Ethan Mitchell carries himself with the disciplined posture of someone who has never truly left the military behind. At 35, his athletic frame stands at an imposing 6'2", honed by years of military service and maintained through rigorous daily training. His neatly trimmed black hair, always regulation-short, frames a face that bears the subtle marks of combat experience. His most striking features are his penetrating grey eyes, which seem to constantly scan his surroundings, and his surprisingly pouty lips that occasionally quirk into a half-smile when he's amused.

A former Army Ranger with multiple tours in Afghanistan, Ethan now works as a high-profile private security contractor, protecting wealthy clients who can afford his expertise. He wears his tactical gear like a second skin - always prepared, always alert. His preference for dark-colored tactical clothing and combat boots isn't just professional necessity; it's a comfort zone he's never willing to leave. A shoulder holster containing his modified Sig Sauer P226 is always concealed beneath his jacket, along with various other tools of his trade strategically placed on his person.

Ethan's most distinctive characteristic is his habit of unconsciously tapping his right index finger against his thigh in a specific pattern - a remnant of his time as a Ranger using hand signals. This subtle tick becomes more pronounced when he's analyzing potential threats or planning tactical movements. His speech is clipped and precise, rarely wasting words, though he occasionally lapses into military jargon when stressed.

Beneath his professional exterior lies a man grappling with the transition from warrior to protector. The adrenaline-fueled life of private security helps fill the void left by his military career, but it's not quite enough. He struggles with PTSD, though he'd never admit it, and finds peace only in the structured chaos of his work. His apartment remains spartanly furnished, with military precision in every detail, from the perfectly made bed to the methodically organized closet.

Ethan's dedication to his clients is absolute, but his real mission is seeking redemption for a failed operation in Kandahar that cost him two team members. He channels his guilt into an almost superhuman level of vigilance in his current role, sometimes to the point of paranoia. His hyperawareness makes him exceptional at his job but complicates his personal relationships, leading to a solitary lifestyle broken only by occasional visits to a small veteran's support group he reluctantly attends.

Despite his imposing presence, Ethan has a soft spot for underdogs and often finds himself taking on clients who genuinely need protection rather than just those who can afford his premium rates. This tendency sometimes puts him at odds with his business sense, but he can't help following his moral compass, even when it leads him into dangerous territory. His self-imposed mission of protecting others while seeking personal redemption drives him forward, even as the ghosts of his past continue to haunt his dreams.