One well - known fictional military character is Jack Ryan from Tom Clancy's books. He is intelligent and often finds himself in high - stakes military and political situations. He uses his wits to solve complex problems.
Character development is a big characteristic. In fictional military books, the main characters often go through significant changes. Take 'The Red Badge of Courage' for example. The young soldier starts as a naive and fearful boy and gradually becomes more confident and battle - hardened. Another aspect is the portrayal of military life. These books can show the discipline, the training, and the daily routines of military personnel in a fictional yet somewhat realistic way. They also can have political undertones, exploring how military actions are influenced by politics as seen in 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'.
Fictional military characters can inspire readers. For example, they can make readers interested in military history or strategy. A character like Sharpe from the 'Sharpe' series by Bernard Cornwell gives readers a sense of what military life was like in the Napoleonic Wars.
One of the best is 'The Red Badge of Courage' by Stephen Crane. It gives a vivid and realistic portrayal of a young soldier's experience in the Civil War, exploring his fear, courage, and the chaos of battle.
One of the best is 'The Rift' by Walter Jon Williams. It combines military elements with a terrifying otherworldly threat. The military's attempts to deal with the situation in a rational way while facing the horror make it a great read.
Definitely 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu. Although it's an ancient text, it has been a major influence in military thinking. It's full of strategic wisdom that can be applied not only to military but also to various aspects of life. In a fictional sense, it has inspired many military - themed stories.
One of the best fictional military books is 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'. It tells a fictional story during the Spanish Civil War. It shows the complex relationships among soldiers, the civilians, and the political situation. Also, 'The Forever War' is a great read. It uses a science - fiction setting to explore the nature of war, how it changes people, and the futility of some military actions.
Overcoming challenges is also a big theme. Military life brings many challenges like danger, uncertainty, and a strict lifestyle. In fictional military love stories, the couples have to work together to overcome these challenges. For example, in 'A Promise of Forever', the couple has to deal with the military man's deployments and the woman's insecurities about their relationship.
Then there's 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut. It has elements of military life during war and some surreal and disturbing horror - like elements. The main character's experiences in the military and his time - traveling adventures have a touch of the macabre.
In some military - themed movies or books, there might be strong female military characters. For example, in the 'GI Jane' movie, the female character is more focused on her journey of breaking gender barriers in the military rather than having stories specifically about her feet. However, it's not a common or appropriate focus in general military - themed works.