Do you consider the term jarhead and other names for the different branches of service offensive?

Jar heads don't get offended

I am still called a Jarhead even after being out since 81. Its out of respect they say it!

I always liked it, so it was never offensive to me.

PFC Justin Gkuspie - I fine with the various nicknames. However, any term of endearment had best fly our of a fellow service-member's (or Veteran's) pie hole. Civilians haven't earned the right to get chippy with any of us... unless, maybe, it's a military mom.

Though I've never called a Marine a Jarhead before, inter-service rivalry and name calling is in good fun. I seriously doubt anyone who served in a different branch would be offended by the name calling PFC Justin Gkuspie.

I grew up as the oldest son to a career Army soldier. When old enough and graduated High School I enlisted in the Navy because I was tired of seeing that green uniform everywhere I went. So my first week in Hospital Corpsman A school in San Diego I was told that every fifth class that graduates takes the short bus ride to Pendleton to become Field Corpsmen with the Marines. Damned if we were not that fifth class. So I have heard them all, Squid, Pecker Checker but the one I respect the most is Doc spoken by my Marines. I think that there will always be name calling in the service but it is more tolerable coming from ones that served then from those that have never stood up and taken the oath with their right hand in the air. Keep the rivalry going guys and gals. Doc Gilly.

How can you get upset by terms of endearment?

I had a retired Gunny tell me, "You can always tell a Marine, you just can't tell 'em much!" I share that with every Jarhead I meet. Most remind me that ARMY stands for Ain't Ready to be a Marine Yet. All in fun.

When used by civilians it could be considered derogatory, but it is used often among Marines.
The term originates from the "high and tight" haircut that many Marines have, which makes their head look like a jar with early handles. Just like the leathernecks uniforms protected against saber slashes, so too does that haircut protect from lice. Both titles earned by getting thru bootcamp wherein one of the recruits in my platoon from wayback in the Ozarks who had never seen a toothbrush in his life and had lice jumping off his head in the first group shower after the shave; guy also had a problem with "left, right, left..." when marching and the D.I.'s used to really ride him until we got to Edson range and he shot an expert 250 {i.e., never missed a shot} and from then on he was everybody's favorite guy!
"Oorah jarhead, semper fi!"

I put over 7 yrs. in the Corp's, and you can call me anything you want 'cept late for Dinner !

I am really offended when one anyone calls me late for dinner.....

I welcome the "shallow water sailor" moniker from another vet. I don't appreciated it from someone with no clue about what it means to have served our great country.

Most service member from the different services refer to their peers by a service handle. It normally is taken in a joking manner, unless it is rude or otherwise offensive. Only people in the clans can do this. Outsiders or those that have never been a part of one of the service fraternities, should refrain from such.

'Nick-Names' for members of the military service of the different branches has been going on since colonial days before the Revolution.
It is done in fun and basic chiding eath branch and or unit of your branch.
As far as being disrespectful, it is PC crap is just that, CRAP. If you can'd take and dish out a little 'ribbing' between service members and between branches and between units, you definitely need to go 'join' the snowflakes and go sit in your 'safeplace'.

I can call a Marine a Jarhead the same as he can call me a Dogface, but you damn well better be in our family to take that kind of liberty.

Veterans kid each other about their respective branches all the time. When I meet a Navy vet, I usually tell them, "On behalf of Marines everywhere, Thanks for the ride." It usually gets a chuckle. As far as the nicknames, I usually don't use derogatory nicknames unless I know the person....then the gloves are off... ;)

No it been around a long time even my dad said it was there back in 1945 and beyond.

Doesn't offend me unless the tone is indicating scorn or derision. I think we Marines are hardest on sailors, except Corpsmen.

Jarhead is never offensive to me Look at our cover and what do you see really.