History Main / MildlyMilitary

** Played straight a lot of the time despite a lot of characters shouting about hierarchy and such, but even on their worst day ''Galactica's'' crew are still much more professional than many examples of this trope. Commander Adama, for example, while reasonable and [[AFathertoHisMen A Father to His Men]] also doesn't hesitate to deal firmly with insubordination or unprofessional performance.

* In ''ComicBook/{{Asterix}} [[Recap/AsterixTheLegionary The Legionary]]'', both Asterix and Obelix join the Roman Legionaires to rescue a friend who had been forcibly conscripted into Caesar's army to battle against Scipio. They proceed to dismantle the army's power structure by taking up their colleagues' work load during the training to speed things up, forcing the CampCook to change the military meal to fit their tastes, and generally overriding their commanding officer's orders. By the time the group leave Rome, everyone have gotten used to following the Gauls' pace (while blatantly ignoring their superiors' authority), and they pretty much do what they want.

* ''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. In addition, the Joes' observation of TheChainOfCommand zigzags. 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. Meanwhile, 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 (an Air Force captain) and Green Beret lieutenant Falcon, but also seamlessly assumes command if Hawk is ever missing, indisposed, or otherwise unavailable. This, however, is explained by the simple fact that Duke is the second highest authority as far as the '''G.I.Joe''' command structure is concerned where Duke is formally second-in-command [[note]] The Joes have their own chain of command which differs from the ranks used in the regular military. For example, while Ace and Doc are two of the highest ranking members according to their regular military ranks (as both are captains in the Air Force and Army respectively), neither are in the chain of command. In Ace's case, this is because he prefers being a pilot on the front line rather than worrying about the paperwork, in Doc's case this is because as a medic he's supposed to avoid combat anyway[[/note]]. Warrant Officer Flint, Hawk's designated third in command, is also guilty of this to a lesser degree.

* Marvel's ComicBook/{{SHIELD}} is a frequent offender. Crowning examples include their highest authority being either an agent with no prior leadership experience, much less any idea what her rank even allowed her to do, or even more impressive, a young woman no older than her mid-twenties at the most. Of course, this was a political appointments, and such things do happen in real life... but more often in corrupt developing countries than modern First World states.
* PlayedForLaughs in ''ComicBook/TankVixens''. Of course, given the comic is set in a universe where battles can be won by "pose power", it is perhaps not surprising that the 101st Tank Crushing Battalion in no way resembles a conventional military unit.

* [[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 generals who are still on Earth - Col. Sheppard, Atlantis's military commander, doesn't always do what its civilian leader Dr. 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 civilian International Oversight Advisory wanted Woolsey, their own man, in command of Atlantis.
** It was also noted behind the scenes in Season 2 of ''SG-1'' 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 [[UsefulNotes/WeAreNotTheWehrmacht the Bundeswehr]] actually took the part of soldiers growing their hair long even further, as this [[https://www.amusingplanet.com/2019/08/the-german-hair-force-militarys-failed.html article]] attests, doing that during the late 60s and early 70s. When it turns out that lice, dirt, and the risk of hair and skin disease could affect the morale, the Bundeswehr listened to the more traditional-minded officers and reinstated short hair, something with few modifications in the 90s has been the standard since.

* ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia's'' Valuan Empire seems to avert this trope for the various mooks seen around. However the higher up the chain of the command you go the less militaristic it becomes. Seems that the Admirals are hand picked for their individual talents (or political connections) and once given command are free to do pretty much what they want to get the job done. Ramirez for example is Galcian's Vice-Captain at the start, dispite having no background in any military or sailing organizations, and then later given admiralship and command of his own fleet. The UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube version provides backstory that show Ramirez did rise through the ranks, starting off as a regular Valuan soldier and advancing rapidly due to his abilities.

* 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 (you're probably not going to have to sleep in a ditch). 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.

