Soldier

[[Image:Profoss.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A Norwegian soldier (a Corporal, armed with an MP-5)]] A soldier is a person who has enlisted with, or has been conscription into, the armed forces of a sovereign country and has undergone training and received equipment to defend that country or its interests. In most countries, the term soldier is limited to such people who serve in the land branch of the armed services (usually known as the ''army''). Armies are strictly Hierarchy societies, and within them, groups of soldiers are usually divided into military units of some kind. A soldier is not necessarily a warrior. Although all soldiers get basic combat training, many soldiers serve in the rear in non-combat positions (such as in office management, clerical, logistics, or research and development positions). In an army, the most common military rank held by soldiers is the lowest - in the British Army and United States Army, a Private (rank) or equivalent. In some countries of the world, soldier specifically refers to members of the army who are not holders of an officer. In most armies of the world a soldier who is not an officer can in theory work their way through the ranks to obtain a commission. A soldier who no longer serves in the armed forces is called a veteran, a term which can also apply to a long-serving or experienced soldier who is still in the army. ==Classification== Infantry, or archaically foot, are soldiers who specialize in ground combat. Not all soldiers are infantry, and not all infantry are soldiers. Infantry that are not soldiers include members of the RAF Regiment of the United Kingdom (technically they are airman not soldiers), and members of the United States Marine Corps, Royal Marines of the United Kingdom, or other marine forces (who are marines not soldiers; in fact many marines bristle at being called soldiers). Finally, many navy maintain naval infantry, who are sailors not soldiers. Cavalry, or archaically horse, are traditionally soldiers who fight from horseback, but now usually crew armoured fighting vehicles. Variations include dragoons, lancers, hussars and cuirassiers. Artillery crew heavy weapons. military engineers, also called pioneers, are military construction and clearance specialists. A pre-modern soldier is also called a warrior. The word warrior implies one who is not part of a full-time army. Without strict hierarchial discipline constantly being imposed on them, warriors in pre-modern societies were often guided by societal warrior codes. ==See also== *Army *List of soldiers *Related terms: Mercenary, Guerrilla, Militant, Combatant *Famous groups of soldiers: Praetorian Guard, Swiss Mercenaries, Swiss Guard, French Foreign Legion *Types of soldiers: Cavalry, Commando, Dragoon, Guerilla, Infantry, Marine, Paratrooper, Sniper, Special Forces *Toy soldier ---- ''Soldier'' is also the title of a 1998 in film movie. See Soldier (movie). War Military life Military people Military specific occupations Military occupations la:Miles

Soldier

Not all armies are "strictly hierarchal"; the early militia forces of the Spanish Republic in 1936/7, for example. -- User:Tzartzam "A soldier who no longer serves in the armed forces is called a veteran." Isn't a Veteran simply a word for an experienced soldier, regardless of wether they are currently servering are not? -- User:Pod == (Over-)Emphasis == I think you overdid with the STRONG tags - but I won't change it. What do the next readers think? .~.

See other meanings of words starting from letter:

S