Military Science Fiction

The Evolution of Military Science Fiction From H.G. Wells to Starship Troopers

Military science fiction has transcended its origins to become a sophisticated literary genre.

Manrado Gorgio

16 Jan 2025 • 10 min read

Military science fiction both influenced and was influenced by real life.

Military science fiction (sometimes abbreviated as mil-SF) is a subgenre of speculative fiction where advanced technology, military institutions, and human (or alien) conflict converge in futuristic settings.

Unlike other subgenres of science fiction, mil-SF is distinctive for its explicit focus on the structures and ethics of warfare, the chain of command, and the lived experience of those serving in armed forces under radically new conditions.

It provides a space, if you will, to wrestle intellectually with big questions like, How does technological progress shape the nature of warfare? How do societal values shift in the face of existential threats? And how are ordinary people transformed —psychologically, morally, and ideologically— by the machinery of military conflict?

The Foundations of Military Science Fiction

Military science fiction's origin can be traced back to the early days of speculative literature when writers like Jules Verne and H.G. Wells began to imagine near-future or far-future scenarios shaped by technological marvels. Although many of Verne's works focused more on exploration than explicit military confrontation, Wells's "The War of the Worlds" (1897–1898) marked a pivotal moment for the nascent genre.

In depicting Earth's invasion by technologically superior Martians, Wells introduced tropes and thematic concerns that continue to resonate in mil-SF today —chief among them, the tension between humankind's ingenuity and its vulnerability to overwhelming force.

Wells's depiction of mechanized warfare and apocalyptic destruction was a radical shift from earlier "invasion literature," which tended to portray human adversaries as technologically on par with each other or only marginally ahead. By equipping the Martians with weapons such as heat rays and unstoppable tripods, Wells illustrated the immense power that advanced technology could confer upon a belligerent force —and, conversely, how unprepared existing militaries might be when faced with drastically superior armaments.

More than a century later, as warfare continues to be transformed by innovations ranging from drones to artificial intelligence, Wells's vision remains poignantly relevant.

Moreover, "The War of the Worlds" carries strong social and political undertones. Scholars often interpret the novel as a critique of British imperialism, an anxious reflection on what might happen if an empire as formidable as Britain encountered a similarly dominant, expansionist power. The work grapples with moral questions of justice, survival, and empathy in the context of an existential threat —elements that would become integral to military science fiction's outlook on the human cost of conflict.

Historical Context and Emerging Themes

The evolution of military science fiction did not occur in a vacuum. Across the first half of the 20th century, two World Wars and later the Cold War redrew political borders and inflicted previously unimaginable destruction on populations around the globe. These upheavals shaped not only the thematic directions of science fiction but also the aesthetic of technological warfare depicted within it. Tank battalions, air power, nuclear arms, and ballistic missiles all emerged in this period, proving that technology could drastically shift the balance in global conflicts —and radically expand their scale.

mil-SF battle with a giant robot. — Military science fiction can predict the future of warfare even if we don't want it so.

In literature, these shifts fostered a new wave of militaristic stories that explored the potential and peril of advanced weaponry. Whereas Wells's Martians had served as a cautionary symbol, mid-century mil-SF began grappling with more immediate geopolitical tensions. The specter of nuclear annihilation entered the genre, finding expression in works depicting humanity's precarious survival in the aftermath of atomic war. Additionally, the idea of colonialism in space —of forging or defending human outposts on distant planets—mirrored the ongoing battles of ideology on Earth.

The Vietnam War (1955–1975) was another seismic event that directly impacted mil-SF's narrative style and thematic depth. Authors like Joe Haldeman drew upon their personal experiences as combat veterans to produce works such as "The Forever War" (1974), which explores the disorienting effects of relativistic space travel and the alienation soldiers feel when they return home to a society that has advanced and changed without them. This dissonance spoke to Vietnam veterans' experiences in a profoundly polarized America. Here, mil-SF departed from romanticized depictions of brave, unambiguously heroic warriors, taking on a more critical stance that questioned the very nature of wars fought in the name of national pride or strategic advantage.

Expanding the Genre - Key Works and Authors

Between "The War of the Worlds" and "Starship Troopers," numerous key novels and short stories broadened mil-SF's thematic horizons and popular appeal. Some of these novels are listed here.

