militiaman
Armed civilian volunteer
A militiaman is a member of a militia—a military force composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers.
Militias historically formed for local defense or during emergencies when regular armies were insufficient.
The term appears in discussions of colonial America, revolutionary movements, and contemporary armed groups: The militiamen trained on weekends.
Muzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
- bayonetRifle-mounted stabbing blade
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- musketrySkill with firearms
powder horn · cartridge box · drill · skirmish · ambush · guerrilla · sharpshooter · irregular
Cloth symbol or signal
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- independenceFreedom from external control
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
rebellion · insurrection · uprising · resistance · sovereignty · homeland · allegiance · loyalty
Assemble for inspection
- call-upOrder to serve
- mobilizationOrganizing for action
- activationSetting into operation
- standbyReady substitute awaiting use
auxiliary · reinforcement · part-time · weekend warrior · drilling · training · readiness · home defense
Male resident of town
- villagerRural community inhabitant
- farmerOne who cultivates land
- tradesmanSkilled manual worker
- shopkeeperSmall store manager
landowner · homesteader · settler · civilian · inhabitant · local · native · commoner
Voluntary entry into service
- unpaidNot yet compensated
- voluntary serviceUnpaid assistance freely offered
- civic dutyObligation owed to community
- amateurNonprofessional participant
non-professional · neighborhood watch · grassroots · answer the call · rallying · joining up · signing up · taking up arms
musket
Muzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
- bayonetRifle-mounted stabbing blade
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
musketry · powder horn · cartridge box · drill · skirmish · ambush · guerrilla · sharpshooter · irregular · minuteman
flag
Cloth symbol or signal
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- independenceFreedom from external control
revolution · rebellion · insurrection · uprising · resistance · sovereignty · homeland · allegiance · loyalty · nationalism
muster
Assemble for inspection
- call-upOrder to serve
- mobilizationOrganizing for action
- activationSetting into operation
standby · auxiliary · reinforcement · part-time · weekend warrior · drilling · training · readiness · home defense · emergency
townsman
Male resident of town
shopkeeper · landowner · homesteader · settler · civilian · inhabitant · local · native · commoner · freeman
enlistment
Voluntary entry into service
- unpaidNot yet compensated
- voluntary serviceUnpaid assistance freely offered
- civic dutyObligation owed to community
amateur · non-professional · neighborhood watch · grassroots · answer the call · rallying · joining up · signing up · taking up arms · service
- combatantssoldier, warrior, fighter, swordsman, spearman
- soldiersinfantryman, private, grenadier, grenadiers, fusilier
- warriorsfighter, knight, footsoldier, barbarian, samurai
- infantryfoot soldiers, foot soldier, rifleman, riflemen, infantryman
- armed peoplegunman, shooter, sniper, rifleman, gunner
- Patriotspatriot, Paul Revere, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, founding father
militiamanprofessional soldier
Paid military career person
career soldier · commissioned officer · enlisted soldier · regular army · serviceman
militiamanstate trooper
Regional road officer
federal agent · police officer · peacekeeper · insurgent · rebel