In the very earliest days of television in the 1940s and early 1950s, our country was still reeling from World War II. As time has marched on, we have waged wars in Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East. Throughout these years, our small screens have brought us many different types of military men and women who have represented the heroes of these and other battles.
One of the earliest successful television series was the Emmy-winning sitcom “You’ll Never Get Rich,” later retitled “The Phil Silvers Show,” which brought us the iconic Sgt. Bilko. Other successful comedies have followed, including “McHale’s Navy,” “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.,” “Major Dad” and the most successful and longest-running “M*A*S*H,” which gifted us a number of memorable characters from the 4077th.
Military series offered one of television’s first ventures into the action genre, with shows such as “The Rat Patrol.” A few years later, “Black Sheep Squadron” chronicled adventures loosely based on the real-life exploits of a WWII flying ace, In the 1980s, “The A-Team” created a pop-culture favorite that remains popular over 30 years later. Cult t.v. favorites such as “Battlestar Galactica” and the “Star Trek” franchise have carried the adventure into outer space, with the mighty military fighting alien species as well as rogue humans.
We’ve also seen how the rigors of military life and war can affect family and impact soldiers, with gritty shows like “Tour of Duty,” “China Beach,” and “SEAL Team” highlighting the affects of PTSD and the pressure military life places on spouses. The dedication these heroes have to their country often carries on after they retire from active duty, with shows like “NCIS” and “Bones” bringing us characters who provide their skills to various government bureaus responsible for solving crimes and fighting terrorism. Other recent programs have included “The West Wing” and “Homeland.”
Tour our photo gallery ranking the 30 best TV military characters of all time. Keep in mind that we decided to only choose one person per series, and some of these choices were very difficult.
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30. Homeland
Image Credit: James Bridges/Teakwood Lane Prods/Cherry Pie Prods/Keshet/Showtime/Kobal/Shutterstock Damian Lewis as Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Nicholas Brody
War hero or POW turned traitor by his al-Qaeda captors? After being a prisoner of war for eight years, Brody returns home to a family who no longer knows him and with memories of years of torture and a perceived betrayal by his country. The conflicts of war, the brutality of PTSD and the harsh perceptions of truth are brilliantly portrayed by Lewis, who won an Emmy for his role.
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29. Airwolf
Image Credit: Globe Photos/Shutterstock Jan-Michael Vincent as Stringfellow Hawke
Vietnam War vet and ace pilot Hawke comes out of seclusion to recover the highly advanced supersonic helicopter dubbed “Airwolf,” for which Hawke served as a test pilot. Once the high-tech device has been recaptured, Hawke and fellow pilot and mentor Santini hold it captive from the U.S. “Firm” that developed it, with the hopes of exchanging it for information on Hawke’s brother who went missing in action in Vietnam. Vincent’s tortured Hawke and the tricked-out title aircraft have gone on to achieve cult status.
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28. Tour of Duty
Image Credit: ITV/Shutterstock Terence Knox as Staff Sergeant/Sergeant 1st Class Clayton “Zeke’ Anderson
After multiple tours in Vietnam, Anderson returns home to a marriage that has been torn apart and a daughter he fears has forgotten him. Although he is able to reconnect with his daughter, and finds a new love interest, he is ravaged by nightmares and concerned for his men who remained behind to fight. He chooses again to leave his happy life to go fight with the men who in turn respect his leadership.
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27. The Rat Patrol
Image Credit: Mirisch-Rich Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock Christopher George as Sergeant Sam Troy
Troy leads a four-man long-range desert patrol group in North Africa during WWII in this action-adventure series. Troy is dedicated to protecting his men and to achieve his mission, and won’t hesitate to destroy anything that threatens his patrol. George himself was a decorated Marine sergeant who served his country first in active duty and later the Reserves, including time during the Korean War.
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26. F Troop
Image Credit: Warner Bros Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock Ken Berry as Captain Wilton Parmenter
He believes himself to be the “Scourge of the West” and assigned to keeping the peace in the remote Fort Courage at the end of the Civil War, but the accident-prone Captain Parmenter is really only being humored by his own officers and the local Indian tribe. The series only lasted two seasons, but the show and Berry’s inept but lovable Parmenter are still well-loved over 50 years after its final episode.
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25. Private Benjamin
Image Credit: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock Eileen Brennan as Captain Doreen Lewis
Gruff Army Captain Lewis tries to whip spoiled socialite Private Benjamin into shape. When the flighty Benjamin becomes popular among her fellow enlistees, she earns the wrath of her tough-as-nails superior, and Lewis makes it her mission to bring Benjamin down. Brennan reprised her Oscar-nominated role from the film in the television adaptation, winning a Primetime Emmy.
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24. The Crown
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Matt Smith and Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
The series chronicles the romance and marriage of the future Queen of England and Philip, highlighting some of the conflicts they endure when she ascends to the throne much sooner than expected. At the time of his famous marriage, Philip has earned the RN rank of Commander following a distinguished career with the British Royal Navy, serving with distinction during WWII. Throughout the series, he can be seen wearing many Orders and medals; he takes great proud in having served his country, and at times misses the excitement of military service.
