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Was anyone actually offended by being referred to as any of these things?
When i was at Bragg an official memo came out starting the term "leg" was offensive and all non-airborne personnel would henceforth be referred to as "NAP". Now some people are offended by that term.
When i was at Bragg an official memo came out starting the term "leg" was offensive and all non-airborne personnel would henceforth be referred to as "NAP". Now some people are offended by that term.
Posted in these groups: 
Airborne School
Fort Bragg
Airborne School Fort Bragg
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 67
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I think we are getting to comfortable utilizing the word offend. I hear it so often. I'm more of the type suck it up buttercup. These are common words in the military and if someone called me that I would simply smile. No, never have I been offended. Everyone is worried about this "offend" word. I hear people state that they are offended when they are called the new generation. Really? What kind of sensitive Army are we creating. How in the heck are we supposed to be the best yet many get butthurt for little to no reason at all.
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1SG (Join to see)
People are starting to believe that if they throw the "I'm offended" flag that it automatically means they're right and the offender has done something wrong.
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No. These are simply terms the infantry came up with for people that aren't persecuted for wearing their fleece in the cold. For you knuckle dragging non-believers, the fleece coat is like being hugged by chewbacca. <br>
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Col (Join to see)
I was tearing up over the Chewbacca reference, and then you took things "up-a-notch" and broke out the piece about the baby seals, in a word... priceless, well played LT, well played indeed! lol
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SFC (Join to see)
If I could vote you up a hundred times for the Star Wars reference alone, I would!!!
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Negative! I actually still refer to myself as a POG and tell everyone that I know I'm a POG. While the combat arms guys are telling deployment stories, I'll jump in sometimes and talk about some awesome shots I had with my M16 while playing Call of Duty. Just laugh it off!
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SSG Sara Sutton
SFC Deason, I prefer to reference my kill/death ratio utilizing the MK14 when rehashing COD war stories. :)
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PFC Bradley Campbell
Unreal Tournament is the only real game in town. and Quake. may the Dead Cats rule Boom Boom Bridge for eternity!
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CPT (Join to see)
I was a FOBBIT for my last deployment to Afghanistan. When the IDF started up in the spring I wanted to go out just to have the opportunity to shoot back! :)
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SFC William Swartz Jr
I was a fobbit on my 2nd trip to Iraq in '05 and knowing we wouldn't be using our tanks very much, I was actually glad to ride a desk as the S2 NCOIC. I still had an important mission and wasn't worried about it, I had already been there, done that and had the t-shirt from OIF in '03. Just never appreciated being called a nasty-leg by a frickin human lawn-dart myself lol, J/K, didn't bother me at all.
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It does bother me a little bit. By calling me a POG they have opened a can of worms that they weren't ready for. I was assigned to a light infantry unit when I was deployed to Afghanistan so I have done my fair share of mounted and dismounted partrols. So I ask them if they know how to change a pack in a M113 or M88. The answer is always "well that's not my job". Agreed, it's not their job. So I ask them, "If I can do your job as well as mine and you can only do your job, who is a more valuable asset to the Army?" Back in the day when it was almost unheard of for CSS MOS's to see combat I can see where an infantryman would be able to say something, but in today's force some MOS's see just as much time out of the wire as combat arms MOS's.
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SPC Dave St.Andrew
Your point that they don't know how to do anything outside of Infantry skills is moot now, The only Support MOSs that they absolutely needed with them were the Medic (Me), and even then my CLS were very competent, and the FO, the grunts did all the Commo, mechanic, and whatever job they needed to do without any help.
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SGT (Join to see)
SPC,
"11 series don't have the slightest when it comes to things that aren't relevant to their job." That is what I said in my post. Commo and medical training (CLS) are directly relevant to their job. As far as commo and maintenance go, if it's anything beyond 20 level there is no way that they did any maintenance unless they had an 11B that had re-classed from another combat support MOS.
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SSG Ronald Limbaugh
I do have to comment on the "above -20 level" part. I was 11B and even did time as the Company armorer. Our commo guys and armorers were well-versed in the complete workings of our equipment and systems. Many times, though not authorized, we were able to conduct "above -20 level" maintenance and repairs on our gear, due to the fact that higher maintenance was either unavailable or too far to get to. The only limiting factor was getting the parts needed, at which point, it became; who do you know, how close are they and do they owe you a favor. No offense taken now to being called a POG, REMF or any other acronym that accurately describes the job I am currently doing. About the only thing I patrol now, is my desktop and the internet... Still an 11B, but no longer a Grunt.
