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The Navy once observed a variety of Initiations the most famous being the "Shellback Initiation" for those crossing the equator for the first time. Nowadays a much watered down non-initiation is held. Sadly the the forces of PC have purged the Navy of such traditions. What "Initiations" were held in the other services? Have they also been eliminated?
Hazing
Tradition
Posted 9 y ago
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CWO3 John Smith, my father (still alive at age 93) was initiated into the SOLEMN MYSTERIES OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF THE DEEP aboard USS LST-78 at latitude 00 deg 00' 00" and longitude "SECRET" on 17JUN45. USS LST-78 was underway to Biak Island from Leyte, Philippine Islands, so the longitude was near 136 degrees. The photo is of the actual event as King Neptune and his Court presided at the initiation of the Slimy Pollywogs. He's told me numerous times it was truly a brutal ordeal! I was Army, so it never happened to me!
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LTC Stephen C.
CWO3 John Smith, my father told me a lot about becoming a Trusty Shellback (crossing the Equator), but made almost no mention of becoming a member of the Domain of the Golden Dragon (crossing the IDL). Was there a ceremony for this, or was this no big deal?
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I think initiation brings great morale and unit cohesion. I think that younger troops have something to look forward to when it is their time. However, I think that when it crosses the line to causing harm or hazing, you start to have problems. Initiations properly presided over should be allowed. This ties in with the questions on unit history.
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SSG (Join to see)
The problem with the crossing the line and other imitations vs hazing is definitions. Hazing is defined by DoD to exclude command sponsored events. Therefore, while crossing the line may be as brutal as other hazings it will technically never be hazing. I've never liked this loop hole.
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Cpl (Join to see)
I am a big proponent of that thing called "common sense" I realize I may be in the minority, , I was pinned rank, PSB, badge and I was blood striped and I survived, guess I was lucky. I took great pride when my time came, it was a right of passage for me as a man and as a Marine.
I think that if we are expecting our armed services to go into harms way and be shot at, stabbed, blown up, thrown down, knocked around, a pinning ceremony is not too much to ask. Being pinned with a mallet.... again refer to common sense.
I think that if we are expecting our armed services to go into harms way and be shot at, stabbed, blown up, thrown down, knocked around, a pinning ceremony is not too much to ask. Being pinned with a mallet.... again refer to common sense.
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Some are good, some are bad.
I went through a (Golden) Shellback initiation in the mid 90s. I'm sure compared to the 70s, mine was "watered down" however, having spoken to folks who did the initiation a few deployments after myself, I know it was significantly watered from from mine.
As for other initiations. I know "pinning" of new chevrons upon promotion was big deal. Pounding them in so they would stay put (so you wouldn't lose them later). When you picked up Cpl, getting "bloodstripes" (being kneed in the side of the legs repeated by the NCOs) was also vogue. For the most part, it was just a rite of passage. Everyone went through it. The problem was if people got hurt, which could & did happen.
I went through a (Golden) Shellback initiation in the mid 90s. I'm sure compared to the 70s, mine was "watered down" however, having spoken to folks who did the initiation a few deployments after myself, I know it was significantly watered from from mine.
As for other initiations. I know "pinning" of new chevrons upon promotion was big deal. Pounding them in so they would stay put (so you wouldn't lose them later). When you picked up Cpl, getting "bloodstripes" (being kneed in the side of the legs repeated by the NCOs) was also vogue. For the most part, it was just a rite of passage. Everyone went through it. The problem was if people got hurt, which could & did happen.
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