What is the common term used to describe the military personnel covered under SOFA?

The term "Forces" is commonly used to describe the military personnel covered under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). In this context, "Forces" refers specifically to the active-duty military members who are stationed in a host country, such as Japan, as part of the bilateral agreements. The SOFA establishes the legal status, rights, and responsibilities of these personnel while they are deployed overseas.

Using the term "Forces" encapsulates the essence of military service in a given jurisdiction and implies the operational capacity and authority held by these personnel under the agreement. The terminology is significant, as it indicates their status and the framework under which they operate while in the host country.

The other terms, while related, do not accurately capture the specific category of personnel addressed by SOFA. "Visitors" could refer to anyone temporarily in a country, not just military members. "Members" is too vague and could refer to a wide range of personnel, including civilian or administrative staff. "Dependents" specifically refers to family members of military personnel, who have different rights and privileges than the service members themselves. Thus, "Forces" is the term that best aligns with the intended legal and operational framework of military personnel under SOFA.