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
Personally, I think if you get offended by such things, you have no business being in the military at all.
That being said.............normally, I don't pay much attention to the jabs I get from people from other branches. However, there was one instance where a comment got me a little miffed.
At my civilian job, I met a female former Army person who had worked in the motor pool. When she found out I was former Air Force, she referred to it as the "Chair" Force because in her opinion, all we did was sit around. For the exception of basic and tech school, I spent my entire term on a Special Operations base..........1st SOW, 20th SOS. We went TDY a LOT (and went to Air Force, Army and Naval bases but, never a Marine base..........no idea why) and in between, we had mobility exercises about every 1 or 2 months.
So anyway...........I told her to go spend some time on a Special Operations base, then come tell me it's the "Chair Force".
That being said.............normally, I don't pay much attention to the jabs I get from people from other branches. However, there was one instance where a comment got me a little miffed.
At my civilian job, I met a female former Army person who had worked in the motor pool. When she found out I was former Air Force, she referred to it as the "Chair" Force because in her opinion, all we did was sit around. For the exception of basic and tech school, I spent my entire term on a Special Operations base..........1st SOW, 20th SOS. We went TDY a LOT (and went to Air Force, Army and Naval bases but, never a Marine base..........no idea why) and in between, we had mobility exercises about every 1 or 2 months.
So anyway...........I told her to go spend some time on a Special Operations base, then come tell me it's the "Chair Force".
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Oh dear.... how can I put this as... Politically Correct as possible? Its like this. Those "Joking" little names we call each other, little brother, can, and often are, used as terms of endearment amongst ourselves, however, I should add, that Marine to Marine, in situations where there are no others but the "EGA Siblings" those 'Endearments take on a little more caustic amusement, but first and foremost, I highly doubt there are many of us who would use those terms in such a way outside of the "Family."
I say this, with the full knowledge and amusement of a good friend, who's a "Retired Mud Duck" an ex husband who's a retired Chief, fondly called 'The Family Squid' in a rather large genetic circle of retired, formerly serving, and now serving Marines, and one rather confused son in law who is retired from the Army, and known to my cousins as "Oh, you know, that guy your daughter married...the one who picked the wrong uniform... or the wrong wife..." as well as my much loved, and dearly missed brother in law, who passed away some years ago, and had half of my cousins believing that they had meals delivered to the tables in USAF chow halls, and maid service in Boot Camp. I'm still not sure if my cousin Jerry has realized that Frank was amusing himself by out-lying several old Marines, in any case, my family is fully integrated, as far as services go, and we tend to send snappy comments, and rude come-backs at each other quite a lot, and I believe that there have not been any ill feelings or long term rage connected with such nicknames.... but maybe we're a bit odd...
I say this, with the full knowledge and amusement of a good friend, who's a "Retired Mud Duck" an ex husband who's a retired Chief, fondly called 'The Family Squid' in a rather large genetic circle of retired, formerly serving, and now serving Marines, and one rather confused son in law who is retired from the Army, and known to my cousins as "Oh, you know, that guy your daughter married...the one who picked the wrong uniform... or the wrong wife..." as well as my much loved, and dearly missed brother in law, who passed away some years ago, and had half of my cousins believing that they had meals delivered to the tables in USAF chow halls, and maid service in Boot Camp. I'm still not sure if my cousin Jerry has realized that Frank was amusing himself by out-lying several old Marines, in any case, my family is fully integrated, as far as services go, and we tend to send snappy comments, and rude come-backs at each other quite a lot, and I believe that there have not been any ill feelings or long term rage connected with such nicknames.... but maybe we're a bit odd...
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Terms of endearment are important amongst those of us who have served, and are serving. Being a Navy Doc, I've been called a few different ones. But the language belongs to those who serve and have served.
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Edward Samsen
Doc, I would rather see a competent Corpsman than a large number of other health care professionals. Onboard FFGs and DDGs you were the DOC
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No do not think it comes off as offensive and even if it does tough. I wear the title Jarhead with pride as far as the squids, flybabies, and dogfaces go you will have to ask them. Semper Fi
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I have a friend who’s Dad served in Vietnam in the Army,the son started calling me Jarhead and a few other terms. I stopped him and told him your Dad can get away with that because he wore the uniform of the United States but because he never served he didn’t have that privilege.
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No problem with it..... and no problem with Devil dog, Leatherneck, hard charger, gung ho or any other terms. Marines are not pussies. They are warriors...call them what you like, just don't call them "late" for dinner.
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If it is from another Vet, no problem. But from a 4F Jody it better not happen.
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