Set in the future, the story follows a young soldier named Johnny Rico and his exploits in the Mobile Infantry. Rico's military career progresses from recruit to non-commissioned officer and finally to officer against the backdrop of an interstellar war between mankind and an arachnoid species known as "the Bugs."
Casper Van Dien Johnny D. Rico
Dina Meyer Dizzy Flores
Denise Richards Carmen Ibañez
Jake Busey Private Ace Levy
Neil Patrick Harris Colonel Carl Jenkins
Clancy Brown Career Sergeant Zim
Michael Ironside Lieutenant Jean Rasczak
Patrick Muldoon Zander Barcalow
Seth Gilliam Private Sugar Watkins
Rue McClanahan Biology Teacher
Blake Lindsley Katrina McIntire
Steven Ford Lieutenant Willy
Ungela Brockman Corporal Birdie
Bruce Gray Sky Marshal Dienes
Denise Dowse Sky Marshal Tehat Meru
Amy Smart Cadet Lumbreiser
Tami-Adrian George Djana'D
Julianna McCarthy Expert
Dale Dye General
Dean Norris Commanding Officer
Marshall Bell General Owen
Eric Bruskotter Breckinridge
Matt Levin Kitten Smith
Anthony Ruivivar Shujimi
Brenda Strong Captain Deladier
Christopher Curry Mr. Bill Rico
Lenore Kasdorf Mrs. Rico
Teo Corporal Bronski
Curnal Achilles Aulisio Sgt. Gillespie
Greg Travis Net Correspondent
John Cunningham Fed Net Announcer (voice)
Timothy McNeil Expert
Robert David Hall Recruiting Sergeant
Brad Kane Lanny
Timothy Omundson Psychic
Patrick Bishop Engineering Officer
Hunter Bodine Young Cap Trooper
Travis Lowen Little Boy Trooper
Patrick Wolff Late Cadet
Mara Duronslet Communications Officer
Tyrone Tann Student
Matt Entriken Marco
Eric DaRe Medic
Ronald L. Botchan Jumpball Referee
Walter Adrian Judge
Stephanie Erb Young Mother
Alexi Lakatos Stomping Kid
Nathaniel Marshall Stomping Kid
Austin Sanderford Stomping Kid
Rhiannon Vigil Stomping Kid
Mylin Brooks Female Trooper
Julie Pinson Female Trooper
Armand Darrius Male Trooper
Kai Lennox Male Trooper
Brooke Morales Cheerleader
Mike Stokey Officer with Morita
Mary Ann Schmidt Female Trooper (uncredited)
Aaron Stielstra Trooper (uncredited)
Edward Neumeier Defendant (uncredited)
Michael Papajohn Dead Trooper (uncredited)
Michael A. Valenzano Trooper (uncredited)
Mo Faisal Trooper (uncredited)
R. Lee Ermey Voice heard on speaker (voice) (uncredited)
Matt Duggan Wounded Soldier on Gurney (uncredited)
Whitney Hall Judge (uncredited)
Betty Hankins Sky Marshal (uncredited)
Kaius Harrison Cpl. Allen (uncredited)
Bruce Holman Jump Ball Referee (uncredited)
Michael Gerald Football Quarterback (uncredited)
Jon Davison Buenos Aires Survivor (uncredited)
Dawn E. Anderson Female Trooper (uncredited)
Tony Nichols Cadet 'Flipper' (uncredited)
Dan Olivo Academy Soilder (uncredited)
Zoë Poledouris School Prom Lead Singer (uncredited)
Ashley Prendergast Hot Female Trooper (uncredited)
Ray Quiroga Male Trooper Leader (uncredited)
David Rey Trooper (uncredited)
Dennis Collins Soldier (uncredited)
Farnaz Samiinia Female Trooper (uncredited)
Joleen Sanders Female Trooper (uncredited)
Julia Self Female Trooper (uncredited)
Claude Stuart Student / Male Trooper (uncredited)
Parry Shen Student (uncredited)
Cari Vega Student / Female Trooper (uncredited)
Jim Temple Male Trooper (uncredited)
Justin Ward Medic (uncredited)
Sam P. Whitehead Trooper (uncredited)
Melissa J. Ward Trooper (uncredited)
Johnny Mansbach Marine (uncredited)
David Beckett Businessman (uncredited)