How many Shellbacks, Golden Dragons, Golden Shellbacks, Blue Noses and Plank Owners do we have here?

2014-06-04T03:24:28-04:00

It's a Navy/Marine Corps thing. You cross the Equator on a ship you are a Shellback, You cross the Date Line on a ship you are a Golden Dragon. If you cross the Equator at the Date Line you are a Golden Shellback. If you cross the Arctic Circle you are a Blue Nose. If you are the first crew of a ship or unit you are a Plank Owner.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 4 at 2014 3:28 AM

2014-06-04T03:28:19-04:00

My Bona Fides are as a Shellback/Golden Shellback/Golden Dragon Achieved as a very Senior First Class onboard USS Arkansas and don't think my guys didn't have fun victimizing CTO1. I am Plank Owner of CINCPACFLT SPINTCOM (FICPAC BLDG) Pearl Harbor, HI and the Navy Memorial, Washington, DC.

Response by PO2 Robin Reynolds made Jun 4 at 2014 5:20 AM

2014-06-04T05:20:41-04:00

Shellback and Blue nose.

Response by PO1 Greg Moore made Jun 4 at 2014 6:29 AM

2014-06-04T06:29:08-04:00

I earned my Golden Shellback in 1981. I was a Special Polywog and I have the scars to prove it. The initiation lasted for two days on the Connie.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 4 at 2014 5:54 PM

2014-06-04T17:54:49-04:00

Glad to know that I am not the only Salty Dog Here!

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Jun 4 at 2014 6:11 PM

2014-06-04T18:11:02-04:00

Shellback here 1996

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2014 7:57 PM

2014-06-04T19:57:38-04:00

Lots of great history in the Navy. The Army is sucking the fun out of most of our traditions.

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2014 10:53 PM

2014-06-04T22:53:42-04:00

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 12:07 AM

2014-06-05T00:07:15-04:00

Shellback and (Imperial Order) Golden Dragon....though, I had never heard of golden dragon until this thread, and neither had my husband (who served 10 years). Interestingly enough, we found a list of a bunch of other crossing the line ceremonies on wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line-crossing_ceremony

The Order of the Blue Nose for sailors who have crossed the Arctic Circle.
The Order of the Red Nose for sailors who have crossed the Antarctic Circle.
The Imperial Order of the Golden Dragon for sailors and marines who have crossed the International Date Line.
The Sacred Order Of The Golden Dragon for sailors and marines who have crossed at the same time Lat. 00-000°, Long. 180.00°
The Order of the Ditch for sailors who have passed through the Panama Canal.
The Order of the Rock for sailors who have transited the Strait of Gibraltar.
The Safari to Suez for sailors who have passed through the Suez Canal.
The Golden Shellback for sailors who have crossed the point where the Equator crosses the International Date Line.
The Order of the Sand Squid for Sailors who have been attached to army units or stationed in the Middle East.
The Emerald Shellback or Royal Diamond Shellback for sailors who cross at 0 degrees off the coast of West Africa (where the Equator crosses the prime meridian)
The Realm of the Czars for sailors who crossed into the Black Sea.
The Order of Magellan for sailors who circumnavigated the Earth.
The Order of the Lakes for sailors who have sailed on all five Great Lakes.
The Order of the Spanish Main for sailors who have sailed in the Caribbean.
The Order of the Sparrow for sailors who have sailed on all seven seas. (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, Indian, Arctic, Antarctic Oceans)

After reading this, though, I don't understand the difference between the The Sacred Order Of The Golden Dragon and The Golden Shellback. The explanations sound like they are describing the same thing to me.... anyone have any insight on this? Where am I confused?

Line-crossing ceremony - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite in the British Merchant Navy, Dutch merchant navy, Royal Navy, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, Russian Navy, and other navies that commemorates a sailor's first crossing of the Equator.[1] The tradition may have originated with ceremonies when passing headlands, and become a "folly" sanctioned as a boost to morale,[2] or have been created as a test for seasoned sailors to...

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 1:30 AM

2014-06-05T01:30:27-04:00

Blue Nose from my tour at Thule.

Response by SN Mike Popple made Jun 5 at 2014 10:10 AM

2014-06-05T10:10:04-04:00

Golden Shellback on board the USS Cleveland during WestPac 96

Response by PO3 Thomas Dickey made Jun 5 at 2014 11:43 AM

2014-06-05T11:43:45-04:00

Shellback, aboard the U.S.S. America.

Response by PO2 John Crutchfield made Jun 5 at 2014 12:52 PM

2014-06-05T12:52:40-04:00

I'm a Shellback. Went thru the ceremony during the '89 World Cruise on the USS Enterprise.

