NAVOCEANASWCEN Naval Oceanography Antisubmarine Warfare Center Yokosuka Shirt Created
Custom United States Navy shirts are more than just flashy images. They have purpose and a mission and carry a message in the United states Navy! Sinking enemy submarines lies at the heart of this command and its strategic importance. Naval Surface War Fighting!
WHO IS NAVOCEANASWCEN?
Command Mission. The mission of the Naval Oceanography AntiSubmarine Warfare Center Yokosuka, Japan (NAVOCEANASWCEN YOKOSUKA JA, further abbreviated NOAC Yokosuka) is to provide asymmetric warfighting advantage for Antisubmarine (ASW) forces in 7th/5th Fleets through application of oceanographic sciences; and accurate and timely weather forecasts, warnings and recommendations for Commander, Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ) ashore forces to facilitate asset protection responsibilities and risk management. (Source – http://www.usno.navy.mil)
HOW DO YOU KILL A SUBMARINE!
Mk. 54 lightweight torpedo
The U.S. and allied navies have one of the best light torpedoes in the world in the Mk. 54. It has a 96-pound warhead guided by a torpedo that can ignore enemy countermeasures and home in on an enemy sub at 40 knots. It can be launched from ships, helicopters, and planes and reaches deep enough to kill all known subs.
The Littoral Combat Ship
The LCS ASW mission is to conduct ASW operations in support of a carrier strike group (CSG), amphibious readiness group (ARG), LCS surface action group (SAG) or independently. he Littoral Combat Ship is a fast, agile and networked surface combatant optimized for operating in the littorals. The primary missions for the LCS include countering diesel submarine threats, littoral mine threats and surface threats, such as small surface craft attacks, to assure maritime access for joint forces. The underlying strength of the LCS lies in its innovative design approach, applying modularity for operational flexibility. In executing each mission, LCS employs a modular Mine Countermeasures (MCM) MP, Surface Warfare (SUW) MP or Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) MP. (Source – http://www.navy.mil)
Arleigh Burke Destroyers
What could be easily said as the workhorse and the backbone of the United States Navy surface fleet. The Tin Can Sailors have been dropping depth charges since WW2 and fire the Mk. 54 anti-submarine torpedoes.
NAVOCEANASWCEN SHIRTS
When NAVOCEANASWCEN contacted Vision-Strike-Wear.Com they requested a strong American, Japanese custom US Navy design featuring the Torii Gate, Mt Fuji, a Trident skewering an enemy submarine piercing its hull, and their command motto “Maintaining Freedom Of The Seas” which is an important message as world powers work hard to develop their submarine technologies and the US navy effort so keep ahead of that curve.
*artwork is the copyrighted design of Vision-Strike-Wear.Com. Permission to use this design or derivative requires the written permission of Vision-Strike-Wear.Com
Death Before Dismount! The US Army Armor Divisions Don’t Tread Lightly In Combat nor should they when these beasts of steel and blood cut through the enemy like a hot knife through butter along with a 105mm rifled gun.
DEATH BEFORE DISMOUNT –
DBD. Maybe the most quoted phrase among tankers since their inception. Never give up the tank, leave it, abandon it. It is home, it is your life and and it is there to protect and attack as needed, piercing through enemy lines.
ARMOR QUOTES.
The Beast Of War –
“Out of commission, become a pillbox. Out of ammo, become a bunker. Out of time, become heroes.”
“Because You Are Tankers!”
Fury – The Movie
Norman Ellison: I’ve never even seen the inside of a tank. I’m a clerk typist. Was heading to Fifth Corps HQ, and they pulled me off the truck. They sent me here. It’s gotta be a mistake.
Three main versions of the M1 Abrams have been deployed, the M1, M1A1, and M1A2, incorporating improved armament, protection, and electronics. These improvements and other upgrades to in-service tanks have allowed this long-serving vehicle to remain in front-line service. In addition, development for the improved M1A3 version was reported in 2009. (Source – Wikipedia)
OLD IRONSIDES
The 1st Armored Division of the United states Army, headquartered in Fort Bliss, has been for decades looked upon as one of the hardest hitting, elite and downright kick ass Armored Division in the US military. The division was nicknamed “Old Ironsides”, by its first commander, Major General Bruce R. Magruder, after he saw a picture of the frigate USS Constitution, which is also nicknamed “Old Ironsides”. The large “1” at the top represents the numerical designation of the division, and the insignia is used as a basis for most other sub-unit insignias. (Source – Wikipedia)
The 3rd Armored Division (“Spearhead”) was an armoreddivision of the United States Army. Unofficially nicknamed the “Third Herd”, the division was first activated in 1941, and was active in the European Theaterof World War II. The division was stationed in West Germany for much of the Cold War, and participated in the Persian Gulf War. On 17 January 1992, in Germany, the division ceased operations. In October 1992, it was formally inactivated as part of a general drawing down of forces at the end of the Cold War.
