Posted on Oct 4, 2014
Opinion: Should civilians ever use Grounder Pounder / Squid / Flyboy / Jarhead / Coastie terms?
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What do you think about a civilian, who has never served in any branch of the Armed Forces, using slang terms to reference other branches not by their actual name?
Personally, I believe anyone that has honorably served in any branch; that has put their own ass on the line by taking the oath, has by definition earned the right, by common mission, to respectfully (mostly), and at other times jokingly refer to their fellow brothers in arms in terms, that might otherwise be considered insulting.
I look at it like this: I'm allowed to say pretty much anything I want about anyone in my family; including my extended family. I have that right. But GOD HELP that dumbass outside the family that uses the same language I just did to describe my brother or sister. They don't have that right.
I love my Jarhead, DevilDog, Leatherneck brothers and sisters! Hell, I would have gone into the Marine Corps, but my recruiter found out my parents weren't related!
I love the Squids, Deck Apes, and Anchor Crankers I would have joined the Navy, but my recruiter discovered that I could read!
I love the Flyboys, Zoomies, Wingnuts and Chairforce Warriors! I would have joined them too, but I accidentally passed my PT test!
I love the Coasties, and Puddle Pirates! I would have joined the Coast Guard, but they found out I was allowed to be out overnight.
I was an Army grunt, a grounder pounder and dog faced soldier. I'm proud of my service and the service of my brothers and sisters in all the lesser branches (HA! See what I did there?!) I think you have to earn the right to use these terms - terms that I believe are ultimately ones of endearment and shared sacrifice.
Personally, I believe anyone that has honorably served in any branch; that has put their own ass on the line by taking the oath, has by definition earned the right, by common mission, to respectfully (mostly), and at other times jokingly refer to their fellow brothers in arms in terms, that might otherwise be considered insulting.
I look at it like this: I'm allowed to say pretty much anything I want about anyone in my family; including my extended family. I have that right. But GOD HELP that dumbass outside the family that uses the same language I just did to describe my brother or sister. They don't have that right.
I love my Jarhead, DevilDog, Leatherneck brothers and sisters! Hell, I would have gone into the Marine Corps, but my recruiter found out my parents weren't related!
I love the Squids, Deck Apes, and Anchor Crankers I would have joined the Navy, but my recruiter discovered that I could read!
I love the Flyboys, Zoomies, Wingnuts and Chairforce Warriors! I would have joined them too, but I accidentally passed my PT test!
I love the Coasties, and Puddle Pirates! I would have joined the Coast Guard, but they found out I was allowed to be out overnight.
I was an Army grunt, a grounder pounder and dog faced soldier. I'm proud of my service and the service of my brothers and sisters in all the lesser branches (HA! See what I did there?!) I think you have to earn the right to use these terms - terms that I believe are ultimately ones of endearment and shared sacrifice.
Navy
Air Force
Coast Guard
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 31
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It depends. There are numerous civilians that stand side by side with the uniformed services. Those individuals who have done so risked as much as you and I. Some of our missions could not have been accomplished without them. However, if you are not one of those civilians you should refrain from assuming a familiarity that you have not earned.
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SSG Robert Pierce
There is NO civilian who put more on the line than I did..not to mention my friends who gave the ultimate sacrifice!!! don't even dare to compare!!!
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SSG Maurice P.
YOUR RIGHT ESPECIALLY OUR WALLS OF HONOR DON'T DESECRETE IT................THEY GAVE ALL...... WE GAVE SOME..........THE CIVILLIAN GAVE NONE
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Cpl Dennis F.
I believe CAPT (Join to see) is referring to the many civilian intelligence and private contractors who have put themselves in harms way, over the years, usually with little back up or support structure behind them. Case in point: The manufacturers reps that rode as Tow missile gunners on newly outfitted Hueys flying into the battle for Dak To (IIRC) when it had been over run by tanks in the late 70s RVN. They were the only ones in country that were trained in the system and were desperately needed. They did not shirk. Those guys can call me Jarhead!
