History Main / SergeantRock

* Earl Swagger from Stephen Hunter's novels served with distinction in the United States Marines during [=WWII=] and won the Medal of Honor for his heroism. He then returns to civilian life and becomes an Arkansas State Trooper, where he continues his tradition of badass antics. His son Bob Lee Swagger combined this with ColdSniper during the Vietnam War until a mission went bad, sending him into a tailspin of {{PTSD}} and [[TheAlcoholic alcoholism]].

This trope has its roots in European military structure and class divisions, coalescing in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Sergeant was the highest rank a private soldier could reasonably expect to get to. Therefore, any sergeant around was likely a WorkingClassHero who had come UpThroughTheRanks, and, most importantly, he had come from the same place as the men in his command. Above sergeant, however, there was a career ceiling, and it was ''very'' rare for a sergeant to get promoted to lieutenant (although it did happen). Everyone from lieutenant on upward had likely bought their commission, came from the higher classes, and had never been a common soldier. High birth didn't mean that commissioned officers ''[[CulturedBadass couldn't]]'' be badasses, but it did mean that they couldn't have this sort of relationship with the men under their command.

Has a very, ''very'' high chance of being MadeOfIron and also a badass. If also intelligent and/or educated, there are good chances he will make it UpThroughTheRanks as a commissioned officer. Such officers are known as ''mustangs''.

* ''Literature/{{Sharpe}}'': In the later books, Patrick Harper takes on this role. Interestingly averted when Sharpe himself attained the rank - he spent his days as a Sergeant as an armory assistant in Seringapatam, then an intelligence officer' adjutant, and then as part of Arthur Wellesley's staff. He fits this trope in all but rank later on.

* The sergeant in ''ComicBook/{{Sturmtruppen}}'' is normally a DrillSergeantNasty... Up until the battle starts, at which point they'll use their vast experience to get the soldiers to win the day or at least come out alive. In one occasion, one led a frontal attack on enemy lines, and while it's unlear if it was successful the troop suffered exactly ''one'' casualty... Who was actually a soldier who [[FakingTheDead pretended to having got killed first]] to skip the attack ([[GoneHorriblyRight leading the sergeant to use the "corpse" as a shield against a machine gun nest and an improvised gangway on barbed wire to protect the living soldiers]]).

* Plenty of these guys appear in minor roles on ''Series/{{JAG}}''. Not surprising considering the fact that the [[Creator/DonaldPBellisario creator and showrunner]] was a former Marine. Gunnery Sgt. Victor Galindez is an example of a recurring character on the show who exhibits this trope. Both in the office and after he requests a transfer back to combat duty post-9/11.

Named for the Creator/DCComics character who first appeared in 1958. Rock served in the European Theater of Operations, was known for keeping his head in the ugliest situations, and for [[PreAssKickingOneLiner growling a lot of gung-ho sound bites]]. See ''ComicBook/SgtRock''.

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%% This list of examples has been alphabetized. Please add your example in the proper place. Thanks!

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[[quoteright:350:[[Film/{{Zulu}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sargzulu.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"No comedians, please."]]

* ''[[VideoGame/ModernWarfare]]'' has a few:
** In the sequel, there's Sgt. Foley, is willing to put himself and his squad at risk to get the job done. In one instance, he disobeys a retreat order so that they could continue to cover evacuating civilians.

* Staff Sergeant Nantz in ''Film/BattleLosAngeles''.
-->'''SSgt. Michael Nantz:''' All right, Lockett. You wanna go there. Let's go there. I commanded men and men died. Kids. 19 years old. The best men I ever led. Do you think for a second I wouldn't rather trade places with them? I know you think I got my men killed. They're dead. I'm here. Like the punchline to some bad joke. You think I like that? Do you think a minute goes by that those faces aren't right here\\
''[points to head]''\\
'''SSgt. Michael Nantz:''' seared into my brain?\\
'''SSgt. Michael Nantz:''' Dante, Thomas T. Corporal. 1-5-6-5-0-9-3-8-6.\\
'''SSgt. Michael Nantz:''' Ambruster, William R. Private. 8-7-6-6-6-2-3-5-4.\\
'''SSgt. Michael Nantz:''' Wharton, Jeffrey H. Lance Corporal. 8-7-4-2-7-3-9-9-3.\\
'''SSgt. Michael Nantz:''' Lockett, Duane G. Corporal. 1-5-6-8-7-0-9\\
'''SSgt. Michael Nantz, Cpl. Jason Lockett:''' 5-5.\\
'''SSgt. Michael Nantz:''' Your brother was an outstanding Marine. He was my friend. And I miss him every day. And you remind me of him.