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23. I Dream of Jeannie
Image Credit: Sidney Sheldon Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock Larry Hagman as U.S. Air Force Captain/Major Tony Nelson
Before he played the ruthless J.R. Ewing in “Dallas,” Hagman was the astronaut who unexpectedly becomes master to a “Jeannie.” She constantly causes upheaval in Nelson’s life, and he has to cover her antics for fear that he might lose his spot in the space program at NASA. However, resident psychiatrist Colonel Dr. Aflred Bellows senses something is amiss and constantly tries to prove that Nelson is crazy, but the intrepid astronaut always manages to foil his efforts and preserves his secret.
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22. CPO Sharkey
Image Credit: Courtesy of NBC Don Rickles as U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Otto Sharkey
The insult comic, himself a Navy veteran who served in WWII, stars as a brash career Navy man in charge of a diverse group of seaman recruits. Although he insults every one of the men, often targeting their ethnicity, Sharkey at heart genuinely cares for every member of his team, and wants to help them as they adjust to life away from home.
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21. NCIS Los Angeles
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS LL Cool J as Sam Hanna
The son of a Marine, Hanna attended military school and is a retired decorated Navy Seal who achieved the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. His specialized training has prepared him to survive torture, handle combat and separate his emotions from his work. In addition, he is an expert on Middle East culture and is fluent in Arabic. This all-around bad-ass is now the lead agent of Special Projects for the NCIS, with a strong sense of duty and little patience for wrongdoing.
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20. Black Sheep Squadron
Image Credit: Snap/Shutterstock Robert Conrad as Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington
Conrad brings to life the heroic actions of real-life U.S. Marine Corps aviator Greg Boyington and his Black Sheep Squadron, who became the “terrors of the South Pacific” during WWII. Dubbed “Pappy” due to the fact that he is older than the other pilots, this ace combat pilot has more air victories than any of the other pilots. He likes to drink and fight when he’s off duty, but as commander of this group of “misfit” pilots, he pulls his men together to get the job done to win the war.
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19. JAG
Image Credit: Nbc/Paramount Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock Catherine Bell as Lieutenant Colonel Sarah “Mac” Mackenzie
Mac overcomes a difficult childhood and early adulthood and joins the Marines, eventually earning her law degree at Duke. She flourishes in a male-dominated world, rising in the ranks to be selected as Commander of Joint Legal Service Center Southwest.
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18. The Unit
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS Dennis Haysbert as Sergeant Major Jonas Blane
This former Army Ranger and Green Beret leads the Alpha Team of a top-secret unit of the Army. “The Unit” only recruits the best of the best, and Blane and his men have undergone extensive and rigorous training, and their wives have to be committed to keeping the Unit secret as well. Blane is loyal to his team and to his mission, committed to fighting terrorism, even when it puts a strain on his marriage.
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17. McHale’s Navy
Image Credit: Sto-Rev-Co Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock Ernest Borgnine as Lieutenant Commander Quinton McHale
U.S. Navy and WWII veteran Borgnine is McHale, the commander of a band of wacky misfits who are always trying to get away with shenanigans despite the watchful eye of their Captain Binghampton. Although McHale tries to control some of the pranks his “goofball” men pull, he just as often joins in and reaps the benefits as they enjoy a leisurely island life in the middle of WWII.
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16. The Phil Silvers Show
Image Credit: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock Phil Silvers as Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko
Living up to his name, Bilko spends much of his time trying to bilk people out of their money through various get-rich-schemes, often involving the officers under his command, and despite the efforts of his commanding officer who tries to catch him. With his trademark smile and brash voice, Bilko can maneuver his way out of any slippery situation. In the very early days of television, Silvers’s show was a hit, winning three consecutive Emmys for the show and one for Silvers, and creating one of the earliest iconic characters for the small screen.
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15. Star Trek: Voyager
Image Credit: Paramount/CBS Kate Mulgrew as Captain Kathryn Janeway
Janeway leads a team of opposing forces who are forced to band together to find their way home after being sucked into an unexplored quadrant of the galaxy. With her calm demeanor and ability to listen with an open mind, she is able to make the most difficult decisions, with her team’s safety and the seemingly impossible goal of returning home paramount.
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14. Game of Thrones
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO Kit Harington as Jon Snow
To overcome the stigma of being Ned Stark’s bastard son, Snow joins the Night’s Watch, eventually rising to the rank of Lord Commander. He is a warrior and a leader, who hovers on the brink of both madness and greatness, cheating death more than once. In one of the biggest and greatest ensemble casts ever created for television, Harington’s Jon Snow stood out, becoming one of the most popular characters.
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13. Major Dad
Image Credit: Universal Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock Gerald McRaney as Major John D. “Mac” MacGillis
The well-ordered life of the staunch Major MacGillis is turned upside down when he falls in love with and marries liberal journalist Polly and becomes a stepfather to her three daughters. The no-nonsense Marine has to adjust to a completely different home life, where he’s not always in charge like he’s used to being.
