Overuse of "Battle" or "Battle Buddy"?

SGM Matthew Quick — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:07:11 -0500

Anyone else think the term "Battle" is overused? It's not as bad as "Bro" or even worse, "Bruh/Brah" (which is just a shorter term for 'Brother'), but it seems it's being over used. Thoughts on this topic?

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 6 at 2013 9:11 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:11:18 -0500

Nah battle.  I was just talking to one of my Bruh's bout dis yesterday.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 6 at 2013 9:22 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:22:23 -0500

Sounds like someone found the Facebook group "Lead From The Front", or as they are more commonly know on other military groups, "those mother&^$&ers who banned me because I wouldn't call everyone battle!". =)

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Dec 6 at 2013 9:25 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:25:29 -0500

Buddy is only half the word... Blue Falcon Away!!!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2013 9:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:25:30 -0500

No, Sergeant, because I hear and use the term much less frequently than we did in training. It was ingrained in us in BCT and AIT.

I would hope that leaders would be accepting of the term, because once you start peeling away the layers of our indoctrination, you also chip away some of the ideals and good habits we were taught along with it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2013 9:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:32:30 -0500

yeah I think that Battle $#!! has got to go already lol

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 6 at 2013 9:34 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:34:53 -0500

I really only ever hear it from new PVT's or Senior NCO's who've spent WAYYYYYYY too much time in TRADOC.. Incidentally, I've never met anyone who's deployed that uses that phrase. I've no idea if that's causation or correlation..

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2013 5:44 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 05:44:59 -0500

I'll confess that I use "Brother" a lot... both in a Religious setting and in Garrisson when I run into someone in civvies...

I use it because 1) I can't remember what rank someone is, 2) I can't remember someone's name, or 3) when I'm talking to a junior enlisted about something not rank-oriented (e.g. I was getting pointers from a totally jacked PFC at the gym about weight-lifting...)

Response by SPC Matthew Birkinbine made Dec 7 at 2013 7:12 AM

SPC Matthew Birkinbine — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 07:12:50 -0500

Personally, I like the term "battle" when talking to my peers only. I would never use the term toward a senior or a junior because typically, your battle buddy is one of your peers on the same level as you (someone you're trying to grow with). I don't think the term is overused at all, and believe use of the term creates a more humane atmosphere. Units do emphasize a "use of" the battle buddy system, so why not treat your counterparts like s/he is your battle buddy? The ones I don't like are "bro" and "brother" because it fosters a bit of sexism. I've never heard someone who would call me bro or brother call a female "sis" or "sister" at least with the term "battle" you're recognizing that person as one who could end up in the foxhole with you and whom you would count on in a firefight.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2013 12:29 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 12:29:08 -0500

I have no issues with Soldiers using the term "Battle" as a reference to their battle buddy. In my mind it is a term that reflects how the Soldiers feel about each other. They are closely bonded and can count on each other for anything - on or off duty. The most important aspect of being a battle buddy in my mind is how they take care of each other off duty more so than on duty...

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 7 at 2013 2:38 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 14:38:26 -0500

Now that I think about it, I do sometimes jokingly refer to my son as my little battle buddy, even though I think it sounds silly coming from anyone over the rank of SPC... I guess I'm a hypocrite. :0).

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2014 5:35 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 17:35:48 -0400

Those don't bother me as much as the word "Hooah" is starting to get on my nerves. I feel like it is waaaayy to overused these days.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 29 at 2014 9:51 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 21:51:34 -0400

"Battle huddle" was a bit over the top for a 5 minute meeting in the TOC.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2014 10:56 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 22:56:29 -0400

Not in the Navy. We have 'battle stations' on our ships. Go up to the bridge of any carrier and call out, "THIS IS A DRILL, THIS A DRILL, ALL HANDS MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS!" Hopefully that will give you a new appreciation for the term

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 8:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 20:14:48 -0500

It's not as bad as 'warrior companion' I heard thrown around a few times.

Response by SGT Justin Singleton made Jan 2 at 2015 8:11 AM

SGT Justin Singleton — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 08:11:07 -0500

I have absolutely no problem with the use of "battle" or "bro" or "brother." If I were still in the military, and rank structure was still in place, I would never call a higher ranking individual anything other then their rank (or sir). Lower ranks, I would either use "brother" or if disciplining or in a serious mood use their rank. Equal rank, eother brother or if in a serious mood SGT.

Now...eight years later, I will most likely call you "brother," but it is meant as a term of endearment. "Battle"...I might use, but rarely. If I see you in the store wearing your ACUs, I might walk by you and say, "How you doin' there big sergeant?" or something similar.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 8:39 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 20:39:41 -0500

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 11:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 23:34:09 -0500

Yes, definitely over used.

I try not to utilize those terms that others cling to.

I prefer to be original. Basically I stick to the customs and courtesies.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Jan 6 at 2015 3:44 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 15:44:30 -0500

I used it when I knew someone for a long time or that was close. I dont think that it is over used at all

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2015 8:21 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 08:21:54 -0500

I've always equated the term "battle buddy" with "babysitter".

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2015 10:18 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 22:18:26 -0500

I see it like this, there are "Battle Buddies" and than there are "Battles".

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2019 10:48 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 22:48:46 -0500

I personally find it annoying, SGM.