Protection of soldiers

A special friend of mine is joining the army in a few days. The nation is in a serious crisis, there's fighting going on in parts of the country. Which Deities should I ask for protection? What offerings will be appropriate?

In times of warfare, it would be typical to especially invoke the aid of Mars/Ἄρης and Pallas/Ἀθήνη. However, it would also be typical to invoke the protection of the Fates, of Good Fortune, and of the martial forms of otherwise non-martial deities, like Venus/Ἀφροδίτη the Conqueror, Mithras (a near-eastern deity popularly venerated among soldiers, who was considered essentially a martial form of Apollo-Sol), and even Rhea, who had certain associations with warfare and victory. Of course, there is then the goddess Victory herself as well.

oklennie wrote:A special friend of mine is joining the army in a few days. The nation is in a serious crisis, there's fighting going on in parts of the country. Which Deities should I ask for protection? What offerings will be appropriate?

As a service member, myself, thank you for your concern for those in the military.

To answer your question, though, in addition to the Gods Erodius suggested, may I also suggest Zeus, as Zeus is the ruler of the Moirai and holds sway over Fate itself.

I'd turn to Athena as a goddess of strategy and Ares as a god of bravery foremost.  
And then later on, for overcoming the crisis of the nation - yes Zeus as a god of politics but also Apollo as the god of reason.
And with an offering of wine and small food.
Tell you friend to be careful out there. And if anything should happen, the gods Apollo and Asklepios for cure and health. Can always be good to know.

Thank you all for your insight. Your advice is most valuable.