volunteer soldier
Enlisted without conscription
A volunteer soldier is someone who enlists for military service by choice rather than being drafted or conscripted.
The term emphasizes willingness—these soldiers chose to serve rather than being compelled by law: The regiment was composed entirely of volunteer soldiers.
In historical contexts, volunteer soldiers often formed distinct units separate from regular army forces.
- militiaNon-professional armed force
- recruitNew member sought
- sign upFormally agree to participate
- enlistJoin armed forces
- answer the callRespond when summoned
take up arms · patriot · reservist · irregular · foreign legion · minuteman · home guard · freedom fighter · guerrilla · auxiliary · drafted · rally · duty · call-up · muster · partisan · resistance · banner
- military enlistmentenlistment, recruit, enlisted, induction, recruits
- hired fightersmercenary, gun for hire, hired gun, sellsword, condottiere
volunteer soldiermercenary
Soldier fighting for pay
professional soldier · soldier of fortune · hired gun · career soldier · contractor
volunteer soldierconscientious objector
One refusing military service morally
draft dodger · pacifist · deserter · draft evader · noncombatant
volunteer, soldier, volunteers, volunteered, volunteering, volunteerism, voluntary, voluntarily, involuntary