I’m curious to know who feels the same way I do about the moniker WM. I personally HATE it. I’m a MARINE. If the need to describe me is there then I’m the tall Sgt with the long brown hair. I see the term posted quite frequently on the board. I know it helps direct those in need of female advice where to go. My beef with it is it segregates us too much. I know there should be some segregation, even agree with the necessity in certain situations. The term IMO is antiquated and carries too many negative connotations. I guess it depends on who is saying it and how. But too often it is said in a negative fashion therefore I don’t like it at any time.

Oh, and how many of you have been mistaken for a Marine wife? While dining at Camp Pendleton in civies with some other Marines just before deploying to Iraq, I had a family come it and ooh and ahh at the guys telling them how appreciative they are of their service. Then they looked at me and said “and we appreciate the sacrifices you military wives make too.” I nicely set him straight.

Meehhhhh....it is what it is. It's never bothered me. I know who I am and what I've done. If someone lets a term define who they are to the point that it angers them and causes problems, then they probably have other issues that need dealt with. Not talking about you, though, just people in general.

As far as being mistaken for someone else? I always thought it was a compliment. People couldn't believe that a 5'2", 120 pound girl could be a Marine. They are not incredulous, they are impressed. You just can't be so defensive. It's their problem if they think that way.

I never understood why females got upset and complained, "They think I couldn't make it through boot camp! That's why they didn't think I was a Marine!" Well, duh, you just proved them wrong by telling them you are one.

I think it's cool when my husband and I are out and people find out he's in the service and ask what I do. I say, "I go to school." Then my husband says, "She was a Marine before that, though."

Be proud of it, not defensive because of it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: frmr8511,

I guess, I should have been offended at having been called a male Marine, maybe Sgt of Marines, SSgt of Marines, GySgt of Marines?

Where does it end?

Semper Fi

John

quote:

Originally posted by GyJDIrwin:

Where does it end?

It doesn't and it won't.

quote:

Originally posted by GyJDIrwin:
I guess, I should have been offended at having been called a male Marine, maybe Sgt of Marines, SSgt of Marines, GySgt of Marines?

Where does it end?

Semper Fi

John

Sgt, SSgt, GySgt... those are ranks and don't apply. I do understand the point you and Frmr8511 are making however.

My biggest peeve is when it is said in a negative fashion. If it’s said simply to describe, no harm no foul I let it slide even though I don’t necessarily like it. But if it is said in a derogatory way I will make the correction.

I would rather its use be discontinued to avoid the issue.

quote:

Originally posted by SgtW_USMC:

My biggest peeve is when it is said in a negative fashion. I can understand that.....If it’s said simply to describe, no harm no foul I let it slide even though I don’t necessarily like it. But if it is said in a derogatory way I will make the correction.

I would rather its use be discontinued to avoid the issue.Do you know how many words would have to be discontinued to avoid that? Something else would just take it's place. It's a never ending fight. I say choose your battles.

BTW, good luck on picking up SSgt this year.

quote:

Originally posted by frmr8511:
BTW, good luck on picking up SSgt this year.

Thanks! I should pick up since I'm up on PME, have possitive fitreps, and the combat tour. But don't want to count them chicks before they hatch.

I really don't mind WM and those that use it derogatorily are ignorant anyway. They have more problems than the MC can solve.

I like it when we meet new people or seasoned Marines, and the subject comes up about the MC. They look at my husband naturally assuming he was a Marine, but when they find out that I was also, the are facinated. Especially the older generation of Marines that had very little exposure to WM's. Many have never met the likes of us and think it is great.

You find that a lot at the Marine Corps League when you meet new members at a social event. Kinda Cool!

quote:

Originally posted by SgtShaw86:
I really don't mind WM and those that use it derogatorily are ignorant anyway. They have more problems than the MC can solve.

I like it when we meet new people or seasoned Marines, and the subject comes up about the MC. They look at my husband naturally assuming he was a Marine, but when they find out that I was also, the are facinated. Especially the older generation of Marines that had very little exposure to WM's. Many have never met the likes of us and think it is great.

