What, exactly, did CNN report?  You're usually pretty good at quoting these things.

It seems to me that it would be appropriate if the news ticker read: "Iran to release female troop," meaning 'all of the troops who are female.'

What a trooper you are!

trooper? the media has never (at least not since the 50's) been very good at respectfulness to the military. I'm personally very sorry that the "lady sailor" is being separated from her comrades - this an insult not only to the lady but to all of the women who have made the grade and serve. On the other hand, I'm grateful that at least someone is being released and hope that this is an indication that the rest will soon follow.

The term should be hostage or POW. 

Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark. -- save my gun, shoot a liberal.

Ken:

As a television producer, it is a pet peeve of mine when pundits who comment about on-screen graphics are sloppy about TV terminology and refer to them as Chyrons, or as in your case, "chyron" [sic].  Chyron is a company that used to be the leading TV graphics machine company, producing state-of-the-art equipment used by most teleportation facilities, oh about 15 - 20 years ago.  Unfortunately Chyron stuck with analogue technologies that they were good at producing when the digital age was budding.  The company fell far behind and has now been relegated to the back row of graphics machine companies.  Calling an on-screen graphic a Chyron is like calling a facial tissue a Kleenex, except only worse.  Kleenex is still a leading brand of facial tissue.

Try using these phrases; they are more accurate. 

~ full screen graphic

~ lower 1/3 graphic

~ lower 1/3 super

~ lower 1/3 crawl

As one who appreciates the nuance of language, I know you will appreciate my advice!

Regards, Dave High

I have no degree in the English language, no strong editorial experience, nor am I a reporter, but I do have a DD214, and I have referred to someone as a "troop".  I've also referred to them as a "boot", "rook", "grunt", "squid", "FNG", "snipe", "brownshoe", "blackshoe", "jarhead", "hand", "bubblehead", "deckape", "coastie" and a host of other names that may make perfect sense, or no sense, in a gramitical sense depending on if you've ever been in uniform or what uniform you've worn.

I think the use of "troop" is quite accurate, and if you want to fault CNN (and the rest of the media types) for something, fault them for broadcasting this story, or the troop's letter that shows her "confession" for being in Iranian waters.  That's obviously a coerced statement... derived from (dare I say it...) TORTURE, and the broadcasting of it only legitimizes what the Iranians are doing.

It really is shocking to see how unprofessional today's journalists can be. When I was in college, my professors busted my rump for improper use of titles. In law school, the bar was set even higher and I was constantly ripped-on for using incorrect names like "sailor" vs. "soldier" vs "troop or troops". Apparently, the D+ students must end up on CNN.

Typically, the word “troop” in military jargon is used in two ways Troop or troop.  Troop refers to a Cavalry unit about 100 soldiers is size. It is only an Army term.  The noun “troop” commonly refers to one soldier, troops would mean more than one.  The term sailor refers to a cabana boy on a cruse, not a military member;)  Try a little harder to use your brain to think of compelling, insightful topic.  I know you can do it seaman.   

It's just the stupid lib wing media Ken. The only sailor they ever saw or talked to was one on a TV show that they wanted to get into the pants of.

I've had dozens of libs admit to me they have no contact with anyone in the military. No friends,no family, no clue. They are the type that scream I need to get to Iraq now and fight.

 One of them whined - a raging Bush hating liberal mind you - that 14 illegals work at the local golf course mowing for peanuts- and also live in the apartment across the hall from him. He's gay so he probably likes it. He also whined he only had money for milk and noodles at the 711.

 That's the type of people were talking about.

 They screamed noone in congress had any children in Iraq, which was wrong also.

 I guess we'll have to wait for the islamists to start chopping off American's heads on our soil, in public view, so the libs can be eyewitnesses, and then after they somehow confirm those aren't CIA operatives, they'ell get with the game and be on our side.