* ''WesternAnimation/ExoSquad'' being about a war in the future of the solar system, naturally has a lot of characters in the military, which someimtes leads to inaccuracies. It's not as bad as some shows, especially considering this is a cartoon, but Able Squad sure does get away with a lot. In the first episode Lt. Marsh leads an unplanned expedition to Olympus Mons on Mars, and Captain Marcus is about to punish them for it, until Admiral Winfield covers for them. They do get punished later, after the war starts, when Marcus takes command of the fleet and Marsh refuses to follow an order, on the grounds that Marcus' actions would lead to everyone being killed, and Marcus intends to execute Marsh for it. Marcus' plan nearly does get everyone killed, until Winfield resumes command, and Marsh's sentence is reduced from death to a year in the brig, a punishment shared by the rest of Able squad for breaking Marsh out to save him from execution. Under Admiral Winfield, they never really had issue with any of his orders. Also, the rank system seems a bit vague at times. Able Squad has three lieutenants in it, one sergeant, and the rest are presumably Exo Troopers (which is probably equivalent to Private). Maggie Weston is a technician, and therefore probably not in the normal chain of command, but that doesn't explain why both Marsh and Burns are lieutenants. (The closest thing to an explanation is a brief segment narrated by Admiral Winfield which talks about how some people say that Burns is inexperienced, implying that perhaps she was a fresh graduate from officer training at the start of the series then assigned under a more experienced officer to learn the trade.) This gets cleared up later in the show when Marsh is promoted to Commander. To add to the confusion, in one episode, a character talks about when Lt. Marsh was an Ensign, which is the only time a Naval rank is mentioned in regards to an E-Frame pilot.

* ''WesternAnimation/ExoSquad'' being about a war in the future of the solar system, naturally has a lot of characters in the military, which someimtes leads to inaccuracies. It's not as bad as some shows, especially considering this is a cartoon, but Able Squad sure does get away with a lot. In the first episode Lt. Marsh leads an unplanned expedition to Olympus Mons on Mars, and when Captain Marcus is about to punish them for it, until Admiral Winfield covers for them. They do get punished later, after the war starts, when Marcus takes command of the fleet and Marsh refuses to follow an order, on the grounds that Marcus' actions would lead to everyone being killed, and Marcus intends to execute Marsh for it. Marcus' plan nearly does get everyone killed, until Winfield resumes command, and Marsh's sentence is reduced from death to a year in the brig, a punishment shared by the rest of Able squad for breaking Marsh out to save him from execution. Under Admiral Winfield, they never really had issue with any of his orders. Also, the rank system seems a bit vague at times. Able Squad has three lieutenants in it, one sergeant, and the rest are presumably Exo Troopers (which is probably equivalent to Private). Maggie Weston is a technician, and therefore probably not in the normal chain of command, but that doesn't explain why both Marsh and Burns are lieutenants. (The closest thing to an explanation is a brief segment narrated by Admiral Winfield which talks about how some people say that Burns is inexperienced, implying that perhaps she was a fresh graduate from officer training at the start of the series then assigned under a more experienced officer to learn the trade.) This gets cleared up later in the show when Marsh is promoted to Commander. To add to the confusion, in one episode, a character talks about when Lt. Marsh was an Ensign, which is the only time a Naval rank is mentioned in regards to an E-Frame pilot.

* ''WesternAnimation/ExoSquad'' being about a war in the future of the solar system, naturally has a lot of characters in the military, which someimtes leads to inaccuracies. It's not as bad as some shows, especially considering this is a cartoon, but Able Squad sure does get away with a lot. In the first episode Lt. Marsh leads an unplanned expedition to Olympus Mons on Mars, and when Captain Marsh is about to punish them for it, Admiral Winfield covers for them. They do get punished later, after the war starts, when Marcus takes command of the fleet and Marsh refuses to follow an order, on the grounds that Marcus' actions would lead to everyone being killed, and Marcus intends to execute Marsh for it. Marcus' plan nearly does get everyone killed, until Winfield resumes command, and Marsh's sentence is reduced from death to a year in the brig, a punishment shared by the rest of Able squad for breaking Marsh out to save him from execution. Under Admiral Winfield, they never really had issue with any of his orders. Also, the rank system seems a bit vague at times. Able Squad has three lieutenants in it, one sergeant, and the rest are presumably Exo Troopers (which is probably equivalent to Private). Maggie Weston is a technician, and therefore probably not in the normal chain of command, but that doesn't explain why both Marsh and Burns are lieutenants. (The closest thing to an explanation is a brief segment narrated by Admiral Winfield which talks about how some people say that Burns is inexperienced, implying that perhaps she was a fresh graduate from officer training at the start of the series then assigned under a more experienced officer to learn the trade.) This gets cleared up later in the show when Marsh is promoted to Commander. To add to the confusion, in one episode, a character talks about when Lt. Marsh was an Ensign, which is the only time a Naval rank is mentioned in regards to an E-Frame pilot.

