Ever since the Gulf War, years ago, I remember hearing that the USA sent 50,00 'troops'.
I thought, "Holy Crap, that has got to be a half of a million guys!", because a troop is a cavalry unit, with at least 10 guys in it.
When I was a boyscout, I belonged to a "troop", however my troop had 12 kids in it.
Remember the TV show called F TROOP? Each guy was a Trooper.
So, the media should have said that the USA sent over 50,000 troopers.
A sheriff or State Policeman is a trooper. As in State Trooper. NOT State Troop.
Visit the Merriam-Webster online dictionary.
-------Or if you are too lazy, read below--------
Pronunciation: 'trüp
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French trope, troupe company, herd, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English thorp, throp village -- more at THROP
Date: 1545
1 a : a group of soldiers b : a cavalry unit corresponding to an infantry company c plural : ARMED FORCES, SOLDIERS
2 : a collection of people or things : CREW 2
3 : a flock of mammals or birds
4 : the basic organizational unit of Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts under an adult leader