What was your slang name for the generic motivated new guy and/or screw up in each service?

2021-08-30T19:40:22-04:00

Could you fine ladies and gents please share some of the slang that you can remember about what you called the young motivated boots or the screw ups in your respective services?

In the Marines, I heard "LCpl Schmuckatelli" used for both the motivator as well as the screw up example of "who not to be like" all the time. For you more senior Marines, I believe "Gomer Pyle" was used as mostly derogatory but I didn't hear that as often.

In the Air Force I know they use the name "Airman Snuffy" based on the legend of Maynard Smith.

Not sure about Army, Navy, and Coasties. Could anyone share what their slang names were? Also if you have any additional ones for USMC or USAF, please feel free to speak up.

Looking for names specifically. Not like, for example: "PFC F***stick"

If you need a reason, historical interest, posterity, traditions, etc.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 30 at 2021 7:48 PM

2021-08-30T19:48:09-04:00

FNG' fu---- New Guy!

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Aug 30 at 2021 7:56 PM

2021-08-30T19:56:03-04:00

In the Marines we called the screw ups - $hitbirds.
John Wayne for the ultra Gung ho types

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 30 at 2021 7:58 PM

2021-08-30T19:58:28-04:00

Sometimes they were called sh __for brains!

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Aug 30 at 2021 8:09 PM

2021-08-30T20:09:55-04:00

The name of a continuous screw up was used for someone who might never make a mistake normally.

Response by PFC John Bruton made Aug 30 at 2021 9:33 PM

2021-08-30T21:33:38-04:00

Recent Richard = new d;ck

Response by SSG Victor Stobie made Aug 30 at 2021 10:34 PM

2021-08-30T22:34:50-04:00

FLUFF

Response by SSG Victor Stobie made Aug 30 at 2021 10:36 PM

2021-08-30T22:36:58-04:00

I had a name, more of an acronym.
FLUFF
Fat Little Ugly Foreign ****

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2021 11:10 PM

2021-08-30T23:10:40-04:00

They call us “high speed” at basic a lot. Or just say private in a put down way.

Response by SPC Robert Hendrickson made Aug 30 at 2021 11:21 PM

2021-08-30T23:21:09-04:00

like me // 'Gomer Pyle" .. out of step for near all the boot camp
"H" most could not pronounce my last name
:hillbilly: due to my countryfiedness/countryness
farmboy, even though did not live on a big farm .. farm was 1.2 acre approx.
mean machine ,, numb**** ,, bicycle-guy (rode bicycles in my first unit in W. Germany everywhere)
all of mine were in the U.S. Army active service ..1976-1992

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 30 at 2021 11:27 PM

2021-08-30T23:27:46-04:00

We'd get the ever present "Rambo", which was a Seabee thing. One got so freaked with the practice grenade, he heaved it far into the active pit behind the Bees there. You could hear the hiss.

I had the nickname "Forks" bestowed upon me in Antarctica due to a double epic faux pas on my part there and prior in homeport. Got hung with "Flamer" over a toxic claymore I left in the Women's Room at the Admiral Kidd Club in San Diego. Yes, alcohol and confusion were involved. Later I had "Pinks" bestowed on me for showing up at MWTC Bridgeport in a pink Cadillac. Remember a Gunny slapping a Pvt on the head saying "That's LT Pinks to you". We had call signs. I was Marble One in Antarctica mostly due to the numerous traverses I made out to Marble Point and the Dry Valleys. It hung around for all my SAR work there too. Bottom line, nicknames come and go. My SELs wouldn't call me the the Old Man as I was the only 'Nam guy still serving, so they'd refer to me amongst themselves as "The Fossil". I had nicknames for them too, but were reserved for more private times. I'd do most anything for my SELs. Nobody messed with that community, especially the Chipmunks.

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Aug 31 at 2021 1:06 AM

2021-08-31T01:06:59-04:00

FNG, Boot,

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Aug 31 at 2021 6:07 AM

2021-08-31T06:07:10-04:00

Slacker - someone who doesn't pull their weight
Cluster Fuck - Group that is unorganized

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 31 at 2021 8:38 AM

2021-08-31T08:38:32-04:00

"BOOOOOTTTTTTT!!!!!!"

Response by SGT Richard Souza made Aug 31 at 2021 11:42 AM

2021-08-31T11:42:24-04:00

We had PVT Cant-Get-Right in one of my units

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Aug 31 at 2021 4:25 PM

2021-08-31T16:25:45-04:00

No one wants to be a Shitbird.

Response by SPC Roger Giffen made Aug 31 at 2021 5:11 PM

2021-08-31T17:11:19-04:00

We had the all purpose word. MAGGOT

Response by CPT James Glade made Sep 4 at 2021 9:07 AM

2021-09-04T09:07:10-04:00

I remember our drill sergeant referred to one guy as Schleprock, a reference to the Flintstones. No matter how hard the guy tried he couldn't get it right.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Sep 6 at 2021 11:56 PM

2021-09-06T23:56:41-04:00

PVT Chucklehead, Specialist Turbo, you get the idea.

Response by TSgt Scott Zane made Oct 28 at 2021 12:11 AM

2021-10-28T00:11:20-04:00

JEEP (aka Just Enough Education to Pass)

Response by PO1 RIchard Petty made Oct 31 at 2021 1:03 AM

2021-10-31T01:03:40-04:00

Well in my squadron when you screwed up in my shop we used your last i.e. "don't pull a Wilson" and that stayed until someone else screwed and you was off the hook unless you screwed up again. But if was in trouble the Chiefs they would use SHIPMATE.