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

PFC Justin G'
I have worked with several Marines both in the service and the civilian side and I really got the impression that was a term of endearment. That is not to say they will not banter back and fourth as well. To be safe, it might be more prudent to know the person, as a friend on the outside chance the person is not in a good mood.

Nope

As Colonel Tisher stated below, it really all depends on who and how it's said. I was an FMF Corpsman as such was called, well a lot of so-called "derogatory" names. The best was when someone mistakenly called me either Jarhead or Marine. I'd correct them right away but I was also proud I comported myself in such a manner as to be mistaken for a Marine. As someone else said, I'd never lead with calling someone I'd just met by a slang name for members of their service. And I've been in situations where former members of other branches have given people much more than was just inter-service rivalry and that can go too far. Bottom line is, all of us are proud, or should be, of our service, branch of service, unit and occupational speciality

I was in the Navy in the late 60's and we jokingly called eachother leather necks and swabbies if someone not in or have been in the service ,that we did not know , he had a bad day

Brothers can joke and bs with each other .But an outsider better think twice before messing with one .

If someone gets upset by this, they need to go home and get their baby bottle. I always loved the inter military rivalry.

If you have worn the uniform, terms such as Dogface, Jarhead, Squid or Zoomie are no more than friendly jibes among the different services and, in my opinion acceptable. The only one I find offensive in any way is the term "GI" as I have heard it used by civilians and mostly with a negative connotation. The serviceman and servicewomen serving, and who have served, are professionals, not Government Issue by any measure.

I've been called "squid", "deck-ape" and a few other things, I don't get offended and I don't see any reason why anyone should take offense at any of the terms used to denote the branch of service the are/ have served in.

Having went to a tri-service school (indianhead) naval school that had Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. There were Squids, Ground Pounders (gravel agitators), Wing Walkers, and Jarheads. We all wore (or would wear) the Charles County Crab. That badge denoted a band of brothers beyond service. We get that. It has been a proven bond since 1940s.

I've never called anyone but their rightful name. I just never felt right calling a Marine a "jarhead"...I feel only they can call themselves that. As I haven't earned that right. I also feel that only those of us who have served and or are serving can call ourselves our nicknames....and only when it's appropriate.

I have no problem with Squids,Jarheads,Puddle Pirates,Dog Legs,et al we can and will say whatever about our Brothers and Sisters any Family member can however if not part of this Family Brotherhood/Sisterhood you do not have that Right. However the biggest problem I have is with those Cranyon Eating Grunts,they only eat the Maroon/Yellow ones !
HooAh! OohRah! HooYah!
“”Gunner” USN(ret)

No not at all.

Not really if its from another military person. Having served in several inter service groups I was constantly reminded of the Air Force penchant for building the golf course and often was shown pictures of a aircraft carrier with a turf covered flight deck if the carrier had been owned by USAF

I tend to be in the same mindset. If you served, game on, if not, you may lose your head

I am not offended when another veteran or active service member uses a name like Jarhead, I am not even sure it is meant to be offensive. I was recently at a dock in San Diego when a man (navy vet) saw the EGA on my cover and reminded me that the Corps was a department of the Navy. I replied that it was, the MEN'S DEPARTMENT. I thanked him for feeding me the opening to this old joke, and we started a barrage of jokes which his wife interrupted as it was their dinner time. As for civilians, I really don't care. They are either ignorant or jealous.

I'm a Marine, everyone else on here is in the Military.

Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot, Over! "Offensive", because of a few words, give me a break! When it hit's the fan, the things we have to face, now that is offensive.

I don't find it offensive I wear it proidly

We are family and family pick on each other and it's fun I was in the ARMY and my stepson is a JARHEAD we have fun pick on each other when I get to see him GOD BLESS YOU ALL THAT WERE IN

These are terms of endearment between warriors, and yes it is better to know a Marine before calling them a jar-head the out come will favor you better.

I always enjoyed the the team easy and fun when I served, I was a Navy Corpsman called a swab by,
my friends Doc by My Marines, show I called jarheads, including my dad who was a WW2 Marine. It was always said with respect