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MSG, I used to get annoyed whenever some combat arms guy would razz me a little for being a "POG." After some time, it became evident to me that it was a self-confidence issue on my part, and largely, most of those guys were just kidding around. I doubt that I'll see combat (not that I particularly want to!), but after a couple months of being in Afghanistan and seeing what end value my unit and I provide to the warfighter, I think I'm fine with someone kidding around with us a little bit.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
Just console yourself with the knowledge that, while they may get a pretty blue cord, you get actual skills and certifications that are useful on the outside world. :0). There are plenty of mall security guards and rent a cops that used to call people POG all the time. :0)
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SGT (Join to see)
SSG,
Very true!! I don't know any civilian jobs that require the use of wedge formations..lol
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SPC Corbin Doades
I used to complain about POGs because the higher ranking ones would try to make spot corrections to my dirty uniforms after returning from mission. But, when I became a POG, my attitude changed. They can become a soldier's best friend if they are outside the wire and need certain items and you are the only contact they have.
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I am just glad my MOS is not known to be the "Queen of Battle" lol.
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SSG Ronald Limbaugh
Proud to be a member of the MOS known as the "Queen of Battle". In chess, the Queen is the most flexible and adaptable piece on the board. Have to say that with the way the Infantry is treated, you need to have the most adaptable, flexible and improvising of individuals to have a solid team. Infantry=jacks of all trades, masters of one. Where else could I have learned to keep a well manicured lawn, rocks placed dress-right-dress, how to stay awake during countless hours of post guard, call for fire, shoot proficiently, the "fourth general order', how to deride all other MOS's, and become proficient in the subtleties of "out of sight, out of mind".
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SPC Dave St.Andrew
I love that, or even better, the guys that are like, "We are the ones that keep you from getting raped" We never had artillery or scouts come to the rescue, just CAS or AWT. <br>
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SFC William Swartz Jr
Well let's put it this way young SPC, a remember a WHOLE lotta Queens following my rather big-assed tank all the way from Kuwait to Baghdad and asking me to "open" doors for them with my 120mm HEAT and MPATs....We keep the king on his throne and the queen from getting raped, for we are THE Combat Arm of Decision!! "Treat 'Em Rough!!"
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NAP's are harassed a lot until you go to jump school, then you are a cherry.
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SGT (Join to see)
And then after 20 years of jumping they retire with a cane and a limp because their feet, legs and back are so jacked up.
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No....I am what I am. True professionals know that we are a team and have something to contribute to the team.
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Anyone offended? Yes...thin skinned people.<br><br>Good leaders should be s<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">elf</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">-</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">deprecating.</span>
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SGT (Join to see)
That's the attitude our current CO has...and he has rapidly earned our respect and admiration because of it. He hits us with humor, and then drives the point home.
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MSG, These guys and gals need to learn that the army is not the place to wear their heart or feelings on their sleeve. Just buck up and dish it back. People feed off of the aggravation of others.
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I was never offended. Being a Fobbit was not by choice. I was a mechanic, and though my unit was supposed to send a minimum of two on every convoy escort, the leadership in the unit I deployed with was lacking, and we never went outside the wire, save for local test drives. We did, however, go through all of the same combat and patrol training, and could do the job, if necessary. <br><br>On that note, Sgt. Ben, I would respectfully request you check your combat history:<br><br>"While there's no way we could maintain the same level effectiveness in combat without support MOS's, the same would be true about removing the Infantry."<br><br>During the Korean War, our Infantry was all but decimated. It was the Ordinance Corp., called in from the rear, that turned the tide of battle and caused us to close the combat actions in Korea effectively, and as the victorious force. Yes, Sgt. Ben, it was the mechanics (around 40,000 strong) that won the war for the Good Guys.
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MAJ Joseph Parker
SGT(P) Alan R.: There used to be in the Infantry's Anti-Armor FM an anecdote about an ordnance SSG during WWII who was repairing a piece of artillery in the road. A German tank came around the corner and machine gunned the area. The SSG jumped in a ditch while the tank ran over the artillery piece; but got high centered and stuck. The SSG was incensed that the Germans had spoiled all his good work, and when they poked their heads out of the tank to see how to get off high center, the SSG would plink away at them with his 45. The SSG climbed on the tank and banged on it with his pistol in frustration. Unable to move, but buttoned up, the Germans thought they were safe. Then the SSG got an idea. He took off his shirt, smeared it with grease, and lit it near the tank's air intake, filling the tank with greasy smoke. The crew came out and surrendered. Hence, the ORDNANCE SSG captured a German Panzer with his fatigue shirt! As an Infantry 2LT I used this lesson from the FM to teach my light Infantry soldiers to overcome their fear of tanks. So to you, SGT(P) Alan R. and the Ordnance Corps, I say: HOOAH!
