When somebody refers to you as a troop or one of the troops does that make you proud or offended?

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 16:13:51 -0400

When I was young I watched "F Troop" on TV and assumed Troop referred to cavalry units and soldiers. Then I grew interested in military history and learned that soldiers and marines deploying to fight in WWI, WWII and Korea were frequently referred to as troops. After I enlisted in 1974, I learned about cavalry units both ceremonial with real horses and more frequently air and armored cavalry troops which were parts of squadrons.
The air cavalry formations have largely disappeared from the Army formations. There are some ceremonial cavalry formation sin the Old Guard and 1st CAV and a number of armored cavalry formations still in the Army.
Background: by time of the U.S. Civil War the Cavalry troop was equivalent to an infantry company or an artillery battery. The soldiers assigned to a cavalry troop were known as troopers. Modern people tend to call all Civil War soldiers troops but that wasn't the case back in the day.
In the twentieth century being called a troop was much better than being called a grunt [ground replacement usually not trained].
A troop can refer to one person or a unit while trooper is usually reserved for cavalry troopers, paratroopers, etc. :-)
For current military and veterans would you be honored if somebody referred to you as one of the troops.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 22 at 2015 4:15 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 16:15:19 -0400

Even though I was never assigned to a cavalry unit, I am proud when somebody who has a knowledge of my military service considers me to be one of the troops.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 22 at 2015 4:17 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 16:17:06 -0400

LTC Stephen F. I used to use the term "troop" when I was getting ready to rip someone a new one. So as an individual term, I really don't like being called troop.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 4:23 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 16:23:32 -0400

I guess i'm old fashion, I consider it a reference to my service, like you, Sir, I think it is a "term of endearment."

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 4:29 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 16:29:02 -0400

I never thought about it. I have used the term to describe any group of military or a single person. I was a cav scout in the reserves. But, I used the term troops long before that,

Frankly, I am honored to have been a part of many military units.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 22 at 2015 4:33 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 16:33:04 -0400

LTC Stephen F. I wouldn't be offended if someone called me a troop, but I prefer sailor -- it's just such an integral part of who I am. What really bothers me is when the media refers to SEALs as 'soldiers'. They're not soldiers. They're sailors.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 4:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 16:40:24 -0400

Me and another RP member were just discussing this today, LTC Stephen F.. I haven't been called "troop" in years. When he thanked me for connecting he called me troop. I'm honored to be called troop. Like, thanks troop, or hey troop. I hate being called Buddy. I don't know why. If a friend refers to me as a good buddy, that's fine, but I hate it when someone says hey buddy, or no problem buddy, and I'm not their buddy.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 5:07 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 17:07:32 -0400

Why would anyone be offended by being called "troop"?

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 22 at 2015 6:28 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 18:28:31 -0400

I have never been called "troop". Was usually called Marine even when i wasn't in the Marines anymore.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Aug 22 at 2015 7:20 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 19:20:37 -0400

LTC Stephen F. Not a problem with that. I'm know I've been called worse to my face and behind my back. I can live with troop, trooper, or troops any day! It the nature of the beast, but I loved ever minute, every hour, every day, and every year of the military! I know you did too LTC Stephen F.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 8:22 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 20:22:34 -0400

If you're offended, maybe you need to take a step back and reevaluate yourself. Make a realization that civilians do not understand military titles like we do, then just chill out.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 23 at 2015 2:05 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 02:05:01 -0400

It is a term of honor.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Aug 23 at 2015 12:41 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 12:41:07 -0400

I like to be referred to as a trooper due to my cavalry background!

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Aug 23 at 2015 1:14 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 13:14:59 -0400

LTC Stephen F. All I ever wanted to be was a Marine and Soldier. Calling me a "Troop" will always be a compliment.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Aug 23 at 2015 6:54 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 18:54:43 -0400

LTC Stephen F., I always liked being called an airborne trooper, a paratrooper or an SF trooper anyway, so "troop" is fine with me! CPT Private RallyPoint Member SGT Private RallyPoint Member

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 8:23 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 20:23:23 -0400

LTC Stephen F. I consider the title as a term that refers to my service, so I have to say it is a term of endearment. Keeping in mind, as military members we are part of the few that serve and understand the specifics of the military. Like COL Mikel J. Burroughs, I too have been called worse to my face, so I can live with it and be proud of it.

