“Warfighter” is one of the more recent of a series of invented terms for members of the American military. “Soldier” strictly implies a member of the Army, and

“Warfighter” is one of the more recent of a series of invented terms for members of the American military. “Soldier” strictly implies a member of the Army, and since we have four going on five branches of the military now, simply listing them all (soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and...spacemen?) is awkward. The previous catch-all term of “servicemen” is considered sexist, on top of not sounding nearly as macho for whatever that’s worth.