Initiations, Good or Bad?

CWO3 John Smith — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:28:47 -0500

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?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 6:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:35:01 -0500

I believe they are good traditions CWO3 John Smith John Andresen but some people have taken them too far and so the corrective action is to stop them.

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 8 at 2015 6:36 PM

SPC David S. — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:36:50 -0500

Spur ride and breaking in the Stetson. Scouts Out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABMB0MW6VIU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44svFiAiQX0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls91NHV1aHw

cav stetson break in...

My friend SPC Hollon breaking in his cav stetson in Kandahar Afghanistan.....

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 8 at 2015 6:50 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:50:57 -0500

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.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 8 at 2015 7:46 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:46:21 -0500

Initiations were good for morale and was a right of passage for most. However, as CWO3 John Smith stated the initiation have been watered down or eliminated due to political correctness.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 8 at 2015 7:57 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:57:01 -0500

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!

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 8:47 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:47:29 -0500

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.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 26 at 2015 7:06 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 19:06:53 -0400

CWO3 John Smith, the word 'initiation' will always bring to mind my family tradition of "gettin' initiated" when you kill your first deer.
The newly successful hunter doesn't have to gut the deer; someone else does it for him. That someone else then wipes their (bloody) hands on the initiate's face. My grandma actually squeezed the deer's warm heart on my cheeks.

It's not a military initiation, but I reckon it's similar in some respects, and it's what came to mind.

Response by SSG Thomas Brousseau made Apr 9 at 2015 11:55 PM

SSG Thomas Brousseau — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 23:55:09 -0400

Yes, it builds unit cohesiveness and weeds out the weak links.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Apr 10 at 2015 11:53 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 11:53:04 -0400

Baring bodily harm ..

Response by LT Garth Young (Ret) made Apr 28 at 2015 4:27 PM

LT Garth Young (Ret) — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:27:28 -0400

I'm a firm believer in appropriate Initiations. I was initiated as a Chief Petty Officer and as a Shellback (crossing the equator). I'm a better person for having gone through these & enjoyed the esprit de corps after the fact. A few chose not to participate in these time-honored events, and I believe it was to their own personal disadvantage over the years that followed. Sometimes it's good to go along with the traditions and be one of the boys. As long as things don't get out of hand, what's the harm? After each initiation was a time-honored respectful and professional ceremony. Our Nation has become too PC, and the military unfortunately has fallen right in line. Sad!