Posted on May 2, 2014
How do you feel when you are called a soldier?
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If you're in the Army, this may not pertain to you unless there is something in your branch where personnel feel they are above "soldier". Anyways, most people and especially media just blankets everybody in the department of defense as soldiers. Marines especially do not like being called a soldier and we say something in the lines of "im not a soldier, im a a Marine! (you know how we are). How about you sailors and airmen out there, do you prefer to be called that or is soldier acceptable to you? I think Marines can accept "soldiers of the sea" since that was a term used historically for Marines.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
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I am first and foremost a veteran of the United States Army which of course means that I am a soldier. I can understand how members of other services can see it as a slight to be called a soldier. As far as the Army goes there is no such thing as anything higher than a soldier. Marines have the distinction of being called Devil Dogs which is a tremendous distinction when you consider where and how they earned that moniker. Life for people in the military grants them a certain distinction that sets them apart from those who see no benefit in raising their right hand and swearing to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. And while each service has a derogatory comment or two about the others, when it comes right down to it we are all brothers and sisters under the skin serving the same nation and causes. We fight like brothers and sisters, but when it comes right down to it we will stand side by side and fight for each other and to the death as needed. I am proud to consider each and every person serving now, who has served in the past, and will serve in the future you are all my brothers and sisters. God bless you all and keep you safe until you come home to your family and friends.
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Depends on who it's coming from. If it's some little old lady trying to be nice it doesn't bother me. If it's from someone who should know but doesn't care it pisses me off.
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SSgt Barry LaMont
I believe the older generation thinks that everybody is in the Army unless you try and correct them and then, it still won't work. I'm ex Air Force Security Police which to them, I've noticed this so often, makes me an MP in the Army. The picture provided, does that look like Air Force to you? It's me at Camp Bullis, TX learning advanced patrolling and ambush skills straight out of Army regs no less.
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I agree. As a Marine, I'm not a soldier. We are however all troops. It bugs the hell out of me. I have a couple veterans functions. And I try to make vets feel welcome and not exclude people. I say troops, not soldiers or Marines.
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LTC Stephen C.
At the end of the 1963 movie, "Charade", Reggie (Audrey Hepburn) goes to the U.S. Embassy in Paris. As she approaches the gate, she addresses the guard by saying, "Soldier." Before she can say another word, he corrects her by saying, "Marine, ma'am." I've always liked that touch and that was no accident. Someone (scriptwriter, director, etc.) made that happen! Cpl Brett Wagner, you might like this!
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Cpl Brett Wagner
LTC Paul Labrador I would say it like this. If you are a Soldier or a Marine you are a warrior. But a Marine is never a soldier at least that is what we were taught.
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Cpl Brett Wagner
LTC Stephen Curlee Yes sir I do like that and other things like that when you get to see it in a movie or on TV. I hate it when you are watching TV or a movie and you see a ceremonial guard with hair about 6" too long for any branch or a uniform that makes no sense at all. Or how about when you're watching some military or police show/movie and someone loads a magazine and racks the slide then when they see the bad guy they have to rack the slide again before firing. Was there something wrong with the first round? The worst is when they have a 1911 but it fires 20 rounds before having to be reloaded. Ugh!
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LTC Paul Labrador
Cpl Brett Wagner, again soldier (small "s") is a generic term used for people serving in the profession of arms. Soldier (big "S") is a title. Marine (big "M") is also a title. Marines are not Soldiers. That is true and I will not argue that fact. You earned a title just as I've earned a title. But in general terms, service members to include Marines are often referred to as soldiers (small "s") in that they are persons in the profession of arms. Typically when someone is speaking you generally can tell if they are using the title or the generic term.
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