Quote:
Originally Posted by Benson
About the Navy...
I flew across the Equator several times between RVN and Sydney, Australia.
There was a Navy guy on board that said something about "Guppies and Shellbacks" ... and some "college like" pranks ...
This was 1968 so I might be remembering it wrong.
Did I remember it correctly?
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You were darned close! "Wogs (pollywogs) and Shell-Backs."
Shell-backs have crossed the equator and Wogs have not.
"College like pranks"? Never been to a college initiation but "Crossing the Line" (equator) is a time honored tradition that heaps significant abuse on first time crossers. Shillelagh's were made from fire hoses and used to "keep us in line". I taped rags (under my trousers) to my knees to protect them form the "non-skid" on the deck. I got caught and paid dearly for it.
Times have changed though. My son is in the Navy now and many of the time honored traditions have been scaled back due to "political correctness" and the insertion of females into the ranks.
Let's face it... It's funny to watch a guy try to pick up a green olive with his butt cheeks off the top of a large block of ice but you're not going to get away with that when there are women present/participating.
It never ceased to amaze me the pain and humiliation we can inflict upon one another in an effort to have fun. It
was intended to be fun (and I had a blast both before and after my first crossing) but it goes without saying that sometimes some folks got out of hand. Those that got "stupid" were quickly corralled in most cases.
I am proud of my certificate for "Crossing the Line". It was done back when it meant something and you earned/suffered it. Still, I suppose today's certificate owners take pride in theirs as well.
Still, I would do it all again.