* ''WesternAnimation/ExoSquad'' being about a war in the future of the solar system, naturally has a lot of characters in the military, which someimtes leads to inaccuracies. It's not as bad as some shows, especially considering this is a cartoon, but Able Squad sure does get away with a lot. They got thrown in the brig once for a year by Captain Marsh for refusing to follow an order that may have cost them the war, which is pretty harsh, but under Admiral Winfield, they never really had any issues. Also, the rank system seems a bit vague at times. Able Squad has three lieutenants in it, one sergeant, and the rest are presumably Exo Troopers (which is probably equivalent to Private). Maggie Weston is a technician, and therefore probably not in the normal chain of command, but that doesn't explain why both Marsh and Burns are lieutenants. (The closest thing to an explanation is a brief segment narrated by Admiral Winfield which talks about how some people say that Burns is inexperienced, implying that perhaps she was a fresh graduate from officer training at the start of the series then assigned under a more experienced officer to learn the trade.) This gets cleared up later in the show when Marsh is promoted to Commander. To add to the confusion, in one episode, a character talks about when Lt. Marsh was an Ensign, which is the only time a Naval rank is mentioned in regards to an E-Frame pilot.

** Catachan soldiers are essentially all {{Franchise/Rambo}}es InSpace if they'd been cast in ''{{Film/Predator}}'', and are about as disciplined as you'd expect Vietnam-era Special Forces soldiers with giant muscles to be. Where Commissars have the "Look out, sir!" rule that lets a trooper [[TakingTheBullet Take The Bullet]] for him, Catachans had a special rule called "Oops, [[SarcasmMode sorry sir!]]" where the Commissar attached to them ''[[{{Fragging}} doesn't even make it to the battlefield]]''.

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. They do not have to shave their faces and their hair can be styled in any way you'd see on a civilian. 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]].

While we would like to assume such [[OrganizationIndex organizations]] are highly disciplined in real life, the reality is it will vary depending on the service in question and the situation they are involved with. It can be justified as not being a standard military but is a combined military/civilian organization, a special operations group whose members usually operate independent of the regular chain of command (and possibly of each other), or is a group that merely uses a vaguely similar infrastucture and rank system. 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 production on how the military actually operates.

And sometimes, the apparent lack of discipline is the [[JustifiedTrope whole point]]: some military organizations in fiction land are not disciplined because they ''do not need'' discipline to begin with. Either the members are [[TheSquad competent]] or simply [[BadassCrew badass]] enough so that "normal" discipline is not necessary any more, or the common cause they are fighting for and/or the charisma of their leader is enough to ensure their efficiency when it is time to get serious; in such cases, the Mildly Military organization is actually a group of TrueCompanions with the size and the firepower of a standing army. If well written, it can impress the audience by letting the [[BewareTheNiceOnes apparently laid back]] characters show just how [[LetsGetDangerous frightfully competent they really are]] and even make a valid point. Done poorly, it can quickly fall into the realm of FridgeLogic.

* ''VisualNovel/GalaxyAngel'': Most of the Elsior's crew, barring the commanders, is composed of civilians. Partially justified because the Elsior was originally a ceremonial ship, forced into active military duty due to Eonia's coup d'etat, and because they're the only ones who know how to operate the LostTechnology the ship is made of.

* In [[UsefulNotes/SovietRussiaUkraineAndSoOn Soviet Union]] most universities had a kind of ROTC attached to them, called "voennaya kafedra" that trained all the male students as the reservist officers. Naturally, being the civilian students who weren't generally expected to serve, they didn't take to their training seriously. So, when they ''were'' sometimes called to service (they have the same term as the enlisted draftees, two years, so one of their nicknames was "двухгодичники" "dvukh-goh-deech-ni-ki" - "two-year-ers"), they were the definition of that trope — leading to the other nicknames, such as "Partisans" for the attendees of refreshment courses and "Jackets" for the serving ones.

