Posted on Jul 19, 2017
Do military "nicknames" from civilians bother you?
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An American Legion friend of mine gets very upset when a non-vet civilian refers to a veteran by a service nickname, i.e. swabbie, squid, grunt, weekend warrior, puddle-jumper, fly-boy, etc. He tells them in no uncertain terms they have not earned the right to call veterans or service members anything but what they are. That the nicknames are a sign of military comradeship among the services.
Vietnam War
Military service
Civilians
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 44
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I can't get upset by a lifelong civilian calling me a Jarhead, Rotorhead, or any other of the nicknames that have been assigned to Marines over the years. As much as many of us hate to admit it, from the civilian world we came and, for the most part, will eventually return. At best, it shows they were interested enough in us to learn the terms, and at worst, they are civilians without the advantage of our advanced education and should be pitied, not lambasted.
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1SG David Spalding
One term that I've never been called by a non-Vet is "Grunt". So I enjoy it more. Try to explain GRUNT to a civilian and see how quickly they forget, or don't grasp it at all.
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They certainly don't sound right coming from a civilian and I kind of give them the "ooookkkay buddy" look, but I wouldn't get butt hurt about it either. It's mostly just awkward.
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PO2 Richard C.
That's generally my feeling, too, but my Legionnaire friend almost goes off the deep end. Curious if anyone else has similar reactions.
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I answer to anything that smacks of being a Marine......my grandfather called me "gyrene".......been called a jarhead, a leatherneck, a sea going bellhop, a grunt, and one of Uncle Sams Misguided Children. I'm ok with any of these, as long as they aren't said with attitude.
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PO2 Richard C.
I've found that a lot of Marines feel pretty much the same way. Each nickname for a Marine has its own significance, and many seem to consider it almost an honor to be recognized that way (except for maybe sea-going bellhop. I don't think that goes over well from a squid).
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LtCol George Carlson
With two grandfathers who were Army, a father who was Navy, and an uncle who was Army Air Corps/Force I heard them all before I was even commissioned. My favorite was my uncle's term -- Bulgarian Balloon Corps.
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
A positive ‘tude I can accept..
SSGT. Gary Anderson.
Like when Someone calls me
“AIRMAN”. Just be positive !
All I ask ! I can deal with that
Negatives :I try to hold the ‘butthurt’ and not let it show.
‘Cause it’s showing they got
To me in a negative manner. and they won.
SSGT. Gary Anderson.
Like when Someone calls me
“AIRMAN”. Just be positive !
All I ask ! I can deal with that
Negatives :I try to hold the ‘butthurt’ and not let it show.
‘Cause it’s showing they got
To me in a negative manner. and they won.
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PO2 Richard C.: I don't get called nicknames by civilians....Civilians will thank me for my service; though.
-Margaret
-Margaret
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
i have found that also to be My experience SPG Higgins and sure don't mind that a bit.
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It personally does not bother me, but some vets take things bit more personally than others. I certainly wouldn't be calling a vet anything other than what they want to be called if I was just a civilian though.
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PO2 Richard C.
My AL buddy calls it disrespectful, but his response to it is also sometimes. Only once did I ever see him calmly explain why to a civilian.
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I think it is just an attempt to "bond" in some sort of way, kinda like those civilians that say "I would have joined, but....". I find that a lot of civilians, especially those that were military eligible during the war, have a sense of "less than" when it comes to interacting with veterans, and it gives them a feeling of shame that they did not answer the call. So they attempt to find a connection between themselves and the veteran. I usually let them have that feeling of connection, but you can always tell in their eyes that they will never understand you.
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SSG Robert Perrotto
PO2 Richard C. - BTW, when someone refers to me or my fellow infantrymen as grunts - I correct them immediately - we ARE trained
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SSG Robert Perrotto
PO3 Bob McCord - River boats and the like - was extremely hazardous having to patrol the rivers and Lakes of Vietnam
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Not really.
I get more annoyed by those who were "almost military" taking up the flag of their favorite branch despite not having ever served (for whatever reason).
I get more annoyed by those who were "almost military" taking up the flag of their favorite branch despite not having ever served (for whatever reason).
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PO2 Richard C.
I agree. The only excuse I can see for a civilian doing that is when they're supporting a particular branch in a service academy rivalry football game.
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SGT Dave Tracy
PO2 Richard C. - I can see that. I also would give a pass on immediate family of a service member cheering on a particular branch. That's understandable.
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PO2 Richard C. I was never called any nicknames. I probably would have been Ok with it at the time. I di think there should be a respect level even when they are calling someone a nickname.
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My feelings over time have ranged from the famous Mr T. "I pity the fool" back in the day to a tempered response like "You too could have been a someone". Mostly I just ignore it because the vast majority of the time, folk aren't ill willed about it. However, the snot bags do get a measured response. They're out there.
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PO2 Richard C.
Copy, Captain - snot bags. I've run into a few myself. Their true colors normally come to the fore pretty quickly.
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