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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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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1stSgt Claude Burch
1stSgt Claude Burch
7 mo
Marine.
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SP5 Wick Humble
SP5 Wick Humble
5 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)
5 mo
You can call me Sir, and then make yourself useful and fetch me a beer.
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CWO4 Tim Hecht
CWO4 Tim Hecht
3 d
MGySgt Mendez: I was going to join the Marines until they found out my parents were married when I was conceived; then after 4 years in the Navy - they let me go because I grew over 6’ tall. Someone said now go join a real service - The Coast Guard!
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Sgt Earl Poindexter
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272
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I’ll always answer only to Marine. Earned the title, carrying it to my grave.
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SSG Richard Bladl
SSG Richard Bladl
11 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 Once discharge and no longer active or in-active duty you are a veteran.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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SP5 Gary Lundholm
SP5 Gary Lundholm
2 mo
I put on my uniform
I wore it to foreign lands
The soldier I was
Is still in the man
I have been a husband, father, and friend
But I've been a soldier all along
Even after so many a year
My final salute
I render today
I'm still a soldier
I'm just on my way. - Timothy Emmons Drafted 1967
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LCpl Kenneth Moore
LCpl Kenneth Moore
8 d
SSgt Danny Radcliffe - The term for a Marine that voluntarily decided he or she no longer wanted to serve on active duty(and there's no shame in that decision), is Former Marine. If ones ego is so large until they cant face that fact, I suggest you either re-join or never get out in the first place
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CWO4 Tim Hecht
CWO4 Tim Hecht
3 d
SSG Richard Bladl - you forgot to include the U. S. Coast Guard. We fall into the same category of former members of the Armed Services as well.
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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
1 y
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
1 y
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
10 mo
CPT (Join to see) - What did you say
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