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
Depends on the tone of voice, and the expression on the commenters face...
At 70++++ years of age I've pretty much ceased to give a rats ass myself..
At 70++++ years of age I've pretty much ceased to give a rats ass myself..
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I have noticed that some of the youngsters do not like the "jarhead" monicker. Not sure why or what is behind it. I think it is hilarious that some Marines still think calling an Army Infantryman a Dog is an insult. I think that went out as a insult like four or five decades ago.....ha-ha.
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Inter service rivals are great for morale I'd stick up for any branch if a civilian tried to clown on them in a heart beat.
I get ragged on from former marine and seamen(lol) all the time and I rag them right back . But it's all done in good fun and respect.
It's part of the brotherhood/sisterhood of military fraternity
I get ragged on from former marine and seamen(lol) all the time and I rag them right back . But it's all done in good fun and respect.
It's part of the brotherhood/sisterhood of military fraternity
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Nobody mentioned the term "Chairforce." Im like the majority here, if you're a civie and have never served then you have no place to make fun of the services. Other than that it doesn't bother me at all.
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tradition and jocularity especially no problem coming from a service member. Could be insulting coming from a civilian with no ties to the military.
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It's a friendly jab between armed forces, as long as when the bs hits the fan they have my back
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I do not think it is offensive. My husband is a former Marine and is very proud of his service as am I. Sadly our pc culture has everyone being offended of one thing or another. I am Irish and I can't even make fun of myslef anymore.
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Jarhead (Marines), squid (Navy), lazy (Army) that covers all the branches that matter.
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Nope, not at all. If it offends, then step aside and get your big boy pants on.
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Between service members it's OK. But if some Jody in the 1st cover div tries instant knife hands and a Gen Mathias throat punch
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To me it was never offensive how else do we keep our helmets on? Just one Jarheads opinion!
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I think the inter-service rivalry is great. My brother Trent Klug, called me Wingnut for years. I just chalked it up to not being able to say Air Force correctly.
For those that don't know, my brother served one tour with the Marine Detachment on the USS Ranger. Then went on to be with the 7th ID, out of Fort Ord. Got out, joined the National Guard, who did the only thing they could with a man who had both sides of his brain removed. They made him an officer. (Don't let him know I am proud to call that Lt Col, brother and "Sir")
For those that don't know, my brother served one tour with the Marine Detachment on the USS Ranger. Then went on to be with the 7th ID, out of Fort Ord. Got out, joined the National Guard, who did the only thing they could with a man who had both sides of his brain removed. They made him an officer. (Don't let him know I am proud to call that Lt Col, brother and "Sir")
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If it's another service member, I consider it along the lines of calling your brother a knucke-head. It's meant in fun and I still call Navy folk "Squids", Air Force people "Zoomies" and Army types "Dog face". I have been both USMC and Army so it never bothers me.
When a civilian says it, you can tell and it just comes off as a punk.
When a civilian says it, you can tell and it just comes off as a punk.
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Why would I mind being called Jarhead by a friend who doesn't mean it in a derisive manner? I don't mind being called Jarhead by another Marine either. This is why I can identify with black folks who object to being referred to by the so-called n-word by non-blacks or when the word is used in a derisive manner.
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I don't know about other services but for Marines the term "jar head" is historicaly appropriate, going back to a uniform cover that was high with a flat crown.
No offence,
Also try: gyrene, sea going bellhop
Also
No offence,
Also try: gyrene, sea going bellhop
Also
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Good natured inter-service "name calling" is fine, but a civilian hasn't earned that right. One of my favorite things to do when I would get a patient in the back of my ambulance and found out they were a vet would be to give them a little dig, my favorite being, "Air Force? They wouldn't let you into the really military?"
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In my Eyes, The only people that can use slang(Jarhead, Grunt, ground pounder, swabbie, squid, zoomie, flyboy) to describe a US Military branch are those that have served with Honor. Anyone else who uses those and other slang terms, I take offense to. I tell them, "Unless you have served with Honor in any military branch, DO NOT ADDRESS ANYONE WHO HAS SERVED BY ANY TERM OTHER THAN Marine, Sailor, Soldier, or Airman, or Coast guardsman."
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Not personally. I understand others may feel differently. I would not use the jargon with someone I'm not familiar with.
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