Response by CPT Brandon Christensen made Jun 5 at 2014 1:15 PM

2014-06-05T13:15:44-04:00

I haven't but would like to. How would you guys treat a Soldier that was aboard crossing these lines? Would he/she go through the same rituals as a sailor/marine?

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 4:34 PM

2014-06-05T16:34:55-04:00

PO1,
Very interesting look into Navy life! My grandfather was in the Navy around the time of the Korean war and told me stories of the traditions (What we would now call hazing) upon crossing the equator. Are these traditions still a thing?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 10:53 PM

2014-06-05T22:53:28-04:00

What do I get for my frequent flyer miles?

Response by PO3 Johnathan Mitchell made Jun 6 at 2014 1:39 AM

2014-06-06T01:39:49-04:00

I'm an honorable shellback, crossed on the USS Leahy CG16 during '86-'87 Westpac

Response by PO2 Jerry Peterson made Jun 6 at 2014 1:48 AM

2014-06-06T01:48:29-04:00

Golden, 81 Uss America, and 83 Uss Enterprise.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 6 at 2014 8:18 AM

2014-06-06T08:18:26-04:00

I became a Golden Shellback on the USS Bonhomme Richard on the way to Afghanistan, and a regular Shellback on the USS Boxer on the way to Iraq.

Response by PO2 Bob Wheeler made Jun 6 at 2014 8:58 AM

2014-06-06T08:58:49-04:00

Shellback & Golden Dragon - many times on the USS California 84-87. Shellback initiation was great as Pollywogs outnumbered the shellbacks 10-1. Wasn't so great for those folks that came onboard after we crossed! Almost a blue nose - was within 10 miles of Arctic circle when Captian Richard Williams the third chose to turn around against the wishes of the MC of the boat. Still have my cards and posters up on the wall.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2014 10:09 AM

2014-06-06T10:09:31-04:00

Golden Shellback here.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2014 10:17 AM

2014-06-06T10:17:48-04:00

Shellback USS Enterprise (CVN-65) 2006

Response by CWO3 Preston Lytle made Jun 11 at 2014 11:15 AM

2014-06-11T11:15:30-04:00

Blue Nose and Shellback here.

Response by SCPO Dwight Fleagle made Jun 11 at 2014 1:03 PM

2014-06-11T13:03:03-04:00

I have achieved the following:
The Order of the Blue Nose
The Order of the Ditch
The Order of the Rock
The Safari to Suez
The Emerald Shellback or Royal Diamond Shellback
The Order of the Spanish Main

Response by PO1 Bruce Ramsey made Jun 11 at 2014 3:13 PM

2014-06-11T15:13:11-04:00

Shellback - 1993
The Imperial Order of the Golden Dragon - 1994
The Order of the Rock - 2002, 2004
The Safari to Suez - 2004

Response by PO1 Jody Leingang made Jun 11 at 2014 3:19 PM

2014-06-11T15:19:52-04:00

I am a Golden Shelllback. Crossed the 180th at the Equator in 1981 aboard the USS Halsey CG-23. Also a plank owner or the USS Kinkaid DD-965.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2014 7:04 PM

2014-06-11T19:04:51-04:00

Shellback & Golden Dragon, though not a Golden Shellback.

Response by PO1 Troy Curliss made Jun 18 at 2014 6:55 PM

2014-06-18T18:55:14-04:00

I'm a Royal Diamond Shellback. At least that's what we came up with on the Carl Vinson when we crossed in '83 @ 0,0. Also, got the Golden Dragon, and Magellan Cruise on that Around the World Cruise. The Vinson also did some time up in the Arctic Ocean, but they didn't let us cross the circle, so I took leave with my wife and drove up to it.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2014 12:49 AM

2014-06-19T00:49:50-04:00

Shell back - surface, Golden Shell back - sub, Safari to Suez - surface, Order of the Rock - surface, Blue Nose - sub, Golden Dragon - sub.

Response by PO2 Jerold Ramos made Aug 25 at 2014 2:32 PM

2014-08-25T14:32:29-04:00

I am a Shellback, crossed near Africa!

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Aug 26 at 2014 5:51 PM

2014-08-26T17:51:34-04:00

I'm a Spurholder..... Does that count..... ;o)

Response by SCPO Dawn Napier made Aug 27 at 2014 1:40 PM

2014-08-27T13:40:20-04:00

Shellback 1989

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2014 11:54 AM

2014-08-28T11:54:28-04:00

Shellback from the East Coast, Golden Shellback on the USS Arkansas (CGN-41)

Response by CPO Bernie Penkin made Aug 28 at 2014 1:37 PM

2014-08-28T13:37:12-04:00

Blue nose 1992, Shellback & Golden Dragon 1993, Golden Shellback and Red nose 1995. Also sailed the Straits of Magellan 1995. USCGC Polar Star.

