(This article was originally published on Dec. 16, 2015.)

Whether you grew up seeing Han Solo on the silver screen (pre-Harrison Ford's silvering hair) or are just discovering all-things Jedi via the work of J.J. Abrams and Disney, one thing's for sure: Being a "Star Wars" fan in the military community or defense industry isn't easy.  There are the inevitable technical and strategy questions. The political implications. The real-world inspirations for the vehicles and plot lines.

And, then, there's just the good, old-fashioned nerdery.

For this reason, Military Times has compiled a list of must-reads for those in the battlefield know to get your tactical and strategic mind (and your inner child) ready for "Stars War: The Force Awakens."

  1. RAYTHEON PITCHES NEW WEAPONS TO FIX 'STAR WARS' MILITARY FLAWS (Popular Science)
  2. Watching Realistic War in The Force Awakens and The Hunger Games (The Mary Sue)
  3. There’s a moral order baked into that ‘Star Wars’ galaxy that’s far, far away (Washington Post)
  4. 'How do wookiees breed?': the big Star Wars questions answered (The Guardian)
  5. 5 Reasons 'Star Wars' Spaceships Make Absolutely No Sense (Popular Mechanics)
  6. Droids and The Force: How the Science in ‘Star Wars’ Is Actually Real (Wall Street Journal blog)
  7. Army unveils real-life Star Wars lightsaber that slices through padlocks in seconds (Daily Express)
  8. 'Star Wars': Everything We Know About the Planet Jakku (So Far) (HowStuffWorks)
  9. REAL TIME STRATEGY 3 – STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT (Center for International Maritime Security)
  10. Star Wars Connection to WWII-Era Military Aviation (Tactical Air Network via We Are the Mighty)
  11. U.S. Army Transportation Museum claims connections to Star Wars (Daily Press)
  12. How Star Wars Helped Create President Reagan (io9)
  13. The new 'Star Wars' movie could well be about a bailout (Marketplace)
  14. Adam Driver Brings Monologues to the Military: Arts in the Armed Forces (VICE News)
  15. 'Day One' short: How George Lucas helped a soldier achieve his filmmaking dream (Entertainment Weekly)
  16. US Marine Creates Amazing Combat Scenes With Star Wars Action Figures (Task & Purpose)
  17. Here's What the Pentagon's Top Cost Estimator Has to Say About the Death Star (VICE News)

Have a good story that our list missed? Tweet it to Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory on Twitter @jenniferleigho.

Feel ready to face the force firsthand? Watch the official trailer for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" here:

UPDATE 12/18: A much-need h/t goes to The Military Writers Guild's Angry Staff Officer Blog for its own "Star Wars Reading List," a rundown of its best in-house content inspired by the Galactic Empire, which published on Dec. 15 (but which we just caught wind of today). Check it out here.

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