Why do we have such silly animals for our military mascots?

2016-02-17T12:49:39-05:00

And what were they thinking?

I will preface this by saying that this in no way reflects any negative feeling toward any branch of the military, or those who serve. That being said here we go.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Feb 17 at 2016 12:51 PM

2016-02-17T12:51:39-05:00

U.S. Navy: A goat. The person who receives the blame when everything turns to Deuce. An animal that is foul tempered, and can be very destructive when unsupervised (though so can sailors on liberty). Finally, a land animal that serves only one purpose on a naval vessel: Food.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Feb 17 at 2016 12:52 PM

2016-02-17T12:52:27-05:00

U.S. Army: A mule, AKA Jackass. Stubborn, unmoving, pack animal.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 12:53 PM

2016-02-17T12:53:09-05:00

Many people would rather use something they already know rather than try to create a mascot from something else. The only other options I can see right now are electronics and planets.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Feb 17 at 2016 12:53 PM

2016-02-17T12:53:32-05:00

U.S. Marine Corps: A bulldog. Unintelligent, untrainable, ugly collection of wrinkles with no intimidation factor at all.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Feb 17 at 2016 12:54 PM

2016-02-17T12:54:27-05:00

U.S. Air Force: A falcon... Ok so actually this one is pretty spot on. A bird of prey that dominates the sky preying on other birds.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 17 at 2016 1:00 PM

2016-02-17T13:00:06-05:00

I would like to broaden the discussion to mascots in general; bur, first - I think of Billy Goats gruff when I think of goats so goat isn't too bad [think navy sheep as an alternative]; the Army mule is stubborn or persistent depending on your viewpoint. Mules are surefooted and dependable. Bulldogs are loyal and stand their ground. Eagles are noble unless you are a fish. :-)
In general I would like to see more appropriate mascots like slugs for the sluggish: vultures, hyenas, and jackals for those who attack the defenseless and the leach for politicians who are focused on getting all they can get from their elected or appointed office PO3 Steven Sherrill
I would not want to establish a government board to oversee mascots; but,it would be great if an impartial group of observers could observe the community of interest and come up with an appropriate mascot over a year or so. :-)

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Feb 17 at 2016 1:02 PM

2016-02-17T13:02:51-05:00

So sorry for breaking it down the way I did, I couldn't fit it all in one posting. I know we all have our attachments to our mascots, so I will end this with:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGHfK7fc9fM

Pygmy Goat Riding on the back of a Miniature Mule, not a donkey

Flyingfarm Technology Center Aerial Photography, Digital Photography & Graphics Design. We have facilitated classes for Miami University here in Ohio. We pro...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 1:14 PM

2016-02-17T13:14:56-05:00

because a muscle-clad Viking with a mug of mead in one hand and a skull of his enemy in the other while praising Valhalla would be considered too politically incorrect.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 1:32 PM

2016-02-17T13:32:17-05:00

the only thing that makes kinda sense is the devil dog for the marines from world war I I believe, back in 1917? But I probably am very wrong here.....the others? I have NO clue

Response by Sgt Tammy Wallace made Feb 17 at 2016 1:38 PM

2016-02-17T13:38:59-05:00

they're all a lil bit silly...but the bulldog is the least silliest of all.. :P

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Feb 17 at 2016 2:18 PM

2016-02-17T14:18:17-05:00

The use of a Billy Goat for the Naval Academy comes from the following story (supposedly, since I wasn't there to confirm this)...

Entertainment on liberty took many forms, mostly depending on the coast and opportunity. One incident which became tradition was at a Navy-Army football game. In early sailing years, livestock would travel on ships, providing the crew the fresh milk, meats, and eggs. as well as serving as ships mascots. One pet, a goat named El Cid (meaning Chief) was the mascot aboard the USS New York. When its crew attended the fourth Navy-Army football game in 1893, they took El Cid to the game, which resulted in the West Pointers losing. El Cid (The Chief) was offered shore duty at Annapolis and became the Navy's mascot.

(From http://goatlocker.org/resources/nav/trivia.htm)

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Feb 17 at 2016 2:18 PM

2016-02-17T14:18:30-05:00

I get the others, but are goats any good at swimming? Why not a Swordfish, or a Muskey, or a Great White?

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Feb 17 at 2016 2:56 PM

2016-02-17T14:56:47-05:00

The tradition of mules as mascots for Army dates back to 1899, when an officer at the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot decided that the team needed a mascot to counter the Navy goat. Mules were an obvious choice, as they were used as haulers for Army gear for generations. Not much is known about the "official" mules until 1936, when Mr. Jackson (named for Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson), a former Army pack mule, arrived from Front Royal, Virginia. He served for twelve years, presiding over two national championship teams. Starting with Mr. Jackson, there have been seventeen "official" Army mules, only one, Buckshot, being female.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 3:31 PM

2016-02-17T15:31:03-05:00

I think the donkey is worth it's weight in goal, and also the Buldog due to the fact that they can, and have helped out in combat.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Feb 17 at 2016 5:44 PM

2016-02-17T17:44:34-05:00

At least in defense of the Army, you pack a lot of crap on that ass, tell it to move, and it with either do it willingly, or complain and bitch until the right amount of convincing is used to get it to move. Sounds like the PERFECT animal to describe the Army, a bunch of asses with a ton of gear bitching and moaning to get from point A to point B. Kicking and screaming the whole way.

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Feb 17 at 2016 8:42 PM

2016-02-17T20:42:44-05:00

Let's see ! Can't ride a goat, falcon , or dog. But I can ride, pull artillery pieces,equipment,ammo, and have major mule train if just only to serve chow at the front lines...... Yep ! most original and useful....

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Feb 18 at 2016 2:23 AM

2016-02-18T02:23:02-05:00

Gotta have a mascot of some sort. As far as being silly, it's all in the name of boosting morale. I don't know about the Navy's goat or the Army's mule but I can say the Marine Corps bull dog is bad ass to me as well as humorous. It just fits. As for the Air Force, a falcon makes sense with us being the "air" force so it doesn't surprise me, my issue is more along the lines of the AF academy's mascot Mach 1. I get the choice of him being a falcon but why did he have to be colored blue? It's just not right to have our mascot literally be a blue falcon. I mean, it fits sort of but not in a good way.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 11:29 AM

2016-02-18T11:29:58-05:00

I don't know about the officer academies compared to the rest of their respective services, but these guys might be available...