Posted on Jun 18, 2016
PFC Justin Gkuspie
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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?
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CPT Special Forces Officer
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I wouldn't be offended by another veteran unless he was acting in a less than friendly way. Under those circumstances, I try to back away.
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SPC Mike Davis
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I was called a Signal Corp "girl" many times. Of course that was back when the military was made up of real warriors....not you girly boys of today.
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SSG Ken Gilder
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I think it depends on context. There is a difference between "Hey, Jarhear! Let's go over to the club and have a beer!", and "That jarhead is about as useful as pockets in underwer."
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SPC Chris Ison
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None of these are relevant to the question. He is asking is: is it offensive to use words like Jarhead, Squid, etc. My experience is that the term Jarhead or Devil Dog, is not offensive to marines; Having never been a marine I do not know this is true, especially the term Jarhead as it is meant to refer to marines as stupid and thus a pejorative term.

The term Squid, in general is derogatory so yes that would be offensive.

The terms Grunt and G.I. are the only slang terms i am familiar with for the army, and they are not offensive really, although some techie mos' might take offensive to being called a "grunt'. As grunt is to soldier what Jarhead is to Marine.

Air Force is flyboy, which really only applies to officers and aircrew. And other than being called "boy" I do not see it being offensive.

really depends on the context of the conversation.
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CDR William Kempner
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Right now, I"m on a job where I and one of my electricians ( ex-USMC) are the only two veterans. He twisted his arm pulling cable, and as safety officer, I iced it and gave him a " tennis elbow" brace, which he took home. He came back to work ( where he NEEDS it) I asked him where us your brace.He responded: "I thought I just needed it at home. I looked at him, and sighed, and shook my head, and said " You ARE a jarhead!" And we both laughed!! The other guys had NO IDEA what we were talking about.
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SCPO Melvin Burt
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Things like that was what made the service fun and great place to be. I hope that the sailors of today find the same comradery. Once in a while I still get called a swaby or squid and it makes my day.

M. Burt, SCPO, USN (Retired)
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SFC Harry H.
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Edited 7 y ago
I've done my fair share of poking fun. I'm also ready for them to give it back. As long as it stays "All in good fun" then I say it's cool.

What I found funny though, was my co worker who is prior Marine Corps. He always claims he is die hard Marine Corps. I remind him, that if your so die hard Marine Corps, then why did you get out after three years? If you loved your branch you would still be in like me. Until I retired. Now I'm die hard Army.
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LTC Michael Garrison
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I consider this term as mostly negative especially if said by a stranger. Fellow Marines only seem to use it in close company as a joke. I would be careful otherwise.
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LTC Michael Garrison
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This is an insider term that would be considered negative if you did not know the person. I would be careful where it is used to ensure the proper context.
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LTC James McElreath
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The names bantered back and forth may had even been started by the service from which they came from. I know a few jar heads and they consider it as being there's! As was mentioned once a Marine always a marine. I have had the pleasure of working with the Navy, Air Force and of course Army! There was an extensive amount of trash talk. But in the end, they worked together very well and you knew we had each others back.
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TSgt James Lacey
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I don't mind when people call me flyboy or some other term for the Air Force because it only happens at the VA. I had a brother in the Navy one in the Army and both father and step-father were swab jockies. If you have been there done that what is the problem? As to John Wayne's not serving that was actually a pentagon decision they thought he could do the service more good making movies
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Cpl Doug Adams
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I've maintained the high and tight flat top for years after leaving the Corps and I hear jarhead and still look to see if I'm being addressed. Never has bothered me, even if its a "squid" . lmao
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Cpl Jeff Ruffing
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Really? I think I’m dumber responding to this than the question. But, how do you keep a sailor busy? Have a doggy ask a dumb question. If someone becomes upset because of a comment on his service of choice, that person never served. All of us can agree that you need a different thickness of skin to deal with service of choice, so if you can’t deal with a little “joking” you need to check your self. Now, most of us know the “jokes” we sling at each other we have all heard more than once. Every now and then you do hear a “new” one. That being said, as long as you are not slinging racial, ethical, religious insults, you’re good. I always look at the joking from other services as a sign a jealousy. Not everyone can be a bad ass Marine. Not all of us can be a Force if one. Not all of us can Sail the seven seas. Not all of us can convince only the officers to go into battle while we stay in the rear with the beer and the gear.
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PO1 Richard Nyberg
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I agree, I was in both the Army first and then I got out and went into to the Navy, I got teased by my shipmates and I fished it back but we knew it was all in fun. No one out side our smoothest tried it.
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CAPT Hiram Patterson
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I think everyone jokes about the Air Force. The Marines and others call us squids and we call the Marines cargo. I rarely ever heard jarheads used.
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Capt James McAllister
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I've been out of the Air Force for years, and I think I've earned the right to be called a 'Wing Nut'.
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SCPO Investigator
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No. You want my long answer? Hell no.
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SFC William Allen
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I'm from an Artillery unit (3/112th FA) and I used to get teased by other for it ( "Queen of battle"). I never took it seriously and anyone who has been there never will. I also never teased anyone who I just met for their branch of service or what they did. To be honest, the only thing I ever objected to was being called "Sarge"- I HATE that!
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Edited 7 y ago
It can be offensive if you don't know the guy/gal. Just like saying something offensive to someone you don't know in the real world. You just don't do it. But if you know them it can be funny or endearing. I am Navy, prior service Marines. Once just before a personnel inspection one of my peers began to degrade the Marine Corps. I let it go on for a while, but then let the gent know that I was about to turn loose and although one of us was going to win, both our white uniforms were going to wind up bloody. It depends on the person and the time.
PO1 Eric Booker
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Good lord if I had a nickel for everytime I was called a "Swabby", "Squid" etc...and I gave it back as well!Lol! As others have alluded to, it's one thing if "we" vet's play the "game" but quite another if a civilian with no service tries to. They have not earned the privilege of ribbing like that IMHO. Although different branches, duties, etc..most of "us" have very similar experiences when it comes to the "life" of a military member or family.
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