* This trope and its relation to the ''Star Trek'' franchise is discussed in ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekLowerDecks'' episode "Reflections", when a group of scientists mock Starfleet, asking why they wear a uniform and get into armed conflicts like a pseudo-navy. Boimler, as part of his TheReasonYouSuckSpeech, says that Starfleet ''doesn't want'' to be the last line of defense against armed aggressors, but they do it for the greater good.

* Surprisingly, the ''Manga/OnePiece'' Marines tend to fall into this. Aokiji goes off on his own to track down Robin, with the Five Elder Stars merely complaining that he should be mindful of his rank. Officers above Lieutenant (and even some lower ranking ones) are not required to wear the uniform, although the preferred uniform for higher-ranking offices is a suit with the "justice" coat, and there are no grooming standards to speak of. Discipline tends to vary between officers, as Garp doesn't seem to mind his men telling him to help fix the wall he broke while breaking in to surprise Luffy, while one soldier who objects to destroying a Marine battleship to kill Luffy immediately gets executed on the spot by Vice-Admiral Onigumo. Officers are sometimes referred to by name and "[[UsefulNotes/JapaneseHonorifics -san]]" rather than their rank. And these aren't even the [[MilitaryMaverick mavericks]] like Smoker or corrupt officers like Morgan.

* ''Film/Ravenous1999'': Invoked. Fort Spencer, 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. Colonel Hart is a bookish, nerdy man who seems totally unfit for command, Major Knox is a [[TheAlcoholic massive lush who's almost never conscious]], Private Toffler has some kind of unexplained disorder and is always trying to write religious hymns, and Private Cleaves is always [[TheStoner getting high on locoweed]] with George, one of the fort's two Native American camphands.

** Played with. Arc-SWAT is a military organization, and members are given ranks and expected to act appropriately befitting those ranks. They're even given basic training including firearms, despite the fact that most of them are more lethal than the average tank. That being said, supers are incredibly rare, so the team is forced to take what they can get. It seems like ninety percent of them spend half their time in remedial PR courses. On the plus side, dress code is relaxed.

** ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' gradually sheds the mildness of its crew as it becomes clear there is a cold war brewing between the Dominion and the Federation. Once the war goes hot the introduction of the Defiant, which is a legitimate warship[[note]]Though still referred to as an [[InsistentTerminology escort vessel officially]].[[/note]] and not an exploration & science vessel and bringing over Worf to command it sees the mildness dropped entirely. Pretty much verifying what fans had long figured: Starfleet ''wants'' to be primarily an exploration and science service, but it ''becomes'' a proper military [[BewareTheNiceOnes when it has to]], and is a powerful one.

* The Military Channel's ''Special Forces: Untold Stories'' shows re-enactments of operations conducted by real special forces soldiers. These are supposed to be the best of the best, but whenever they're on screen, they look and act like they've never carried weapons and behave in ways that makes them look more like new recruits than special forces soldiers. For example, any time two or more of them are together, they clump together like Cheerios, creating an easy target. This is probably not only the actors' inexperience, but also because the director is trying to get them all into the camera's view.

** In the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam original series]] and ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'', this was justified by the ship having an inexperienced CO and a crew that weren't technically military. In fact, Bright specifically explained to another officer in one episode of Mobile Suit Gundam that he tried to be relaxed about military protocol on the White Base in order to ease his mostly-civilian crew into their roles.

* It should be noted this is {{Defied}} with the Republic Of Korea Army as they strictly adhere to discipline, conduct, and regulations. As such, exhibiting this kind of lax behavior is grounds for punishment, 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.).

* [[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 generals who are still on Earth - Col. Sheppard, Atlantis's military commander, doesn't always do what its civilian leader Dr. 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 [[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 - Col. Sheppard, Atlantis's military commander, doesn't always do what its civilian leader Dr. 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.