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Aug 27 at 2015 2:51 PM

TSgt Melissa Post — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 14:51:53 -0400

We use the word troop for someone who is a supervisee. like I am a troop to my supervisor and one day I will have my own troops. What other definition is there that would be offense? I view this as equivalent to a girl being offended by being called a female as opposed to a girl.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2016 4:31 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 16:31:23 -0400

Get over it... "Troop" is a great term to identify military personnel as a collective term. Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine are terms for each branch... and quite a mouthful when you're trying to talk about the people working side by side in combat, training, or other missions. Support the troops... and support the terms "troop" and "troops"

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2016 4:41 PM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 16:41:10 -0400

Isn't everything offensive these days?

Response by Cpl Christopher Bishop made Aug 8 at 2016 4:55 PM

Cpl Christopher Bishop — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 16:55:19 -0400

I can barely believe anyone within the military would voice their feelings about being so butthurt over this kind of stuff. You are the reason other nations no longer fear us.

Troop likely implies ground forces. But I think it can extend to all of our military forces/troops.

What's next? Marines crying about being called "Jarheads" ?

I think this should be filed under "PLEASE TELL ME YOU HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO".

See a few years from now when you're talking to others about how you "served" this kind of activity should come back to haunt you. I sniffled, I whined, I bitched, I moaned, and I complained.

Response by SSG Brian Kresge made Aug 8 at 2016 5:03 PM

SSG Brian Kresge — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 17:03:37 -0400

I suppose I'm indifferent. Call me whatever you want, just not late for dinner.

I recall SMA McKinney visiting us at 1/501 in Alaska, and taking one of our squad leaders to task for calling soldiers "Joes." We can't denigrate soldiers by calling them that, he maintained. Of course, later on, it turned out that he was going one step further with his own subordinates, and it cost him dearly. I think we should be concerned less about how we reference service members, and more how as leaders that we treat them. If a leader calls you a "soldier," but treats you terribly and doesn't aid professional growth, wouldn't you rather have the leader that calls you "troop" but ensures you're competent?

Response by CSM Michael Sweeney made Aug 8 at 2016 5:47 PM

CSM Michael Sweeney — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 17:47:48 -0400

I know this is a little old, but I am just getting into RallyPoint. I was assigned to a couple of Cav units where Troop and Troopers are as generic as Soldier or Soldiers. I didn't catch on right away, but eventually learned when to use the words properly in the manner intended. Any word when used wrong can be taken offensively.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2016 5:48 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 17:48:06 -0400

It doesn't offend me and it is better than soldier. I am not a soldier as I do not see in the Army. I am an Airman in the Air Force.

Obviously civilians don't know/understand and I usually don't correct them unless it is someone I know really well.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 16 at 2016 8:12 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 08:12:57 -0400

I was and still am proud of the term.

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made Aug 16 at 2016 9:30 AM

SSgt Robert Marx — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 09:30:14 -0400

I always loved the comradery while serving and so I miss it now. Being called a "troop" was never a term of dishonor and I know of no one who would balk at being called as such.

Response by PO2 Kevin Easter made Aug 16 at 2016 10:24 AM

PO2 Kevin Easter — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 10:24:49 -0400

I feel I've received an undeserved honor (I'm a Navy vet, not Army). But I am appreciative of it nonetheless.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 10:44 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 10:44:36 -0400

It never bothered me in the least. I still use the term to denote Soldiers time to time. Having served in the Air Cavalry I am proud to tell folks that I rode with the 6th Air Cavalry and am a former trooper.

Response by SGT Kirk Nordberg made Aug 16 at 2016 6:44 PM

SGT Kirk Nordberg — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 18:44:51 -0400

I Served with the B Troop, 2nd Sqaidron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne and also with AVUM Troop, 4th Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 5th Army. I respect the fact that I'm called troop, trooper, or troops. It's a tradition.

