Starship Troopers

Narrator and assistant section leader on his first non-com drop; trembles with nerves but executes the raid and attempts pickup of a wounded comrade.

Assumes platoon-sergeant role after Rasczak's death; nominates Rico for corporal; stabilizes the unit by behaving as if the lieutenant is merely out of sight.

First section leader who doubles as the platoon's padre figure; gives blessings before drops; his name is later mentioned as the source of Rico's chevrons.

Experienced squad leader who advises Rico to go career, predicts his trajectory with sardonic clarity, and prompts Rico's interior reckoning about citizenship and enlistment motives.

Member of Ace's squad found critically wounded with a hole in his armor; carried to retrieval by Rico and Ace.

Legless, armless veteran stationed at the Federal Building recruiting desk; actively discourages enlistment and explains the harsh realities of service.

Rico's civilian friend, mentioned retrospectively among those whose support shaped Rico's luck; killed earlier in the narrative.

Apparently invincible drill instructor whose private shame over Hendrick's failure devastates Rico's assumptions; monitors Rico's simulated exercise and personally escorts him to punishment.

Commanding officer who appears in Rico's orderly duties and disciplinary proceedings; works hard, skips meals, and delivers cutting reprimands quietly; contrasted with Zim as equally capable but more dashing in style.

Fellow recruit court-martialed and flogged for striking an instructor; Rico identifies with him while using his punishment as a reason to consider desertion.

Retired colonel whose classroom lectures on moral instinct, survival, duty, and rights recur as flashback exposition shaping Rico's philosophical development.

Small, mathematically gifted classmate who enlists as a pilot candidate; ships out as cadet midshipman (probationary).

Recruit who deserted two days into Camp Currie, remained AWOL four months, murdered a baby girl, was reclaimed by military jurisdiction, and publicly hanged—teaching Rico the M.I. principle of collective responsibility.

PFC who grudgingly takes Rico as supernumerary on the Klendathu assault and warns him bluntly to stay out of his way.

Initially furious at Rico's enlistment; revealed at the Fleet landing field to have himself enlisted and achieved the rank of corporal in the M.I., reconciling with Rico in an emotional reunion.

Female captain of the Rodger Young; receives a handmade model ship signed by the platoon as thanks for a masterful retrieval rendezvous; responds with tears and kisses.

Acting platoon leader on Planet P during Operation Royalty; leads underground rescue, survives collapse, graduates OCS, and commands Rico's Roughnecks for the final drop on Klendathu.

Blind OCS instructor of History and Moral Philosophy; lectures on the franchise system and assigns thesis work on war and moral perfection.

OCS Commandant who addresses candidates on the 'Moment of Truth' and the unbreakable rule that every officer candidate must be a blooded veteran.

Young OCS classmate of Rico's; looks terribly serious during the Commandant's address; later noted as commissioned early and killed in action.

OCS candidate alongside Rico; scowls during the Commandant's address.

Rico's company commander during Operation Royalty; loses power and is temporarily out of command; survived and returned to command; vouched for Rico at OCS.

Squad/section leader (first section) in Rico's platoon on Planet P.

Rico's OCS classmate; sole surviving officer of Chang's Cherubs during the Planet P operation; gives a precise but incoherent situation report.

Scout in Rico's platoon; assists Rico in monitoring the Bug breakthrough area and confirms the workers-only emergence.

Listener in Rico's platoon; relieved by Hughes at Rico's direction.

Platoon leader of the Wolverines; adjacent unit that Rico notifies when no longer patrolling.

Platoon leader of the Head Hunters; reports 'frying bacon' sounds at Adolf Three during the multi-point Bug breakthrough.

Referenced in Rico's memory as having warned him about command chains breaking when too many links are knocked out.

Led the second section underground after the platoon sergeant; became lost, fought Bugs, and was killed in the ambush during the tunnel rescue.

Second-section leader who follows Rico underground without orders, relays tactical information, and consolidates the two sections after Brumby's death.

Rico's platoon sergeant on Planet P, revealed at chapter's end to be Sergeant Zim from boot camp; captured a brain Bug using it as a shield, received a field commission.

Commander of first platoon who temporarily assumes company command when Blackstone loses power; brusquely tells Rico to manage his own situation.

Platoon member killed during Operation Royalty alongside Brumby; posthumously awarded chevrons.

Rico's OCS roommate who preserved his math books and tutored him patiently, enabling Rico to graduate.

Rico's fellow newly commissioned second lieutenant at the Fleet landing field; exchanges banter about history and language before departing for his ship.

Rico's junior officer under instruction on the final drop; described as young and dangerous-looking despite harmless appearance.