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
Haha no. My brother and his 2 best friends are Marines, my dad and i were Army. Should have seen the crap we put each other through the week of my brothers weeding.
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It is only when family or other service members do it my oldest son a marine vet always calls his little brother a current marine his boot.
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I think sometimes it definitely can. I have a long time friend who is an Army vet and we tease and joke with each other all the time. Same with my nephew who is currently serving in the Army. If you just met someone though it's totally different because you don't know their story.
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It's sibling rivalry, done in fun and in theend we all know that it takes all of us to do the job (even the Air Force!). Civilians do it sometimes, I think, because they heard it and they just want to emulate and be a part of the fun. Some so it just to bee spiteful or hateful. I can generally tell the difference in them and in either case just treat them like a mentally ill half cousin who you know just won't get better and doesn't understand.
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i never get but hurt when someone ibjust meet call me a jarhead. 4 years in a infantry unit gave me some thick skin.
however i found airforce and nasty guard tend to get the most offended.
however i found airforce and nasty guard tend to get the most offended.
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Have we not also fought to keep PC out of our ranks? A sense of humor is essential. I don’t care if “they” don’t understand. Numerous Viet Nam POWs credited their own or their fellow POWs’ sense of humor for their survival. This is also reflected in Victor Frankl’s book Man’s Search For Meaning.
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After I was a civilian, I worked with a formerly active marine, and we got along really well even though he called me "squid" and I called him "jarhead" and "gyrene" .
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When I was in the Navy, I called a Marine "jarhead" and he got mad and asked me if I wanted to try to take the lid off.
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I was in the Marines in 80’s, I don’t remember us being a bunch of sensitive lillte pussies that would get offended by anyone calling us jarheads. Looks like the Marines have turned into snowflakes!! Semper Crybabies!!
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Hell, no! its simple sibling rivalry and poking fun. That being said, I wouldn't go up to just anyone and start poking the bull dog unless I knew them. That could be taken in the wrong way if they don't know you and you're in civies or such. I was a Signal Officer and Our chief of police flew Cobras. He calls me "Cable Boy" and I call him "Rotor Head." Its all in fun!
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Everyone knows a Marine is a Jarhead. But they got my back like I have there's in the end. That's all that matters. If I need big time support I call in the fly boys and the job gets done.
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Depends on the person. Marine to Marine it's fine. Army okay but if a civie calls me that I get pissed. They don't rate it. I had a boss call it Sally marine corps. Almost punched him in the face. Needless to say I stopped working there.
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I'm a former Marine, and I also served as an Army physician. I catch crap from ALL my friends- who are all prior service, or still active duty. I agree with Major Tisher, but I don't worry about comments being "offensive"- I figure that the people that make them are a bunch of jealous pussies.
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Difference between Marine PFC and army 2nd lt...Marine PFC has been promoted once.
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I have a supervisor that l tell, "I hear that in the Marines that they separate the men from the boys......with crow bars".
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I have called my son and grandsons jar heads and seagoing bell hops. My ex-wife, daughter and her husband were squids. I also call all of them legs. It really is a show of respect.
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Funny this was even brought up. The rivalry between service members are alive and well, even way after you retire or discharge. Heck, I was Navy, just interviewed for a job with 9 of the Air Force's finest (I'm not sure what that is though... Lol) and even in a serious professional interview, all 9 took pot shots at the Navy. Now, if someone you don't know call a you a jarhead, a squid, etc.., I know it bugs me. They haven't earned the right. But another that has served... Its open season. I have a lot of respect for the Marine's... But I can lay some cheap about them too.
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