E.E. "Doc" Smith's "Lensman" series (1934–1948) – Although more space opera than straightforward military SF, Smith's epic storylines of interplanetary battles influenced later authors who envisioned large-scale conflicts in galactic arenas. Enormous fleets, planet-busting weaponry, and heroic soldiers were staples of these narratives, setting precedents for the grand scope that would become a hallmark of some strands of mil-SF.
Robert A. Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (1966) – Exploring the theme of rebellion, this novel depicts a lunar penal colony that rises up against an Earth-based government, placing significant emphasis on military strategy, political theory, and the ethical justification for armed revolt. It foreshadows the complexity of later mil-SF works by acknowledging the lines between freedom fighter and rebel, oppressor and liberator.
Joe Haldeman's The Forever War (1974) – As mentioned above, this story draws heavily on Haldeman's Vietnam War experience and is lauded for its emotional honesty and social commentary. It underscores how futuristic conflicts may still replicate many of the psychological and societal traumas present in more conventional wars. Moreover, the use of time dilation as a plot device emphasizes the disconnect between soldiers and the societies they ostensibly serve—prompting questions about the purpose and morality of perpetual conflict.

These works, along with countless short stories and novels, steadily pushed mil-SF to examine warfare from multiple angles. While some narratives glorified heroism and valor, others offered scathing critiques of expansionism, colonialism, or autocratic rule. Alien invasion and first contact narratives, reminiscent of Wells's Martian landing, remained prominent, suggesting that regardless of who or what initiates the conflict, the moral and existential dilemmas of warfare persist.

"Starship Troopers" and the Maturation of Mil-SF

Published in 1959, Robert A. Heinlein's "Starship Troopers" stands as one of the genre's most influential texts, advancing many of the ideas seeded by earlier works and simultaneously generating controversy. Following the journey of Juan "Johnny" Rico, who enlists in the Mobile Infantry to fight an alien race known as the Bugs, the novel showcases both the thrilling spectacle of interstellar combat and the ideological underpinnings of militaristic societies.

One of the most significant contributions of "Starship Troopers" is the introduction of powered armor, a concept that has since become a staple in mil-SF. These mechanized suits grant ordinary soldiers extraordinary capabilities in the field, bridging the gap between human limitations and the potentially insurmountable challenges posed by extraterrestrial adversaries. Beyond the spectacle, powered armor represents a larger question of humanity's increasing reliance on technology to extend its physical and cognitive reach in warfare. Heinlein's vision foreshadows the ethical and strategic puzzles presented by drone warfare and cybernetics in the 21st century.

Equally notable are the sociopolitical dimensions of the novel. Heinlein posits a society in which the right to vote and enjoy full citizenship is granted exclusively to those who have completed a term of federal service, typically in the armed forces. This has provoked intense debate among critics, with some praising Heinlein's emphasis on civic responsibility and others condemning what they perceive as a glorification of militarism and authoritarian governance. Even readers who take issue with the novel's ideology recognize its importance in the canon of mil-SF for daring to wrestle with how societies allocate rights and responsibilities, as well as the role that the military plays in shaping national identity.

At its core, "Starship Troopers" exemplifies the genre's capacity to present advanced military technology and large-scale conflict, while simultaneously addressing philosophical and moral queries about duty, violence, and human evolution in the face of existential threats. This multifaceted engagement is where mil-SF truly comes into its own, transcending the clichés of "ray guns and rocket ships" to offer critiques and reflections that resonate in the real world.

Societal Commentary and Ethical Complexity

Beyond the battlefield pyrotechnics, mil-SF grapples with far-reaching questions about authority, governance, and personal responsibility. One of the genre's enduring qualities is its willingness to investigate the psychological toll of war. Works like Haldeman's "The Forever War" or David Drake's "Hammer's Slammers" place special emphasis on the soldiers themselves —how they cope with fear and guilt, how they rationalize violence, and how they maintain their humanity in environments designed to strip them of individuality.

This lens also extends to the bureaucratic and hierarchical structures that define military institutions. Command decisions, the distribution of limited resources, the blurred lines between obedience and moral agency —all become critical factors in storytelling.

Through the interplay of characters in chain-of-command relationships, mil-SF exposes the fragility of moral decision-making when confronted with a relentless, high-stakes environment. Authors such as Heinlein, Haldeman, and Drake use these interpersonal dynamics as a crucible for reflecting on broader social issues, from the justification of war to the nature of civic duty.

