Posted on Jul 19, 2017
Do military "nicknames" from civilians bother you?
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An American Legion friend of mine gets very upset when a non-vet civilian refers to a veteran by a service nickname, i.e. swabbie, squid, grunt, weekend warrior, puddle-jumper, fly-boy, etc. He tells them in no uncertain terms they have not earned the right to call veterans or service members anything but what they are. That the nicknames are a sign of military comradeship among the services.
Vietnam War
Military service
Civilians
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 45
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I can't get upset by a lifelong civilian calling me a Jarhead, Rotorhead, or any other of the nicknames that have been assigned to Marines over the years. As much as many of us hate to admit it, from the civilian world we came and, for the most part, will eventually return. At best, it shows they were interested enough in us to learn the terms, and at worst, they are civilians without the advantage of our advanced education and should be pitied, not lambasted.
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1SG David Spalding
One term that I've never been called by a non-Vet is "Grunt". So I enjoy it more. Try to explain GRUNT to a civilian and see how quickly they forget, or don't grasp it at all.
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They certainly don't sound right coming from a civilian and I kind of give them the "ooookkkay buddy" look, but I wouldn't get butt hurt about it either. It's mostly just awkward.
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PO2 Richard C.
That's generally my feeling, too, but my Legionnaire friend almost goes off the deep end. Curious if anyone else has similar reactions.
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I answer to anything that smacks of being a Marine......my grandfather called me "gyrene".......been called a jarhead, a leatherneck, a sea going bellhop, a grunt, and one of Uncle Sams Misguided Children. I'm ok with any of these, as long as they aren't said with attitude.
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PO2 Richard C.
I've found that a lot of Marines feel pretty much the same way. Each nickname for a Marine has its own significance, and many seem to consider it almost an honor to be recognized that way (except for maybe sea-going bellhop. I don't think that goes over well from a squid).
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LtCol George Carlson
With two grandfathers who were Army, a father who was Navy, and an uncle who was Army Air Corps/Force I heard them all before I was even commissioned. My favorite was my uncle's term -- Bulgarian Balloon Corps.
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
A positive ‘tude I can accept..
SSGT. Gary Anderson.
Like when Someone calls me
“AIRMAN”. Just be positive !
All I ask ! I can deal with that
Negatives :I try to hold the ‘butthurt’ and not let it show.
‘Cause it’s showing they got
To me in a negative manner. and they won.
SSGT. Gary Anderson.
Like when Someone calls me
“AIRMAN”. Just be positive !
All I ask ! I can deal with that
Negatives :I try to hold the ‘butthurt’ and not let it show.
‘Cause it’s showing they got
To me in a negative manner. and they won.
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