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
It a term of endearment when used amongst veterans. I served in the 82nd Airborne but many of my friends served in the Marines. Just as someone stated above, I call them Jarhead and they call me a Leg, but no matter where my friends served and who they served with, they are family and I know they’ve got my six just as I have theirs. But to go as far as saying it “offensive”, I think is a little much. If you served, your skin should be thick enough to handle it. That is unless you served in the Air Force or Navy. Haha. See what I did there? Army guy making fun of the squids and chair force? To everyone, thank you for your service. Airborne All the Way!
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Rivalry between service branches has been around practically forever, and any of us that would be offended by it, need thicker hides. I grew up in and around the military, and some of my fondest memories growing up are of listening to my dad (Navy), and my uncles (Army and Marine Corps), "insult" one another. Heck, even within the same service you have rivalries. Submariners are called "Bubbleheads", Surface Sailors are "Skimmer Pukes", Aviation rates are "Airdales". Folks who served in board Carriers are "Bird Farmers", and the list goes on and on. None of it is meant to be offensive.
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I know that all military vets and active duty share a common bond, marines are a lil different and don't take kindly to those who call them names that are NOT in our part of the TEAM. Most ignore out but many REALLY get pissed at outsiders. You must earn the RIGHT to call them or any servicemen jarhead, leatherneck, bushbunny, fly boy, shell back, or any number of names, rightfully so.
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Being retired from the Army I have zero problems using the term, it shows respect to a brother service:
So, during World War II sailors began referring to Marines as Jarheads. Presumably the high collar on the Marine Dress Blues uniform made a Marine's head look like it was sticking out of the top of a Mason jar. Marines were not insulted. Instead, they embraced the new moniker as a term of utmost respect.
So, during World War II sailors began referring to Marines as Jarheads. Presumably the high collar on the Marine Dress Blues uniform made a Marine's head look like it was sticking out of the top of a Mason jar. Marines were not insulted. Instead, they embraced the new moniker as a term of utmost respect.
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In my experience jarheads are usually more offended when called a former Marine or part of the Navy.
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When a non-veteran makes ogf color remarks about my service in the Air Force or when my AF servoce os denigrated to mean I made no contribition are two sore spots. I can have fun with service members who understand that regardless of MOS or branch we all wrote out that blank check.
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Umm.... Marines would never get butthurt over someone calling us a Jarhead, because we aren't pussies.
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