What's the story behind your military nickname?

SPC Angela Burnham — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 15:08:39 -0400

Did you get to choose it? Would you change it if you could?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2019 3:11 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 15:11:44 -0400

You usually don’t make your own nicknames. At least that’s what I’ve seen.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2019 3:22 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 15:22:08 -0400

In Basic, I was nicknamed "Drill Sergeant." The story behind this one was: We had just gotten picked up from reception...went thru shakedown and then broken up into platoons. My platoon was sitting there doing more paperwork and I foolishly put Drill Sergeant in a box that was titled "Ambitions." Henceforth and forever more in Basic I was known as Drill Sergeant.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 9 at 2019 3:30 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 15:30:58 -0400

I was occasionally referred to as "the old man" (not really a nickname per se), because I was older than most soldiers except for those in the highest ranks. For example, as a proud graduate of the Sand Hill School for Wayward Boys, I was older than all the company's drill sergeants, the XO, and the Commander. I was 2nd in age to only the 1SG and one other trainee. So I didn't choose it, but its not hard to see why I was so referenced.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 9 at 2019 3:39 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 15:39:34 -0400

Mine was given to me by an old Master Sgt.,I'm proud of it too.

Response by SGT Mark Rhodes made Oct 9 at 2019 3:57 PM

SGT Mark Rhodes — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 15:57:02 -0400

Mine was Country mainly because of my horrible country accent

Response by SGT Robert Biddison made Oct 9 at 2019 3:58 PM

SGT Robert Biddison — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 15:58:59 -0400

Tank. At a bar in Bamberg, Germany I plowed through the crowd, with my buddies in tow, to get a table. My buddies still call me Tank.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2019 4:31 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 16:31:18 -0400

Don't have one. But, a friend in my platoon, a few years ahead of me, was Gumby. And from that beginning the saying, "Semper Gumby", was born - then taken to Desert Storm where it spread like wildfire.

Response by 1SG Steven Imerman made Oct 9 at 2019 4:34 PM

1SG Steven Imerman — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 16:34:10 -0400

First morning in reception station they woke us early and took us to the barber shop, there was a snafu and we had an earlier slot than planned. So, we had 5 minutes to get ready. I still had a beard and mustache I'd been planning of shaving that morning. We got our hair zipped off, went to chow, and straight to uniform issue. I walked around in full fatigues with a beard and mustache all day. All of the guys in that reception group were in basic with me, about 15 in AIT, and three at my first duty station. Thanks to them, I was Castro for years because other guys picked it up. I was in probably 10 years before that nickname went entirely away.

I was okay with it. It puzzled the hell out of Hispanic guys.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Oct 9 at 2019 5:42 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 17:42:37 -0400

When I was a SGT/E5 it was Big Buck. As a CW4 it was Grumpy Chief, as a CW5 it was the Godfather of Maintenance or just The Godfather. Plus a few more over the years.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Oct 9 at 2019 6:08 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 18:08:17 -0400

My nickname was "Pops". At 23 I was considered an old guy

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2019 7:37 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 19:37:45 -0400

"Admin." I was 42A before becoming a 12N so the joke was that since I knew regs and how to do paperwork I got the name. I got s couple soldiers to believe i keep a typewriter in my duffle just incase (which I did use when I first enlisted).

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2019 7:46 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 19:46:31 -0400

an abbreviation of my last name

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Oct 9 at 2019 7:48 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 19:48:17 -0400

In basic a DI was telling me how great his Chevy was. After a long verbal tirade he wanted a response. Being the smart ass that I am, I told him how my father went to work for GM when he graduated from high school for a short time. And while the DI was nodding approval, I explained he needed to learn how not to make cars. Next thing I found myself partially in the grease trap, and so for a short time I was known as "grease trap". Did it help? Nope. I didn't get a good opportunity to put down anyone in Basic again, but I managed to offer my 2 cents in future units, and did.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2019 9:28 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 21:28:47 -0400

"SMEAGOL" during a period of barely functioning alcoholism I was drinking very much straight whiskey, and I protected bottles like they were life's blood. ended up going to treatment after it was found that I had alcohol hidden in other peoples barracks rooms as well as my own. Always had my precious.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 9 at 2019 10:09 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 22:09:22 -0400

I honestly don't know. I didn't have one until my last couple of years on active duty and learned of it by accident: "The Hippy Captain". The only thing "hippy" about me was my mustache. There was nothing hippy in my lifestyle or attitude. I suppose the younger soldiers in my command were influenced by surface appearances. Honestly, that's my best guess