Posted on Nov 23, 2014
Does anyone get offended by being called a "Joe"
13.3K
28
36
2
2
0
I recently posted a question about lower enlisted soldiers being offended by being called a "Joe". There was a question about soldiers being offended from being called a "Private" which is an official term. Who's offended by being called an unofficial term such as "Joe"?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
4
4
0
SGT (Join to see), I don't mind being called a joe. It's what millions of Soldiers were called long before I joined, and I see no reason to break tradition.
You have to be careful, though. In my old unit, our CO (commanding officer) was about to release us for the day and our 1SG was busy at battalion. The CO texted our 1SG to ask if he had anything for us.
Our 1SG's response: "Have the NCOs stand by, but you can let the hoes go." Auto-correct for the win! Our CO earned mega cool points that day for reading us 1SG's typo, lol.
You have to be careful, though. In my old unit, our CO (commanding officer) was about to release us for the day and our 1SG was busy at battalion. The CO texted our 1SG to ask if he had anything for us.
Our 1SG's response: "Have the NCOs stand by, but you can let the hoes go." Auto-correct for the win! Our CO earned mega cool points that day for reading us 1SG's typo, lol.
(4)
(0)
3
3
0
SFC (Join to see)
I just call them Richard. When they look puzzled and ask, "Richard???" Thats when I let them have it. I say, "Do you prefer Dick instead?"
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
Next thing you know soldiers will get offended by being referred to as soldiers. Someone is always going to be offended by something, so at some point you just have to draw a line and call out ridiculousness for what it is. Joes being offended by being referred to as Joes should seriously put some thought into the idea that they might be in the wrong profession.
(3)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see), I can't lie... I laughed the first time I heard an NCO joke about us being privates, but that's because I have really bad taste. I like your analogy of the Army being one perpetual dick joke. That would certainly explain all of the dick drawings I've seen since I joined, lol!
(1)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) Oh you have no idea. When I was deployed to Afghanistan everyone was in two man rooms in our hooch. Two intrepid SGTs that shared a room took it upon themselves to add some artistic culture to their surroundings and proceeded to cover their walls with pop culture dick drawings. Batdick? Check. Air Jordan dick? Check. Casper the friendly dick? Check. Spongedick? Check. By the end of the deployment all four walls were just covered with hundreds of unique dick drawings of above average artistic talent. I'm sure the majesty of their handiwork blinded the future occupants.
(1)
(0)
SGT Richard H.
"joes" never bothered me as lower enlisted, but "Sarge" always sounded a bit like fingernails on a chalkboard to my ears.
(2)
(0)
SGT James Hastings
Like you, Sgt Hanner, I never was bothered by Joe but Sarge wasn't what I wanted to be called by friends either. I tried as much as possible to be a person to those under me. We knew we were in the Army and yet we still tried to be just people unless someone got out of line.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Depends on who's calling them "Joe". In a lot of foreign nations we are in, US service members are still referred to by the civilian population as "Joe" (holdover slang from WW2). In that case, no I would not be offended. But anyone in the military should know that this is not acceptable.
(1)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
My unit is constantly calling lower enlisted joes which isn't offensive to me I was just curious if anyone was since some are offended by being called privates
(0)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
LTC Paul Labrador, why is it unacceptable, and does it make a difference if it's only used in reference to third parties who aren't present? What if it's used in reference only to junior enlisted members?
(1)
(0)
PO3 (Join to see)
We used to call the merchants & street vendors "Hey Joes" because they would say..."Hey Joe, you wanna buy this?" as we walked by on liberty overseas. Never heard anybody actually called a Joe by a service member in the Navy though.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
Shot, when I first came in...I would have been happy to be called a 'Joe'. I call Soldiers 'Joes' all the time, haven't had any EO complaints yet.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Yes, I have been. No, not offensive. Because well...
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
No big deal although referring to them as Soldiers would be a better term. I'm not necessarily offended but it's not a term I would use.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Unless my name is Joe, I will be referred to by my rank. I was a Private in the US Army and I was always called by my given name, which was very offensive to me. I have earned the rank Private First Class and even when I left the military, I still was a Private before earning the title of Veteran of the Armed Forces. Anyone who is offended by being called "Private" should have never joined, those who don't want to leave the military should suck it up and earn more rank. I, myself, would have rather been called been called "Private" or Private Young, than anything else! That's my 2 cents.
(1)
(0)
PFC Zanie Young
I was not deployed, Sergeant, I was in South Korea during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. I was often called by my given name, and I have been called a "joe", both are offensive to me. As for any private who would be offended by being called by their rank, they should get over that and do what anyone with a higher rank would say: "If you don't like being called "Private" then work hard and get some rank!"
(0)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
You were offended by being called Young?? That's a little obsurd to me. We are constantly being called by our last name in the army. I personally would rather be called Carlson than "Joe" anyway but I was never offended by either!!
(0)
(0)
PFC Zanie Young
No, not my last name, it's on the tape. My first name was what I was called often. Being called by my first name grinds my gears when it sticks.
(0)
(0)
PV2 Abbott Shaull
I can see where that would grind you gears. It used to grind my gears hearing all the 'Abbott and Costello' references growing up.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
If you are out ranked, and it is not full of swearing, what offends you is not really important now is it. The service is not required to be PC but to defend and win.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I didn't mind being called joe.. I've been called a minion, a "hero" (sarcastically of course) and it didn't bother me a bit
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
If I had a soldier who was offended at such a simple phrase I would educate him like I did my son...
...I would hand him a shovel and have him dig a hole. Why? No particular reason, but if this soldier is offended at the term "Joe"...then he clearly has too much time on his hands so digging a hole will keep this recalcitrant soldier out of trouble. It worked for my son...well sorta...LOL!
...I would hand him a shovel and have him dig a hole. Why? No particular reason, but if this soldier is offended at the term "Joe"...then he clearly has too much time on his hands so digging a hole will keep this recalcitrant soldier out of trouble. It worked for my son...well sorta...LOL!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Hell what is there to be offended by. I address all company commanders I have met by their first name of Captain. XOs and Platoon Leaders by their first name of Lt. If I had met the Division Commander some day while outside of Division HQ, if I had some insane notion to wonder up there for no good reason, I probably have to use his first name to, General. So go ahead use my proper first name of Private. No offence, it not like we are in Special Operation unit, or unit where it much more relax or 'off duty', and even when off-duty I tend to use the 'official' name. Largely due to the fact, that I rarely knew anyone given name, even if I did, I have such a horrible memory for names it wouldn't matter anyways.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Never been called one, some folks in the AF get tweaked out if you say troops though.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
In West Berlin, Brigade was 'guarded' by Local Nationals(Germans). There was one guard we were very friendly with by the name of Hans. His English was...um...pretty good.
I'm sure he was aware of the term "G.I. Joe" but he always called me "Joe" when I'd go past his post. Then again, My father's name was Joseph(Yes, he was in the Army too) and with my name being what it is, I didn't mind being called "Joe" and I don't think my dad minded either.
I'm sure he was aware of the term "G.I. Joe" but he always called me "Joe" when I'd go past his post. Then again, My father's name was Joseph(Yes, he was in the Army too) and with my name being what it is, I didn't mind being called "Joe" and I don't think my dad minded either.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I think if anyone is offended by the term "JOE" I think needs thicker skin. Its not a bad word. Its not degrading in anyway I don't think. I guess todays Army, or military in general, is too soft.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
-
Ask questionGet expert advice and
tips for your questions. -
Post updatePost pictures, personal updates, plans, or anything you like!
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google 
