Yeah Write!: How to Write a Believable Spy and or Military Veteran (Resources)

isiskali asked:

Hi! I am about to embark on a major writing project where one of the characters has military and spy training (he’s a former combat medic who joined forces with a clandestine government spy ring after he retired) how can I write him to be believable and not over the top like James Bond.

Research research research! James Bond is highly romanticized for the sake of entertainment. If that’s not what you want, I’d suggest the following 4 points:

1. Research the real-life areas of the military with which your character has associated.

If your references, terminology, jargon, and historical data are correct, your character will be lent an air of legitimacy. This will depend on the country for which your character served (and whether it’s an existing country or one that you’re making up). 

Here are some useful links I tracked down for the US:

• Organization of the US Department of Defense (and Military)
• History, Mission, & “About” the US Military
• Index of Links to the 5 Branches of the Military’s Websites
• The United States Armed Forces Wikipedia Page
• History of the CIA (from their website… which didn’t have too much information… harharhar)

2. Read first hand accounts by soldiers who served in the same conflicts as your character

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It's Armed Forces Day,

here’s to all those who served, or are serving, and to the brothers and sisters we’ve lost.