Soldier

A soldier is a member of an army. This role is vital for the organization and function of military forces. Soldiers can hold many different positions within a hierarchy. These include enlisted persons, who may be volunteers or conscripts. They also include non-commissioned officers, warrant officers, and commissioned officers. Each rank carries different levels of responsibility and authority.

The word "soldier" has a long history tied to money. It comes from the Middle English word "soldier," which grew from Old French. These terms originally meant a mercenary or someone who worked for a wage. The root words relate to the "shilling," a type of coin. It is also linked to the Late Latin word "solidus." This was an ancient Roman coin used during the Byzantine Empire. This history shows that being a soldier has often been a professional job tied to pay.

Most armies use many specialized titles for different jobs. These designations reflect a person's specific skills or their unit type. For example, a tanker is a member of a tank crew. A paratrooper is trained to jump from aircraft. Other roles include medics, engineers, and snipers. Some terms, like "infantryman" or "artilleryman," have been used for centuries. Others are newer and reflect modern technology or specialized labor. In the United States Army, these jobs are called Military Occupational Specialties, or MOS.

Soldiers often use nicknames that reflect their specific roles or history. In the British Army, military policemen are sometimes called "red caps" because of their headgear. In the United States, infantry members are often called "grunts" or "squaddies" in the UK. Artillery crews in the U.S. are sometimes called "redlegs" due to their branch color. During World War I, American soldiers were known as "Doughboys." British troops were called "Tommies," and French infantry were known as "Poilus," meaning "hairy ones."

History shows that social factors like gender and race have shaped military service. For much of history, infantry service was mostly restricted to men. However, during World War II, women were deployed in many ways. In the Soviet Union, some women were honored as "Heroes of the Soviet Union." In the United Kingdom, women served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. The United States formed the Women's Army Corps, known as "WACs." Eventually, these separate branches were disbanded and women were integrated into the main military branches.

Race has also been a significant issue in the history of the U.S. Army. Before the American Civil War, Black soldiers fought in both integrated and separate units. The Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 allowed for the formation of Black units. After the war, many Black soldiers served in segregated units and faced racist abuse. Some units in the 19th century were called "Buffalo Soldiers." In 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued an executive order to end segregation in the U.S. Armed Forces.

There are different ways to become a soldier. Conscription, or a "draft," is when a government compels people to serve by law. This usually applies to male citizens, though requirements can change during wartime. In the United States, males aged 18 to 25 must register with the Selective Service System. However, the U.S. has not used a draft since 1973 and relies on volunteers. Many people enlist for many reasons. They may feel a sense of patriotic duty or want to follow family traditions. Some seek the discipline, training, or social connections found in military life.

Service usually involves a specific length of time, known as a service obligation. In the U.S. Army, this is typically between 2 and 6 years of active duty. Some soldiers choose to make it a career by reenlisting. Those who serve for at least 20 years can receive a retirement pension. This pension is a portion of their salary that helps them after they retire. Throughout history, soldiers have appeared in many forms of media. They are found in folk tales, novels, films, and video games. These stories often focus on heroism, but sometimes they show the trauma of war.