights of the Inner Sphere and 12th Vegan Rangers of ''Living Legends'' having no real leadership outside of one person to handle the paperwork for matches and a volunteer lance leader in each match.

* Villainous example: the Horde from ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'' is run in such a slapdash fashion that when one Force Captain, [[spoiler:specifically Scorpia]], just ''up and leaves'' in the fourth season, it takes the Horde leadership several days to actually notice, including multiple days when [[spoiler:she]] was actually supposed to be working.

** Reportedly, the PPDC's esoteric rank system is a result of Guillermo del Toro's desire not to seem like he was glorifying militarization. Instead, he tried to evoke a Western feel, hence the loose discipline, why Stacker Pentecost is a Marshal, and why the pilots he commands are called Rangers.

* ''Film/PacificRim'': Stacker's "last hurrah", by del Toro's design (he's a pacifist). Noticeably, he stops wearing a uniform and switches to a civilian suit, albeit one that looks a lot like his uniform. The closest thing they have to a command structure is him as "Marshall", then Mako in an unranked secondary role, and that's about it. [[AllThereInTheManual Supplemental material]] goes into a little more detail, explaining multiple divisions and some of the intricacies of how they interact. Mako would appear to be the "Kwoon Fightmaster", in charge of combat training. The organization itself is the Pan-Pacific Defense Corps. By the time of the main plot that chain of command effectively no longer exists, and Slacker's command is slapped together from whatever and whoever he can get his hands on and funded by the last dregs of budget and side deals with profiteers.

* It should be noted this is {{Averted}} with the Republic Of Korea Army due to their strict adherence to discipline, conduct, and regulations. As such, exhibiting this kind of lax behavior is generally frowned upon, and expects their troops (including their commanders) to display rigid forms discipline regardless of circumstance. This is one of the major reasons as to why the [=ROKA's=] Entertainment Unit was [[https://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/23/world/asia/south-korean-celeb-soldiers/index.html permanently disbanded]] as they are able to do things that the regular grunts from other divisions can't (such as visiting massage parlors, bars and clubs, etc.).

* Played with throughout ''Anime/PumpkinScissors''. The eponymous group are often derided by the public and other military bodies for being this way, and it was because of this reputation that Oreldo joined. Given their dangerous missions during the series, this label doesn't really hold up, although the relationships among the protagonists does kind of fit the mildly military idea.

* [[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 archaeologist and an alien 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.

** 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 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 just as Starfleet has developed a warp engine fast enough for significant travel and exploration. But because of the lack of experienced officers much of the crew resembles a military service less than it does in any other incarnation of the franchise, the ship being staffed by a number of former test pilots, aliens serving in exchange programs and civilian conscripts (the pilot, Ensign Mayweather, technically had more space travel experience than the senior staff due to growing up on a family freighter running supply lines). Cosmetically, though, the uniforms resemble real world flight suits and have mission patches. The [=MACOs=] (Military Assault Command Operations), however, are essentially the 22nd century answer to the Marine Corps. While taking a few liberties the [=MACO=]s observe military protocol, wear camouflage uniforms, use real-world small unit combat tactics and have a tighter chain of command discipline. 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 dangerous territory to meet with a hostile force, but remain part of the crew afterwards.

* ''Series/MotherlandFortSalem'': Despite Fort Salem serving as a training ground for the US Army, with the witches themselves being conscripts who will be deployed into combat once their training finishes, there are very few trappings of military life present. The presentation is more as a WizardingSchool with an emphasis on combat magic, as opposed to an actual army.