* Captain Price of ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'' fame, especially in ''[[VideoGame/ModernWarfare 4]]''. He may be a jerk, but he cares about his troops, and you ''have'' to respect a man with a mustache like that.

%%* Sergeant Major Jonas Blaine, NCOIC of Alpha Team, ''Series/TheUnit''.






* Plenty of these guys appear in minor roles on ''Series/{{JAG}}''. Not surprising considering the fact that the [[Creator/DonaldPBellisario creator and showrunner]] was a former Marine. Gunnery Sgt. Victor Galindez is an example of a recurring character on the show who exhibits this trope. Both in the office and after he requests a transfer back to combat duty post-9/11.
%%* Buffer and Duchy from ''Series/SeaPatrol'' are the ships Bosuns.
* CPO Miles O'Brien in ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' and ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine''. While his job might change he usually sits in the middle of the command structure grumbling about his orders, trying to keep the vacuum on the right side of the bulkheads and reassuring the newbies.
* Sir Ansgar on the fantasy-themed reality show, ''Series/TheQuest'', who starts out being very harsh with the Paladins (contestants) but gradually warms up to them.
* Despite being a (self appointed) captain, Mainwaring in ''Series/DadsArmy'' has elements of this - on multiple occasions, he chose to do a particularly dangerous task himself rather than endangering his men.

* ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'':
** Sgt. Major Avery J. Johnson ''revels'' in this trope. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPM79fb-_wQ A little-known video]] of him introducing the audience to ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'' at its release party in UsefulNotes/{{Chicago}} gives a [[EstablishingCharacterMoment pretty good indication of his personality]]:
--->'''Johnson''': "Alright all you greenhorns, listen up! My name is Sergeant Johnson. When you are not in my presence you can call me anything your degenerate hearts desire, assuming your tiny brains can string together a couple of cuss-words. But while I'm here, you will address me as 'Sir, yes sir!'"
*** For his full resume, click [[http://www.halopedia.org/Avery_Junior_Johnson here]].
** The Master Chief qualifies as well -- 'Master Chief Petty Officer' and 'Sergeant Major' are the same pay grade. One's just Navy, and the other Army or Marines. Though people who've only played the games would know him as more of a OneManArmy, he's shown in the Expanded Universe to be a capable leader (in fact, he's the de-facto leader of most of the Spartan-[=II=]s).
** There's also lesser-known RecurringExtra Sgt. Stacker - a milder-mannered counterpart to Johnson who can be identified by his soft cap instead of a proper helmet. But he can think of some pretty funny insults against bad guys. In fact, he actually survives the entirety of the original trilogy (along with the [[NationalStereotypes Australian]] Chips Dubbo), and even makes a brief appearance in ''VideoGame/{{Halo 4}}''.
** Sergeant Forge from ''VideoGame/HaloWars''. His men all say "He's the guy you'd want next to you in a foxhole, but you'd never introduce him to your sister." He's even badass enough to go man-to-man against an Arbiter [[spoiler:and win, using an [[LaserBlade Energy Sword]] to finish the job]].
* Captain Narville from ''VideoGame/{{Killzone}} 2'' has a zero tolerance for negativity, but he is respected by his men who knows he takes great risks, and would never ask them to do anything he wouldn't do himself.

* Matilda in ''VideoGame/LastScenario'', a rare female example.

