Does a nickname imply disrespect towards the recipient? It sometimes does. Clues may come from answers to these questions. Does the owner consider the nickname to be offensive, degrading or disrespectful? On the other hand, is the nickname accepted and reinforced by its recipient? Is it used among peers or in superior subordinate relationships? If one earns a nickname along the way then it could mean that he or she has made an impact in either a positive or a negative way.

Soldiers may gather after lunch or after a hard day’s work to share "old war stories" and have a laugh. Nicknames often come up for mention. Ever so often an officer or senior rank experiences walking by a barrack room and hearing a nickname being shouted, which he knows is directed at him. However, he continues on his business and may only be laughing to himself. He knows this is only one of the many ways that soldiers entertain themselves, making good times out of bad times. At the same time however, soldiers must know that there is a time and place for everything. Imprudence and indiscretion could lead to charges of insubordination or possibly redresses of complaints against seniors.

Sanctioned nicknames

Nicknames are not only used playfully, but there are nicknames which have been sanctioned for use within the military. In ‘ Radio Communications’ for example, rather than directly calling the true names of persons holding certain appointments via radio transmission, nicknames are employed. The JDF signallers would agree with me when I say that we speak a different language.

The First Battalion the Jamaica Regiment has had a history of nicknames throughout its existence. Most of these nicknames originated from the "cradle" at the JDF Training Depot. The following names and their origins are just a sample of recent additions. You may just find your nickname amongst the list you are about to read.

Hog-a-bawda:

This soldier was said to be on the borderline of being a hog and a man. Some sort of a missing link between them both. If the wind were to blow too hard he would fall over the borderline and become a full-fledged HOG.

Anaconda:

This soldier received a letter from his girlfriend during his recruit days in New Castle. His girlfriend wrote. "I know being a soldier is tough and you can get hurt or maybe even killed but, please mi a beg you do, take care of mi ANACONDA snake".

Gully Rat:

A certain person, I won’t say officer, was deployed on a cordon and search operation. His task was to close off a gully allowing no one in or out of the area. We knew that the officer and the troops got in but when the cordon had collapsed we could see neither the officer nor his soldiers coming out. No shots were heard in the area, so we knew that they were not shot and killed. Everyone searched for them for more than an hour. When the officer was eventually found he was seen scampering out of the gully like a little rat.

Donkey Lipstick:

This soldier was sitting on the steps in Newcastle during his recruit training days. His Squad Corporal was apparently shouting his name to get his attention but the recruit did not respond. He was repeatedly called but the recruit gave the impression that this was not his name. Finally the corporal shouted "yu ugly man, recruit wid di hoooole heap a lip, wha fava like when donkey have on lip stick, com yah". It was then that the recruit responded to the corporal.

Jam Bottle:

AKA " Gerber" or " Chubby" or " Sinful Dwarf" or …which is it? The mighty (short) soldier. The man who keeps it all together. The soldiers judgement of sin. "They say he is little but "him tallowa".

Candy-man Kan:

This person, I again won’t tell you it’s an officer, was deployed to the operational area armed to the sweet tooth with one (01) x bag of high powered candy bars, while all the other soldiers were merely carrying SLRs, 7.62 rounds, respirators, tear gas, and were travelling in V150 armoured cars (Ridiculous soldiers what were they thinking of?). When the story came to ‘bump’, it was the candy bars that saved the day because when they came under fire, the candy bars were tactically thrown up in the air. When they fell to the ground, they scattered and created a diversion, as children from all directions rushed in grabbing sweets, allowing the troops to withdraw; a man of great vision.

Allidile:

It is said that in the beginning there was man but, not in this case. In the beginning there was an alligator and a crocodile, then the maker said, from that which exists, let there be this soldier and I shall call him ALLIDILE. I leave the rest to your imagination.

Depot Dog:

He joined the JDF as a small pup as does every one else, but he was a bright little pup who learned very fast. He kept on shining throughout his career as a soldier and eventually he was so exemplary that he was awarded one of the most outstanding posts in the training depot, Newcastle. He has spent quite a number of years there. Although many have passed through, he stands faithful at his post.

Suspect:

If you had a nickname like "Suspect" I would suggest you become a policeman or a soldier. Other than that you would be WANTED. The recruit intake had mustered for physical training, all except ‘one man’. While the intake was out, apparently a locker was broken into. Upon return to the barrack room everyone had gathered to see what had happened. The victim AKA " VICTIM" started his own little investigation "Who neva deh pon PT?" Recruit bla bla immediately became the "SUSPECT".

Maghunghu And Ghunghuma:

These two soldiers were thought to be on the not so attractive side of the ‘coin’. Worst yet they were brothers and so it was a Double-Impact. They were believed to have hailed from one of the rural parishes from a quaint little town called ‘CHUKU’ located in BACKA BUSH MOUNT.

Allicroco-Rellamonk:

Yes, this nickname is an English name derived from the names: alligator, crocodile, gorilla and monkey. Yes, this is a nickname given to one of our soldiers. It is said that this soldier continuously feeds on ‘Sasbuldine’ sandwiches. ‘Sasbuldine’ sandwiches are made of careful blends of sausages, bully beef and sardines. I tell you, if any of these fast food restaurants gets a hold of this article and finds this recipe, then stand-by Bill Gates.

Old Skin: