Posted on Jun 18, 2016
Do you consider the term jarhead and other names for the different branches of service offensive?
189K
3.31K
964
468
468
0
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
Yes we are Jarheads, Leather Necks, Devil Dogs, and some think we are crazy MotherF*****s, bottom line is we are Marines and not ashamed of any of them! Semper Fi
(3)
(0)
We Marines consider the names Jarhead, Grunt, Devildog and Leatherneak with the same pride and esteem as Marine, whoever it comes from. "No offense." "None taken."
(3)
(0)
I personally do not find it offensive at all, we all give each other crap in good humor but we all know each branch has a part to play and I believe anyone that has served has pride in which ever branch they served in
(3)
(0)
Playing golf wih a Major in the Army once, he asked me what branch I was with, (a military base golf course), I told him I was a Marine. He say, "Well you can always tell a Marine.......You just can't tell them much"). We both had a good laugh over it. Now, had that remark been made by a civilian, I probably would have taken offense.
(3)
(0)
I mean to some people the term jarhead may be offensive. Really Marines should shoulder that title with pride. Its just another name. Just a few letters formed into a word. We are Marines, we've dealt with alot worse. There are however alot of Marines that get a serious case of butthurt. It is what it is. If someone takes offense tell them you were just messing with them. No harm no foul. People in all branches take things too serious. As a proud Marine, after i joined the air guard. I noticed alot of what they say about the air force was true. Every now and then ill mess with the air force guys when they say they deployed and ask them which hotel they stayed at. Serious butthurt can come from all angles though. I had another Marine giving me a hard time because he had a unconventional loyalty to them as well as the airman himself. I told him i was just giving him a hard time and to suck it up. Ive been called ignorant for jokes by a bunch of butthurt individuals. I dont get too savage in jokes. Im pretty reasonable. Ill dish out only what i am willing to recieve. You joined the military, not your mothers book club. There is name calling in the military. Feelings can get hurt in the military. You signed the papers. You want to be a big boy or girl, than act like one. There has not been one single casualty from words.
(3)
(0)
Anyone who takes offense is too thin skinned to be in the Military. The bar fights that have ensued after some of this friendly bantering were merely demonstrations of the particular service's hand-to-hand combat training regimens.
(3)
(0)
Only a non-Marine would think calling a Marine a Jarhead as a pejorative. As a matter of fact, I don't know of a name we haven't earned and rightfully and willingly adopted with honor. Not like F'in doggy, or squid/swabbie or wing wiper which said in mixed company, could lead to very "spirited" discussions as I have observed numerous times while in the service.
(3)
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden
LCpl (Join to see) Era1947, a family friend who had entered the Corps was discharged after a short time due to over staffing in the Corps. He told me that all he had done was to wipe airplanes down. Then 1950 and Korea happened. Dick Hickman's being a Fleet Reserve Marine also made him a "Chosin Marine"! He survived and remained in USCMR until his retirement.
(4)
(0)
It depends entirely on who says it, when, and in what context. Other Marines can call me a jarhead anytime they like, but anyone outside our Fraternity better know what they're doing. Personnel from other branches who are friends may get called "Squid", "Doggie" or "Zoomie", but I'd never approach a stranger wearing a Navy cap and greet him/her as such. In much the same way as racial slurs are not an insult when given by a friend, so are slang terms for our Military.
(3)
(0)
Read This Next