Question for Vets on inter-service ribbing

[Revmitchell]

Of course there was. To suggest one branch of the military is more valuable, patriotic, effective, accomplished than the others is a deception. History does not bear out that deceptive suggestion

Sorry, but it shows.

Oh my word! There is no deception going on there and it is extremely absurd to suggest otherwise. Its a puzzle how one could come to that conclusion. People from different branches tease others all the time. Each branch has their own nicknames given them. Let's not try to turn this into something its not. Good grief.

That said when you work a job dealing with the public and you are on the clock, you might want to make sure you know the person you joke with so that you know that they know how to take you when you do.

 

[HankD]

I agree from one Jarhead to a Leatherneck... Double Pooh!... Brother Glen

Don't forget us airheads!

My son retired as a Navy master chief - a submariner of 22 years and I only found out recently that the Navy calls submariners "bubbleheads".

 

[Squire Robertsson]

To me, it is the same. It's making fun of a jump qualified soldier.

It's not the same, Salty. I'm not sure why just yet, but I promise you, it's not the same.

 

[tyndale1946]

Don't forget us airheads!

My son retired as a Navy master chief - a submariner of 22 years and I only found out recently that the Navy calls submariners "bubbleheads".

Gee whiz Airhead... Hollywood TV made fun of everybody!... McHale's Navy... Hogan's Hero's... MASH... Ba Ba Black Sheep and of course Gomer Pyle USMC... I don't care if you call me the Gyrene that cleans the latrine.... GOOOOOOOOOLEEEE!... In the heat of battle I'll have your back and you have mine... Some of these brethren on here are sure touchy... Brother Glen

 

[carpro]

I agree from one Jarhead to a Leatherneck... Double Pooh!... Brother Glen

Man , if I got upset with being called a jarhead, I'd be mad a most of my friends. I don't think jarhead was ever intended to be complimentary, but you know Marines. We just adapted and adopted and determined it had to be a compliment. Just like leatherneck and Devil Dog and gyrene and whatever other name we are known by.

Oorah! and semper fi.

 

[Revmitchell]

Man , if I got upset with being called a jarhead, I'd be mad a most of my friends. I don't think jarhead was ever intended to be complimentary, but you know Marines. We just adapted and adopted and determined it had to be a compliment. Just like leatherneck and Devil Dog and gyrene and whatever other name we are known by.

Oorah! and semper fi.

None of those terms were ever created to be a pejorative but has a long history in the Marine Corps. The term "Jar Head" is a result of the often required "high & Tight" hair cuts. "Leatherneck? is a term originating from the collars Marines used to wear made of leather to protect against sword strikes. "Devil Dog" is a reference to the fighting determination of Marines and it was first used by German high command.

 

[carpro]

None of those terms were ever created to be a pejorative...

Don't necessarily agree with your assessment, especially of "jarhead".

But, in the end, who really cares?

Marines still do what they do, no matter what their detractors have to say. While the Army wonders whatever happened to discipline.

 

[TCassidy]

and if someone took it the wrong way and or offended - would you apologize to them.?

Yes. And had I done it while on the job I would expect to be disciplined by my employer up to and including dismissal.

 

[carpro]

I want to get this on record. I love the U.S. Army.

The Air Force? Not so much. They tried to kill me. The Navy? Not so much either. They tried to kill me... twice.

The Army, to my knowledge, never tried to kill me. We're buddies.

In spite of their shortcomings.

 

[TCassidy]

The term "Jar Head" is a result of the often required "high & Tight" hair cuts.

I have also heard (from a retired Marine E-9 who was one of my deacons while I was still in San Diego) that the term "Jarhead" originated during the very beginning of WWII when most of the equipment issued was left over from WWI. The Marine Corps stopped issuing the old WWI "Doughboy" steel helmets and began issuing the new "steel pot" helmet. Some of the steel helmets were made by the Ball Mason Jar company.

The Marines who were issued helmets made by Ball Mason Jar Co. were called "Jar heads."

But even the Sgt. Major admitted the "high and tight" explanation was the more common.

 

[tyndale1946]

I have also heard (from a retired Marine E-9 who was one of my deacons while I was still in San Diego) that the term "Jarhead" originated during the very beginning of WWII when most of the equipment issued was left over from WWI. The Marine Corps stopped issuing the old WWI "Doughboy" steel helmets and began issuing the new "steel pot" helmet. Some of the steel helmets were made by the Ball Mason Jar company.

The Marines who were issued helmets made by Ball Mason Jar Co. were called "Jar heads."

But even the Sgt. Major admitted the "high and tight" explanation was the more common.

That was a bit of interesting info TC but I prefer Jarhead... I guess we could have been called Mason head?... Sounds like I belong to some Secret Mystery Order or something... Maybe I don't and maybe I?... Never mind... Brother Glen

 

[carpro]

Marines love their very own sailors. We call them Corpsmen.

In Vietnam, with 3rd Recon on patrol, they were just another rifleman, albeit without benefit of the training we Marines had...Until someone went down, then they became our saviors.

Bless them all.