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

Only if it is done by someone who's never been in the military.

Growing up, my father (Navy) and my uncles (Marine Corps & Army) would good naturedly tease each other about their service. I will tease my friends who didn’t have sense enough to join the Army (or were smarter I get confused) but any derisive term to find for me I will accept, as long as you once held up your right hand and swore to uphold and defend the Constitution as we all did.

I have cousins and uncles who were Jarheads and I call them that. One uncle was a Air Jockey and one a sailor. When I would call my wife a "silly sailor" she would get ticked off. I once called some of her reserve unit " Boat People" . That did not go over well at all. Their CO explained to me again that they had ships, not boats. Told him I had some friends once that rode on boats. Up and down the Mekong River. One of the Petty Officers said he should have known that I was a dumb grunt. He and I got along fine until they were shipped to Saudi for Desert Storm. It is almost a sign of respect when you joke with another service person.

No. I was in the Navy. Someone calling me a "Squid" was fine with me. I referred to Marines as "Jarheads" several times. Of course it's camaraderie. No offense taken. I thought it was cool.

HELL NO !!! You can call us a lot of things. We have earned every dang one of them. Just don't call us late for the event. All kidding aside. It wouldn't be the same if the different branches weren't allowed to pick on each other. Civilians who try to join in as if it OK will be brought up short. Between ourselves there is still respect. Those who haven't earned that respect will be taught respect. In a proper military fashion.

no.

Not really, but then I do take exception to civilians making remarks which they have absolutely no business nor basis for credibility in making. In my older age, I tend to respect all kinds of marine life and other service folks just because there is no "I" in DoD or Team. Since time began, we've all been in this together and I'm old enough to appreciate that, but slimy civilians encroaching into our world is a whole totaly different story.

Keep it in the family and we're good. Several examples, but one time I was talking to a young guy at an open house and his parents walked up...and his proud Mom said, "You know...he's in the Navy!"... and I said, "Oh, I'm sorry...I'll talk slower." It wasn't the response she expected. Both the sailor and his dad laughed but she was furious. Then he turned to her and said..."It's okay, Mom...He's a Marine... we do this to each other all the time." She still gave me dirty looks.

Using a pejorative of any sort is always risky, so it becomes critical to understand the context, and by whom is using it, than the word(s) being used. This is as true in the civilian sector as it was/is in the military's.

Please bear with me here; I'm an American of Asian & European descent, born in New York (as a US Army dependent) but have lived most of my adult life in California. I'm also a US Naval Submarine veteran with no political or religious affiliation. With all that said, at one point or another I've been referred to as a chink, gook, slope, pie-face, cracker, white boy, military-brat, bubblehead, sub-fag, semen, lemon bar, Yankee, liberal, granola, tree-hugger, gun-toter, neo-con, fascist, Jesus-lover, crusader, pagan, sheep-jocky and so on... Most of these were by friends at one time or another, and I never detected any offense so none was taken. However the word "you" has been loaded with more ill-intent than any of the words previously listed. Still though, my learning has taught me to let it roll off my back and move on. Haters hate so I won't give them my time or energy. Considering what the Corps is capable of and responsible for—of which I'm eternally grateful for—I hope any Marine has the intestinal fortitude and intellectual wherewithal to do the same. Being called a "jarhead" or worse is the least of their concerns.

Ultimately, as the expectation of decorum is targeted at words—ignoring context—we will endow inquisitors with the power of raw censorship. History shows this has always been a slippery slope and eventually the wrong kind of people are put in charge of what can and can't be said. God (in whatever form there may or may not be) help us if these kind of people ever take over our military.

it is not offensive at all if done between fellow vets or active personnel. Even within the service branch, we kidded each other about being a grunt, a cannon cocker a tread head or fly boy. It is all in fun and having pride in your branch. I was a Captain before becoming a warrant officer and got kidded by both sides of the officer corp. I loved it

No. They're your friends so don't worry about it. They were in the military so they're thick skinned, and furthermore, if they don't like it, they'll tell you. I have two friends in the Marines who I call jarheads, glue-slurpers, crayon eaters, and leathernecks. I have several friends in the Navy who I call swabbies, squids, and bubbleheads.

Not at all, as long as the term is coming from a fellow service member, however may the wrath of the gods fall on a civie who dares to speak so.

NO!!! and to me its very offensive that anyone would even bring that up. I do not care for this Unconstitutional PC garbage.

Isn't that the point?

I don't think it's meant to be offensive if used among friends. I myself have called some of my retired friends squids, jarheads, ground pounders (Army) and they call me Flyboy even though I flew little except crossing both ponds several times to exotic locations. Just don't use these terms at Gitmo unless you are a good runner.

I've known several Marines in my lifetime and "Jarhead" didn't offend them at all...BUT it was coming from another veteran, even though not another Marine!

I was told by an old Navy Chief the name "flat top" for Army and "jarhead" for Marines came from the Navy in WW2 while transporting troops. The Army had flattop hair cuts and the Marines head look like a bottle cap. The banter between retirees is all in good fun and is only understood by those that served.

I have to go along with the Major. If someone who can't spell S-U-B-M-A-R-I-N-E refers to me as a "Squid," he or she and I will have a little discussion! However, if my old submarine buddy calls me a "squid," I guess I will insult him back, we will have a good laugh, and drink another beer! However, I do not recommend in any way, shape, or form, to go into a Marine NCO Club and refer to the first Marine you see as a "Jarhead." Why? Because that is a good way to get your head stuffed into a small jar!!!! I would assume that would apply to all services. Coast Guard does not like to be referred to as "six-foot sailors", the Army very likely does not like to be referred to a "mud-heads," and the Air Force probably doesn't appreciate the term "Space Cadets" either. In closing, if you aren't sure, ask your brain if you really should say something insulting, and if your common sense answers "NO" then "DON'T!!" If you do not possess any Common Sense, then you probably deserve what is served! Respectfully Submitted; TMCM (SS), CWO-2, USN (Ret.)

It can be offensive if you make it so but no one has the right to talk trash unless they have served,period.

Professional Men At Arms will flip one another a bit of guff, but the underlying respect for one another should be apparent.