What is "mehmetchik"

Mehmetçik (literally: Little Mehmet) is a general term used affectionately to refer soldiers of the Ottoman Army and Turkish Army. It is the Turkish equivalent of " Tommy Atkins" for the British Army, " Doughboy" or G.I. of the United States Army, " Digger" of the Australian Army and the New Zealand Army or Johnny Reb for Confederate soldiers in the American Civil War. Although it is used for especially infantryman (foot soldier), terms such like Piyade Mehmetçik (Infantryman Little Mehmet) and Süvari Mehmetçik ( Cavalryman Little Mehmet), Topçu Mehmetçik ( Artilleryman Little Mehmet) have rarely been seen.