pogue

Intermediate 🎖️ Military / Defense

Definition

Derogatory term for non-combat support personnel, especially those in comfortable rear-echelon positions. Pronounced 'pō-g,' because spelling it POG (Person Other than Grunt) is too straightforward.

Example Usage

Those pogues in the rear have air conditioning while we're eating dust on patrol.

Origin

Possibly from 'pogue' meaning kiss in Irish, suggesting these personnel kiss up to superiors

Fun Fact

The combat arms vs. support personnel rivalry is as old as organized warfare, though modern conflicts have blurred these lines considerably.

Source: U.S. military slang, particularly Marine Corps

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