The term "Soldier" only apply to "Army" personnel

[Erika]

It does NOT apply to the other branches of the armed forces. This is important to the different groups.

You have soldiers (Army), airmen (Air Force), Sailors (Navy) and Marines (Marines).

It is proper to refer to all of them as military "troops".

[Starbucks Anarchist]

1. The universal term is "troops," correct?

Like if you were referring to all of the branches combined?

[Erika]

2. Yep. Thanks. n/t

[Starbucks Anarchist]

5. Actually, I was asking, but maybe I was right.

:hi:

[michreject]

9. Troops = airborne

Short for paratrooper.

[HawkerHurricane]

10. Troops = Cavalry

Cavalry is organized in 'Troops', like infantry is organized in 'Platoons'.

[michreject]

12. Originally yes

But now the term troops are for Airborne. The Calvary are Air Cav out of Ft Hood.

[HawkerHurricane]

14. 3rd ACR might argue about that...

http://www.carson.army.mil/UNITS/3RD%20ACR/main%20pages/HOMEPAGE.htm

Shoot, lots of ACR's out there, still using 'Troop' for 'Platoon'.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=Armored+Cavalry&btnG=Search

[BrotherBuzz]

3. What are GI's?

[ForrestGump]

6. GI = Government Issue

I guess that could be pretty much apply to any military branch -- or 'civilian' Federal agencies, for that matter -- but I usually associate it with Army and I suspect most do the same.

[Blue-Jay]

4. OK.

[Kutjara]

7. But interestingly...

...the term 'dead due to Shrub's evil' fits all branches of service equally.

[Orsino]

8. Yes. Call a Marine a soldier and you will be quickly corrected.

I don't suppose the distinction is important to people who never served, but Marines go through intense indoctrination to become something special.

We soldiers frequently washed below the neck and did not, as a rule, molest sheep, so we similarly took it as a slur to be lumped in with sailors and airmen. :D

[HawkerHurricane]

11. Similar but stupid...

Lately, Naval Officers (especially non-shipboard types) have been taking offense to being called 'Sailors'. Seems that THEY are OFFICERS, and SAILORS are enlisted men...

"Tell the two sailors at the front desk that I'll be with them in a minute."
"Excuse me, but we are NOT mere sailors, we are OFFICERS. And don't forget it!"
"Ok, tell the two assholes at the front desk that I've gone to lunch."

[Toots]

13. How about Jarhead?

It seems apropos to all.

[HawkerHurricane]

15. Only Marines are Jarheads

They got the name from thier dress hat.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. "Cannon-fodder" is most apropos.

[rug]

17. What do you call the airport scanners?

The frontline in the war on terror deserves a name.

[NoPasaran]

18. Rent-a-cops

Just like at the mall.

[Stinky The Clown]

19. Excuse me

There are sailors ... and then everything else. :)

:hide:

[DarbyUSMC]

21. My father was a sailor; my son was a sailor, but his

mother was a Marine. He took a lot of kidding about that. ;-)

[Stinky The Clown]

22. That's a great picture

the Wall, right?

[peacebaby3]

20. I'm guilty of calling everyone "soldier" sometimes. My husband is Army

and it is the term I'm used to and I've never met anyone in another branch that got upset with me if I used the wrong term.