If you enjoy military fiction, you've probably seen the stories of super-heroes blowing stuff up in battle. This fiction shows war as a battle of good and evil. Heroes enter battle with cool technology. They either win the battle, or they lose it. Sometimes, they even die. You can find military fiction upbeat, sad and even disturbing. It can also be very entertaining, especially when done well.
Character
Military sci fi novels and films describe the role of military organizations and tactics in conflict scenarios. Stories are inspired by actual Earth conflicts. However, the stories alter the location, technology and weapons to make them more plausible. For example, countries in Starship Troopers are replaced with planets or similar galaxies, and battleships are replaced with spaceships. There are also different structures in the storylines, like chains of command.
Setting
Sci Fi is best when the setting is military. While this genre often depicts a future where the military rules the world, it also explores the present, and the people who are caught up in it. This genre is a great place to make social commentary. Starship Troopers (by Robert Heinlein) focuses on how citizens can shape the destiny their country's future. In addition, The Forever War by Joe Halderman is based on Halderman's experiences as a Vietnam war veteran.
Storyline
In military science fiction novels, there are several ways to create a compelling storyline. You can start by studying the chain of command of a weapon system. Figure out how the higher levels of command operate, and what kind of autonomy each level has. Think about the structure of checks and balances. In the U.S., for example, all services have an inspector general that checks in on the major commands.
Conflict
In sci-fi stories, military conflict is a common theme. Many battles in these stories are fought between military and sometimes alien forces. These stories often stress traditional military values and emphasize the role of willpower and military virtues.
Invasion stories
Science fiction military thrillers often deal with invasions. While invasion stories have a long history in the genre, they've changed over time. Invasion stories have appeared from Soviet infiltration to Communist conquest over the past century. Many invasion stories today focus on the threat posed in China by communist China. Not only does this threat threaten the physical integrity of the US, but it also threatens its own economic well-being.
Genres of sci fi military fiction
There are many different types of sci fi military fiction. Star Wars isn't a great example of sci fi military fiction, but there are many movies and books that include military action. A few examples are Battlestar Galactica, Space: Above and Beyond, and the CoDominium series.