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)
Only when it’s used with the intent of being offensive. Much like grunt, it can go both ways.
(2)
(0)
My wife's brother joined the Navy in 2000. At that time I was a SSgt (E-6) in the Marine Corps. Even today we call each other jarhead and squid. It is all in jest.
(2)
(0)
Nope it's all done in love! I was also a police officer and we have a rivalry with fire fighters and it's all good!
(2)
(0)
I know several marines, active & retired or inactive. We joke back & forth about Army vs Marines. Its always in fun. I was Army ('Nam 67/68), my brother was Army (Col, ret.), my cousin was Army (Nam 65/66),and my son is currently Army (I'd brag on him except for security reasons). I also have kin who were Marine, Air Force and Navy. The thing is, we all proudly served and have earned the right to kid each other about our choices of military service, but just as was mentioned about siblings, "I'll pick on my brother, but don't you dare". There really are relatively few who have served, and those of us who have should consider ourselves a close Brotherhood. I especially love all my brothers who made it home from Vietnam. They and ,especially POWs and KIAs are the heroes.I didn't agree with former Sen. McCain's politics, but he was still one of my heroes. May God bless all of you who served and may he grant you his peace Through Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace.
(2)
(0)
We are all Brother's (and Sister's)-in-Arms and like any family, the nicknames fly. I smile when a grunt, anchor-clanker or leatherneck calls me wingut or zoomie, they've earned the privilege to do so. But that's a privilege reserved for a fellow Vet or one still in uniform.
(2)
(0)
Fellow vet to fellow vet never. I have a buddy who was Navy, and a brother as well, I was a Coastie, we bust each other mercilessly but if a civilian ever tried to join in, they got the stare.
(2)
(0)
My marine buddy stuck on al Saad with me once told me that jarhead is a term most marines will respond to in the same way as if you called him marine. He said if you ever wanted to start a bar fight with a group of marines, call one devil dog without permission.
(2)
(0)
I have told Marine, Sailor, and Airmen jokes for as long as I can remember. I yo dish it out you havr to be prepared to take it as well. It doesn't matter what branch you join - once you serve you become a member of the largest fraternity in the United States. And, once you become a member of our fraternity yo become our "Brother" or "Sister" and family will always heckel family.
(2)
(0)
you mean the likes of crayon eaters, window lickers, chair force, and lets leave the Coasties alone.
we may joke with each other, call us names and such but your still my brother/sister.
Notice I left the navy out of it because they are nothing but transport for marines.
we may joke with each other, call us names and such but your still my brother/sister.
Notice I left the navy out of it because they are nothing but transport for marines.
(2)
(0)
that depends on who it is doing the name calling. Another military member or past military member, no particular problem. Someone who never served, ALWAYS offended.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next