Trooper or troop?

[WIHS2006]

Originally Posted by Mircea

All soldiers are troops, however only cavalry and air cavalry have the right to be called "troopers."

Arent US Army Special Forces soldiers also referred to as troopers?

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by Towhee

This is something that has bothered me for some time, and I do not know of a better place to address it.
When did one soldier become a 'troop'?
The word "troop" used to refer to a group, not an individual.
An individual was a trooper.
What was the purpose of changing it, and who was the perpetrator?
Was it the news media?

Why does it bother you?

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by WIHS2006

Arent US Army Special Forces soldiers also referred to as troopers?

That would be short for Paratrooper