Does the US Navy still do Shellback initiation?

May 2024 · 7 minute read
Yes, the US Navy still conducts "shellback" ceremonies. These ceremonies are held to mark the crossing of the equator by naval personnel for the first time. It is a longstanding naval tradition and is often accompanied by various rituals and activities.  Takedown request View complete answer on quora.com

Does the U.S. Navy still have Shellback initiation?

As shellbacks, the sailors were given certificates to indicate they successfully underwent the ceremony and had crossed the equator. The Crossing the Line ceremony continues to be used in the U.S. Navy today, but the event is voluntary and used as a source of entertainment and morale.  Takedown request View complete answer on history.navy.mil

How do you become a shellback in the Navy?

Sailors who have already crossed the Equator are nicknamed Shellbacks, Trusty Shellbacks, Honorable Shellbacks, or Sons of Neptune. Those who have not crossed are nicknamed Pollywogs, or Slimy Pollywogs, or sometimes simply Slimy Wogs.  Takedown request View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org

Does the U.S. Navy celebrate crossing the equator?

"Line-crossing ceremonies to commemorate a ship's passage across the equator have been a naval tradition for centuries," Spirtos tells PEOPLE in a statement. "Today, the event is voluntary and is conducted to boost morale and foster a spirit of camaraderie and cohesion."  Takedown request View complete answer on people.com

What is the U.S. Navy shellback tradition?

Shellback Variations. The shellback is simple enough: A sailor on official duty “crosses the line” of the equator. A golden shellback is more impressive; it means they've crossed the International Date Line. Even rarer, crossing at the Prime Meridian grants you access into the Order of the Emerald Shellback.  Takedown request View complete answer on military.com

Why I REFUSED the Shellback Ceremony | Crossing the Line | USS Makin Island Experience

What is the shellback initiation?

Performed when a ship crosses the equator, the “Crossing the Line Ceremony” or “Shellback Initiation” is an ancient naval tradition celebrated by most world navies. Each naval ship may have its own traditions (from simple to elaborate), but the basic structure and characters of the ceremony are the same.  Takedown request View complete answer on cfcc.edu

What is a sea daddy in the Navy?

: a skilled seaman who is detailed to instruct young or green hands.  Takedown request View complete answer on merriam-webster.com

What is a pollywog in the Navy?

Members of a ship's company who have never crossed the equator onboard a warship are known as 'Pollywogs' or 'Tadpoles'.  Takedown request View complete answer on navy.gov.au

What medal do you get for crossing the equator in the Navy?

The Shellback commemorative ribbon was created for Naval personnel who went through the line-crossing ceremony.  Takedown request View complete answer on medalsofamerica.com

Why do US sailors eat cherries out of belly buttons?

It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. The story of the Shellback is a most storied one dating back to the days of the Viking seafarers, and the Spaniard navy.  Takedown request View complete answer on navycrow.com

What is the hardest Navy position?

Navy Special Warfare

Pre-screening, selection and then training to become a Navy SEAL are among the most comprehensive and difficult in the military. The washout rate at the Navy's Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training course is also high.

 Takedown request View complete answer on work.chron.com

What is a golden shellback in the Navy?

A Golden Shellback is bestowed on a mariner who has not only crossed the Equator but also crossed the International Date Line. The Navy has its share of rituals. These rituals are intended to increases the team spirit and motivate the mariners to outperform their own records.  Takedown request View complete answer on blog.popularpatch.com

What is a diamond shellback?

The Emerald Shellback or Royal Diamond Shellback is for those who cross the Null Island, where the Equator crosses the Prime Meridian. The Golden Shellback is for sailors who have crossed the point where the Equator crosses the 180th meridian.  Takedown request View complete answer on coffeeordie.com

What happens when a sailor crosses the equator?

Perhaps one of the best known and longest enduring traditions is the initiation ceremony of 'Crossing the line' or 'Sea Baptism', which takes place when a ship crosses the equator. The first recorded descriptions are from around 400 years ago and its origins remain hazy.  Takedown request View complete answer on rmg.co.uk

What is it called when a sailor crosses the equator?

Shellbacks and Pollywogs

It is a longstanding maritime tradition to initiate sailors who are crossing the equator for the first time. Those who have not yet crossed are known as “pollywogs.” After crossing the equator they become “shellbacks,” or trusted subjects of Neptune, the Roman god of water.

 Takedown request View complete answer on manoa.hawaii.edu

What is a blue nose in the Navy?

A Bluenose, sometimes incorrectly referred to as a Rednose, is simply a sailor who's crossed the Arctic Circle, above 66°34′N. Just like crossing the equator, there's a Line-crossing ceremony, and once you're done, congratulations, you're a certified Bluenose.  Takedown request View complete answer on navycrow.com

What is the hardest Medal to get in the military?

The Medal of Honor is the United States' highest and most prestigious military award. It is awarded to members of the armed forces who have distinguished themselves through acts of extraordinary heroism. There are just 65 living recipients of the award.  Takedown request View complete answer on chicagotribune.com

What is the rarest military Medal?

Fun fact about the USCG, the Coast Guard Cross is THE rarest medals currently awarded by the US Military. It's not from a lack of valor, rather until the Korean War/Vietnam War, all USCG recipients of medals were given for example the Navy Cross, or the Navy variant of the Medal of Honor (ex, Douglas Munro).  Takedown request View complete answer on reddit.com

Who has the most Navy Crosses?

Rear Admiral Roy Milton Davenport

has the most Navy Crosses out of anyone, having earned five in total during his military career. He was also the first recipient of the award.

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What is a Navy frog?

- When the U.S. Navy established the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) during World War II, the heroic Sailors that we now know as Navy SEALs were commonly referred to as “Frogmen.” Today's Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community pays homage to its predecessors by using the same nickname.  Takedown request View complete answer on navy.mil

What is a foxtail in the Navy?

Military name for a bench brush. Not to be confused with a foxtail buttplug. Go grab a foxtail, dustpan and clean up that pile over there.  Takedown request View complete answer on veterantv.com

What do Navy sailors call each other?

SHIPMATE – anyone who is attached to the same command as a Sailor—ship or not.  Takedown request View complete answer on nsfamilyline.org

What do Marines call Navy guys?

What do Marines call Navy guys? Marines often refer to members of the Navy as "squids" as a playful and informal term. It's important to note that this term is typically used in a lighthearted and friendly manner, and it's not meant to be derogatory.  Takedown request View complete answer on quora.com

Why do they say mister in the Navy?

In the US Navy and US Coast Guard it is proper to use Mister to refer to commissioned officers below the rank of commander, or to subordinate commissioned officers, though the use of Mister implies familiarity compared to the use of rank title for an unknown officer. Female officers below the rank of commander may be ...  Takedown request View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org

Do you call Navy seamen?

Those in the general deck, technical, weapons and administrative groups (with the exception of the aviation administration men) are called "seamen" and they represent the largest group of Navy and Coast Guard personnel in pay grades E-3 and below.  Takedown request View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org

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