* The Soldier in ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'', although he does not necessarily lead either team. He also ([[IceCreamKoan mis]])quotes and [[MemeticBadass highly reveres]] Creator/SunTzu, which should probably qualify him for CulturedWarrior as well.
** He's also got elements of the GeneralRipper (violent and paranoid), ColonelKilgore ("This is not a camping trip, Sheila! This is war, AND I LOVE IT!"), and of course, the SociopathicSoldier ("I am going to enjoy killing each and every one of you sorry sacks of scum!")
* Musaad, the bonus squad member from ''VideoGame/ValkyriaChronicles''. His ego is considerable, but the guy ''is'' a legend for a reason.
* ''VideoGame/TransformersRiseOfTheDarkSpark'': Although he isn't a sergeant by rank, Onslaught leads the five Combaticons by assertively issuing his orders to his men. And they listen, not just because they don't have a better combat plan of their own, but because that his orders usually wins the battle.
* ''VideoGame/SabresOfInfinity'':
** Sergeant Solhammond Lanzerel is tough, brave, disciplined and of course, not afraid to his hands dirty. He's also got no tolerance whatsoever for baneblooded buggers who are likely to get him or his men killed.
** Sergeant Aethelstan Harlech fits the core of this trope while subverting a lot of the expectations. He's loyal to his men and they to him, and he's always in the mud and blood with them, but he is ''not'' TheReliableOne. His "lads" are more like a street gang than a military unit (though they fight like berserkers once sabres are drawn), and he feels no loyalty whatsoever to the baneblooded officer who he has to serve under. Winning that loyalty takes some doing.
* Varin, the leader of the Brutes tribe, from ''VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga'' is a villainous example. He's a hardass of the highest calibre but, as his [[OffscreenMomentOfAwesome offscreen decimation of the Wolves tribe shows]], he's also an extremely talented military commander whose men are fiercely loyal to him - as shown when the party invades his base. [[spoiler:It's sadly subverted when it's revealed that he truly ''doesn't'' care about them and just wants to escape the Junkyard's ForeverWar]].
* The Head of Security from ''VideoGame/SpaceStation13'' is supposed to be this, being the best equipped member of the security team and directly commanding them from the field. In practice, it can depend on the player.

* Technically, Captain Haile from ''VideoGame/DiabloIII'' is commissioned, but he's definitely got the attitude, toughness, and intestinal fortitude to qualify as a Sergeant Rock. An example:
-->'''Recruit''': ''[panicking]'' Demons! Captain, what should we do?\\
'''Captain Haile''': Private, if you need to be reminded which end of the sword goes where, you haven't been paying attention!

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS7E22 Raging Abe Simpson and His Grumbling Grandson in "The Curse of the Flying Hellfish"]]", Grandpa Simpson is portrayed as a Sergeant Rock; the DVD commentary even notes that World War II-era Abe Simpson was directly based on the Trope Namer.
* Though he was underused as such, Ironhide from ''{{Transformers}}'' (the original) was intended as this kind of character. It shows on occasion.
** Ratchet from ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'' is this.
* Captain Rex on the CG ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' movie and series, especially in the 1st season episode [[LowerDeckEpisode "Rookies".]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* Gunnery Sergeant Jackson from v4 of ''Roleplay/OpenBlue''. Considering he and his squad had to keep up with a sword-tossing WarriorMonk and a highly agile TykeBomb armed with a SinisterScythe [[ReligionIsMagic blessed]] with [[ElementalRockPaperScissors elemental lightning]], he's pretty BadassNormal indeed.
* Sarge from ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'' is a walking parody of this trope. He seems more concerned with keeping up the appearance of this than actually accomplishing anything, and his competence is directly proportional to how closely his situation parallels how he '''thinks''' warfare should go (which is not often.) [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhSwZTVK_mQ#t=01m45s Claims to have been personally trained]] by [[Franchise/{{Halo}} Sgt. Avery J. Johnson.]] (Listed above under VideoGames.)
** Character development late in the eighth season brings him a fair bit closer to playing this trope straight, though.
** Agent Washington is currently serving as this for the Blue Team. Trying his best to mold them into a fighting force with something resembling discipline.