Response by SCPO Orlando Oliver made Aug 29 at 2014 7:46 PM

2014-08-29T19:46:08-04:00

Shellback, Golden dragon, blue nose CGC Polar Star

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 30 at 2014 1:19 PM

2014-08-30T13:19:56-04:00

Just had a little surprise. Father passed 6 months ago and I have been cleaning out his stuff. Found a Shellback Certificate. My Father the Marine who hated ships was a Shellback.

Response by SN David Wright made Sep 7 at 2014 1:06 AM

2014-09-07T01:06:04-04:00

Shellback here.

Response by PO2 David Wagner made Dec 6 at 2014 11:51 PM

2014-12-06T23:51:21-05:00

Between 10/64 and 4/66 aboard the USCGC Eastwind (WAGB - 279):

The Order of the Blue Nose for sailors who have crossed the Arctic Circle.
The Order of the Red Nose for sailors who have crossed the Antarctic Circle.
The Imperial Order of the Golden Dragon for sailors and marines who have crossed the International Date Line.
The Sacred Order Of The Golden Dragon for sailors and marines who have crossed at the same time Lat. 00-000°, Long. 180.00° (see below)
The Order of the Ditch for sailors who have passed through the Panama Canal.
The Golden Shellback for sailors who have crossed the point where the Equator crosses the International Date Line. (I crossed the Equator four times and the Dateline four times. I think we did it at the same time once, but a lot of years have passed. I would like to document this.)
The Order of the Spanish Main for sailors who have sailed in the Caribbean.
The Order of the Sparrow for sailors who have sailed on all seven seas. (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, Arctic, Antarctic Oceans) I have heard what is called "Order of the Sparrow" here referred to as a "Square Knot Sailor" back in the day. I missed only the Indian Ocean.

Puddle Pirate, LOL - I think not.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2014 4:07 PM

2014-12-07T16:07:37-05:00

Shellback "86" west PAC order of the ditch, order of the rock ! My Navy times !

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 7 at 2014 5:21 PM

2014-12-07T17:21:28-05:00

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel, I never had the honor (maybe), but my father served aboard the USS LST 78 during WWII. He was initiated into the SOLEMN MYSTERIES OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF THE DEEP aboard USS LST-78 on 17JUN45 at latitude 00 deg 00' 00" and longitude "SECRET". USS LST-78 was underway to Biak Island from Leyte, Philippine Islands, so the longitude was near 136 degrees.
Each of these photos have captions (and are from that day, but for his photo), so hopefully the narrative will descend as do the photos:
1. Ensign Jack Curlee, standing in front of the forward Welin davit on the starboard side of the ship.
2. King Neptune and his Court preside at the initiation of the Slimy Pollywogs into the SOLEMN MYSTERIES OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF THE DEEP aboard USS LST-78, 17JUN45.
3. Slimy pollywog gets truth serum, 17JUN45.
4. Emerging from the rotting garbage, 17JUN45.
An editorial note for those that don't know, but LSTs were flat bottomed ships, so my father traversed the Pacific Ocean twice in a flat bottomed ship. He said it didn't bother him, but that would be the end of me! MCPO Roger Collins

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2014 6:46 PM

2014-12-07T18:46:57-05:00

Age 11, USS Upshire....New York to Panama....Shellback (have a certificate somewhere)....took part in Sea Scout ceremony swimming through....yuck.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2014 10:26 PM

2014-12-07T22:26:22-05:00

2 WestPacs. 90-91 and 95-96...combat missions were too important to get my shellback...we were late for war. No time to eat olives out of the CPO.

Response by PO3 Gus Jr. made Sep 16 at 2015 2:31 PM

2015-09-16T14:31:12-04:00

Ibcrossed twice what is that called????

Response by PO3 Thomas Dickey made Sep 17 at 2015 1:17 PM

2015-09-17T13:17:03-04:00

Shellback! (old school, 1993-94)

Response by PO2 John Crutchfield made Sep 24 at 2015 2:52 PM

2015-09-24T14:52:47-04:00

Shellback, USS Enterprise CVN-65, 89-90

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 2:57 PM

2015-09-24T14:57:14-04:00

Golden Dragon, Shellback, and Plank Owner.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 24 at 2015 2:59 PM

2015-09-24T14:59:37-04:00

Here's something I've been wondering... I'm a Golden Shellback. So does that, by default, also make me a Golden Dragon as well? The Prerequisites are met after all....

