History Main / StandardSciFiArmy

If any wet navies are present, in all likelihood most (if not all) are submersible craft. Whether it's a carrier, battleship, torpedo boat, or destroyer, it can become submerged and still fulfill its duties below the surface, because if you want to design maritime equipment for those planets that need them, might as well go all the way and cover all needs in one chasis. Common in which the ocean is the main setting or a post-apocalyptic world. Often mirror their [[StandardSciFiFleet space-borne counterparts]] in function. Space-borne ships under a certain size may possibly double as these, complete with going underwater, thus rendering dedicated maritime ships obsolete. Another variation notably seen in [[Franchise/StarWars]] is the use of [[https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Clone_SCUBA_trooper underwater troopers]] fighting around underwater cities rather than vehicle based combat, largely inspired by ''[[Film/Thunderball.]]''

If any wet navies are present, in all likelihood most (if not all) are submersible craft. Whether it's a carrier, battleship, torpedo boat, or destroyer, it can become submerged and still fulfill its duties below the surface, because if you want to design maritime equipment for those planets that need them, might as well go all the way and cover all needs in one chasis. Common in which the ocean is the main setting or a post-apocalyptic world. Often mirror their [[StandardSciFiFleet space-borne counterparts]] in function. Space-borne ships under a certain size may possibly double as these, complete with going underwater, thus rendering dedicated maritime ships obsolete.

* ''FanFic/ToTheStars'', a fic set in the far future of the ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' universe, has a fair few of these. The standard human infantry is a SuperSoldier in PoweredArmor, with extensive implants so they can be as effective as possible. They are accompanied by clouds of drones for deflecting incoming fire and improving firepower. The main character's grandfather is a medic, and the tech level is such that as long as the brain is intact, the soldier can probably be saved if they are recovered in time. Even with all of this, they're outclassed by the alien forces... except for the MagicalGirl corps, who are all even more super than the SuperSoldiers, and use magic to fill a huge range of roles, including air combat, space combat, black ops, stealth enhancement, and the like. The main character uses teleportation to turn her squad into hyper-mobile drop troops.

* ''VideoGame/MassEffect'': The original trilogy places you in the boots of the Special Ops Marine Commander Shepard, who also becomes a political unit during the first game as one of the Citadel Council’s Spectres. The series also heavily features regular infantry as well as the psychic Biotics, with [=APCs=] and tanks being common armor units. The other Council races have a FighterMageThief dynamic going on, with the militaristic turians that focus on infantry, the asari, who are all naturally biotic and organize their soldiers into Commando Huntress teams, and the salarians who are the most technologically advanced race and specialize in espionage.

* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'': Since ''VideoGame/MetalGear'', the series has involved the titular Mecha or mentions the machines. MGS introduces genetically engineered Special Ops, as well as truly Exotic troops. As the series progresses (save [=MGS3=]), the more Sci-fi elements begin to emerge. And even then, VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater involves psychics, a hundred year old sniper with photosynthetic moss in his skin, a jet pack-wearing insane cosmonaut, a guy with superman speed, someone who could control hornets, and a supertank.

* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'': Since ''VideoGame/MetalGear'', the series has involved the titular Mecha or mentions the machines. MGS introduces genetically engineered Special Ops, as well as truly Exotic troops. As the series progresses (save [=MGS3=]), the more Sci-fi elements begin to emerge. And even then, VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3 involves psychics, a hundred year old sniper with photosynthetic moss in his skin, a jet pack-wearing insane cosmonaut, a guy with superman speed, someone who could control hornets, and a supertank.

Each army branch (Infantry, ships, armour, etc.) helps each other, balancing out any weakness. For example, Tanks have great protection and are well-armed, but have poor visibility. Infantry are far less protected than tanks, but are smaller and can take advantage of the tank's blindness. Thus, the tanks need soldiers to protect against infantry, and the foot soldiers need the tank to deal with any enemy panzers.

The Commander, his personal staff, and their support. The Commander, of course, commands the army. His staff provides him with everything he needs to command effectively, from situation and intelligence reports to [[YouGetMeCoffee his morning coffee]]. Supporting troops usually include logistical staff and pilots specifically tasked to get the commander what he needs and where he needs to be, as well as a security detail (which, if the commander is royalty or otherwise Very Important, may include the PraetorianGuard). Usually kept well behind the front lines and not featured beyond establishing who's in charge, but if given any real screen time, there's likely going to be at least one scene where [[AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs the enemy makes a direct attack on the command post]], giving the commander an AuthorityEqualsAsskicking moment to show that he's more than just ArmchairMilitary. If the commander is a FrontlineGeneral, expect the headquarters to be an assortment of trucks and armored vehicles fairly close to the fighting.

