'Hooah': Odd Cry Becomes Soldier Shorthand

Associated Press ^ | NICK WADHAMS

[EricT.]

Somehow I knew this would turn into Air Force bashing. Hey once I deployed to Southern Italy in the Summer and the hotel didn't have AC! So yeah us Air Force guys have hard times too.

You AF guys have such a great sense of humor. I knew a Sr.Airman that told me he joined the USAF because only the officers get shot at. I knew another one out on Guam that complained about having to take a sweater to work because the air conditioning was too cold.

[cookcounty]

I was in the Army 1971-1973. I went from unit to unit doing field medical support all over USAREUR.

I never once heard of "Hooh-ah " until 5 years ago.

[LiteKeeper]

HOOAH!!

US Army, retired

[JCEccles]

Army: "Hooah!"

Marines: "Oorah!"

Air Force: "Kewl!"

[armymarinemom]

[Sangey]

I did know a lot of people in Army like me who do not speak English very well, but we all know what Hooah mean.

Hooah just mean hooah.
Nothing else.
Either you understand or not.
Figures media do not get it.
Media are so smart they are dumb.

[JCEccles]

I first heard "HOOAH!" in Korea in the early 1990s, when the Army's ground liaison officer to the Air Force, a full bull who had the tough wiry look of 175 pounds of beef jerky, rattled the walls in a staff meeting. The Air Force three star had a bemused look on his face, didn't quite know what to make of it.

[xzins]

Somehow I knew this would turn into Air Force bashing. Hey once I deployed to Southern Italy in the Summer and the hotel didn't have AC! So yeah us Air Force guys have hard times too.

It's not bashing. It's family banter.

Everyone always messes with Dad's favorite child.....think of Joseph & his trip to Egypt.

:>)

[DMZFrank]

Don't forget this one, "Bravo company got hit in an NDP last night. Spooky was on call, lotsa gooks got waxed on our claymores and FPF's".

Reply:"There it is"!!!

[Thunder 6]

Chaplain,

I first heard it at Airborne School in 85 and at Ft. Lewis in 87 (home of one of the Ranger BN's to follow the theory they started it). My PSG told me then it was Nisqually Indian (a local tribe) for "Bullsh*t".
Have heard it much less in tank/CAV units than Infantry.
Regards,

[Moose4]

Somebody posted something on here a while back (one of the Canteen threads maybe?) about the origin of the USMC's "oorah." I think the best guess so far is that it came from Force Recon back in the '50s somehow, but I can't remember all the details.

I've never served, but I do know enough about our military branches to know never to confuse "hooah" and "oorah." :)

}:-)4

[BlueNgold]

The mentioned the Navy and Hoo-Yah..

Hoo-Yah is pretty much a SEAL thing. It is used in some other parts of the Navy, but it isn't as standard or commonplace as it is with the teams.

[pressley]

well, i dunno how much is true of the story, if any...but its the story that i prefer because of two reasons. Navy is the best branch. and Submarines is the best fleet.

way back in the day when the subs would transport MARINES to their location, the MARINES would immitate the dive alarm, and on down the line it became OORAH.

also...i don't think Ive seen anyone comment on HOOYA. HOOYA is BY FAR!!the best....for one reason...its NAVY...and NAVY is what?...THE BEST!!!