Response by PO3 Alan Haynes made Sep 24 at 2015 4:12 PM

2015-09-24T16:12:34-04:00

Shellback and Golden Dragon both aboard USS Midway

Response by PO1 Jody Leingang made Oct 9 at 2015 5:19 PM

2015-10-09T17:19:59-04:00

Plank Owner and Golden Shellback.

Response by Sgt Cody Dumont made Nov 22 at 2015 7:00 PM

2015-11-22T19:00:31-05:00

March 1994

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2015 10:10 AM

2015-11-23T10:10:33-05:00

Shellback - Westpac '99 aboard U.S.S. Peleliu (LHA-5)

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Nov 23 at 2015 11:08 AM

2015-11-23T11:08:03-05:00

Got 'em all.

Response by SPC Matthew Voiland made Jan 6 at 2016 11:36 AM

2016-01-06T11:36:01-05:00

It's available to any branch by the way. I got my Golden Dragon in the Army aboard an Army vessel when we sailed from Hawaii to Korea.

Response by PO3 Dan Miller made Apr 15 at 2016 9:10 AM

2016-04-15T09:10:50-04:00

I am a golden shellback I was aboard the USS Lasalle heading to the Persian gulf in 1972, also a blue nose 1973/74 aboard the USS Newport News .

Response by PO3 Thomas Dickey made Apr 21 at 2016 1:05 PM

2016-04-21T13:05:37-04:00

I'm a Shellback, I was aboard the U.S.S. America (CV-66) on a Med. cruise in 1993-1994.

Response by PO1 Troy Curliss made Apr 21 at 2016 6:42 PM

2016-04-21T18:42:22-04:00

So, I crossed the line back in 1983 on the USS Carl Vinson during it's World Cruise. We crossed at 0° 0° off the coast of Africa. Wild shellback ceremony! Over 4000 of us were wogs. When we crossed back in the Pacific, there were maybe 300 wogs. Anyway, we gave us the name Royal Diamond Shellback for the crossing in the Atlantic.

Response by PO2 Richard C. made Jul 14 at 2016 8:52 PM

2016-07-14T20:52:32-04:00

Shellback was my only actual ceremony, but am also Golden Dragon, Order of the Ditch and Plank Owner, all on the USS Dubuque (LPD-8) in the late 60's.

Response by PO3 Thomas Dickey made Apr 6 at 2017 12:22 PM

2017-04-06T12:22:06-04:00

I'm a Shellback, '93-'94

Response by SSgt John Carter made May 18 at 2017 1:21 PM

2017-05-18T13:21:54-04:00

I was Navy once then joined the Air Force later, but I did cross the equator in 1975 South of Singapore.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2017 6:49 AM

2017-06-21T06:49:40-04:00

The Order of the Sand Squid Nov 2010-Dec 2011
The Realm of the Czars June 2015
The Order of the Rock July 2015
Golden Dragon July 2015
The Safari to Suez March 2017
Shellback March 2017
Bluenose June 2017 (today)

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Aug 24 at 2017 10:10 PM

2017-08-24T22:10:36-04:00

Plank Owner, HMA-269. It's an HMLA now.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2017 8:24 PM

2017-09-29T20:24:07-04:00

Red Nose on CGC Polar Star in 2017

Response by PO3 Craig Battenberg made Feb 2 at 2018 7:51 AM

2018-02-02T07:51:12-05:00

USCGC (WAGB-4) Glacier 1978/ also Antarctica

Response by Sgt Tee Organ made Feb 2 at 2018 8:48 AM

2018-02-02T08:48:01-05:00

Shellback here!

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2018 1:34 PM

2018-05-22T13:34:58-04:00

Shellback, Golden Dragon, Order of the Ditch.

Response by SN Larry McCoy made Jun 17 at 2018 10:28 PM

2018-06-17T22:28:08-04:00

US NAVY from 1963-1969 with a "Blue Nose" June 1965 USS Rushmore LSD 14!! Missed the Shellback by <50 miles. I really think we crossed the line but not issued the card!! USS Pocono AGC 16 in 1966

Response by PO2 Jim Nichols made Jul 24 at 2018 10:02 AM

2018-07-24T10:02:44-04:00

1978 northern run. USS Trepang (SSN)674.

Response by Janice Crain made Aug 9 at 2018 1:29 PM

2018-08-09T13:29:13-04:00

My Dad crossed with a Domain of the golden dragon but also has something that reads domain of the Nepvnys Rex any idea, thank you.