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I understand your point and for me it is more of the intent and purpose of those who never wore the uniform when they say certain things. But, I will admit it does make the hair on the back of my neck stand up when those who haven't severed use certain terms.
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I have the utmost respect for jarheads...they are the only ones who did not drop their standards in panic...unlike the army....no fat chicks in the marines!!!!lol
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SSG Maurice P.
SSG true no fat chicks in the marines but jar heads love fat chicks hehehehehehehehehe
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It depends. If I tell someone that I am a Marine, and they respond with something like "You don't look like a jarhead!" I don't much mind. But if the conversation is nothing but military vernacular I will be a little miffed.
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Ultimately they can say whatever they want. We can't stop them from saying it. All we can do is let them know we don't like it when they attempt to use military jargon. I get your frustration though. I hate people claim they know the struggle because their spouse, parent, grandparent, or sibling is a service member. That REALLY grinds my gears. I don't like when baby service members come in and claim vet status. I think until you've deployed, you aren't a vet.
I try to be nice it about it that way they understand and they don't get offended. Kill them with kindness.
I try to be nice it about it that way they understand and they don't get offended. Kill them with kindness.
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SGT Richard H.
I agree with all except the deployed part. If you've served your country, you're a vet. Sometimes there just isn't a war available to go be a part of....that doesn't mean you weren't willing.
One of the ones that gets me, while we're wandering down this path, is the "Wife is the hardest job in the military". Yeah, I know it's hard, but lady, you have no idea.
One of the ones that gets me, while we're wandering down this path, is the "Wife is the hardest job in the military". Yeah, I know it's hard, but lady, you have no idea.
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TSgt Terry Hudson
I see where you're coming from SGT Richard H.. And that one gets me too. I understand its hard but never say its harder on you than it is the member.
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Sgt Tom Beard
As a dependent and a Vet, let me add we were in Greece from 72-76 twice the government was overthrown. My dad worked on the opposite side of Athens than where we lived. Twice we were loaded up into an USAF bus driven to the hanger next to the MAC Terminal with one suitcase a piece. While my dad sat across town no being able to get to us, we sweated out in the hanger in 90+ heat with nothing but K-rats and warm soda's for 2 days the first time and 3 days the next time. If we left and the 141 or 130 arrived and we weren't there they would give our seat to the next in line and we would be in the back of the line. While we were gone the local gang tried to fire bomb our Station wagon, luckily we had good neighbors who actually fought them off.Add to that they sent the Navy dependents from Beirut, approx 74-75? those poor kids were stuffed into every available room on Base at Keficia, Athens you name it, for weeks until they could get them a ride to CONUS. Believe I know some are in it for the Tan Benny Pass, but for the most part military wives earn everything their hubbies get...
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Roger that! and in simpler language 1LT Martin is - SPOT ON! I can pick on my brother or sister but when someone outside the family puts their two cents in - "...them's fighting words..." as they say.
Oh, if it were not for the USN, those dog faces or grunts would have had to swim to Normandy. Just saying (LoL). Again, we can pick on each other, but others need to EARN it!!!
Oh, Maj Petracrca is also spot on. If you don't walk the walk, you are NOT entitled to talk the talk!!!
Oh, if it were not for the USN, those dog faces or grunts would have had to swim to Normandy. Just saying (LoL). Again, we can pick on each other, but others need to EARN it!!!
Oh, Maj Petracrca is also spot on. If you don't walk the walk, you are NOT entitled to talk the talk!!!
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We joined to support and defend a sheet of paper that allows all of us to say and do certain things. So civvies can say whatever they want.
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I totally agree with you on that ! the one thing is is that in the forces we might not be born family but we are all family by blood sweat an tears ! there's a difference between calling another branch by certain name from one solder to another out of respect for each other but we all know when enough enough our brother an sisters know when we are jokeing in fun and not to be disrespectful to them ! i would kill for any of them if some one where to try to harm them ! because that is what family does !!!!!!!!!!!
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