Whereas Special Ops and Supersoldiers excel in combat, Political troops are the ideological elite. Whether being the [[PraetorianGuard personal guard of a dictator]] or [[ThePoliticalOfficer improving the troops morale]], they are often loyal to a regime. Fighting ability of said troops varies, since [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking authority doesn't necessary mean being combat savvy]]. For their services, Political troops are well paid, and have the best weapons and equipment. May be attached to regular armies providing support, but commonly used to keep the regular army in check.

* ''VideoGame/MassEffect'': The original trilogy places you in the boots of the Special Ops Marine Commander Shepard, who also becomes a political unit during the first game as one of the Citadel Council’s Spectres. The series also heavily features regular infantry as well as the psychic Biotics, with APCs and tanks being common armor units. The other Council races have a FighterMageThief dynamic going on, with the militaristic turians that focus on infantry, the asari, who are all naturally biotic and organize their soldiers into Commando Huntress teams, and the salarians who are the most technologically advanced race and specialize in espionage.

Travel via [=APC/IFV=] but disembark when needed, thus greater mobility on the battlefield. Occasionally supported by their armed transport, which provides heavy firepower. However, they require more resources for their vehicles (parts, fuel, ammo) as well as support troops on hand to crew the APC.

* '''Armored Personnel Carriers (APC)'''\\

* '''Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV)'''\\

* ''VideoGame/{{Destiny}}'': An after-action report you can find shows that [[TheEmpire the Cabal]], the only enemy faction with a formal, organized military, classify their forces along such lines. When a squad of Sand Eaters line infantry runs into trouble, their commanders deploy increasing numbers of reinforcements, starting with a squad of Sand Eaters tactical infantry from their reserves, then an airmobile squad from the Dust Giants with fire support from their {{drop ship}}, followed by a squad of Blind Legion heavy infantry. None of them survive, because the player characters are {{one man armies}} with ResurrectiveImmortality besides. The report itself was compiled by a Strategic Intelligence Maniple for the eyes of the Skyburner legion's command staff.

* ''VideoGame/{{Destiny}}'': An after-action report you can find shows that [[TheEmpire the Cabal]] classify their own military along such lines. When a squad of Sand Eaters line infantry runs into trouble, their commanders deploy increasing numbers of reinforcements, starting with a squad of Sand Eaters tactical infantry from their reserves, then an airmobile squad from the Dust Giants with fire support from their {{drop ship}}, followed by a squad of Blind Legion heavy infantry. None of them survive, because the player characters are {{one man armies}} with ResurrectiveImmortality besides. The report itself was compiled by a Strategic Intelligence Maniple for the eyes of the Skyburner legion's command staff.

* ''VideoGame/{{Destiny}}'': An after-action report you can find shows that [[TheEmpire the Cabal]] classify their own military along such lines. When a squad of Sand Eaters line infantry runs into trouble, their commanders deploy increasing numbers of reinforcements, starting with a squad of Sand Eaters tactical infantry from their reserves, then an airmobile squad from the Dust Giants with fire support from their {{drop ship}}, followed by a squad of Blind Legion heavy infantry. None of them survive, because the player characters are {{one man armies}} with ResurrectiveImmortality besides.

[[folder:{{Anime}} and {{Manga}}]]

* ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic'': Mithril employs Special Forces that center around Mecha, which a submersible Carrier as a Command vehicle. Gauron and his forces are often Terrorists.
* ''Anime/GhostInTheShell'' and ''Anime/GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex'': Focuses largely on a Cyborg Security/Special Operations group. In the anime, they have support from intelligent Tankettes. Regular military forces are armed with Spider Tanks and Power Armor (which make short work of the Cyborg Special Ops and Tankette group in open combat).

See [[UsefulNotes/CommonMilitaryUnits]] for more information on how armed forces are organized.

*** As befitting a nation that aims to (eventually) conquer all known space and is constantly on the verge of war with the Narn, the Centauri army is as well equipped as [=EarthForce=] but with more advanced technology. They tend to [[BlingOfWar prefer shining armours to camuflage]];

* ''[[VideoGame/NintendoWars Advanced Wars]]'': For the most part, the military units in the games are nothing fancy until AWII. Then the game introduces quasi-Spider Tanks, giant lasers, and the Black Hole forces look high tech. By Dual Strike, they've added Supertanks to their arsenals.

