Personally, I think if you strap on the uniform, you should be exempt from taxes.

But I am an extreme patriot.

Floyd,
The reason we use “respect” nouns is not to determine the respect of an individual, but the respect of the service. However, these are not grammar guidelines but “style” guidelines. There are many style books out there. Journalists use the AP Style book, while academicians usually use the MLB or Chicago Style books. The military has their own style book, which is why you see a big difference between military writing regarding ranks compared to civilian journalists.

The use of Sailor, Airman, Guardsman, Marine, Soldier as a proper noun instead of a common noun is just one more example of this style difference. It creates a significant, but subtle, change in how we are addressing the group of people. There is nothing wrong with with showing our respect to those individuals (as a collective) by offering them a captial letter.

The Podcast Patriot (www.podcastpatriot.com)

Please, ol’ boy, enlighten me…what’s a “respect” noun? Not every sailor, solider, marine, airman, etc. deserves your respect just because of their chosen profession. Need I remind you that respect must be EARNED before it is rendered?

“Tell them [English teachers] they need to follow the lead of their respective military service heads and update their grammar manuals”

Oh, man. Please tell me you aren’t serious about this? Military leaders are now in the business of setting trends in proper English? That notion is as laughable as it is absurd. I sincerely hope you are joking, but something tells me you’re dead serious…

Just in case you are joking, lemme be the first to howl: Bwaahhahahahahaha!!!