Can we just cut it with the “POG” usage? The backronym “POG” was created by infantrymen who were Pogues but didn’t want to be called Pogues anymore. You know it’s true, there are loads of Infantrymen who are Pogues.
This photo was taken during the Vietnam war and it clearly uses the term “Pogue” which dates back to World War I and possibly as far back as the Civil War.
Oddly enough, this “POG” nonsense seems to have started with the Marines during the GWOT which explains quite a bit since they were handing out ASVAB waivers like candy. If “POG” actually stood for “Persons Other Than Grunts” where is the “T”? Wouldn’t it be “POTG”?
Either way my grunt friends, have fun cleaning the barracks while the REMFs do their day-to-day jobs.
Idk about Marines taking credit for POG during GWOT, but I do know after reading this article I could go for some POGY bait right about now.
Thank you.
I think the term was overtaken by Shane MacGowan and the boys but this detail from ‘The Pogues’ in Wikipedia just adds more color:
[originally known as] as “Pogue Mahone” – the anglicisation of the Irish Gaelic póg mo thóin, meaning “kiss my arse”.
Where do fisters sit?
Anywhere, but uncomfortably, depending on the size of the fist.
In the Australian Army, and some other Commonwealth Forces, Pogue refers to POG, or Person on Garrison Duties. This was a specific posting with additional restrictions although not every member posted to a garrison was under these restrictions.
This goes way back, there was a standing order that POG were not to leave their post. If you were assigned as POG to Fort Queenscliff, you did not leave the fort at all, for any reason, as you may be called upon to defend it.
These POG were most often the Master Gunner, Signaler. Commander and others with key rolls.
It has since become a derogatory term for support force who end up in the Firebase or rear area and are not tasked with active paroling but only support and static defense.
I’ve read something similar; ‘Personnel On Garrison Operations’.
Us Brits in the 80’s used PONTI. Person of no tactical importance
Geoff, haven’t heard that term in ages. Brilliant.
Im not not sure about GWOT but POG was the common under standing when I was in 35 ish years ago, and the Marines that taught us that slang had served in Vietnam and were still active duty at the time.
You’re remembering something that didn’t happen. That image is from the Vietnam war.
GWOT/Iraq… Fobbits, the modern day POG.
It’s Pogue. POG is the modern day Pogue.