--- title: "The 15 coolest unit nicknames in the US military" date: "2018-04-02" modified: "2020-10-21" authors: - name: "Orvelin Valle" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/orvelinvalle/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/military-nicknames/" categories: - "Join the Military" - "Military Culture" --- # The 15 coolest unit nicknames in the US military ![]() Every unit in the military has a nickname, but some are way cooler than others. We looked around for some of the best nicknames across the military. Here's what we found: --- ### 1. Hell On Wheels **2nd Armored Division, US Army:** The 2nd Armored Division was active from 1940 to 1995 and was once commanded by Gen. Patton. It played an important role during World War II and was deactivated shortly after the Gulf War. Gen. Patton gave the unit the nickname after witnessing its maneuvers in 1941. ![]() ### 2. Old Iron Sides **1st Armored Division, US Army:** The "Old Ironsides" nickname was [given by Maj. Gen. Bruce R. Magruder]() after Gen. Patton named his division "Hell on Wheels." Feeling that his division should have an awesome nickname too, Magruder announced a contest to find a suitable name before settling on "Old Ironsides," as an homage to the famous Navy warship. ![]() ### 3. Bloody Bucket **28th Infantry Division, US Army:** Originally nicknamed "Keystone Division," the unit acquired the nickname "Bloody Bucket" by German forces during World War II because the red keystone patch resembled a bucket. ![]() ### 4. Red Bull **34th Infantry Division, US Army:** This National Guard unit participated in World War I and World War II and was deactivated in 1945. It was once again activated in 1991 and since 2001 its soldiers have served in Afghanistan, Iraq and homeland security operations. ![]() ### 5. Yellow Jackets **Electronic Attack Squadron 138 (VAQ-138), US Navy:** This EA-18G Growler squadron based out of Whidbey Island, WA has a fitting name for what it does. It buzzes adversaries with electronic attacks rendering them useless. ![]() ### 6. Gunslingers **Strike Fighter Squadron 105 (VFA-105), US Navy:** This squadron was originally commissioned in 1952 as the "Mad Dogs" and was decommissioned in 1959. It was recommissioned as the "Gunslingers" in 1969 to participate in combat operations in the Gulf of Tonkin and has remained active ever since. ![]() ### 7. Diamondbacks **Strike Fighter Squadron 102 (VFA-102), US Navy:** Based out of NAF Atsugi, Japan, the [Diamondbacks]() are attached to Carrier Air Wing 5 and deploys aboard the USS George Washington (CVN-73). ![]() ### 8. Bounty Hunters **Strike Fighter Squadron 2 (VFA-2), US Navy:** Based out of Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA, [this F/A-18F Super Hornet Squadron ]()is attached to Carrier Air Wing 2 and deploys aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). ![]() ### 9. The Professionals **2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, U.S. Marine Corps:** Based out of Camp Pendleton, CA, this infantry battalion consists of about 1000 Marines and sailors. ![]() ### 10. Betio Bastards **3rd Battalion 2nd Marines, US Marine Corps:** Based out of Camp Lejeune, NC, this infantry battalion has about 800 Marines and sailors. ![]() ### 11. Destroyers **2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, US Marine Corps:** Based out of Camp Lejeune, NC, this battalion's primary weapon is the 8-wheeled LAV-25. ![]() ### 12. Magnificent Bastards **2nd Battalion, 4the Marines, U.S. Marine Corps:** Based out of Camp Pendleton, CA, this infantry battalion has about 1,100 Marines and sailors. ![]() ### 13. Kickin' Ass **148 Fighter Squadron, US Air Force:** Based out of Tucson Air National Guard Base, AZ, this F-16A/B Fighting Falcon squadron's main role is to train foreign military pilots. ![]() ### 14. Headhunters **80th Fighter Squadron, US Air Force:** Based out of Kunsan Air Force Base, South Korea, this F-16 Fighting Falcon squadron has served in operations in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. ![]() ### 15. Rocketeers **336th Fighter Squadron, US Air Force:** Based out of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC, the "Rocketeers played key roles during Operation Desert Storm dropping more than six million pounds of ordnance on scud missile sites, bridges and airfields. ![]() ### NOW: 19 of the coolest military unit mottos ### OR: [The 7 biggest 'Blue Falcons' in US military history ]() ## Author OV is a Navy veteran and an expert in social media and entertainment marketing. Previously, with music electronics company Roland, he created social media outreach and growth strategies that became Roland's worldwide corporate standard. OV also managed social media and promotions for Madison Square Garden and Clear Channel Radio.