Help settle an argument. Are US Navy personnel ever considered "soldiers"?

y_p_w

y_p_w

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Got into an argument over this. Someone insisted that a US Navy SEAL is a "soldier". This is just one of those things where I've encountered enough US Navy personnel to know that's they don't take kindly to be called soldiers. Marines want to be called Marines, and USAF are "airmen" (even women). Not sure if seaman or sailor is preferred, but I can't think of anyone who served in the US Navy who would object to being called a sailor.

All personnel in the uniform of naval service are Sailors first, and in addition they are officers, chiefs, petty officers, aviators, Seabees, surface warriors, and submariners. This is an important point impacting unity and esprit de corps.​
 
In many langauges any military man can be called a "soldier".
However in English usage, this is not typical.

While a distinction in many countries is not made between Naval Infantry (Marines)* and Air Force personnel and those are often called "Soldiers" in those languages, to my knowledge, no country and especially no english speaking one, calls Sailors Soldier.

If your friend is looking for a catchall term, perhaps "military" is the best choice.

PS: No emotional chesthumping from those who dont want to be called "Soldiers" from other branches, please.
Read what was actually said:
We are simply having a grown up conversation here, about language and the nuances of its meaning.
 
I don't remember ever hearing anyone in the US military been called "soldiers" in an official title, or the term solider been used in official level or titles. It seems to be more of a "career" or "work ethics" title from what I have heard.

One thing I know is if someone doesn't want me to call them something, I wouldn't.
 
PandaBear said:
I don't remember ever hearing anyone in the US military been called "soldiers" in an official title, or the term solider been used in official level or titles. It seems to be more of a "career" or "work ethics" title from what I have heard.

One thing I know is if someone doesn't want me to call them something, I wouldn't.
Click to expand...

The US Army does refer to personnel officially as soldiers. And they have adopted the Soldier’s Creed.

creed.pdf


I do remember seeing a series of YouTube videos recorded with the cooperation of the Republic of Korea Navy. It was kind of confusing because the ranks they displayed when introducing officers were mixed naval ranks with that of their Army and Air Force. But when I looked it up, their rank terminology is unified, without separate terms for naval ranks. I guess just inconsistent translation.
 
Within and between the respective branches, I can understand the terminology. When it comes to the general population, the terminology is not so defined. Any member who gets offended by being called a soldier by anyone needs to look inward.
That's my take.
Cheers. ;) 🍻
 
Army = soldiers
Marines = marines
Navy = sailors
Airforce = airmen

That's it. Sometimes civilians will use 'soldiers' as a catch-all phrase, but nothing against them. It's understandable when somebody says that because they didn't know better vs ones that snidely say it.
 
y_p_w said:
But are they soldiers?
Click to expand...
No.

And the only person who calls members of the US Navy “Soldiers” is unfamiliar with the US military in general and the US Navy in particular.

Nothing against those who don’t know anything, but in this case, they don’t know anything. My neighbor is a retired SEAL. He would not like being called a “soldier” any more than a doctor would like to be called “nurse” on the basis of gender.

It would not go over well, and is based on a series of misconceptions - born of ignorance.
 
y_p_w said:
Got into an argument over this. Someone insisted that a US Navy SEAL is a "soldier". This is just one of those things where I've encountered enough US Navy personnel to know that's they don't take kindly to be called soldiers. Marines want to be called Marines, and USAF are "airmen" (even women). Not sure if seaman or sailor is preferred, but I can't think of anyone who served in the US Navy who would object to being called a sailor.

All personnel in the uniform of naval service are Sailors first, and in addition they are officers, chiefs, petty officers, aviators, Seabees, surface warriors, and submariners. This is an important point impacting unity and esprit de corps.​
Click to expand...
I can see what they're saying if you include the quotes "soldier" vs a soldier.
 
I grew up in southeastern Virginia, where there are many Navy facilities. Civilians never called Navy people "soldiers". "Squid" was the preferred term. :ROFLMAO:
 
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