Posted on Jun 18, 2016
Do you consider the term jarhead and other names for the different branches of service offensive?
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I have a couple of friends who are Marines (They are both out but I know 'Once a Marine always a Marine') and I've jokingly called them jarheads and they've made fun of the Army. I'd never call someone I just met a jarhead unless they absolutely knew I was joking. I guess what I'm getting at is, do you think interservice rivalry can sometimes come off as 'offensive'' even if it's meant jokingly?
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 673
No I wear the title "Typical Old Jarhead" as a badge of honor that I earned the hard way, I worked for it for 8 years. We used to call each other "Jarhead" when I served and members of the Marines Airborne "Trooper"..and the 1st Recon "Super Grunts".
When I attended the ASA school at Fort Devens all of the Army students and instructors called me "Gyrene"..& at the NSA school at Charleston SC all of the Navy students and instructors called me "Marine"...which was interesting to see a different nickname by the Army and Navy.
When I attended the ASA school at Fort Devens all of the Army students and instructors called me "Gyrene"..& at the NSA school at Charleston SC all of the Navy students and instructors called me "Marine"...which was interesting to see a different nickname by the Army and Navy.
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SGT Brianna MacKinnon
All the buildings at Devens that used to be part of the ASA are all way different now. None of them are in the Military Reservation anymore and are all in Civilian use.
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Hey, as an airman I objected to "airhead"
Oh wait that was my boss talking.
Oh wait that was my boss talking.
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Maj John Bell
SSG Darrell Peters - You say "Sea going Bell Hop" But we hear "Somebody help me, I don't want to carry my suitcase to the elevator. Its heavy."
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PO1 Gerald Taylor
I actually asked a retired Marine if he would give me a hand with my seabag. We were both in civvies, he was wearing a "retired Marine" cap, and I look old enough to be dead. He looked at me and almost laughed his head off.
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I work with a Marine and frequently call him jarhead (or sometimes the mockingly, Jughead). He's cool with it because he knows I have the utmost respect for anyone who served with honor regardless of branch. I haven't met a Marine yet that gets offended by the term, but I guess it's possible there could be a few out there.
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SGT Brianna MacKinnon
He does not get offended because you are ALSO a member of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. You however, were the intelligent one and joined the Army. When your Buddy joined the Marines they removed his brain and they will only return half of it when he ETS's. :D
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Marines generally have thick skin and have taken to using the term themselves. Not nearly as offensive as a comment a fellow Marine made to me when I revealed that my son was at Ft. Jackson for his basic-training-lite with the Army. He says, "You go around telling people that? I'd rather tell them my son was in California making animal porn than tell them he is in the Army!" I challenge anyone to top that one...
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SPC Kelley McMahan
One of my instructors at gunsmithing school was a retired USMC 1st SGT, our big joke was the Corps made Frank retire when they found out he'd learned to spell "CAT".
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LCpl Darrell J. Farley Jr.
Had a Master Sgt in the Army tell me he’d rather have a sister in a whore house than a brother in the Marines! I asked for his sisters address and phone number!!!
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No, I do not find it offensive if I am friends with the individual. When I call my buddy "Ain't Ready to Be A Marine Yet" - for Army. He was in Delta, Ranger and a hell of a soldier. He has my deepest respect, but sill I banter with him as he does with me..... And BTW I am a old Jarhead.
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PFC Justin Gkuspie I have no problem being called a Jarhead by fellow veteran friends. I will respond in kind, depending on their branch. This is normal back and forth harmless fun among friends. I would not joke around like this until I get to know someone.
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Some folks take themselves too seriously and can't handle the truth. Lol. ARMY = Aren't Ready (to be) Marines Yet; NAVY = Never Again Volunteer Yourself; MARINE = Muscles Are Required, Intelligence Not Essential OR My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment; Air Force = Air Farce. Lol.
The truth is that we all have our mission specialities and we all do a bang up job executing our respective missions, and I am very thankful for the diversity of force and mission capability the U.S. Military encompasses. Like no other. Semper Fi.
The truth is that we all have our mission specialities and we all do a bang up job executing our respective missions, and I am very thankful for the diversity of force and mission capability the U.S. Military encompasses. Like no other. Semper Fi.
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LCpl Darrell J. Farley Jr.
I was a Trac Rat that’s Amphibious Tractors for you Legs and Airbags!
My Navy buddies are always giving me”My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment “
I tell them that’s the whole reason the Navy exists, AMPHIBIOUS TRANSPORTATION, and GUNFIRE SUPPORT!!!
My Navy buddies are always giving me”My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment “
I tell them that’s the whole reason the Navy exists, AMPHIBIOUS TRANSPORTATION, and GUNFIRE SUPPORT!!!
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I myself, don't consider "Jarhead" an offensive term, but I might be the odd one out in this. I came from, as my mother would say, "a Mixed Marriage" where Dad was a Marine, and Mom was Navy. They had more arguments on that, than they ever did about race or religion in their entire 60 years together.
I've always felt it was a singular term created by Marines, who were commenting on the USMC cover that is starched and stiff, as if its 'screwed on'. It is one of those things that might be a source of humor to others, but to us, its a badge of honor, because we EARNED the privledge of making fun of ourselves.
I've always felt it was a singular term created by Marines, who were commenting on the USMC cover that is starched and stiff, as if its 'screwed on'. It is one of those things that might be a source of humor to others, but to us, its a badge of honor, because we EARNED the privledge of making fun of ourselves.
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LCpl Randall Mellott
Marines are known to have a case of the KICK ASS when it comes to fighting in bars to the battlefield...
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PO2 David Allender
If anybody could straighten out the VA, it would be just a couple of Marines, determined to fix it to wok right. I am but a sailor, but I do know Marines are determined to complete their mission no matter the cost. I had a Marine friend after I had gotten out of the Navy. This Marine Was in Boot Camp during the Canal, but he hit every island after in the Pacific. GOD REST HIS HIS SOUL!
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You should take pride in your service's nick-names. Hell, Sailors have been called Squids for quite some time. Though, if you're serving Big Blue, you might be called a "Squishy" but, that isn't heard as often. I still take pride in the names. I love tradition; it's too bad Big Navy is doing away with it. The military was never meant to be politically correct, but it seems that's the way we are headed.
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
Heck, it’s never gonna be got rid of.. it’ll go on into eternity..
the Obama squishyfeel-good go see your Advocate days are gone. .
His polotical officers he installed to
Play social justice warriors are leaving like rats off a sinking ship !
the Obama squishyfeel-good go see your Advocate days are gone. .
His polotical officers he installed to
Play social justice warriors are leaving like rats off a sinking ship !
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