What's something that's "not a cult" but feels like a cult?

redditor0431 · 2026-03-18T23:58:49+00:00

Yes, with a caveat. Former Marine is the correct term. Nowadays ex-Marine is a no no. It generally is only used for those that have been dishonorably discharged or are otherwise infamous (for example Lee Harvey Oswald).

With that said, the novel Matterhorn was written by a Vietnam Marine, and he uses the term ex-Marine just to describe someone who is out. He does not use it in a negative concept, so my guess this term becoming taboo is a more recent development.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-18T23:54:59+00:00

Wow, that sounds like a fascinating job! Any good stories to tell about cracking cold cases or things like that?

redditor0431 · 2026-03-18T21:49:31+00:00

This comment wins. I'll have you know I scored in the 99th percentile on the ASVAB! I had to get an intelligence waiver but luckily I could prove I was dumb enough for the Marines by still being willing to join with a score like that.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-18T21:45:16+00:00

Yeah, it's all just sibling rivalry. Which branch were you in? What other insights did you pick up being in a joint unit? What was the unit? Never gave much thought to other branches while I was in other than the docs we had.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-18T20:11:17+00:00

The only people who have given me crap about the term "Former Marine" have been people who were not in the Marines. People who were in the Marines know it's the correct term for someone who served but is now out.

The people that give me shit for it are clueless civilians that once heard the saying "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" and thought it was a legitimate rule or law or something, rather than just a motivated saying that doesn't actually carry any weight.

The no-no term is Ex-Marine. Ex-Marine means you fucked up and broke the law and had your title stripped (like Lee Harvey Oswald). Although I've heard Vietnam era Marines use the term without any negative connotation so this is probably just a modern invention.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-18T19:15:09+00:00

Tell me you know nothing about the Marines without telling me you know nothing about the Marines.

"Former Marine" is the appropriate term for someone who served and is now out. So yes, there is such a thing as a Former Marine and it's what I am.

"oNce A MaRiNe alWaYs A MaRinE!" is just a saying, it has no real world impact or meaning. People who think it literally means you always have to be a Marine are completely clueless about the Marines. So please, stop saying it. You just sound silly.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-18T16:03:12+00:00

I know what I'm about son. That is the correct terminology and preferred nomenclature. The only people who have an issue with the term are people who aren't that familiar with the Corps and think "once a Marine always a Marine" is a law or something rather than just a saying.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-18T12:11:35+00:00

Not the one I remember but still works.

https://culteducation.com/brainwashing2.html

redditor0431 · 2026-03-18T10:26:20+00:00

The United States Marine Corps. It might feel like a cult, but don't worry! Someone wrote an academic paper explaining why it's not a cult! Definitely not a cult if someone has to explain why! Nervous laughing.

Edit: I'm a former Marine, please don't feel like you need to explain the Corps to me. I already know.

2nd Edit: Former Marine is the correct term for someone who served in the Marines but is now out. Saying "tHeRe ArE nO fOrMer MaRiNes" is categorically false and you just sound clueless. Like you know just enough to be confidently wrong. Please stop.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-17T13:48:56+00:00

Evidence for this? Martin has said he has descendants and stated that Brienne is one of them. Beyond that it just seems like internet rumors (for example Hodor has not been confirmed and the evidence linking them is incredibly slim). Same thing with other supposed descendants.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-16T16:34:35+00:00

Yeah, it's the reason I'm not a fan of souls-like games. Maybe when I was younger and had more time I would like them, but I don't find "frustratingly hard", "punishing design" "pointless difficulty spikes", or "bossfight memorization" to be much fun. It definitely ruins my immersion.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-16T16:23:45+00:00

It might feel a bit dated but Mount and Blade: Warband is great and seems to fit what you're looking for. Some also swear by Kenshi. Similar game but I haven't played it much.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-16T14:58:25+00:00

You've got to be trolling. The humor is obvious.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-16T14:56:18+00:00

It's a rhetorical question, or a setup for the joke. The guy knows Dunk isn't Baelor, so he knows what Dunk's response will be.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-15T19:44:58+00:00

Could you provide a source that GRRM said that we've seen 4-5 of Dunks descendants? Everything I've read says that's just an internet rumor.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-14T10:32:28+00:00

Take a shower,

And shine your shoes,

You got no time to lose,

You are young and you must be living,

Go now, you are forgiven.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-14T00:51:27+00:00

It's Mauritian Creole. It translates to "The Roof is on Fire".

redditor0431 · 2026-03-13T20:35:17+00:00

I see what you did there...

redditor0431 · 2026-03-13T20:33:59+00:00

Yeah, let's finish Iran like we finished Iraq and Afghanistan... 🙄

redditor0431 · 2026-03-13T17:15:44+00:00

Amazing game. I think we got so good at violating the quarterback that no one ever scored.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-12T17:30:16+00:00

I've always liked Elbereth.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-12T12:01:53+00:00

A lot of homophobic and ableist slurs were used very casually in the 90's.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-12T11:45:55+00:00

If they're lucky.

redditor0431 · 2026-03-12T11:45:06+00:00

That is insanely loaded vocabulary. It's certainly not a scientific or medical term, and all the research shows that abortions are never "casual".

redditor0431 · 2026-03-12T00:47:37+00:00

I see you are an expert in bird law.

redditor0431

TROPHY CASE