Navy Guys

LarryJK
Senior Chief Moderator III
Posts: 284
(6/29/01 12:53:58 am)
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After reading some of the posts. I recall watching a documentary 4-5 yrs ago about the Navy and being out on a ship or sub and crossing the Equator. When this was done you earned a nickname or it might have been that you HAD a nickname until you crossed the Equator. Any way...the Equator crossing was a rite of passage. Can you illuminate me as to the meaning of this.

dreamcatcher27371
Member
Posts: 88
(6/29/01 4:24:29 am)
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Crossing the equator is always a big thing for sailors. Until you cross you are a "pollywog", after you cross and are initiated you become a "shellback." This was one of the biggest events of the entire cruise. It was discussed and planned for days ahead of time. Everyone made a big deal out of it, especially if they were a shellback. There was a great deal of anticipation among the crew in the days leading up to this ceremony. There were always attempts, according to tradition, by pollywogs to play dirty tricks on shellbacks the night before the crossing that usually didn't work out all that well. The day of the ceremony, pollywogs were prevented from going above deck until called. We wore our oldest clothes, usually cutoff dungarees, and assembled on deck. We were instructed to get down on all fours and crawl through a line where we were whacked with different types of objects but no real damage inflicted. We were presented, early on, to King Neptune and his court. We had to kiss the belly of the royal baby, a large fat bellied petty officer with offensive food (peanut butter, spices, etc.) spread on his belly. We crawled up to him and as we prepared to kiss his belly, he grabbed your head and pulled it in hard into the mess spread on his belly. Then it was to the Royal Dentist. We had to sit in a chair while a foul tasting liquid was sprayed into our open mouths. This is just a naval tradition after which you receive and entry in your service record of your "shellback" status and a presented a certificate. Good old navy tradition and just something that recognizes your seaworthiness.

Edited by: dreamcatcher27371 at: 6/29/01 5:26:56 am

homer4
Moderator
Posts: 1031
(6/29/01 6:58:28 pm)
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Yet another reason I went Army!

Hehe!
...and two hard boiled eggs.

homer4
Moderator
Posts: 1032
(6/29/01 7:10:03 pm)
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On the serious side...I seen one of those "60 min" "48hr" type programs awhile back(wished I'd a taped it or wrote the programming info down)...anyway...it had to do on traditional hazings in the Military as well as Fraternal initiations. Had the videos and stuff...some quite harmless and some Not!

There are a whole host of individuals and groups and parties that are trying to ban this stuff.

No offence to the ladies aboard here...but much has been centered around women being treated in this fashion...I have problems with that...if it'a a "womens issue"...I don't see it as such...at all.

Harmfull behaviors... YES!!!...man or woman. But come on...traditions and rituals are rich and important...always bringing about the sence of acceptance in the Brotherhood...or Sisterhood.

I could delve more but will refrain...hoping that if this is a can of worms...I'll try to snap the lid closed.
...and two hard boiled eggs.

hope6970
Moderator
Posts: 469
(6/29/01 7:22:58 pm)
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Homer, a lot of the hazing in the military I have heard of involves the Marines. Women? I must have missed that altogether.