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PFC Bradley Campbell
people dont realize how easy a ww2 Tiger is to kill. satchel charge or grenades on the engine cooling grates and it is done.you will blow up the Solex carbs or break the distributor cap and it is dead.
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When it's all in good natured, friendly ribbing, no, I'm not offended. When I do start to have a case of the ass is when there is real condescension in those terms.
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MSG Wyatt S: Really? "Being called a "leg" is offensive? Sounds a bit PC to me. "Leg" is short for "straight leg", which refers to soldiers who get around only by walking. Since in today's Army that is almost nobody, it has evolved into meaning anybody not Airborne qualified, is it really all that offensive? I've been retired awhile, but I had no idea that today's soldiers had such sensitive feelings! It must be difficult for 1SGs and CDRs everywhere, having to deal with long lines of sobbing soldiers with bruised egos, bullied by other soldiers with jump wings who called them (gasp) "legs". Now REMF, although a classic, is at least obscene; but traditionally so.
Every soldier has chosen their specialty. Every soldier should take pride in what they do (See CW2 JD W.'s post - it is perfect). If they don't, then change specialty. The military is all volunteer and brimming with opportunity. We cannot begrudge status to those who have accomplishments and we must understand that pride and competition within our forces is healthy. Conversely, there are limits. We are a team. Competition ends at the battlefield's edge. We don't need to be racial, sexist, or talk about your mama, sister, or commanding officer. And for Pete's sake; will somebody in the Chain of Command grow a spine? NAP? How many staff meetings did it take to come up with that?
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CW3 (Join to see)
You can have pride in yourself without tearing people down. The one time I did TDY at Bragg, when I got called a Leg, the tone of the person using it was the same as when the n-word has been thrown at me because I'm black....
Since I outranked the person calling me a Leg...let's just say they proceeded to have a Very Bad Day (tm)
Since I outranked the person calling me a Leg...let's just say they proceeded to have a Very Bad Day (tm)
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MAJ Joseph Parker
Chief Walker, I like your attitude! That happened to me once at Bragg as well, by a PFC whispering behind my back. I wasn't wearing any awards or patches, INCLUDING my jump wings and Ranger tab. The PFC and his battle buddy learned a lesson in deportment while building excellent upper body strength.
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guys let me just say and this goes to all. We may have all different MOS's through the branchs, but when it comes down to it when the SHIT hits the fan and we all have to leave the wire we all revert back to our initial Basic Training. We get our head on a swivel and we protect our buddies backs, and when it is all said and done when the day is done we are all brother in arms and Soldiers First and job specific second.
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Nope, I still introduce myself today as a POG, after all that's what I was :)
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Gentlemen, gentlemen, civility please! We must be cognizant and sensitive to the feelings and emotions of our infantry/airborne/ranger/special operations-impaired and disabled brothers and sisters in arms.
1. Do they have mean names for 11Bs?
2. Don't we impose on them during off-duty hours every time we need some extravagant luxury; like a hot meal, an ammo resupply, a drop or insertion at night, or a fire mission?
3. Don't they always regard all us ground-pounders with empathy and tenderness?
3. And think about this: the last time you needed something in the field and didn't get it; it took that so-called "POG" years of tough, demanding military training to say: "negative, out".
So let's have some decorum out there in RP land! :-)
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I wore my Stetson in ACU's on Sand Hill , trying to help a friend find the Knife shop that sells to the Trainee's there (Which on a side note, is a pretty stellar location).
The above listed names were pretty polite compared to what some of my blue-cord, Drill Sergeant, Brethren had to say. I smiled, we laughed briefly, and I knew the men were just displaying the pride of the Infantry.
The above listed names were pretty polite compared to what some of my blue-cord, Drill Sergeant, Brethren had to say. I smiled, we laughed briefly, and I knew the men were just displaying the pride of the Infantry.
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1LT (Join to see)
I should probably clarify I had just finished attending a Cavalry Social event - and that I don't just wear a Stetson while roaming around Fort Benning - hah!
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
<p>All MOS should have pride in their speciality. I am proud to be a Chaplain Assistant and honored to have the opportunity to minister to all of the different MOSes even the SF.....they never called me names and they are the true professionals</p><p> </p>
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In the Navy, the worst thing you can be called is "shipmate." You hear that and you know you are going to get chewed for something.
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