Response by CPT Tom Monahan made Aug 17 at 2016 8:10 AM

CPT Tom Monahan — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 08:10:28 -0400

This issue is a symptom of the Army's identity problem. Troops are members of Cavalry Troops. As a culture we have trouble with the term Soldier (don't know why). Why are we comfortable calling sailors and marines by their traditional names? So to all - Soldier On!

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Aug 17 at 2016 8:36 AM

SSG Robert Webster — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 08:36:05 -0400

It is also a short form for paratrooper. AATW.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2016 9:25 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 09:25:38 -0400

I don't feel either... never inherited the gene that makes me read into everything to determine if it is a micro-aggression.

Response by SSG Joseph Dowell made Aug 17 at 2016 10:35 AM

SSG Joseph Dowell — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 10:35:58 -0400

Because the term "Troop" refers to a single soldier this term is not offensive in general. Of course a few of us have earned the designation of "Super-Duper ParaTROOPER" and are very proud of that. Happy Birthday Airborne (Aug. 16 national Airborne day)

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2016 11:06 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 11:06:28 -0400

I served in the Armored Cavalry for a spell and trooper is a term on respect and endearment. I believe the Armor Branch still refers to the "Old Trooper'. I don't understand how anyone who serves in any branch would be offended by the term troop or trooper. Certainly there is pride of branch-sailor, soldier, marine, airman/airwoman as well there should be. However, to be offended by the term troop is a non-starter to me.

Response by PO2 Robert Cuminale made Aug 17 at 2016 3:53 PM

PO2 Robert Cuminale — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 15:53:40 -0400

It's poor use of English. The news media started this mistake and perpetuate it.
An individual is a TROOPER. He belongs to a TROOP. A group of them can be called TROOPERS or with a definitive the TROOPS.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2016 5:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 17:44:54 -0400

I have been in Air Cav units numerous times. I am proud to be among the troops!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2016 6:29 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 18:29:01 -0400

Lol I never had time to go on here until I got out but some of these post are pure comedy

Response by Capt Christian D. Orr made Aug 17 at 2016 8:06 PM

Capt Christian D. Orr — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 20:06:13 -0400

I'm a USAF veteran with a USMC WWII vet Dad (R.I.P.) and two USN vet cousins, and I have NEVER though of the word "troop" as insulting or derogatory. Those who are offended by it need to get the bug out of their butt.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Aug 18 at 2016 12:27 AM

SPC Byron Skinner — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 00:27:17 -0400

Sp4 Byron Skinner…First of the word is "trooper" not troop. I'm not sure of the origin of the word but I like any other soldier would be proud to be addressed as such. If you are Army or Marine Infantry you are a Rifleman, no more need be said. A Rifleman has a rather strange existence. Most of the time you are lower then the bottom of a latrine, but one word needs to be phrase yelled and you become God, "incoming, we are under attack."

Response by SFC William Farrell made Aug 18 at 2016 11:12 PM

SFC William Farrell — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 23:12:25 -0400

Doesn't bother me LTC Stephen F.. While I was never Cav, I was at Fort Hood where they were stationed. I was with Second Armored Division after Vietnam.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Aug 18 at 2016 11:26 PM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 23:26:15 -0400

It was never a term that was embraced by the Corps. Although the media uses it, its something Marines really didnt do, although the Navy often refers to the berthing area for embarked Marines as Troop Berthing or Troop spaces its probably because the Army can also be embarked.
In my opionion calling a Marine a troop is the same as calling him a Soldier.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Aug 18 at 2016 11:54 PM

TSgt Joe C. — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 23:54:30 -0400

I take it as a compliment LTC Stephen F..

Response by SGT Stanley Bass made Aug 21 at 2016 7:42 PM

SGT Stanley Bass — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 19:42:01 -0400

It is a term of endearment. I used to be bothered when I was on active duty, when people would thank me for my service. I never saw combat, or any other engagements. So it bothered me because I had done nothing, and to me it offended those that had done those things. But like those Korea, Vietnam and WWII Veterans who say "I didn't do anything." We all did something that a large majority of people can't do. We served. No matter how long or how short a period of time, we supported and defended the freedoms for those that were not able to serve.