A soldier is a person who has enlisted with, or has been conscripted into, the armed forces of a sovereign country and has undergone training and received equipment (such as a uniform and weapon) 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 hierarchical societies, and within them, groups of soldiers are usually divided into military units of some kind.

A soldier is not necessarily a fighter. 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 or equivalent. In some countries of the world, soldier specifically refers to members of the army who are not holders of an officer's commission. 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 infantrymen, archaically foot), are soldiers who specialise in ground combat. Not all soldiers are infantrymen, and not all infantrymen are soldiers. Infantry that are not soldiers include members of the British RAF Regiment (who are technically airmen, not soldiers), and members of the United States Marine Corps, British Royal Marines, and other marine forces (many of whom bristle at being called soldiers, although they are often so described). Several navies maintain forces of naval infantry, who are sailors, not soldiers.

Cavalry (or cavalrymen; archaically horse), are traditionally soldiers who fight from horseback, but now usually crew armoured fighting vehicles. Variations include dragoons, lancers, hussars and cuirassiers.

Artillery (or artillerymen) operate heavy mortars, howitzers, guns, and missile and rocket launchers.

Engineers, also called pioneers, are military construction, demolition, bridging and mine 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 hierarchical discipline constantly being imposed on them, warriors in pre-modern societies were often guided by societal warrior codes.

Etymology

The word soldier is derived from an Old French word, itself a derivation of Solidarius, Latin for someone who served for pay. Solidare in Latin means "to pay" and Roman soldiers were paid in Solidi. The common origin for the words soldier and payment survives not only in French (soldat and solde) but also in other languages, like German (soldat and sold), Spanish (soldado and soldada) and Dutch (soldaat and soldij).

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
• Military animals
• Toy soldier

Soldier is also the title of a 1998 movie. See Soldier (movie).da:Soldat de:Soldat es:soldado eo:Soldato fr:Militaire ko:кµ°мќё he:חייל la:Miles nl:Soldaat ja:軍人 no:Soldat pl:Żołnierz pt:Soldado fi:Sotilas sv:Soldat