[[folder:Webcomics]]
* ''Webcomic/CryHavoc'''s Karcharoth is TheStoic outside of battle, but changes distinctly into a Sergeant Rock when the lead starts flying.
* The late General Esteban from ''Webcomic/ALoonaticsTale'' was such an outstanding military officer in general that, even though he lacked the capacity to address his men in any tone but "enraged bellow", he was beloved and well-respected by the men and women under his command, and in death is well-regarded by ''both'' sides of a bitter war during which he served.
* Sgt. Schlock in ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'' can be this. Sure, he's an ultra-violent and borderline sociopathic ManChild, but he's also utterly cool under fire, a sound tactician, a skilled fighter, and an excellent battlefield leader. Even though Tagon usually assigns an officer to (barely) keep him under control, once the shooting starts they inevitably follow Schlock's lead. Almost the entire arc of "Massively Parallel" had characters asking, "What would Schlock do?"
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Real Life]]
* Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller, the legendary United States Marine Corps officer whose service would take him from Haiti and Nicaragua, to the bloody Pacific in World War 2, to the frozen hell of the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War. He would earn five Navy Crosses for his service and is, to this day, considered the greatest Marine to have ever lived. Known for the famous line: "We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things." Once he became an officer, he more than qualified as a ColonelBadass, and later, when he became a Marine Corps general, a FourStarBadass. He is very much a MemeticBadass among the Corps and is the example all Marines aspire to.
* Another example from the United States Marine Corps would be Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock, who served as a sniper in UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar (who in addition to being a Sergeant Rock was also a FriendlySniper). During the war he had 93 confirmed kills (although the actual number is estimated to be much higher, with some estimates running in the 200-300 range) and even participated in a highly dangerous mission deep behind enemy lines that resulted in him successfully killing a North Vietnamese general. The North Vietnamese were so scared of him that they nicknamed him "the White Feather" (due to his practice of keeping a white feather in the brim of his boonie cap) and placed a large bounty on his head. His career in the Marine Corps ended when a vehicle he was riding in hit an anti-tank mine. Hathcock heroically pulled 7 marines out of the burning vehicle, while himself receiving horrific burns that would permanently disable him. Today he is regarded as a legend in the Marine Corps, and much of the [=USMC=] Sniper Training doctrine is based on examples set by him.
* The members of UsefulNotes/NapoleonBonaparte's "Old Guard" could all be considered a Sergeant Rock. These were men who had spent almost two decades of their lives following Napoleon across all of Europe and kicking the ass of anyone who got in their beloved General's way. Their sheer fighting abilities, loyalty, and veteran status were so respected by Napoleon that they were one of the few military units whose members could openly complain in his presence without rebuke. This led to them being known as ''Les Grognards'' (The Grumblers). They could also be considered an example of the BadassArmy.
%%* This is the policy for unit commanders in the Israeli army. The head of the unit is the first guy in and the last guy out.
* A Troperiffic, although RealLife example: Sergeant Max Wolff Filho was a WWII Brazilian Sergeant Rock, down to the gung-ho sound bites. His last known words (to a soldier who asked him for a knife) "Krauts aren't fowl". This was 17 days before V-E day, no less. Still, it was probably his own fault that he didn't quite manage to be the last casualty in the ETO; he should have known better than to speak about returning home to his little daughter. For his deeds, not only was the Brazilian Army's Sergeants' School (among others) named after him, but also a Distinguished Service medal for Sergeants and Ensigns.
[[/folder]]

* Sgt. Apone from ''Film/{{Aliens}}'' is also a textbook example.
-->'' All right, sweethearts, what are you waiting for? Breakfast in bed? Another glorious day in the Corps! A day in the Marine Corps is like a day on the farm. Every meal's a banquet! Every paycheck a fortune! Every formation a parade! I *love* the Corps!''

