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**Tiger-Monkey2** · 01-02-2012, 15:34

So a Zulu warrior is now a soldier?

**Arte_et_Marte** · 01-02-2012, 16:27

Originally Posted by Tiger-Monkey2

So a Zulu warrior is now a soldier?

And it sort of messes with a popular drinking song...

**Gassing_Badgers** · 01-02-2012, 16:41

Originally Posted by Tiger-Monkey2

So a Zulu warrior is now a soldier?

As far as 'primitive' cultures go, the Zulu army was a pretty well organised fighting force - so I suppose calling Zulus 'soldiers' isn't too far off the mark.

**TalaveraTom** · 01-02-2012, 16:59

Originally Posted by Bushmills

"Warriors" is probably a nice attempt to decribe all the people in a unit without distiction for rank and gender, as opposed to "Officers" and "Soldiers" terminology used by the British. This still smacks of "officers and their ladies, sergeants and their wives, other ranks and their women"

Bushmills, you weren't RE were you? I ask as this is one of only a couple of times i've heard this phrase used. The Father in Law regaled me with a tale of an all ranks do, in which the very phrase you used was posted up on the squadron wall. Such was the outcry amongst the ORs, that the person responsible was quite rightly hauled over the coals for this crass comment. The do happened, and a good time was had by all, but he said there was a lot of bad feeling over the wording.

**TheIronDuke** · 01-02-2012, 17:10

Hmm. An interesting distinction and sometimes a tough one to call. In my limited view, few soldiers these days are warriors due to the command structure and the need to justify everything on paper. True warriors are nutters, as has been observed, and nobody wants nutters.

But when the shit hits the fan, you might want to stand next to a soldier who is a warrior. Look around for the man who is quietly smiling. He's probably going to be a nutter. But odds on, he will see you clear.

That said, all US soldiers are warriors. The spotty geek who sold out to Wikileaks was a warrior. They all are.

**Gassing_Badgers** · 01-02-2012, 17:20

Originally Posted by TheIronDuke

That said, all US soldiers are warriors. The spotty geek who sold out to Wikileaks was a warrior. They all are.

Especially this guy:

And before Goldbricker gets all wound up, yes I know there are some fat cnuts in the British Army too...those Greggs stores won't keep themselves in business you know!