When it comes to portrayals of martial valor in popular movies and television series, officers tend to get a lot of credit, like Patton’s eponymous general. Then there are heroic non-commissioned officers, like Saving Private Ryan’s Sgt. Horvath and Heartbreak Ridge’s Gunnery Sgt. Highway — all certified badasses, and all thoroughly committed to living the values of the military.

But serving directly beneath all of those Pattons and Horvaths and Highways, however, is another distinct persona: the scheming junior enlisted misfit.

In real life, the junior enlisted ranks ensure sure that the military functions, even if they’re fighting that every step of the way. They’re privates, specialists, lance corporals, airmen, seamen, and presumably, in 2023, Guardians as well. They can be good at their jobs, but not necessarily all the time; there will inevitably end up fucking up during their military service, probably when an authority figure least needs it to happen. They are often terrible service members — and that’s what makes them so fun to watch.

For the purposes of this list, a certain degree of competence will exclude some contenders. Characters from Band of Brothers? Black Hawk Down? No. Even Generation Kill has plenty of moments skewering the incompetence of officers and NCOs, and generally poking fun at some of the inanities of Marine Corps, but every character is ultimately motivated to be there. Making this list requires a certain level of indifference to the military. Not exactly “the worst troops,” but who an officer or NCO might put on their list of “the worst troops.”