In this video I set a timer and build a custom LEGO military minifigure in five minutes, straight out of my parts bin. This page shows you how to build your own custom LEGO military minifigures and sets: ready made modern and WW2 soldiers, rifles, machine guns, helmets, vests and gear for a whole army. Watch the video, shop the military gear from it right below, then read on for the full breakdown.
Shop the military gear from this video
SHOP CUSTOM LEGO MILITARY →SHOP CUSTOM LEGO MINIFIGURES →SHOP HELMETS →SHOP VESTS →
Printed Classic Wood AK RifleShop now
AK47 RifleShop now
Boonie HatShop now
Military CapShop now
Radio BackpackShop now
Overmolded CigaretteShop now
Combat VestShop now
Tactical Vest V3Shop now
Warfare OperatorShop now
Warfare ReconShop now
Military HelmetShop now
Helmet PackShop now
How I built a custom LEGO military minifigure in five minutes
The trick to building fast is to pick a color scheme right away. I grabbed a head and some dark tan short sleeves, so I went all in on dark tan. Dark tan is one of the easiest colors to work with for a military figure. From there I found a dark tan torso, light flesh arms and hands, a vest and a backpack that gave him some heft.
The hardest part was the headgear. I was torn between a Military Cap and a Boonie Hat, and I went with the boonie because it looks a little different. He holds an AK with a wood stock, like our Printed Classic Wood AK Rifle, and an Overmolded Cigarette. I swapped the rifle and cigarette between his hands so he is right handed. Add a Radio Backpack and you have a soldier ready for the field.
Printed Classic Wood AK RifleShop nowBoonie HatShop nowRadio BackpackShop nowOvermolded CigaretteShop now
Custom LEGO military sets: build your own army
Realistic military sets are hard to find on the toy store shelf, which is why so many of you build your own. That is exactly what BrickTactical is for. You can start with ready made soldiers, then add the weapons, helmets and vests to build any army you want, from modern special forces to WW2 infantry. Our custom LEGO military collection has everything in one place.
Ready made modern military minifigures
If you want soldiers that are ready to go out of the box, start here. The Warfare Operator, Warfare Recon and Warfare Commando are custom printed on genuine LEGO parts and kitted out for modern combat. The Phantom Operator is perfect for night raids and special operations.
Warfare Commando
Phantom OperatorWW2 and WW1 military minifigures
For history builds, the WW2 American Soldier and WW2 American Riflemen are ready for D Day, and the WW2 German Soldier and WW2 German Medic give you the other side of the battle. Going back even further, the WW1 French Soldier and WW1 German Soldier are made for trench warfare scenes.
WW2 American SoldierShop now
WW2 American RiflemenShop now
WW2 German SoldierShop now
WW1 French SoldierShop now
Rifles and machine guns for your army
Every soldier needs a rifle. For modern troops, the M4 CQB Rifle, BT16 Rifle and M16A4 V2 Rifle are all great picks, and the BrickTactical M2 Machine Gun gives your squad heavy support.
M4 CQB Rifle
BT16 Rifle
M16A4 V2 Rifle
BrickTactical M2 Machine GunFor WW2, arm your American troops with the M1 Garand Rifle and Thompson SMG, and your German troops with the K98k Rifle and MG42 Machine Gun.
M1 Garand Rifle
Thompson SMG
K98k Rifle
MG42 Machine GunHelmets and vests
The Military Helmet and Advanced Combat Helmet cover modern soldiers, and the M1 Helmet is the classic WW2 American helmet. Every helmet is designed by me and Injection Molded in the USA. Add a Combat Vest or Tactical Vest V3 and your soldiers look ready for anything.
Advanced Combat HelmetHow to build a custom LEGO military squad
A real squad works as a team, and your minifigures should too. Give every soldier a job:
- Riflemen: the backbone of the squad, each with a rifle like the M4 CQB Rifle or M1 Garand Rifle.
- Machine gunner: heavy support with the BrickTactical M2 Machine Gun or MG42 Machine Gun.
- Grenadier: the BT416 Grenade Launcher for clearing cover.
- Radio operator: a Radio Backpack to call in support.
- Medic: the WW2 German Medic or any soldier in a Medic Brodie Helmet (4 sided).
- Sniper: overwatch with the BT110 Sniper Rifle.
- Officer: a sidearm like the M1911 Pistol and a Military Cap.
To outfit a whole army fast, grab the Helmet Pack or Military Helmet Pack, then store your gear in a Crate for your armory or base.
Military Helmet Pack
Crate
BT416 Grenade LauncherCustom LEGO military minifigures at a glance
| Category | Best for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Modern soldiers | Modern combat and special forces | Warfare Operator, Warfare Recon, Warfare Commando, Phantom Operator |
| WW2 soldiers | D Day and WW2 battles | WW2 American Soldier, WW2 American Riflemen, WW2 German Soldier |
| WW1 soldiers | Trench warfare | WW1 French Soldier, WW1 German Soldier |
| Modern rifles | Arming riflemen | M4 CQB Rifle, BT16 Rifle, M16A4 V2 Rifle |
| WW2 weapons | WW2 infantry | M1 Garand Rifle, Thompson SMG, K98k Rifle |
| Machine guns | Heavy support | BrickTactical M2 Machine Gun, MG42 Machine Gun |
| Helmets and vests | Kitting out the squad | Military Helmet, M1 Helmet, Combat Vest |
| Packs and storage | Building a whole army | Helmet Pack, Military Helmet Pack, Crate |
FAQ
How do you make a custom LEGO military minifigure?
Pick one color scheme first, like dark tan or olive, then match a torso, arms and legs to it. Add a vest and a backpack, finish the head with a helmet, boonie hat or military cap, and give the figure a rifle. A sidearm, a cigarette or a radio backpack adds personality.
Can you buy custom LEGO military sets?
Realistic military sets are hard to find on the toy store shelf, so most collectors build their own. BrickTactical sells ready made military minifigures custom printed on genuine LEGO parts, plus rifles, machine guns, helmets, vests and packs to outfit a whole army.
What weapons do custom LEGO military minifigures use?
Modern soldiers carry rifles like the M4 CQB Rifle, BT16 Rifle and M16A4 V2 Rifle, with machine guns like the BrickTactical M2 Machine Gun for support. WW2 soldiers use the M1 Garand Rifle, Thompson SMG, K98k Rifle and MG42 Machine Gun.
Are BrickTactical weapons compatible with custom LEGO minifigures?
Yes. Every weapon is sized to clip into a standard minifigure hand and is Injection Molded in the USA from ABS plastic, the same type of plastic used for building bricks.
Are BrickTactical military minifigures custom printed on genuine LEGO parts?
Yes. Our military minifigures are custom printed on genuine LEGO parts, and the weapons and helmets are Injection Molded in the USA.
How many minifigures do you need for a military squad?
A squad of six to nine works great: riflemen, a machine gunner, a grenadier, a radio operator, a medic, a sniper and an officer. Start with a few ready made soldiers and fill out the rest with helmet and weapon packs.
Do you make WW2 and WW1 military minifigures?
Yes. We make WW2 American and German soldiers and medics, plus WW1 French and German soldiers, along with WW2 rifles, machine guns and helmets to match.
