abstract
| - The Squad will often include a female to widen the demographic appeal (to women and, er, young men). Fills the role that was used primarily for minority characters in earlier times. A lone black or Japanese soldier fighting in an otherwise all-white, American WWII unit was its most common form, despite being totally unrealistic since the US Armed forces did not integrate their combat units until 1948, 3 years after the end of the war. A particularly strange trope in countries where women are specifically barred from serving on the front line. However, sometimes this may be explained as being a test for determining whether or not to lift this barring. Other times, circumstances may force female troops not serving in combat positions to take this role because modern war contains no real front lines. If the Squadette is particularly skilled, she's also an Action Girl. If The Squad is all Squadettes, you get the Amazon Brigade. If The Squadette has to disguise herself as a man, she's Sweet Polly Oliver. There is rarely more than one, and if a new one joins the Squad, odds are the old one will die. A Squadette isn't unusual or token in a society where Gender Is No Object. These characters are frequently Good Looking Privates. Because the only thing hotter for some people than a woman who can fix your car is a woman who can kick a lot of ass. With a HOT missile. Short hair is common but not obligatory. May also be a Ladette, but this is not a mandatory trait. On the other hand, if she remains feminine and elegant while being a competent fighter, she may be a Lady of War. Examples of The Squadette include:
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