Spacemadness

Starship Troopers? 1959.
The Forever War? 1974.

“Why are these authors writing about futuristic war scenarios using WWII tactics?”

Because the Army always has and always will fight two wars back. I’d like to see Sir Whiny McWhinerson write a military science fiction novel that holds water in 30-40 yrs.

Also, “It’s not military science fiction because it’s too people-centric!” Uh, ever try actually fighting a war, maybe? The choice of implementing futuristic technologies with antiquated small-unit tactics as a plot point is one that illuminates how alienating and isolating war is to the man on the ground; no matter the size of his army, the power of his weapons, the strength of his body. The purpose of military science fiction IS to humanize and reflect on the impact of war. IT’S FICTION. Nobody actually wants to read about the guys with all the shiny stars sitting in a locked basement room pushing little plastic battlegroup figures around a huge map. That’s what D&D and Warhammer are for. That’s what the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich are for.

Quit yer bitchin, Andrew Liptak.