砲灰
砲灰是個非正式的用語，指被看作是面對敵人砲火下可消耗的軍事人員。這個詞一般用在倚靠希望渺茫的機會下戰鬥的士兵（可預見將遭受嚴重傷亡），以努力實現戰略目標。第一次世界大战的壕溝戰就是一個例子。這個詞也可以使用來（有貶義）區分步兵與其他兵種（像是砲兵、空軍或海軍），或將容易消耗的低階士兵、經驗不足的士兵，與大概更有價值的老兵做出區別。
英語Cannon fodder源於饲料，牲畜的糧食，暗喻士兵是敵方大砲下的餌食。
人海戰術
參見
- 被遺棄的希望, the initial wave of troops attacking a fortress or other strongpoint, who usually took terrible casualties.
- Redshirt, a character whose sole purpose is to die violently soon after being introduced. This term was originally used to describe the red-shirted security personnel of the original Star Trek series.
- Mook, from mook jung (Cantonese for "dead wood" or "wooden dummy") - the same but on the baddies' side.
- 替罪羔羊, a metaphorical reference for a person who has little if any chance of surviving an upcoming challenge, but seeks to sacrifice him or herself for the common good.
- 肉盾, informal and often derogatory expression for someone put forth to absorb an attack or shelter another, such as a hostage held to block bullets.
- 刑罰部隊
- 邪惡射手原則（突擊兵效應）
- 神風特攻隊