There have been other actors who played more military roles. Lee Marvin is the first one that comes to mind. He used to joke that learned how to act in the Marines. I think he made some training films when he served in World War II.

Tom Berenger is every bit a military historian with his specialty being the Revolutionary War. In the directors commentary for The Rough Rider's, John Milius discusses how much he brought to the role of Teddy Roosevelt due to his interest in military history and if you watch "The making of Gettysburg" on the DVD, you can tell how much he understands what it is he's talking about. I'm willing to bet that his interests take a definite role in his choosing parts.

AMEN for the comment above mine
THE WORLD WE CREATE IS THE WORLD WE LIVE IN: GIDEON

In most of his roles he's a hard man, plain and simple. His manner is tactiturn and his default expression is one of intense concentration. His craggy good looks add to that effect by giving him a look of someone who had seen a lot in his life, perhaps too much.
He also has thisaura of physicality about him, in the sense that he's not afraid to use his hands and resort to physical violence to get the job done. The man is solidly built, and although he's only listed as 5' 11" in his bio, he LOOKS like he's 6' 3" on the screen.
Add all that up and Tom fits our cultural image of a military man to a T.

Eddie no offense against you but dont be so rude dud? I really think this is a good Question.
I guess Tom played these Charackters because he can play em real good. I would say maybe he even prefers such rolesAnd they suite him too.
**Forgive me F@ther, for I h@ve sinnend, I keep h@vin dirty thoughts of M@rk!**/

F U Chi chi man.
All I have in this world is my balls and my word and I don't break them for no one

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