Posted on May 9, 2020
SGT Christopher Churilla
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I'm writing a story about a Marine who is no longer serving and I wanted to know how to properly describe his status. I know Marines like to say there is no such thing as an ex-Marine, so what would be the correct term? Would it be "Marine veteran" or something else?

Thanks to all of you jarheads--even if you did choose the wrong branch. ;)
Posted in these groups: B04bb539 MarinesWriting logo Writing26b6308 Creative Writing
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Responses: 1149
SFC Retention Operations Nco
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I'm sure if they could read they would be very offended at being called ex-Marine lol
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SFC Richard Desrosiers
SFC Richard Desrosiers
4 mo
There's a few more.
I'm done now.
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1stSgt Claude Burch
1stSgt Claude Burch
4 mo
Marine.
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SP5 Wick Humble
SP5 Wick Humble
2 mo
SFC Richard Desrosiers - Richard, it's just a bit hard for someone who was trained and expected to value being a 'soldier' to hear this stuff ad infinitum. I was drafted, expected VietNam. Denigrating a soldier was something that we grunts supposed selfish, unpatriotic folks did. I hope you all didn't mean to do that? Interservice rivalry probably killed more Americans than the bad guys did, truth be known -- and I mean with the Pentagon types, too! Sad, man.
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MGySgt Senior Enlisted Advisor
MGySgt (Join to see)
2 mo
You can call me Sir, and then make yourself useful and fetch me a beer.
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Sgt Earl Poindexter
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268
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I’ll always answer only to Marine. Earned the title, carrying it to my grave.
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Linda Greer
Linda Greer
1 y
Thank you for your service to our country, sir!
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Cpl Rosemarie SantaAnna
Cpl Rosemarie SantaAnna
12 mo
Boot Camp was NO joke as it is today!...
Been called Follower, Leader to start something good and Motivator because what I Learned and still in me...
Thank You Disciple, Team Spirit & Finish what is started!...
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SSgt Danny Radcliffe
SSgt Danny Radcliffe
10 mo
As well you should. We don't take an oath of de-enlistment. Once marine, or (insert branch), always.
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SSG Richard Bladl
SSG Richard Bladl
9 mo
All ex-military, Marines, Air Force, Army, Navy are referred to as veteran's. When asked about my status I always say VETERAN, U.S. Army. I am a soldier for life. Once discharge and no longer active or in-active duty you are a veteran. I would never call you a Marine, Air Man, Soldier or Seaman first.
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CW5 Jack Cardwell
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The ones that joined the Army National Guard I called Soldier, that really got them going !
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Cpl Rosemarie SantaAnna
Cpl Rosemarie SantaAnna
11 mo
CPT (Join to see) - I was NOT SHOUTING...
That is my Marine Voice. Sorry I made you jump, it happens!
People usually say Marine...
Some just say, Vet.
Ass female I usually not address as Vet but think I am tagging along with my Marine Husband (also Veteran)
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SP5 Gerald Marcantel
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SPC Chris Ison
SPC Chris Ison
9 mo
Same. Drives me nuts when the marines in my guard unit claim to be " combat marines" from our deployment
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SPC Matt Ovaska
SPC Matt Ovaska
7 mo
CPT (Join to see) - What did you say
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