If they’re a subordinate, the villain's lack of concern for their men may be a source of Mistreatment-Induced Betrayal. When an enemy, they are often the Worthy Opponent or Friendly Enemy. Or they might be a mostly off screen character who gives the main characters a reason to try and do better, and to be embarrassed when they make a stupid mistake. Other times, they’re a character who gets called in to deliver an Aesop after the soldiers mess up. This is even if they are good-similar to the 'You're Not My Mother' response given even to kind substitute authority figures. Sometimes they’re used to make the troops unhappy with their new commander. Indeed, an officer who learns You Are in Command Now may find their troops are Losing the Team Spirit over this commander's death-though they can issue a Rousing Speech reminding them that the dead commander would be So Proud of You if they soldier on.

This is probably because they’re far more effective as a saint, and it'd be hard to maintain such an image when he's actually coordinating operations, especially cursed with Hollywood Tactics like they are. They are often utilized more as a device after they have left the scene, as an idealized counterbalance to the incompetent who succeeds them. Then, they will realize that they would have died or failed without their strict training. Sometimes all their soldiers are new this will result in hatred until the soldiers accomplish (or survive) a difficult challenge. However, also expect one of their older veterans to take them aside and tell a nice Pet the Dog story about the commanding officer. In this instance, expect a new soldier transferred to the unit to hate them. Usually this is through a gentle reasoning tone, but sometimes they're a more strict (read: harsh) father/mother figure. They are a source of morale, discipline and stability. This character generally cultivates a father-figure (or mother-figure) atmosphere. Unfortunately, incompetent High Command often handicap or cut their careers tragically short, with their true worth appreciated only by the men they commanded. Strategic, operational, or tactical blunders are usually the fault of those above them or below them. Usually a military mastermind who disdains wave attack carnage and instead will plan so that their faction will have the least casualties possible. And when their subordinates actually die, they will remember all of their names and faces. When their followers are on the losing end of a battle, you better believe that No One Gets Left Behind. In the latter case, they often follow up with treating their subordinate's mistakes as Career Building Blunders. They will own up to any mistakes, even those of their subordinates. They will never lay claim to their subordinate’s work, and will even downplay any credit that is due to them. However, they have no patience with the Glory Hound or the Obstructive Bureaucrat. Staff officers, engineers, The Medic, and the Camp Cook will be treated with respect and made to feel as valued as the troops on the front line. They would never say ' We Have Reserves' unless they have absolutely no choice (and even then you can expect them to privately be torn up about it). A mentor to the officers under them, they take a deep personal interest in their welfare and try to keep them out of harm's way. This commander cares deeply about their men and exhibits it constantly.

Undying loyalty