* Color-Sergeant Bourne in ''Film/{{Zulu}}'' is practically the trope codifier.
-->'''Pvt. Cole:'' Why is it us? Why us?\\
'''Colour Sergeant Bourne''' : Because we're here, lad. Nobody else. Just us.
















%%* Duke from ''Film/GIJoeTheRiseOfCobra''.
* 'Sarge' from ''Film/{{Doom}}'' (Played by [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson Dwayne]] [[{{Pun}} 'The Rock']] [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson Johnson]]) is an inversion — he starts out the most respected member of the crew but gradually steers his team towards immoral actions and is eventually [[FaceHeelTurn infected by the monsters.]]
%%* Sgt Kinnie (James Whitmore) in ''Battleground''
* Sgt Rolf Steiner from the book and movie versions of ''Film/CrossOfIron''. Slightly subverted, as the character was inspired by real-life NCO Johann Schwerdtfeger, who had the oakleaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, making him even more highly decorated than the nonetheless bemedalled Steiner played by James Coburn in the film. In both the book and the movie, Steiner drives the action and is often the only one still calm when things turn bad. All the soldiers in his platoon look to him for leadership and guidance, and fall apart when he absents himself from them.
* ''Film/SevenWaysFromSundown'': Henessey is a grizzled old sergeant of the Texas Rangers who takes the rookie Seven under his wing and does his best to teach him, guide him and keep him alive.
* Sergeant Apone from ''Film/{{Aliens}}'' is pretty much this. Played by Al Matthews, a real-life Marine who was the first black Marine to be promoted to sergeant during the Vietnam War, he has many memorable lines and has influenced many other sergeant characters in future works.
--> ''"All right, sweethearts, what are you waiting for? Breakfast in bed? Another glorious day in the Corps. A day in the Marine Corps is like a day on the farm. Every meal's a banquet! Every paycheck a fortune! Every formation a parade, I love the Corps!"''
* ''{{Film/Zulu}}'': Colour Sergeant Bourne definitely qualifies. While he is very stern and commanding with his troops, he still shows signs of softness like comforting Private Cole's HeroicBSOD and [[RealMenLoveJesus quoting Psalm 46]] to help ease his soldier's tension from the oncoming Zulu attack.
* In ''Film/TheOddAngryShot'', Harry is the corporal in command of Patrol 22. He is the longest serving member, and is doing his second tour of duty in Vietnam. He does his best to keep everyone alive and keep their spirits up no matter what happens.

* Pretty much every sergeant in the ''Literature/McAuslan'' series. But particularly Regimental Sergeant-Major Mackintosh, who served twelve years in the Scots Guards and then in the Commandos during WWII, and is utterly unflappable. Although Sergeant Baxter is TheNeidermeyer among them.
* 1st Sgt. Welsh in ''Literature/TheThinRedLine'', although several other [=NCOs=] (e.g. Bell) qualify as well.

* ''Literature/{{Sharpe}}'': In the later books, Patrick Harper takes on this role. Interestingly averted when Sharpe himself attained the rank - he spent his days as a Sergeant as an armory assistant in Seringapatam, then an intelligence officer' adjutant, and then as part of Arthur Wellesley's staff. He fits this trope in all but rank later on.
* "Jelly" Jelal of ''Literature/StarshipTroopers'' was a sergeant and fit the trope of getting the job done, whether the troops liked him personally or not. [[DrillSergeantNasty Sgt. Zim]] also counts, once [[spoiler:he takes to the field and captures the Brain Bug.]]
* From the ''Literature/{{Starfist}}'' series of books, Hammer Schultz is a perfect example, even thought he's a Lance Corporal
* ''Literature/HonorHarrington'' positively ''revels'' in this trope, with [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters many examples]], including the one of the most memorable Sergeant Rocks around -- [[spoiler: Sir]] [[AntiHero Horace]] [[BigBrotherMentor Harkness]].
* In the ''Literature/PhulesCompany'' series, there's a sergeant who literally changed his name, appearance and accent just to emulate the perfect British Sergeant-Major-- and he's not even British.

