General
groundpounder
What does groundpounder mean?
A foot soldier — Army or Marine infantry who move and fight on the ground, as distinct from aviators or vehicle crews. Also written 'ground pounder.'
"The groundpounders did the hard walking while the pilots flew home to hot chow."
Origin
US military slang, a synonym for grunt.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'groundpounder'?
A groundpounder is a foot soldier — Army or Marine infantry who move and fight on the ground, as opposed to aviators or vehicle crews.
Is 'groundpounder' the same as a grunt?
Yes, it's essentially a synonym for grunt, both referring to infantry who do the hard walking and fighting on foot.
Is 'groundpounder' an insult?
Not really — it's informal and a little self-deprecating, often used with pride by the infantry themselves.
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