History Main / MilitaryMage

** Established as early into the series as the first game, ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsInTheSky'', is that what singlehandedly changed everything the world over was the creation of the Orbment, which used specialized magical rocks called 'Quartz' to introduce MagicFromTechnology. While mostly known for its effect on communications - and, naturally, how the ability to communicate over long distances near-instantly changed how wars were fought - Orbments also allowed for massive flying battleships and Orbment-powered tanks, weapons, and soldiers. The nation the first series in the wider work takes place in, Liberl, was once considered one of the weakest backwaters on the continent of Zemuria - the use of Orbments to create a massive, deadly air force changed a losing war with the massive Empire of Erebonia into a winnable fight, with Orbment-equipped soldiers being the backbone of the effort to get Erebonia evicted from the nation.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsInTheSky'' sees the narrative turn to a military academy and, later, a branch of that academy for deliquents and students with special needs. The actual classes on military strategy ''all'' tout the significance Orbments have on the battlefield, allowing for mass communications with the lastest models that trumped the 'home-phone' style communication orbments of the past and making warriors who aren't physically imposing or crackshots with ranged weaponry veritable beasts with their access to magic. Even potential soldiers, like Laura, who have no skill in magic itself still benefit from Orbments, since magic that empowers others and the magical might drawn from a personal Orbment like an ARCUS allows people with prodigous martial skill but little talent in magic to grow even stronger.

* ''LightNovel/TheGreatestMagicmastersRetirementPlan'': Originally, magic was mainly used to support people's daily lives, but the Fiend invasion forced humanity to focus on military applications for magic. This also led to the establishment of academies to train prospective Magicmasters. Depending on the magic one specializes in, one can become suitable for specific roles, such as how wind magic can be used to survey an area and gather intelligence.

* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': The Kushan military employs sorcerers as {{Mook Maker}}s for their ability to spawn fanatically loyal {{Super Soldier}}s from a special {{Magitek}} "Man-Made [[ArtifactOfDoom Behelit]]", and as ''de facto'' officers for their ability to possess animals (usually tigers, crocodiles, and elephants, but occasionally also whales and large pterodactyl-like creatures) and give them supernatural strength and loyalty. [[SorcerousOverlord Ganishka]], [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking the Kushan Emperor]], is himself a OneManArmy capable of assuming a NighInvulnerable mist form and wielding powerful lightning magic.

** While he is largely preoccupied with being a SorcerousOverlord, Emperor Palpatine uses his own Force powers largely for military intelligence, basing his military strategies on what he has foreseen with his Force clairvoyance. He's fully capable of [[AuthorityGrantsAsskicking throwing down]] when the need arises, it's just that it seldom does after he solidifies his political power.

*** General Leo also acts primarily as an officer, leading the siege of Doma Castle but never taking the field himself that we can see. He's [[AuthorityGrantsAsskicking more than capable]], however, having a unique multi-target magical Shock attack not equaled by the party until the endgame. [[spoiler: Unfortunately, the only time we see him use it is when he's fighting Kefka after the latter gets a massive NextTierPowerup, and Leo comes down with a fatal case of TheWorfEffect.]]

* ''Fanfic/{{Emperor}}'': Harry begins as the OneManArmy version in the British Army, while a few others act as Special Forces. After TheMasquerade is broken, mage soldiers begin to join in other roles.

* '''Officers''': The WizardClassic is known for wisdom, and the fact that WizardsLiveLonger means they can rack up [[TaughtByExperience a lot of combat experience]]. Sometimes, this can be such a deciding factor that their magical prowess is almost secondary: their talents are wasted on the field, and they belong in command. Other times, they end up here because AsskickingEqualsAuthority, and who kicks more ass than a wizard? Often overlaps with Support and Intelligence roles, for a field commander who supernaturally knows all the best strategies and makes their men better fighters just by being there.

** While he is largely preoccupied with being a SorcerousOverlord, Emperor Palpatine uses his own Force powers largely for military intelligence, basing his military strategies on what he has foreseen with his Force clairvoyance. He's fully capable of [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking throwing down]] when the need arises, it's just that it seldom does after he solidifies his political power.

** After [[spoiler: merging with the memories of [[{{Reincarnation}} his previous life]]]], Rand, already the ''de facto'' [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority supreme commander of several militaries]] and a living artillery piece, becomes a full-on OneManArmy. The only reason he can't win the Last Battle all by himself is that it's the sort of fight that requires ''several'' armies.

