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

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.

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.

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

SOUNDS like an INFANTRY question to me...Cav don't care.

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'.

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 ..

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.

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!

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!

No. If your feelings get hurt by words than the Marines probably is not the right place for you.

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.