* ''VideoGame/MechWarrior Living Legends'', unlike previous [=MechWarrior=] games [[note]] which only had mechs for the players, as other assets were just CannonFodder in the singleplayer mode[[/note]], is a combined arms game (similar to the ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' series). The standard warfare unit is the [[AMechByAnyOtherName BattleMech]] [[WalkingTank walker]], which varies between [[HumongousMecha 20 to 100 tons]]. The mechs are the most adaptable asset, occupying almost any role, depending on the chassis and its loadout. Aerospace fighters occupy the Dogfighter, interceptor, bombing, recon, close air support, and the [[FutureCopter VTOL]] assets function like helicopters and are used primarily for [[GoddamnBats harassment]] and scouting. Tanks vary from 20 to 95 tons, and come in several flavors; treaded, wheeled, and [[HoverTank hover]] (as in hovercraft with skirts and fans). Tanks are more [[MightyGlacier durable]] than mechs, but slower, and generally very specialized, such as only equipping AntiAir weapons. [[AwesomePersonnelCarrier APCs]] work as resupply points for ammo, and as a spawnpoint for infantry. The game lacks standard [[CannonFodder infantry]], and instead has PoweredArmor, which has a jump pack, missile launchers, a big load of grenades in several flavors, and can carry two weapons, such as lasers or [[GatlingGood autocannons]].

* ''WesternAnimation/SonicTheHedgehogSatAM'': The Saturday morning cartoon had Robotnik command a mixed battle force composed of [[RobotSoldier robotic]] [[http://archive.is/Pybws infantry]], [[http://archive.is/b63PV armored cars]] that can [[TransformingMecha transform]] into [[http://archive.is/OoObe walkers]], [[http://archive.is/HxnYm attack aircraft]] that can double as [[HoverTank hovering]] [[http://archive.is/zBxhH tanks]], [[CoolPlane aerial]] [[http://archive.is/psVpA bombers]], [[AttackDrone Attack Drones]], and the occasional MechanicalMonster. The Freedom Fighters have to make due with simple infantry, forcing them to use [[HitAndRunTactics guerrilla warfare.]]

* ''VideoGame/MassEffect'': The original trilogy places you in the boots of the Special Ops Marine Commander Shepard, who also becomes a political unit during the first game as one of the Citadel Council’s Spectres. The series also heavily features regular infantry as well as the psychic Biotics, with APCs and tanks being common armor units. The other Council races have a FighterMageThief dynamic going on, with the Militaristic Turians that focus on infantry, the Asari, who are all naturally biotic and organize their soldiers into Commando Huntress teams, and the Salarians who are the most technologically advanced race and specialize in espionage.

* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'': Since VideoGame/MetalGear, the series has involved the titular Mecha or mentions the machines. MGS introduces genetically engineered Special Ops, as well as truly Exotic troops. As the series progresses (save [=MGS3=]), the more Sci-fi elements begin to emerge. And even then, VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3 involves psychics, a hundred year old sniper with photosynthetic moss in his skin, a jet pack-wearing insane cosmonaut, a guy with superman speed, someone who could control hornets, and a supertank.

Sometimes there are other air-support vehicles that aren't ''technically'' helicopters - turbofan vehicles are a popular choice for some reason - that show up in this role. Generally speaking though, they fly like helis, they fight like helis, and they'll probably get an ''Film/ApocalypseNow'' ShoutOut like helis.

* ''WesternAnimation/DinoRiders'': Both bad guys and good guys use cavalry. ''[[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs Dinosaur]]'' Cavalry!

** In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' and ''Film/AvengersEndGame'', Thanos makes use of basic alien troops that are more like feral animals than conventional infantry (making them some sort of hybrid between Line Infantry and Terror units) backed up by SuperSoldiers who are indiviually more powerful and tend to have unique abilities. He also has large wheel vehicles that function as heavy armor, and can call in support from space battleships.

[[folder:Film]]

Airborne infantry [[UpToEleven writ large]]. They deploy into the combat zone directly from the ship or from a moving transport in the upper atmosphere, fully expecting to engage the enemy as soon as their boots touch the ground. Usually tasked to clear and secure landing zones ahead of the main force; as such, their role often overlaps with that of the Marines (which may be a source of InterserviceRivalry). Often overlaps with Super Soldiers - even if they pull from the same pool of recruits as regular infantry, they're expected to be a cut above the rest (largely because they ''have'' to be to survive the drop).

-->-- Admiral Wullf Yularen, ''Franchise/StarWars''

Typically a [[IntrepidReporter journalist]] or some [[StrawCivilian politician]], who joins the unit to investigate what is going on the battle field. Occasionally, it's [[TagalongKid some whiny kid]] [[TheLoad who tags along for no clear purpose]]. Unused to weapons, expect them to go in with little equipment let alone any weaponry.

Combining Political, Security and Terror into one mean package. Often based on the RealLife SS Waffen Troops of Nazi Germany. These can often be quite formidable on the battlefield, but their main strength is their ruthlessness towards both enemies and [[YouHaveFailedMe allies who show subpar fighting zeal]]. Often clad in heavy, stylized armor, and generally armed with powerful weaponry. Very often an elite cadre within the Political troops - a StateSec for StateSec.