What this country needs is catchall term for those in military uniform: Any ideas?

STLtoday.com ^ | 12-27-03 | Harry Levins

[FairWitness]

Each year, Time magazine picks the "Person of the Year" (formerly known, in less sensitive times, as the "Man of the Year"). This year, that person is "the American soldier," and the magazine's cover shows three of them, all from the Army's 1st Armored Division.

[Servant of the 9]

Defender?

Way to passive, just like the "Defense Department"

Should be Warriors and "War Department"

And butt stroke the politically correct that don't like it.

So9

[Blue Collar Christian]

America's Finest.

[Blue Collar Christian]

"It was probabley too confusing to the poor folks at TIME..."

More like TIME felt it would be too confusing to the poor folks of their readership.

[Blue Collar Christian]

THERE you are!

[Lazamataz]

I've been here the entire time.

[Coastie]

"The Military" worked for my 23 yrs.

Just one thing folks, when you speak of the branches of the military, note that there are 5 branches: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard

[FairWitness]

Our notions of our warrior class are strongly influenced by our previous wars and historical references

Good point. "Warrior class" and "warrior_at_the_moment" can be separate but overlapping categories.

[Blue Collar Christian]

Now THAT'S a fine Walmart greeter if I ever saw one!

I immensely enjoy your extreme sense of humor.

[VOA]

"SAMS" does have a nice muscular, Uncle Sam sound to it.

I'm probably just repeating another's observations...
but "SAMS" also has the advantage of covering guys and gals in the forces.

Maybe some Samuel or Samantha might get tired of being needing to remember that
when someone calls them out "SAM", it might be someone hailing them as personally
or in their capacity as a service-person