You find that a lot at the Marine Corps League when you meet new members at a social event. Kinda Cool!

They do the same thing with Tracy and I. It's some funny zhit.

Semper Fi

Johnny Blaze

Edit to add.... Good luck on your board this year Sgt.

S/F

John

WM as it pertains to Women Marines never offended me; it's the "other descriptors" that were associated with it as in "Walking Mattress" or "Wookie Monster"...

From the Urban Dictionary on Wookie Monster -

quote:

1. wookie monster

A person that is that a usually ugly, fat, sloppy, or looks bad.

Man1: That big ***** looks like cookie monster.
Man2: **** that. She a wookie monster.

The only Wookie Monster I have ever been aware of is this one:



I do believe "Chewy" was out of Marine Corps regs in MANY ways, don't you?

I agree, but I bet he was hot under all that fur! Shave him down and he would be even hotter in my book. Tall, buzzed and handsome, that's how I like 'em!

"WM" went out the window about five years ago. Female Marines are now referred to as "Female Marines" just like male Marines are referred to as "Male Marines."

quote:

Originally posted by SgtShaw86:
Tall, buzzed and handsome, that's how I like 'em!

Grrrrrr! That's what I'm talkin' bout!

At the gym I don’t wear a lot of Marine Corps attire, just don’t have much USMC workout gear short of my green on greens. When I do wear one of my few USMC workout shirts though I get a lot of quizzical stares, like “is she, is she not…” No one has actually asked which is fine cuz I don’t like to socialize at the gym.

quote:

Originally posted by Kegler300:
"WM" went out the window about five years ago. Female Marines are now referred to as "Female Marines" just like male Marines are referred to as "Male Marines."

Supposedly and for the most part yes. Usually it’s the old timers who refer to it, which doesn’t bother me as they almost never say it in a negative fashion. The younger generation does not usually say it with respect.

A little story - In Iraq a Sgt I worked with call my “barracks” and in asking for me referred to me as “Sgt Wright, you know the WM.” The Sgt on duty corrected him and all hell broke lose. It was ridiculous. My SSgt asked me what I thought about it and I told him I didn’t care for the moniker, that it was antiquated and too often carried a disrespectful undertone. At which time he went off on me, guess he didn’t like my opinion. So I respectfully told him that I’d agree to disagree on the subject, as my mind wasn’t about to change.

I perfer Lady Leatherneck myself.

Don't worry, in less than a year they will start using the term "Female Marine" with a derogatory undertone also. But DON'T DARE do it to them. Oh God Forbid! They'll bite your head off and crap down your throat!!

Sorry, little sensitive these days.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SgtShaw86,

Obviously, I have no qualms whatsoever being called a WM. I am a woman, and a Marine and proud of both! (Not that I had a whole hell of a lot to do w/being a woman...), but anyway, there ya go!

I don't mind being called a WM, but watch your *** if you call me a BAM. When someone wants to get my dander up, they say that. All I've ever heard when I was in the Corps was Coolberth. They can call me Corporal or Marine. Semper Fi LadyM59

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LadyM59,

Yah, I know what you mean. I got called BAM the other day on here, but they were just being their baiting selves and I wasn't falling for it. Some can't take it when you point out their shortcomings.

quote:

Originally posted by SgtShaw86:
I got called BAM the other day on here.

Never heard of it.....

I just have to reply to this, BAM is a bad term for a Woman Marine. It means " Broad ***ed Marine", our DI's told us it meant, "Beautiful American Marine". I prefer WM. Semper Fi. LadyM59.

I only had one person call me a BAM while I was on AD...he was a crusty ol' SgtMaj. When I told him..."oh, Beautiful American Marine"...like I had been told (same as LadyM59)...he just shrugged.

It was just a joke.

I really didn't care if I was called a Woman Marine or WM...or female Marine...or just Marine. I respond to all the above....just not BAM.



I guess YMMV.

Hey Grungy Girl,
How ya doin' Babe!

These ladies have no problem with the term "WM."