Is it okay to say to a Marine: "Semper Fi"?

[finesse_r]

All that "ooh rah" and "Semper Fi" is mostly hollyweird. I don't recall ever doing either ever. LOL Mostly what we called each other would get someone banned for life on this site.

 

[RSBH44]

A couple of my closest childhood friends are Marines , while I chose to become a dog face. Whenever I see them I greet them with " Semper Fi" and in return they say hooah. They aren't offended in the least. Nor am I. My SIL is currently an active
marine and finds no offense in me greeting him with Semper Fi either.
Now, before anyone points out that my situation is different let me just say that we also have mutual non military friends and acquaintances that also greet them with Semper Fi on occasion and a can't ever remember them once being upset over it.

 

[RSBH44]

Although I've been aware of Semper Fi since I was a kid (one of my brothers was in the Pacific at the end of WWII), I don't remember it being in general use until more recent times as a greeting, salute, sign of respect, etc.

He did mentioned it was the Marine motto. Seems I remember him mentioning a few times just having worn the ball and anchor.

I think R. Lee Ermey has helped popularize it from his History Channel programs. Think I've even heard him say "hooah" as well.

Now when the heck did the "word" hooah come into usage?

Hooah is actually supposed to be HUA, an acronym for, Heard, Understood, Acknowledged. At least, that is how it was told to me when I was a young buck in boot camp.

 

[JSR III]

I agree with those that feel if done respectfully and not over used it is merely a show of respect for their hard work and service.

To me it would be no different to me saying "Bless you Father" to a priest even though I'm not Catholic.

If you do things to honor others and do it with honor, there should be no bad feelings.

 

[rog8732]

My youngest son is a Marine; out of service now for some years. Sometimes in parting, I say "Semper Fi".
One of the most heartfelt and proudest moments in his mother's, older brother's and my life, was going to his boot camp graduation.

 

[Bajadoc]

"Semper Fi" has become a colloquialism. It is appropriate to use in a respectful manner. However, it is not appropriate to represent yourself as a Marine if you are not one. God help you if you do.

 

[Bajadoc]

If someone would be "offended" by that... then I would wonder how they made it out of boot camp.

That is a Marine.

 

[wbraswell]

I won't use it just because I don't feel that I have earned it. I just feel that if the greeting doesn't fit me, then I shouldn't use it. I feel a great respect for our vets, and would never want any of them to get the idea that I am one of them.

 

[Sailor Troy]

Deeper Fi

Seems the only people concerned with the use of this term are non marine, as an old squid, my marine friends and my two marine nephews were never bothered by it. Certainly better than we heard coming home during the name war.

 

[Sailor Troy]

Sorry, auto spelling, should be titled Semper Fi

 

[jimmyj]

"THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE" is what I use no matter what branch of the Armed Forces, whether active, retired,or veteran.

 

[Targets Guy]

I didn't and don't. But to each his own.

 

[CalmerThanYou]

I have a Marine brother in law that served in Vietnam and came home with a purple heart and a persistent problem with PTSD.
Thanking them for their service, and sharing phrases is great, but being there for veterans, being a good friend, attempting to understand, listening and helping as best you can seems to go a long way. I will never be part of the club as I have not served in the Armed Forces. I am happy someone who has been through so much has opened up to me and allowed me to help them in some way.

 

[Danby]

According to the Marine sitting next to me, "Who gives a damn. As long as it's used in a positive and respectful form, it doesn't matter."

 

[fordson]

You guys do realize that this thread is two years old.........

 

[BillyMagg]

You guys do realize that this thread is two years old.........

Yep, noticing that,,, we don't have to earn the right to say any ignorant thing we want, we have Bill of Rights, that recognizes our "God Given Rights",,,


So say whatever you want, to whoever you want,, if its appropriate, they will appreciate it, if its disrespectful, ignorant, or mean, you will suffer the consequences just like the ignorant little lawyer who "did, work for one of the major networks", but after her ignorant, mean, disrespectful comments about the tragedy in Las Vegas, she's unemployed!

Honestly though, as I read through some of the comments, I find them very condescending! This isn't the AR-15 forum where only the "really smart guys" get to talk!

I never served in the military, my Dad served 22 years in the USAF,,, I put in my time as a "Brat",,, my Dad has gone to be with the Lord,,, I'm still just so grateful to my Loving God that he was able to come home!

So "Semper Fi Gentlemen!" and to those who have served and continue to serve our country, you have my most sincere and profound respect!

 

[Ozark Marine]

Says, who?

All we're talking about is a verbal greeting/farewell, NOT presenting a challenge coin, and NOT wearing the insignia.

If/when a non Marine greets a Marine with "Semper Fi" in your presence, what are you going to do?

Don't worry about what the non Marine would do. He has not earned the title.
The Marine will inform you if he feels you/him/her used our greeting/farewell appropriately.
We ain't bashful.
Say's me.

 

[carpriver]

When I meet another military member I greet them by saying hello sailor or marine or airman, I have a lot of respect for the men and women that wear the uniform. This my way of showing respect for them and their service.

I was also greeted at San Franco airport with name calling and being hit by rotten tomatoes.

 

[richardw]

The old Master Gunny speaks. I never met a Marine who would not prefer that a civilian say it. If you are civilian or not a vet, I would suggest you say "Semper Fi, Marine." It makes us feel good. It really does.

Marines know the Faithful go beyond their brothers and sisters in arms. Every good US Citizen faithfully working for the betterment of this country is among the Faithful. The civilian tailor who mends our uniforms, the farmer that grows food to feed us, the nurses who tend to those in need, the citizen who runs the ammo assembly line, the teacher that makes us smart enough to be accepted into the Corps are just a small sampling of the Faithful that help make, maintain, and mourn Marines. Yes, you can say Semper Fi.

 

[JayFramer]

"What's up CHAIR FORCE??"

Common Air Force "greeting" from non Air Force people.