In parallel, the genre examines the question of technology —how it might bolster or undermine human agency and how it reconfigures the nature of conflict. Wells began the conversation by imagining unstoppable heat rays; Heinlein continued it through powered armor; and contemporary authors now speculate on the potential of artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, and autonomous drone fleets. The underlying concern remains constant: Whether these breakthroughs will make war more "efficient" or remove the last vestiges of empathy and restraint from the equation.

Enduring Influence and Ongoing Evolution

Military science fiction has undeniably left an indelible mark on popular culture. Iconic series such as "Halo," "Warhammer 40,000," and "Battlestar Galactica" all demonstrate the continued appeal of stories that fuse galactic-scale warfare, futuristic weaponry, and existential peril. Despite its often "pulpy" reputation, mil-SF has served—and continues to serve—as a crucible for some of the most pressing debates of our time, from the ethics of drone strikes to the potential tyranny of artificial intelligence.

Contemporary mil-SF reflects ongoing real-world geopolitical shifts, such as the rise of private military contractors and cybernetic espionage. Within the literary sphere, authors are increasingly interrogating topics like diversity, representation, and the uneven impact of warfare on marginalized communities, opening new avenues for critique. As the boundaries of our technologically driven societies expand—and as humankind faces challenges like climate change, resource scarcity, and emerging global powers—mil-SF is poised to remain relevant by projecting these challenges onto futuristic battlefields and interstellar conflicts.

The flexibility of mil-SF as a genre is part of its resilience. By melding historical reflection with imaginative foresight, it can serve as an allegory for the present while remaining open to the swiftly changing circumstances of the future. From H.G. Wells's Victorian-era anxieties to Robert A. Heinlein's mid-century musings on citizenship and civic duty, mil-SF has proven to be as much about people as it is about technology. It is this "distinctly human lens" that sets mil-SF apart from other forms of speculative fiction, ensuring that stories of interstellar marines and cosmic battalions retain a deep emotional resonance.

Military Science Fiction

Military science fiction stands at the intersection of warfare, technological innovation, and social transformation, charting a trajectory that began with H.G. Wells's "The War of the Worlds" and ascended to the pioneering visions of Robert A. Heinlein's "Starship Troopers."

Early milestones like "The War of the Worlds" introduced the notion that advanced technology —be it wielded by aliens or humans— could radically shift the nature of conflict, forcing societies to confront existential threats and critique their own imperialist tendencies. Subsequent developments in the early and mid-20th century reflected the turmoil of two World Wars, the paranoia of the Cold War, and the traumas of the Vietnam War, each leaving an indelible mark on how authors approached the topics of violence, authority, and the cost of perpetual conflict.

By the time Heinlein wrote "Starship Troopers," mil-SF had matured into a vehicle for social commentary, delving into questions of civic responsibility, ethics, and the consequences of militarized governance.

Today's mil-SF authors build upon and challenge these foundations, exploring new frontiers in space and technology while maintaining the human dimension at the center of their stories. The genre's breadth, encompassing everything from space operas to gritty reflections on soldierly life, demonstrates its adaptability and intellectual rigor.

Ultimately, mil-SF thrives because it resonates with genuine social anxieties and moral dilemmas, whether about colonial expansion in the 19th century, nuclear catastrophe in the 20th, or autonomous weapons in the 21st.

Imagining futuristic wars forces readers to confront timeless questions about humanity's propensity for conflict, our reliance on innovation to overcome threats, and the ethical boundaries we struggle to uphold. As the modern world continues to grapple with rapid technological change and shifting power structures, military science fiction remains a vital, reflective, and often cautionary domain —one that invites us to imagine the best and worst of our species in the face of both earthly and extraterrestrial dangers.

The Evolution of Military Science Fiction From H.G. Wells to Starship Troopers

Manrado Gorgio

The Foundations of Military Science Fiction

Historical Context and Emerging Themes

Expanding the Genre - Key Works and Authors

"Starship Troopers" and the Maturation of Mil-SF

Societal Commentary and Ethical Complexity

Enduring Influence and Ongoing Evolution

Military Science Fiction

Further Reading

Sign up for more like this.