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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SSG Harry Herres
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We each have our nic names. Pride is our heartage. As long as we all know we are proud of our service, thats all that counts. Thank you all, coasties, swabbies, airdales, jarheads, and GIs you are what makes us great.
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PO1 Charles Babcock
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I Agree with Lt Col Tisher, it all depends on who's saying it. My submarine duty usually got me tagged as "squid" or "Bubble Head". No problem if it came from another Military member, as I have comebacks for each of the other services. I Do find it offensive if it comes from a random "Joe Civilian" who has never served.
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PO3 Michael L
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I am a navy veteran and my uncle is a former marine... I would call him a jarhead and he would call me a squid and we would hug right after
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SPC Franklin McKown
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SOUNDS like an INFANTRY question to me...Cav don't care.
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SSgt BillandMaggie Straub
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When I get kidded by other vets or active duty about being an "Airdale", or bird dog for being in the Air Force I take no offense at all. After all, a Jarhead, Navy Bellhop (Marine) Anchor Clanker, Swabbie, (Navy) Knee-deep Navy, or they wear shorts in case the ship goes down they won't get their pants wet, (Coast Guard) Knuckle dragger, Grunt, Dog face (Army), should feel a large amount of pride. They earned the nicknames by virtue of being brave, honorable, and patriotic because they were part of the Brotherhood/ Sisterhood of Hero's who served this country. Now if some snowflake, draft dodging never served, civilian used those terms. It's on. Only those who were willing to come home in a box can use the names which many times are said in a derogatory manner. Just sayin'.
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
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I think it’s the attitude the person using it is in..., maybe they’re being sarcastic, obnoxious .. belligerent.. when they sAy those words... it’s a matter of character the person that it is being used against is
In.. how will they react ; like it’s water off a duck’s back and laugh with them ? Laugh with them, and that person’s offense is weakened ..
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Frederick King
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Th Marines I've known don't care what you call them. Jar head, grunts, Mullet heads. That's what they called each other long ago, around Camp Lejeune, NC. My Dad was a Captain. 2nd Amtrac battalion, 2nd Division, I believe. He worked with the Tacticians. I worked for the Navy. Fast Attacks. We said "death from Below" , kill em all, let God sort them out. The Marines had better sayings, gerally. They said the same good, relevant stuff as we did, and much more. Love the Marines, Navy, and all our troops.
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PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM
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Offensive?? Among the services?? Of Course Not! I have called Jarheads Grunts, and even the ever loyal Mud Marines Sometimes when my nephew who did the unspeakable and went into the Army when his Uncle, Grand Uncle Grand father and Uncle were all in the Navy and one Uncle was ever in the Army Air Corps he became a Dog Face. That one srange Uncle who was a B-24 navigator with the US Army Air Corps then became the AIr Force always took it good when we called him Fly Boy. It is all good fun even when the fists fly as long as it is all over before the MP's, SP's or the local constabulary's arrive. BUT GOD HELP THE CIVILIAN SNOW FLAKE THAT TRIES TO CALL ONE OF US THOSE NAMES. They will have to pick him up with a spatula!
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I just received an email from an old friend about a discussion - is the term "shyster" antisemitic. It comes from the German for excrement. And of course Yiddish has its roots in German, so therefore it must be an antisemitic term, right? Oh scheise!
SFC Jimmy Sellers
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No. If your feelings get hurt by words than the Marines probably is not the right place for you.
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