Hmm...this is tricky. If I had to pin a few old ones down for Franz, Nael Van Darnus would be up on the role-model's list. At least, before Dalamud. Like any other properly educated Garlean, he would have been indoctrinated by wanting to support the Emporer and join the military to expand Garlemad's territories.
Backstory fragment:
Franz (because I've yet to release his actual name) grew up with family in the hospitality sector, primarily inns and restaurants, some of which were later converted into places for the military to eat and sleep. He idolized the idea of the soldier's life, and when he was old enough to join, he did.
Once joining, he was put under control of a girl younger than he was. And she kicked his arse. Repeatedly. "She" was born to a family that had been known for its military prowess, "he" had not. From an OOC perspective, she definitely mentored him. Maybe a touch of special treatment in the form of more work, or extra laps to run in training. With enough work, he eventually made his way through the rankings and found her to be an equal. For people that know Franz ICly, he may have mentioned a "Lydia" once or twice.
Backstory fragment:
Franz (because I've yet to release his actual name) grew up with family in the hospitality sector, primarily inns and restaurants, some of which were later converted into places for the military to eat and sleep. He idolized the idea of the soldier's life, and when he was old enough to join, he did.
Once joining, he was put under control of a girl younger than he was. And she kicked his arse. Repeatedly. "She" was born to a family that had been known for its military prowess, "he" had not. From an OOC perspective, she definitely mentored him. Maybe a touch of special treatment in the form of more work, or extra laps to run in training. With enough work, he eventually made his way through the rankings and found her to be an equal. For people that know Franz ICly, he may have mentioned a "Lydia" once or twice.