* ''Literature/DeathStar'' has Master Chief Petty Officer Tenn Graneet, head gunner on the Death Star, was like this to his men. He wasn't a bad boss at all provided that they did their jobs well.
* ''Literature/XWingSeries'': Wedge Antilles might be softer than most examples on this page, being MildlyMilitary and a ReasonableAuthorityFigure who will handily forget regulations and rules if it's in someone's best interest. Even so, to the RagtagBandOfMisfits on their LastSecondChance who he forms into Wraith Squadron, he can at times be ''extremely'' cruel. He berates and scorns Kell Tainer for cowardice and folding up when people need him; cuts down Tyria Sarkin for attacking another pilot; all but taunts Castin Donn for being [[FantasticRacism uneasy around nonhumans]]; mocks Myn Donos. It actually helps them shape up, and the same people he's cruelest to, when they make the effort, he is extremely protective. He looks out for them.
* Creator/DaleBrown books have {{Ranger}} Sergeant Major Ray Jefferson and [[SemperFi Marine Corps]] now-Master Sergeant Chris Wohl, who won't take any nonsense from their officers.
* Colonel TR Steele of the ''Literature/TourOfTheMerrimack'' series. Not kind, not polite, but definitely the person you want watching your back when fighting a HordeOfAlienLocusts.
* Gretchen was something of a Sergeant Rock to the other camp followers in ''Literature/SixteenThirtyTwo''.
* Valiar Marcus from ''Literature/CodexAlera'' is a somewhat odd example of this trope, because [[spoiler: In addition to being an experienced centurion and managing to be given "Valiant" as his actual legal name, he's also Fidelius Ex Cursori, a spy.]]
* Jubal Branch in the ''Company Z'' series by Creator/JTEdson. And Billy Jack from the ''Civil War'' series.
* Alaric the Grey Knight is promoted after the [[Literature/GreyKnights first novel]], but he starts as Justicar -- their analog of Sergeant. He is little bit more low-key than the trope's standard too. [[spoiler: While he gets to be Acting Brother-Captain at the end of the first book, afterwards he is returned to the rank of Justicar. This was because the higher ups distrusted his unusually imaginative and curious mind.]]

* Staff Sergeant (later Gunnery Sergeant) Torin Kerr of the ''Literature/ConfederationOfValor'' series lives, breathes, eats and excretes this trope. An excellent example of the trope, as the first book has her being a Sergeant Rock not just to her subordinates, but also to a newly minted second lieutenant assigned as her superior.

* ''Literature/StarksWar'' has the titular Sergeant Stark, and also a lot of the other sergeants we meet. They contrast sharply with most of the commissioned officers, who are on a spectrum between "useless" and "active liability", being ArmchairMilitary who direct (or rather, screw up) combat operations via remote communications link. The troops certainly consider their sergeants more solid and reliable than their officers.

%%* Sergeant Major Jonas Blaine, NCOIC of Alpha Team, ''Series/TheUnit''.
%%* Master Sergeant Ronald Greer is rapidly on his way to becoming this in ''Series/StargateUniverse''.
* In ''Series/ThePacific'', Sgt. John Basilone fits this trope, but not as much as badass Sgt. Elmo 'Gunny' Haney.

* Staff Sergeant (later Sergeant First Class) Zeke Anderson in''Series/TourOfDuty'', especially in the first few episodes.

%%* Color-Sergeant Bourne in ''Film/{{Zulu}}'' is practically the trope codifier.
%%* Sgt. Apone from ''Film/{{Aliens}}'' is also a textbook example.
* Tom Sizemore's Sergeant Horvath from ''Film/SavingPrivateRyan''. [[spoiler:His reaction to being shot ''twice'' is "I just got the wind knocked outta' me, I'm fine."]]
* Barnes in ''Film/{{Platoon}}'' - at least to most of the platoon. Even the Heads respect (and fear) his abilities, even if they want him dead.

