OT - What does GI stands for ?
 

My wife and I were watching a documentary on the Iraqi war, and reporters mentionning GIs. And we've had this question for quite a few days (never asked this question before).

So we know that a GI is an american soldier. But what do the G & I letters stand for ?

Thanks in advance !

General Infantry.

Real exciting, eh? :)

CR

I'm in the Army and I can honestly say that no one really knows for certain for what it means. I asked the same thing shortly after joining and was never able to get a straight answer. I've heard, General Issue, General Infantry, but what most people in the Army actually believe it means is "Government Issue".

I believe the story dates back to the equipment and Rations issued to soldiers around the turn of the century and going into WWI, most of it was marked "GI", which stood for Government Issue and quickly became a nickname for US troops as troops were known to hand out food from their rations. This could very well be a folk myth, but I'm yet to hear a better answer for the question.

I don't think anyone has been able to pinpoint it to one thing but the popular opinion in the Army and from a couple things I've seen on TV is Government Issue.

Thanks Chief Rum : makes sense and very exciting indeed ;)

The_herd : I google for GI for 30 minutes and apart from GI related to gastrointestinal disorder, the other think mentionned was GI when used as an adjective related to "Government Issue".

I have always been told it was General Issue. So add that to the mix, and there really is not consensus.

Was just getting ready to edit what I said above to include this. I've also heard the above story with General Issue substituted, so its anyone's guess.

Always believed it was Government Issue.

Guy Icognito.

Same here. That was the term very common during WW2.

Huh. I always thought it stood for groin infection.

No, thats the GI a lot of soldiers came home with.

Oops. My bad.

Well, GI is Government Issue, it makes sense that the GI Bill is Government Issue Bill.

If it's the Army, it must be GAY Incognito.

Yes, GI is Government Issue. As such, we are unable to get a sunburn and not report to work due to it, because that would be damaging government issued property! :) Sounds dumb, but that's the facts.

Yep, if it is indeed Government Issue, that sounds dumb.

Hi, I am Sergeant John Smith and I am a Government Issue for the American Army ;)

Well, we aren't all in the military because of 'military intelligence'. :D