Military Terminologies: 'The Grunts'

Hi fellow students, a little bit lost with my research on the military. What military branch is referred to as 'the grunts'? Why is that?

Sure, happy to help here. "The grunts" is a term commonly used to refer to infantrymen in the Army and Marines. More specifically, it's often applied to those who are at the rank-and-file level, not officers.

The term originates from the sound of heavy labor and extreme exertion, like the noise one might make when lifting a heavy load or doing strenuous work. In a military context, it was applied to the infantry because their job demanded a lot of physical labor, carrying weighty equipment, and marching long distances.

It also refers to the down and dirty, dangerous work that these forces often engage in. Infantry units are often the first soldiers in a combat zone, engaging directly with enemy forces. Therefore, the term underscores the difficult, demanding nature of the infantry role and the respect owed to those who carry out this essential work.