* Sgt Foley from ''Film/AnOfficerAndAGentleman''.
* After learning the ropes from his DrillSergeantNasty instructor, Carl Brashear goes on to become a Naval Master Diver and reaches the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer in ''Film/MenOfHonor''.
* Sergeant Major Rawlins, played by Creator/MorganFreeman, in the 1989 movie ''Film/{{Glory}}''.
* In ''Film/HeartbreakRidge'', Gunnery Sergeant Tom Highway played by ''Creator/ClintEastwood'' is made of this trope.
* The unnamed Sergeant played by Lee Marvin in ''Film/TheBigRedOne''.
* Staff Sergeant Nantz in ''Film/BattleLosAngeles''.

* Big Joe (Creator/TellySavalas) from ''Film/KellysHeroes'' is a veteran sergeant who's got de facto leadership of his platoon thanks to the captain being a lazy idiot who spends more time profiteering than leading. Unlike the captain, Big Joe has earned every ounce of respect he gets from his men.
* John Styker (John Wayne) in ''Film/SandsOfIwoJima'' (and about any other war movie Creator/JohnWayne made).
* ''Film/TheGuardian2006'': Kevin Costner. He is a Petty Officer training rescue swimmers for the Coast Guard. He is something of a DrillSergeantNasty and believes in TheSpartanWay, but that is because he is a perfectionist about saving lives. He is also ToughButFair and very much MarriedToTheJob.
* Sykes from ''Film/{{Oblivion 2013}}''. Complete with one-liners, JackBauerInterrogationTechnique, and BigDamnHeroes moment.

* Hiruma from ''Manga/{{Eyeshield 21}}'' acts like one to his team. He may be a serious {{jerkass}} that his teammates fear, but they all genuinely respect him and are genuinely loyal to him.
* Batou and the Major can be pretty strict on their subordinates in ''Anime/GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex'' but really care about them and do everything they can to protect them.

* The aforementioned Comicbook/SgtRock of Creator/DCComics, of course.

* Parodied by Creator/AlanMoore in his series ''ComicBook/{{Supreme}}'' with "Sergeant Strong and his Gold-Brickin' Dogfaces." Parodied ''again'' by Moore in the Image crossover ''Judgment Day'' with "Battlin' Baron and his Roarin' Roughnecks." (These also parody Nick Fury and his Howlin' Commandos, but the art style is clearly meant to evoke Sergeant Rock.)

%%* Combat Kelly was another Marvel character who qualified.
* Cherr in "Sgt. Cherry and her Squealing Commandos" in ''Cherry Comics'' #12.
* Captain Simon Savage from ''Captain Savage and His Leatherneck Raiders''. Creator/MarvelComics really love this trope.
* In a ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'' story, while helping a team of marines to escape a timeless dimensional pocket, Ben Grimm (not the Thing at that moment) shows badass command skill. The actual marine sergeant offers him a job as [[DrillSergeantNasty drill sergeant]] on the spot.

* Sgt Rock's nearest TransAtlanticEquivalent was actually an officer: [[http://britishcomics.wikia.com/wiki/Captain_Hurricane Captain Hercules Hurricane]], Royal Marines commando and possible metahuman. He's not always the easiest guy to work with, having quite the HairTriggerTemper and very little patience for anyone who can't meet his high standards, but when it all kicks off he leads from the front. Especially when he has [[UnstoppableRage a "ragin' fury"]].

* Telny has this role in ''[[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/81159/1/racer-and-the-geek/predawn Racer And The Geek.]]'' Out of all the mercenaries, he's one of the more aggressive and skilful ones.
* In ''[[Fanfic/SlippingBetweenWorlds Slipping Between Worlds]]''. junior British army officer Philip Holtack meets a ''lot'' of sergeants, both on Roundworld and on the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'', and finds himself concluding that however they differ in appearance, aptitude, applied life skills and personal inclination, they are ''all'', without exception, chips off Sergeant Rock. Even, in his own personal way, Sergeant Fred Colon.
* The plot of ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/2784825/1/Old-Soldiers-Never-Die Old Soldiers Never Die]]'' is touched off when Harry ends up asking for help from a group of these-cum-[[RetiredBadass retirees]] who collectively come up with a way to remove the 'retiree' from their titles, and [[MajorlyAwesome give Harry the authority to back it.]]