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12. Bones
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox Television/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock David Boreanaz as Seeley Booth
As a devout Catholic and believer in the value of life, Booth is haunted by his past as an Army sniper, known for his skill and precision. He continues to serve his country as an FBI agent, and is willing to return to active duty when called, eventually earning the rank of Sergeant Major. He is as protective of his family and friends, and is a formidable opponent if crossed, making an unbeatable team with Bones.
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11. The A-Team
Image Credit: Nbc-Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock George Peppard as Lieutenant Colonel Hannibal Smith
A group of former members of an Army Special Forces Unit were court-martialed for “a crime they didn’t commit” following their service in the Vietnam War. Having escaped, the cigar-chomping Smith leads the ragtag team of four who set out to prove their innocence while also hiring themselves out as soldiers of fortune. Masters of disguise and skilled at turning the simplest items into weapons and another useful devices, the group always follows Smith’s outrageous plan that always comes together.
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10. The West Wing
Image Credit: Courtesy of NBC John Amos as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace
The former Navy admiral becomes the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs during much of President Bartlett’s presidency. Although the two initially clash, they eventually come to respect one another, with Bartlett appreciating Fitzwallace’s honesty. As a no-nonsense member of the Cabinet, Fitzwallace is a well-informed by-the-book military man willing to give the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country.
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9. Battlestar Galatica
Image Credit: Sci-Fi Channel/Kobal/Shutterstock Edward James Olmos as Commander/Rear Admiral William Adama
As the leader of the command battleship Galactica, Adama is dedicated to protecting the surviving humans after a massive attack by the Cylons. Even when things seem hopeless, Adama leads with a stoic confidence, years of surviving battle giving him the experience to keep his team safe. Although he can seem emotionally detached, he cares deeply about his team, but he knows he must be militant and strong to win the war.
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8. Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS Frank Sutton as Gunnery Sergeant Vince Carter
Tough as nails drill Sergeant Carter doesn’t quite know what to make of country bumpkin Gomer Pyle, who believes his platoon should be like a family. Hands on hips, nostrils flaring, Carter tries to yell the naïveté out of Gomer and whip him into shape. Although seeming eternally exasperated, Carter eventually softens and becomes a father figure to the private.
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7. China Beach
Image Credit: Abc-Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock Concetta Tomei as Major Lila Garreau
This WWII veteran commands the Vietnam Army base that consists of a bar and a hospital. As a career-Army commander, Garreau is the oldest and most battle-worn, and has seen tragedy first hand and often. She knows that it is the job of the nurses to not only provide medical care to the injured, but to give comfort and a bit of “home” to the boys fighting and dying for their country.
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6. NCIS
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs
His time as a U.S. Marine Corps Scout Sniper has given Gibbs the skills required to lead his NCIS team. A skilled marksman and a man devoted to justice, Gibbs carries the secret of having murdered the man responsible for his first wife’s death. He doesn’t mince words, making him an excellent interrogator, and is a man of principle who follows his set of “Gibbs rules.” He always has the backs of the people on his team, and will protect them and help them in any way he can.
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5. SEAL Team
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS David Boreanaz as Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Jason Hayes
As leader of one of the most elite Navy SEAL teams (Bravo), Hayes is highly respected due to his exceptional skills in the field and his ability to think on his feet. His dedication to protecting his country leads to a difficult home life, even as he deals with the loss of one of his closest comrades.
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4. Hogan’s Heroes
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS Bob Crane as U.S. Army Forces Colonel Robert E. Hogan
As a POW in Nazi Germany, Hogan leads his fellow Allied POWs in secret missions to gain intel from and to sabotage Nazi efforts. Aided by resistance groups and underground tunnels, Hogan charms his way out of tricky situations and cons the bumbling Colonel Klink, who always falls for Hogan’s ruses.
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3. Star Trek
Image Credit: Snap/Shutterstock William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk
He is the original, and arguably, most iconic of the many “Star Trek” captains. He’s a leader who doesn’t ask anything of a team member that he himself is not willing to do, and prefers to use words to dispel a situation. Despite the fact that he often gets his team into ridiculous situations, Kirk is the pioneer that led the way for so many others to boldly go.
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2. M*A*S*H
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock Harry Morgan as Colonel Sherman T. Potter
This “Regular Army” officer has served in two World Wars and is close to retirement, but accepts his assignment as the commanding officer of the 4077th. He can be stern, but also understands the need to “blow off steam” to live through the horrors of war, making him more tolerant than his predecessors of the hijinks that Hawkeye and his crew create, and even sometimes partakes in the merriment. But he never lets it get out of hand, mainly because he cares about his unit and doesn’t want anyone to get hurt or in trouble, and becomes a respected leader and surgeon.
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1. Star Trek: The Next Generation
Image Credit: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard
With his distinctive voice and authoritative demeanor, Picard commands his ship with a combination of firmness and kindness that makes him a respected leader. Although he feels the need to maintain his distance from those under his command, he doesn’t hesitate to speak up for his crew. Picard possesses all the traits you’d want in a man leading you into battle: quietly confident, diplomatic, intelligent and willing to do what it takes to win.
