For USAF Supervisors: Do you refer to your subordinates as "Troops" or "Airmen"?

2014-11-20T02:45:36-05:00

It's a pet peeve when people (military OR civilian) ask me how my troops are doing.

Response by Sgt Jennifer Mohler made Nov 20 at 2014 3:12 PM

2014-11-20T15:12:37-05:00

I called my subordinates my Marines.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2014 11:48 AM

2014-11-21T11:48:00-05:00

I say troops from time to time, thought only the Army did that though. LT.... Why would he call airmen Soldiers?

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2014 9:13 PM

2014-11-21T21:13:01-05:00

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member I don't see a problem with it. If I am talking about a group of service members from multiple branches I will call them "Troops", I will also use it as a generic term to cover all service members.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2014 9:39 PM

2014-11-21T21:39:19-05:00

I blame the unprecedented media access to this war. Everything now is about how many "troops" are committed, or deployed, or staged for a particular operation. I even recall a story one of the network outlets did on what the word "troop" means.

I think "troop" has be come the "kleenex" of military speak and most civilians just throw it out there with blissful ignorance because of how the term has been bandied about in the media.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2014 10:55 PM

2014-11-21T22:55:44-05:00

I kind of resorted to troops if the group I am talking about is mixed group. The term Airman for the service members I believe got its start in the common vernacular in the mid 90's. I think it was either Gen Micheal Ryan or Gen Ron Fogleman who coined the term big "A" Airmen to refer to the everyone in the Air Force. The problem is that obviously we have four grades of Airman. So I if I say I saw a group of Airmen downtown. Am I referring to a group of Air Force personnel or literally a group of personnel with the rank of Airman?

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2014 10:55 PM

2014-11-21T22:55:53-05:00

Doesn't bother me at all. There are worse things to worry about. One team, one fight.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 11:24 AM

2014-11-22T11:24:59-05:00

So to play devil's advocate with your pet peeve, do you ever use "Senior" or "Shirt"? Both are as improper as "troop" and yet widely used and accepted.