%%* Ronin from ''WesternAnimation/{{Epic}}''.

* [[Cherry Comics Cherry]] in "Sgt. Cherry and her Squealing Commandos".

* Sgt Rolf Steiner from the book and movie versions of ''Cross of Iron''. Slightly subverted, as the character was inspired by real-life NCO Johann Schwerdtfeger, who had the oakleaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, making him even more highly decorated than the nonetheless bemedalled Steiner played by James Coburn in the film. In both the book and the movie, Steiner drives the action and is often the only one still calm when things turn bad. All the soldiers in his platoon look to him for leadership and guidance, and fall apart when he absents himself from them.

* Series/BabylonFive has this in the one-shot character Sergeant Major Plug. He comes aboard as the chief enlisted Marine in a battalion of several thousand, and is first seen arresting several Marines for brawling, regardless of who had the moral high-ground. He shouts constantly, seems to treat his men like trash and likes phrases like "mutant maggots," but, at the end of the episode, is decent enough to give a female Marine a minute to give her lover a kiss goodbye as they head off for combat.
%%* Sgt. Chip saunders (Vic Morrow) in ''[[Series/Combat1962 Combat!]]''

%%* Duke from ''WesternAnimation/GIJoe''.

* In ''Film/TheOddAngryShot'', Harry is the corporal in command of Patrol 22. He is the longest member, and is doing his second tour of duty in Vietnam. He does his best to keep eveyone alive and keep their spirits up no matter what happens.

** The ''literal'' sergeant rock in ''Bizarro Comics'' Green Lantern Reserves story.

* Kevin Costner is this in ''Film/TheGuardian''. He is a Petty Officer training rescue swimmers for the Coast Guard. He is something of a DrillSergeantNasty and believes in TheSpartanWay, but that is because he is a perfectionist about saving lives. He is also ToughButFair and very much MarriedToTheJob.

* [[ComicBook/CherryComics Cherry]] in "Sgt. Cherry and her Squealing Commandos".

* ''{{Film/Zulu}}'': Colour Sergeant Bourne, who provides this trope's [[ImageSource head image]] and [[QuoteSource quote]], definitely qualifies. While he is very stern and commanding with his troops, he still shows signs of softness like comforting Private Cole's HeroicBSOD and [[RealMenLoveJesus quoting Psalm 46]] to help ease his soldier's tension from the oncoming Zulu attack.

* 'Sarge' from ''Film/{{Doom}}'' (Played by [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson Dwayne]] [[{{Pun}} 'The Rock']] [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson Johnson]]) is an inversion - he starts out the most respected member of the crew but gradually steers his team towards immoral actions and is eventually [[FaceHeelTurn infected by the monsters.]]

%%* Sgt. Chip saunders (Vic Morrow) in ''Series/{{Combat}}''

* [[ActionGirl Sgt.Tamara Calhoun]] in the ''Hero's Duty'' game in ''Disney/WreckItRalph''.

** Played straight with Sergeant Jackrum in ''Discworld/MonstrousRegiment''. While Corporal Strappi (TheNeidermeyer and ThePoliticalOfficer) bullies the weaker members of the squad, Jackrum is protective of them, while pushing the ones he thinks will push back, at the same time making sure Lt. Blouse (EnsignNewbie) gives the right orders.
** Sergeant-at-Arms John Keel[[spoiler:/Commander Sam Vimes]] in ''Discworld/NightWatch''. The original version taught young Vimes everything he knew, and helped keep the city together during a revolution. The second version... ''also'' taught Vimes everything he knew and helped the city through a revolution.

** When Vimes isn't [[spoiler:standing in for his dead commanding officer in order to repair the timeline]], he's more of a ColonelBadass. Vimes' BattleButler, Willikins, ''definitely'' fits the trope, though, when he joins the military in ''Discworld/{{Jingo}}.''