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Soldier Facts & Worksheets

Soldiers are uniformed personnel engaged in military service, especially in the army.

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Soldiers are uniformed personnel engaged in military service, especially in the army. They can either be conscripted or volunteer enlisted persons, non-commissioned officers, or officers.

See the fact file below for more information on Soldiers, or you can download our 23-page Soldier worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

SHORT HISTORY AND ETYMOLOGY

  • Although not officially called ‘soldiers’ because of language differences, these warriors existed when men began to establish territories and found the need to protect their properties.
  • Soldiers were also used for wars and conquests as well as for civil causes such as personal guards and social workers. 
  • They were always the people trained to fight and defend with weapons. Over time, these soldiers have utilized different weapons to supplement the needs of wars and battles. 
  • In ancient times, the best-known soldiers are those with the most victories, such as the Roman empire, the Babylonians, the Mesopotamians, the Egyptians, the ancient Chinese, and the Huns.
  • The term “soldier” comes from the Middle English word soudeour, which is derived from the Old French word soudeer, which means “mercenary,” from soudee, which means “shilling’s worth” or “pay,” from “sou,” or “soud,” which is a shilling. 
  • Additionally, the name has ties to the Medieval Latin word soldarius, which means soldier (literally, “one having pay”).

QUALIFICATIONS OF A SOLDIER

  • Physical prowess, intellectual prowess, and a sincere, unwavering dedication to military service are requirements for joining the Army. 
  • In many countries, applicants to the Army must be physically fit, a particular age, and possess at least a high school graduation diploma to be accepted. Additionally, applicants must succeed in the Army Physical Fitness Test, which gauges their capacity for pushups, situps, and a two-mile run.
  • In the United States army, before enrolment and at the start of basic training, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is given to all prospective members.
  • Potential Army applicants must obtain a score of 31 or above to be eligible. Ten quick tests make up the exam, which must be finished in three hours. 
  • This exam helps identify the Army tasks a person is competent in and is used to establish whether a candidate has the mental aptitude for military duty.
  • To receive a medical evaluation, candidates must attend the joint-service Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). 
  • Candidates must be free of communicable illnesses, medical issues, and physical flaws that would cause them to miss a significant amount of time from duty.
  • Long and arduous training is expected when entering the military, so every candidate must strictly comply with physical and mental examinations.
  • Curricular outputs can also benefit soldiers who want to specialize since not everyone will be marching with guns and bullets. Some will train in artillery, engineering, infantry, communications, and many other tasks.

DUTIES OF A SOLDIER

  • Soldiers take part in a variety of peacekeeping operations in unstable areas, engage in battle in conflict zones, or aid humanitarian causes all around the world. 
  • Depending on the branch they work for, their responsibilities vary. They are in excellent bodily and mental health, which enables them to carry out their duties.
  • Soldiers are also tasked with jobs such as supply, finance, administration, transportation, and a range of trades.
  • The duties of an army soldier may also include administration, vehicle repair, leadership, computer proficiency, the operation and maintenance of a range of military equipment, and general soldiering duties, including manning defensive positions, patrolling, traffic control, and navigation. 
  • Examples of specialized activities include cooking, providing supplies and ammunition, operating communication systems and electronic transmissions, and administration.

KINDS OF SOLDIERS

  • Due to the increasing specialization of military occupations requiring different areas of knowledge and skill sets, the term “soldier” has become a general term.
  • While every applicant undergoes basic training, they get to choose what field they choose:
  • Infantryman: A military specialization engaged in ground combat on foot. In earlier times, they used melee weapons for close combat. It still applies today because infantrymen are usually equipped with mid-range weapons and defense systems.
  • Commando: These are elite operatives or special operations forces, trained specially for carrying out raids and operating behind enemy lines. Famous elite units include SEALS (US), SAS (UK), and Shayetet 13 (Israel).
  • Combat Medic: They are responsible for providing emergency medical treatment during combat, evacuation, or training environment. They usually work in military treatment facilities and clinics where they can fulfill almost any role needed for medical treatment.
  • Artilleryman: Soldiers who operate ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Often, they serve as a backup when foot soldiers need support.
  • Snipers: These are elite soldiers specializing in distance shooting specific targets. In many countries, snipers are feared because they never miss.
  • Paratroopers: They are trained to parachute into special military operations, usually as part of an airborne force with stealth missions or surprise attacks.
  • Others include tankers, guardians, grenadiers, rangers, engineers, sappers, craftsmen, signallers, or gunners.
  • Further, soldiers may choose to serve in the following:
    • Army: Composes the majority of the soldiers, the primary protectors of the country.
    • Marines: During combats, they are often the first on the ground.
    • Navy: They protect the national interests overseas. They operate in territorial waters and sometimes the high seas, especially against terrorist activities. 
    • Air Force: They protect territorial interests at home and abroad with a focus on air power.

COUNTRIES WITH SIZEABLE ARMED FORCES

China

  • China’s military is the largest in the world in terms of total personnel. Only Russia and the United States possess larger fleets of tanks and submarines than China. 
  • Ballistic missiles and fifth-generation aircraft are currently being developed in China as part of its military modernization efforts, which have also achieved significant advancements in recent years and may soon change how armed conflict is fought.

United States

  • The United States military is ranked as the world’s most powerful force by Statista. Each nation is given a score by Statista based on an index containing 50 distinct characteristics, such as military might and budget.
  • The United States’ best conventional military advantage is its fleet of ten aircraft carriers. Additionally, the U.S. has the most aircraft in the world, cutting-edge equipment like the Navy’s new rail gun, a sizable and well-trained human force, and, of course, the greatest nuclear arsenal in the world.

Russia

  • According to Global Firepower data, Russia is the country with the most tanks in the world, with 12,950, more than twice as many as the United States. 
  • On land, there are around one million active people in charge of 3,860 rocket launchers, 6,083 self-propelled artillery groups, and 27,038 armored vehicles. An estimate of Russia’s defense spending is $48 billion.

Soldier Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Soldiers across 23 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Soldiers, who are uniformed personnel engaged in military service, especially in the army. They can either be conscripted or volunteer enlisted persons, non-commissioned officers, or officers.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Soldier Facts
  2. Local Qualifications
  3. Great Soldiers
  4. Our War Hero
  5. Uniform Evolution
  6. Military Structure
  7. Soldier’s Motto
  8. Soldier’s Creed
  9. Female Soldiers
  10. In the Service
  11. Soldier Qualities

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called a soldier?

The word “soldier” originates in the Middle English term soudeour, from Old French to signify a mercenary. Specifically, it is derived from sou or soud, which equates to a shilling’s worth or wage. Thus ‘souder’ was commissioned for a payment of one shilling.

What does a soldier do?

Soldiers participate in or back up military operations, including combat and training procedures and humanitarian or disaster relief efforts. They can also manage, upkeep, and fix equipment and accomplish technical and support tasks.

Do soldiers get no sleep?

Although many soldiers get nightly 6 to 7 hours of sleep, almost one-third report sleeping less than six hours on work/duty nights. Those same individuals also claim they receive more restful slumber during weekends or non-working days compared to weeknights and duty nights.

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Link will appear as Soldier Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, December 22, 2022

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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