Do you find the term "butter bar" offensive or demeaning?

No Tell them to stop being Snowflakes they are in the military and Officers not Antifa. I'm a Lance Corporal a non NCO also know as a Non-Rate Meaning someone of a rank that does not rate an opinion, and other amenities NCO's and above do. It is not Offensive it is just the way life in the Suck is and anyone that cried about it when I was in got ragged on about Their Pussy hurting because they got Sand in it and needing to go to BAS to get it washed out.

Only Marines can call another Marine a warhead. As for butter bar that is an army term. We just called them shavetails.

How offensive. I am so triggered by this vulgar term. I am going to take my pacifier and hide with my safety pin until everyone in the whole world apologizes to every person who has ever worn a butter bar...uh, O-1 insignia of rank. Today's wusses that believe they are entitled to unearned respect should seek instant gratification in another line of work, like asking if fries are wanted with that order.

As with all “terms of endearment” the context and speaker’s intent are key to determining appropriate oreaction. If you use it with derision and intend to slight those to whom you refer, it should be offensive. We are a culture that give good-natured shit as a tradition. We also are populated with over-inflated egos about who is better than who. If u are a squared-away sailor, marine or soldier and u actively seek to train and season your junior officers and newbie shipmate , then you will likely not use those terms with insult as a context. if one has a chip on yer shoulder because someone else’s military rank/assignment/seniority/MOS/etc. is different than yours, you will be likely to show that unprofessional side in your vocabulary. Tease but don’t disrespect. Rib but don’t hate. Honor service but don’t presume to judge the intent or value of other’s service. It’s all honorable til proven otherwise. would you let the 17-yr old commissary bagger insult your platoon leader as a “Butterbar?” Hope not. Would you call the Bethesda orpsman who is changing your buddy’s IV a POG or a REMF? Hope not. Yes as a Marine (whatever MOS) can call his Coast Guard brother a “shallow water sailor.” But he better not believe he’s better person or servicemember. Context and respect determine meaning. Insult (like money) should not be taken when none is offered.

When was in USAF, I used to hear it thrown around, usually by jr.EM, derisively. I let it roll off. When, I was in USN, the sailors knew better to disrespect you to your face. (What they said out of earshot was probably similar, if not worse!!!) (smile)

for someone who worked in an MOS (05G) where we were called Buddy Fkrs, I don't think such a term should be offensive. Take pride in the fact that you are a butter bar and better things are in the future.

Is “RailroadTracks” disrespectful to a CPT? How about “2 Star” to a MG?

I find it fitting.

Butter bar is better than being called a pecker checker all the time. Seriously though, if names offend you then you're in the wrong business.

Like most things it depends who is saying it, and why. If it is good natured and in an appropriate situation it is fine. If it is said in a way and situation that undermines his/her authority then it is inappropriate!

In my experience bosses only get offended because they want to. Frankly, no one cares if you call them by their first name, but they all think that people will get mad if they don't use the correct term.

In my old units new leaders knew they had our respect when we started calling them L.T., same was true for 1stSGT becoming “Top” or Plt Sgt becoming “platoon daddy”

Butter bar, mosquito wing, buck sgt, ground pounder,fly boy. Slang yes but if you do your job and recognize that others are doing the same to keep each other alive, Does it matter? Respect is earned no matter what your rank is. Keeping everyone safe, doing your job is all that you can do, the rest is gravy. Been there done that, got all my people home and did our job. That's all that counted. To those who have or are serving THAK YOU

Respect is something you earn over time. Its not granted. In my time in, I had a couple of good LT's, and I have a few more than calling them "butter bar" would have been an undeserved compliment. If your called that to your face, its wrong. But your going to be called it until you prove your worth, just like anyone else starting out.

Not offensive at all. On my first assignment in IL, I was as green and wet behind the ears a second lieutenant as it could be. Our First Sergeant was (and is) one of the people whom I have admired most in my life. I didn't learn any dose of good leadership from my commander (as a matter of fact, he was incredibly unethical), but from that First Sergeant, whom I still recall as one of the most ethical, honest, and leadership-full people I can remember. He referred to me as "his butter bar" and it was a term of endearment. We both had to surmount problems emanating from the commander's ethical flaws.

It’s amaz how when the officers come from school with the gold bars attached to their collars that they think their crap doesn’t stink. Men and women who decided to go officer but have no idea what it’s like unlisted. I received an article 15 from a new officer when he asked my opinion of him, I said I have no opinion about you sir but do believe that commo group doesn’t need a butter bar in the ranks

I'll explain it the same way I explained it to my parents when they asked me about it. We call each other names because we think of each other as part of a big dysfunctional family, and a 1LT is the 18yr that believes he knows everything because daddy/mommy left him/her in charge for the first time. S/he forgets that the siblings will only respect him/her when it is earned, not demanded. That is why you have the SSG or SFC there to break up fights and keep a cool head

Meh, not really a problem.... I think it comes down to tone. My chief calls one Ens 'butteriest bars in the land', a second Ens 'butters', myself 'i can't believe it's not butter' and the other LTJG (who is a aalty LDO) 'crisco'. Three of us know he does it in jest, the other ens it is said in a joking manner but it is geared toward an slight to him.
I think it's tame teasing more often than not, for me (at least the way our chief does it) keeps it harmless but I could see how it could get degrading of done the wrong way in the wrong situation

"Butter Bar" refers to the appearance of the gold rank insignia. It is in no way a derogatory statement of the individual.

No in fact a lot of butter bars were proud of the fact they got that promotion.