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Originally Posted by SINWAGON
Jarhead = The style of haircut given to the Marines...looked like the lid of a jar.
Leatherneck = An actual piece of leather was in the collar of the uniforms, to prevent neck slashes and to keep the Marines head erect.
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Sorry, Gunney. Here are the origins as it was explained to me when I toured the USS Constitution last fall. It was done by Sailors, so who knows how acurate it is.
The term Leatherneck comes from a part of the Marine's uniform around the time of the Revolutionary War. A strap of leather was warn around the neck to protect the jugluar in sword fights.
Jarhead also comes from the days of Old Ironsides. The Marines bunks on the boats were not ideal. If they were not careful when they got up, they would JAR their HEADS on the joists above.
Dan