---
title: "5 popular debates Marines are passionate about"
description: "When you've got nothing but time on your hands, it's hard not to get into a discussion with a fellow Marine. Here is what Marines talk about."
date: "2022-03-17"
modified: "2023-03-14"
authors:
  - name: "Dave Grove"
    job_title: "Marine Corps and Army National Guard Veteran, Contributor"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/dave-grove/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/humor/5-popular-debates-marines-love/"
categories:
  - "Join the Military"
  - "Military Culture"
---

# 5 popular debates Marines are passionate about

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17319701/origin.png>)

When you've got nothing but time on your hands, it's hard not to get into a discussion with a fellow Marine. And, [with all the possible topics](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/lists/6-ways-to-be-successful-in-the-marine-infantry/>) of what Marines talk about, you'll inevitably stumble across something you disagree on.

## These are among the most popular debates Marine might be embroiled in.

### 1. Wearing an undershirt beneath your blouse

This one usually spawns after a higher up gives a lower enlisted an ass-chewing. If you're stationed somewhere hot (say, Hawaii or Guam), the additional airflow from *not* wearing an undershirt can help make the day-to-day less miserable.

However, there are lower enlisted who believe in wearing an undershirt and they *will* debate you on this topic.

![no skivvy shirt is what marines talk about](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17319702/origin.jpg>)
*Notice the lack of skivvy shirt and f\*cks given up front. (image via Okinawa Marines)*

### 2. Rank versus billet

A billet in the Marine Corps is your specific position within your occupational specialty. According to doctrine, certain billets require certain rank, but since it might be [more difficult for some to get the required rank](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/lists/6-ways-to-be-successful-in-the-marine-infantry/>), many will have the experience needed without having the position.

This becomes a debate when someone of higher rank with low experience (say, a Corporal fresh out of 8th and I) comes to the unit and they're automatically thrown into a billet, like squad leader or team leader, when they know nothing about that position — since they just spent the last three years being set pieces at the White House.

### 3. Foliage on helmets

When you're in a jungle, adding some of the local flora to your gear might complement your camouflage, but a problem invariable arises when a [lance corporal takes a twig and sticks it in their helmet to be ridiculous](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/humor/6-easy-ways-for-a-grunt-to-be-accepted-by-pogs/>). This, of course, ruins it for everyone else.

### 4. Favorite adult film star

Everyone's got their preference and to each their own, but if you exclaim the name of a favorite, someone is bound to debate you on why their pick is better. They'll go into insane detail, bringing up every film they've ever done and give you a complete breakdown of that star's career as if they studied them in film school.

![porn is what marines talk about](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17319704/origin.jpg>)
*If you know who this is, we're tellin'. (Image via Reddit user 4noteprogression)*

### 5. Peanut butter versus jalapeno cheese spread

Some like brown glue that tastes like a childhood favorite while others will argue *passionately* about why they prefer the yellow dog poop with jalapeno flavor more. They'll also be sure to tell you why you're wrong for enjoying the other. Either way, they [both come in MREs](<https://www.mreinfo.com/mres/>) and should be avoided if at all possible.

## Author
Dave has been writing for We Are the Mighty since 2018, returning from a near seven-year hiatus in 2026. He's served a combined total of nine years between the Marine Corps and the Army National Guard. Despite his love for eating crayons, he sometimes uses them to write stuff instead.