Why did American soldiers call themselves GIs?

The term "GI" is a shorthand for "Government Issue" or "General Issue". It was used to describe the soldiers of the United States Army and airmen of the United States Army Air Forces—and for U.S. military equipment. During World War II, the term "GI" came into widespread use, and American soldiers started referring to themselves as GIs. The term was first used to describe military-issue equipment; for example, GI soap was government-issued soap for soldiers. However, it eventually also came to be used for the soldiers themselves. This nickname was embraced by the soldiers and became a part of American military culture.

The term GI has a multifaceted origin story. Its roots can be traced back to World War I, when it was used in military bookkeeping abbreviations. In the 1930s, the term GI started appearing in comic strips and derived products like GI Joe, which further popularized the term among the public and the military.

GI's evolution from a description of equipment to a whole soldier's identity speaks to the standardization of military life. When they entered the service, soldiers might assume ownership of a collection of "government issue" items—from uniforms to weaponry—which symbolized their transformation from civilians into servicemen. The term is imbued with a strong sense of solidarity and uniformity; GIs were part of a massive, collective effort to defend their country.

It's also worth noting that the use of the term "GI" has outlasted World War II. It has become synonymous with American soldiers in general and sometimes is even used to refer to matters related to the military lifestyle or culture. The phrase was immortalized in history further with the creation of "GI Bill," which refers to the servicemen's benefits legislation for veterans, officially named the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, to provide a range of benefits for returning World War II veterans.