Agu
Agu is the protagonist of the story. When first introduced, he is a little boy in a tiny West African village. He is pressed into the army when war breaks out. During his service, he witnesses and partakes against his will in heinous violations. By the end of the war, he is a man and no longer believes in good, having seen too much evil.
Strika
Strika is a child pressed into the military like Agu. He is a mute. The two become friends, bonding over their similar childhood experiences and mutual hatred for their present situations. He doesn't survive the war, but plays an important role in Agu's survival.
The Commandant
The Commandant of Agu's unit is a ruthless brute of a man. He has no redeeming qualities and a long list of problems. Using his position of power, he forces the young boys in the army to prostitute themselves to him for small gifts. And he takes the army to disreputable places to loot, kill, and rape.
The Luftenant
He is the closest companion of the Commandant, his second in command. The Luftenant meets his demise at the hand of a prostitute he abuses violently. She stabs him to death.
Rambo
Rambo is the successor of the Luftenant after his demise. His name was earned because of his reputation for bloodlust. As supplies dip well below starvation-level, Rambo grows increasingly dissatisfied with the Commandant. Finally, he leads a mutiny, resulting in him replacing the Commandant. Though many die in the uprising, Rambo remains satisfed with his newfound authority.
Amy
Amy works alongside the preacher at the hospital. She is a white woman, meek and kind. She tries to befriend Agu, but he struggles to accept her narrow perspective. After war, Amy's religious devotion seems childish to the young man.