*** General Leo also acts primarily as an officer, leading the siege of Doma Castle but never taking the field himself that we can see. He's [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking more than capable]], however, having a unique multi-target magical Shock attack not equaled by the party until the endgame. [[spoiler: Unfortunately, the only time we see him use it is when he's fighting Kefka after the latter gets a massive NextTierPowerup, and Leo comes down with a fatal case of TheWorfEffect.]]

* The Imperial Court Magic Corps Special Missions Annex in ''LightNovel/AkashicRecordsOfBastardMagicInstructor'' is an elite unit of mages that serves the Alzano Empire and handles special threats that are too much for ordinary mages. Glenn used to be a member, but he left.

* ''LightNovel/TheGreatestMagicmastersRetirementPlan'': Originally, magic was mainly used to support people's daily lives, but the Fiend invasion forced humanity to focus on military applications for magic. This also led to the establishment of academies to train prospective Magicmasters. Depending on the magic one specializes in, one can become suitable for specific roles, such as how wind magic can be used to survey an area and gather intelligence.

* ''LightNovel/SagaOfTanyaTheEvil'', Mages serve as specialized military units. They have weaker firepower than artillery and lower speed and altitude than aircraft, but are more flexible and maneuverable than either. These attributes make them the best type of military unit for urban guerrilla warfare and special operations. The main character, Tanya von Degurechaff is an Aerial Mage and an [[OneManArmy exception to the aforementioned description]] as she is capable of taking down entire platoons of mages and bomber planes by herself.

[[quoteright:350:[[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/roy_mustang_2003.png]]]]

* ''LightNovel/ReignOfTheSevenSpellblades'': Gnostic Hunters are wizards who essentially act as counterinsurgency operators. Their job is rooting out and destroying cults of the gods of the solar system's other planets, which have the potential to cause TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt.

* In ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/17993579 What a decade brings]]'', a ''Anime/LittleWitchAcademia'' fanfic, Luna Nova fights an ApocalypseCult alongside Jegertroppen (the Hunter Squadron), a real-life Norwegian all-female squadron that in the fic employs witches. Subverted at the end, where UN treaties crack down on the use of magic in warfare.

** Several of the WitchSpecies races, such as the [[OurElvesAreDifferent Altmer (High Elves)]] and Bretons (mostly human {{Uneven Hybrid}}s), employ rank-and-file soldiers who are naturally gifted in the skills of magic and use spells to supplement their more standard combat abilities.

* In''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'':

[[quoteright:350:[[Manga/FullmetalAlchemist https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/roy_mustang_2003.png]]]]

* '''Military Intelligence''': Common for {{Court Mage}}s when the monarch they serve goes to war. They may scry out enemy positions or strategies with a CrystalBall or other method of magical intelligence-gathering. {{Seer}}s may predict their side's success or failure in more general terms and let their lord know when the omens favor war.

* ''LightNovel/SagaOfTanyaTheEvil'', in alternate world Mage is a type of military unit. They have weaker firepower than artillery, their speed and altitude is lower than an aircraft. They can move more flexibly than a helicopter, yet are rare to supply troops. They are also known as the best type of military unit in urban guerrilla warfare and special operations. The main character, Tanya von Degurechaff is an Aerial Mage and an [[OneManArmy exception to description above]] as she is capable of taking down 1 VS 12 odds and bomber planes by herself.

* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'': Inquisitors,, Dark Side users trained by Darth Vader, are tasked with hunting and killing Jedi who escaped [[ThePurge Order 66]], as well as tracking Force-sensitive infants. They're a combo of Officers (nobody but Vader and Palpatine seems to outrank them) and Special Forces (they usually go alone or in small groups of two or three). Kanan and Ezra could be considered as this when they join the larger Rebel Alliance, as Special Forces.

* In ''Literature/TheLaundryFiles'', the titular British occult intelligence service's magic users are generally glorified desk jockeys, but if they ever get called into the field they usually serve as scouts, specialists, and officers. ''Franchise/JamesBond''-style stunts happen once in a blue moon, if ever. Being an intelligence agency, their muscle is typically provided by regular guys with guns and anti-occult training. The few mages who ''are'' strong enough to be one-man armies end up in management.