1. Entrepreneurship Happens Anywhere — Even a Remote Army Fort

Sgt. O’Rourke and Cpl. Agarn are running their own side hustle right under the Army’s nose — “O’Rourke Enterprises.” They’re buying trinkets from the Hekawi tribe and reselling them for a profit. Questionable ethics aside, it’s a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t about location or status — it’s about spotting opportunity.

Lesson: Creativity and hustle matter. There’s always a way to create value if you look for it — even if you’re stationed in the middle of nowhere.

2. Know Your Market

The Hekawi tribe knows their target customer — soldiers and settlers passing through who are looking for souvenirs and peace pipes. They’re not trying to be something they’re not. They lean into what they do well and what people want.

Lesson: Understanding your audience is essential. Whether it’s customers, clients, or coworkers, knowing what they value allows you to provide exactly what they need.

3. Leadership Isn’t About Perfection

Captain Parmenter may be the most accident-prone officer in TV history, but he’s earnest, kind, and generally tries to do the right thing. His men might roll their eyes, but they also respect him — and follow his lead.

Lesson: You don’t need to be perfect to lead. Being authentic, fair, and human goes a long way. People will forgive your flaws if they know you have their back.

4. Peace Pays

The ongoing joke is that Fort Courage is supposed to be in a war zone — but everyone’s pretty comfortable keeping the peace. The Hekawi and O’Rourke have a profitable arrangement, and the Army is happy to report “no trouble.”

Lesson: Not every competitive situation needs to be a battlefield. Partnerships, collaborations, and even “coopetition” can create win-win outcomes.

5. Broken Systems Will Break You

The gate always falls down. The cannon misfires into the watch tower. Everything that can go wrong usually does — and yet, somehow, they muddle through. But let’s be honest, they’d get a lot more done if they fixed the basics.

Lesson: Don’t let broken processes become “normal.” Fix what’s inefficient now, or you’ll be tripping over it later — maybe literally.

6. Humor Belongs in Business

F Troop is goofy, and that’s the point. The humor makes it work. In our own work, it’s easy to forget that levity is a leadership skill. Laughter builds connection, especially when things are stressful.

Lesson: Don’t take everything so seriously. Humor builds trust, lightens the mood, and keeps morale high — even during the tough stuff.

7. Don’t Overlook the Underdogs

Cpl. Agarn is usually the comic relief, but every now and then, he’s the one who sees what no one else does. He may not look like a leader, but he has insight and loyalty that matter.

Lesson: Your team members may surprise you — if you let them. Don’t underestimate people because of how they present. You might be missing out on hidden talent.

8. Manage Your Manager

This might be my favorite hidden gem in the show: Sgt. O’Rourke is a master at “managing up.” He constantly navigates around Captain Parmenter’s rules, nudging him in directions that benefit everyone — without ever getting in trouble.

Lesson: One of the best soft skills you can develop is managing your manager. Learn how they think, what they care about, and how to help them succeed — and you’ll often get more freedom to do your job well. It’s not manipulation; it’s alignment.

So yeah, F Troop is more than just an old sitcom with pratfalls and fake mustaches. If you look closely (maybe between cannon misfires), it’s a fun little case study in business dynamics: leadership, partnerships, sales, team management — and a good dose of old-fashioned hustle.

And maybe, just maybe, a reminder that success sometimes looks like organized chaos.