Posted on Jun 10, 2017
Do you find the term "butter bar" offensive or demeaning?
246K
11.5K
756
494
494
0
As a newly minted O-1 I have no problem with the term, but some of my fellow ENS/LTs have been scolded for using it. I never considered the term a pejorative when I was enlisted and I still don't now that I'm on the officer side. I always thought it was sort of a rite of passage that goes along with being a new Officer. Am I missing something? Do you consider the term disrespectful or demeaning?
ENS
Officers
2LT
Professionalism
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 392
3
3
0
Butter Bar remains an entry Level position, a Rookie learning the way of the force. Training wheels for the day, they earn Leadership skills
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
If that offends someone they are going to have a tough time in the real world.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
No more than "lipstick bars" that USMC WO/CWO's were sometimes referred to as. It comes with the territory and usually bears no measure of disrespect. If you were afloat in USN you could look forward to being the senior Ensign. Then you become the Bull Ensign and besides getting to wear the large engraved collar bars that are passed down, you get all the rights and privileges afforded aboard that ship. Like bringing the smoking lamp in to the Mess after a ceremonial meal or whatever traditions the ship has upheld. It could be worse - you could be a Wog and have a day of fun crossing the Equator. Don't sweat it, you'll be a 1stLt before long if you do your job and keep your nose clean. Have fun and good luck.
(3)
(0)
CWO3 (Join to see)
SN Greg Wright - I became a Shellback in early 90's while doing Gator squares off Somalia, aboard LKA-117 USS El Paso and what a fun filled day. It's even better when you get to initiate others on another float. I had our S-4 Officer as my Wog Dog. It was hilarious having this 6 ft 6 in 280 lb Marine on all fours and a leash. I had the meanest dog on the block. I hear Blue Nose is a chilling event as well but never had the pleasure. I really appreciated the fact that the Navy held on to traditions like this - even though the Brass toned it down over the years. I found out a lot of things the hard way, such as using the ladderwell with all the braid on it - until a Chief informed me that was the Skipper's. The earth stood still when I went in the Goat Locker (Chief's Mess) looking for the Platoon SNCOIC, MSgt. I didn't know that even the Skipper needs an invite and all zeros best stay out, but soon found out.
(2)
(0)
3
3
0
3
3
0
3
3
0
I believe it is mostly giving an inexperienced 2nd Lt. a hard time similar to how young privates are sent to the flight line to get a bucket of rotor wash. The teeth to the phrase is that they are saying the the Lt is inexperienced, but with all ribbing it's funny because there is truth to it.
I believe it is to the Lt's best interest to realize that experience can be more important in the military than rank, take it with good nature and humor, learn from the officer's and NCO's around them and I suspect before long no one will be calling them butter bar anymore.
I believe it is to the Lt's best interest to realize that experience can be more important in the military than rank, take it with good nature and humor, learn from the officer's and NCO's around them and I suspect before long no one will be calling them butter bar anymore.
(3)
(0)
Sgt John Ervin
They are lucky, I hear buckets of steam are hard to find, Halogen fluid is in short supply and Blinker fluid is now available on e-bay - in clear and Red. Just remind them to ask how to put the spark back into the engine, and no it isn't gasoline, or spark plugs. You have to tighten the nut behind the wheels, and remind the ID 10 T, that sometimes it doesn't even take a key to start it up....
(1)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
They could change the color of the bar which will get rid of the name. Then everybody can find something else to be offended by.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
I find myself wondering if we should honor the only other bronze colored rank by calling 0-4s something like "butter pats"
(3)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
Interesting. Had a major as a CO (Aviation) that we would bitch about him being a Sergeant Major due to his micro-mangement style of leadership down to the squad / section level.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
Snowflakes need not apply! The profession of arms doesn't have time for people that get offended by every little f'ing thing. It's a hard life which requires hard people. You don't need to be rock hard but you should be able to accept that members of other branches have nick names for your branch. That's life in the service. Deal with it.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Hell, I myself used the term "butter bar" for myself and my fellow 2nd Lts back when I held the rank. Big frickin' deal.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I'm an O-1 with just over a year, and I've heard other O-1s to O-6s say it. I've never heard anyone actually get offended by it.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google