Pet peeve of mine: saying "troops"

[mvd]

I always say American soldier(s). The right wingers want to de-personalize our soldiers, and saying "troops" does just that. Whenever I hear troops, I envision storm troopers from Star Wars fighting overseas. Who is with me here?

[MichiganVote]

1. I think you need to take a chill pill

[cynatnite]

2. I say troops when I mean all military personnel

Soldiers are in the army, marines are in the marines, sailors are in the navy, etc

[mvd]

3. I can just say "the military"

when I mean everyone.

[Jane Austin]

6. "Military" includes all those uniformed people at the Pentagon, too.

That's not who I mean to include when I think about "the troops."

[mvd]

8. Then I'll just use generic "soldier"

I just don't like the term troops.

[Telly Savalas]

9. For reasons outlined in post #2...

I don't think Marines and Navy personnel appreciate being called "soldiers". If you want to show them respect and give them a human face, then call them by their proper names.

If my facts are off here, then I'd certainly welcome any military personnel or their family members to correct me.

[mvd]

13. I welcome any input from them

According to the dictionary, soldiers can be all-encompassing. If a marine for example didn't like being called a soldier or the military, there are the terms "servicepeople" and "armed forces."

[cynatnite]

11. use what works for you. no big deal :) n/t

[soothsayer]

17. "warfighter" is the correct term of art (does not imply any branch)

in particular

[Retired AF Dem]

10. Hey

how about the Air Force? :)

[Lex]

4. Here's what I asked about that topic

some time ago:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=3428162

[Hissyspit]

5. I say soldiers.

[maddezmom]

7. I say "troops", "soldiers",, etc

:shrug:

[meow2u3]

12. I say "The Armed Forces"

Factually correct and to the point.

[Aplomado]

14. what's the diff?

I don't see it.

[mvd]

15. As I said, it's just a pet peeve

I don't go bonkers over it. I just find "troops" to be impersonal, as stated above.

[spacelady]

16. "Troops" sounds too easily dispensable, like we have many more

"troops" to take their place. Troops here, troops there. Be a good trooper, do what you are told trooper. We need more troops. It is depersonalising.
Maybe I am stepping on troop toes, it is a word. Maybe someone with experience could explain if it is a word that carries some significance.