technical_art_cube_army.py

import maya.cmds as cmds

# what to call the army
army_name = "Toms_dangerous_cubes"
cmds.group(empty=True, name=army_name)

# how many rows and columns the army should have
rows = 5;
cols = 5;

# execute this line individualy to get more information in the output pane
cmds.help("polyCube")

for z_pos in range(rows):
    for x_pos in range(cols):
        # create a cube and set the dimensions
        object = cmds.polyCube(width=0.8,
                      height=2,
                      depth=0.8)
        
        # place the 'soldiers' so the army is centered at the origin
        cmds.xform(t=(x_pos - width/2,
                      1,
                      z_pos - depth/2))
        
        # set the new name of the soldier based on it's position in the formation
        new_name = "soldier_" + str(x_pos) + "_" + str(z_pos)
        
        # edit the name of previously made object
        # (you could also just use the -name flag when creating it        
        cmds.rename(object[0], new_name)
        
        cmds.group(new_name, parent=army_name);