You are correct in your understanding that, among Marines, one does not refer to a retired fellow Marine as a "former" or "ex" Marine.

That does not change the fact that, for civilians, a Marine that is no longer actively serving is indeed a "former Marine". There is no offense meant, and none should be taken.

NightSwimmer:

You are correct in your understanding that, among Marines, one does not refer to a retired fellow Marine as a "former" or "ex" Marine.

That does not change the fact that, for civilians, a Marine that is no longer actively serving is indeed a "former Marine". There is no offense meant, and none should be taken.

It is interesting to me that this came up. Over this past weekend, I went to the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, VA (right at Quantico). While watching a film on what it means to be a Marine, one of the commentators said you are never a former or ex Marine, once you are a Marine, you are one for life. It struck me only because as a civilian, the thought never occurred to me. I concur with "NightSwimmer" that for civilians, no offense or disrespect is meant when referring to a person no longer actively serving as "former". Lesson learned though. Really, I wanted to take the opportunity to encourage everyone who has the opportunity to go to the museum. It's relatively new - opened in the past two to three years. Not only is it an amazing, engaging musuem, but a great reminder to us civilians what a sacrifice Marines have made for this country. (Other branches, too, of course, have sacrificed but this museum is dedicated to Marines.) Regardless of your thoughts on wars in general or any one in particular, it is an inspiration to see all that the "first in" have done at great peril to themselves.