Response by PO3 Doug Sesk made Aug 11 at 2018 2:49 PM

2018-08-11T14:49:30-04:00

Crossed the international date line aboard the USS kitty hawk cv-63 in the late spring of 81’ as a Polly wog than in 84’ as a shellback

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2018 3:14 PM

2018-08-18T15:14:22-04:00

I am a member of the Imperial order of the Golden Dragon. Unfortunately we weren't able to do a Shellback ceremony. . . so . . . for now, forever a slimy wog.

Response by SN Felix Gonzalez made Dec 9 at 2018 1:07 AM

2018-12-09T01:07:07-05:00

Over 180two times in the attic circle to

Response by SN Felix Gonzalez made Dec 9 at 2018 1:07 AM

2018-12-09T01:07:53-05:00

Bin there don't that turned two

Response by SN Felix Gonzalez made Dec 9 at 2018 1:09 AM

2018-12-09T01:09:55-05:00

8 mounts boot camp then a high ensuring cutter 378 726 whec west PAC

Response by MCPO Bill Chiappi made Dec 16 at 2018 12:56 PM

2018-12-16T12:56:46-05:00

Done all of them plus Order of The Ditch and Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club.

Response by PO3 Charles Jackson made Dec 20 at 2018 9:53 AM

2018-12-20T09:53:15-05:00

I was fortunate to have been able to do all three between 1958 and 1961 on board The USS Shangri-La (CVA-38).

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 1:20 PM

2018-12-27T13:20:25-05:00

Shellback

Response by PO3 Craig Battenberg made Feb 16 at 2019 7:59 AM

2019-02-16T07:59:48-05:00

It isnot only navy/marine thing.

Response by CPO David Marlowe made Feb 21 at 2019 9:09 AM

2019-02-21T09:09:34-05:00

First time i went across the line 1982

Response by PO3 John Nemesh made Feb 27 at 2019 9:15 AM

2019-02-27T09:15:58-05:00

I am a blue nose and the order of the rock aboard the USS WASP in 1962 on a Mediterranean cruise.

Response by PO2 Lee Meyer made Jun 20 at 2020 9:59 AM

2020-06-20T09:59:53-04:00

We got both Golden Dragon and Shellback, but we crossed in the area of both by the Gilbert Islands (Tarawa), the International dateline is all over the place in that area. We did in 1979. Why we didn't get Golden Shellback, I don't know. But I had never heard of it until about four months ago

Response by MCPO Neal Bell made Jun 22 at 2020 3:12 PM

2020-06-22T15:12:20-04:00

I am old enough to know that the golden dragon was a sailor who had crossed the sea of China.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2020 4:26 PM

2020-12-09T16:26:45-05:00

Response by PO3 Derek Suddreth made Dec 14 at 2020 1:44 PM

2020-12-14T13:44:28-05:00

Shellback (IO) and Domain of the Golden Dragon, 1979. Don't forget Emerald Shellback, the rarest of all, crossing the equator at the prime meridian, 0 degrees by 0 degrees...

Response by PO3 Tom Fowler made Sep 15 at 2021 9:59 AM

2021-09-15T09:59:16-04:00

shellback, golden shell; dragon & blue nose - just crossed the dateline again last
week servicing tsunami buoys...

Response by PO3 Edwin Evans made Sep 22 at 2021 9:13 AM

2021-09-22T09:13:36-04:00

All aboard USS Paul DE/FF 1080
Order of the Ditch October 21, 1972
Order of the Golden Dragon November 11, 1972
Emerald Shellback March 21, 1974
Blue Nose November 16, 1975

Response by PO3 Thomas Wolski made Mar 3 at 2022 12:58 PM

2022-03-03T12:58:29-05:00

Plank owner USS Dixon and also Shellback USS Dixon 1971

Response by PO1 John Johnson made Mar 4 at 2022 6:44 AM

2022-03-04T06:44:00-05:00

Missed it by "this much". June '94, taking the CGC Resolute from Astoria, OR to Baltimore via Panama Canal. We had it set up to make a quick dash down to the equator in the Pacific, cross it, then make the dash to Panama. We got within 3 degrees latitude (180 nautical miles) of the equator and received a Search and Rescue call 200 nm. Game over, no time to return to original mission, no Shellback Ceremony, all ahead full to Baltimore.

Response by SSgt Tony Lamson made Jun 15 at 2022 8:46 AM

2022-06-15T08:46:29-04:00

Shellback(1992), Golden Shellback(1992), and Bluenose (1984)