US ARMY ARMOUR
The United States Army and its amazing Armor units have been at the heart of the United States Army going back to World War 2. From the development of the Sherman tank tot he M1A1 Abrams the technology and lethal ability of the US Army main battle tank has gained tremendous ground over the years. The courage and commitment of a US Army tanker knows no defeat and above all things it has always been Death Before Dismount!
One of the most controversial military subjects in today;s society is how religion is perceived by the Department Of Defense in terms of how it is looked upon from a grand perspective with military rules and regulations down to the individual Soldier Sailor, Airman, US Marine and US Coast Guardsman. Are we being attacked from within the military and having the core values usurped by religion?
IS ONE SOLDIER’S GOD MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANOTHER’S?
We have seen stories written about Indians, Muslims, Christians and Jews being recognized in the military a discussion about uniforms, the desire to take training days off because they are conducted on religious days of observance, the issues pertaining to religious hate crimes and more. Is there a solution? The American military has always been one of uniformity and teamwork but can those ideals survive in an environment when individuals want to be recognized based on their individual religious views?
DOES MILITARY AND RELIGION MIX?
According to www.Esquire.Com one perspective is that they do not. As quoted by Esquire.Com “The military and religion do not mix, nor should they. When a religious man has power over another, and therefore has the ability to force his views, the intent of the Founding Fathers is betrayed. Any who advocate for military preaching are betraying our nation’s Founding Fathers.”
Is this true and do you believe it? The discussion of one man forcing his views over an another as in making a rule or creating change such as allowing a certain headress to become part of the uniform you are sending a message that one person is more important than the rest and then exceptions continune to become the norm and not the exception where uniformity is
is crucial to the culture of the US Military.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND THE MILITARY.
As discussed by Militaryreligiousfreedom.Org there are some in depth perspectives about how the separation of church was at the very forefront of the Founding Father of the United States and how important it was for America to not allow the cross over of these two important areas. According to a recent article that our Constitution was created based on democracy and not one of religion. As quoted from their website “Our founding fathers set up a government based on democratic principles, not religious principles. Our Constitution is secular. There is no mention of Christianity or any other religion.”
Furthermore it is also cited by Militaryreligiousfreedom.org “It is important to note several things,
#1. The presidential oath of office, the only oath specified in the Constitution, does not contain the phrase “So help me, God” or show any requirement to swear on a bible.
#2. The pledge of allegiance written in 1892 did not contain, “under god.” until it was added by Congress in 1954.
#3. Most significantly the 1797 Treaty with Tripoli, negotiated under President Washington, unanimously approved by the Senate and signed by President Adams, declares, “The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”
The founding fathers, many of who were religious gentlemen, created a secular government for very specific reasons.
#1. They were very conscious of the pitfalls the church-state alliances had fostered in Europe, the reasons for many to depart and forge a new path in the new world.
#2. They looked back to our early American colonial period where some colonies officially established churches and taxed all citizens to support them regardless of whether they were members of the church or not.
Among the many things that make this country unique are the liberties guaranteed in our Constitution, including religious freedom. Because we live in this pluralistic society set up by our founders, people of all faiths or no faith are welcome and we as Americans enjoy more religious freedom than any other people in the world. Simply stated, our founders understood two very simple and important things:
#1. That the separation of church and state would allow all faiths to flourish.
#2. That in matters of religion our government would be set up to remain neutral.”
So with this being said does it appear that our military has regressed and is not in line with our very own US Consititution? Giving US Military personnel the right to display, wear or take on the appearance of a connection to their religion seem like a departure from our US government not following its own mandate?
GENERAL NORTON A SCHWARTZ ON RELIGION ON 911.
As quoted on September 1st, 2011 by General Schwartz
“Maintaining Government Neutrality Regarding Religion.” In this memo he states, ” Leaders at all levels must balance Constitutional protections for an individuals free exercise of religion or other personal beliefs and its prohibition against governmental establishment of religion”. Further ” They must avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion.”
RELIGION AT THE CORE OF THE US MILITARY.
Without exception military lies at the heart of the US Military. It is part of its culture and its heritage from the prayers spoke in a squad bays, the beliefs fostered and expressed during a barrage, the need to feel a connection to something greater that will help get one through difficult times like a battle or a war. Religion and the US military permeates our history from the movies we watch to the stories we read. American culture has been connected with war since its independence in 1776 and the religions of those who fought then and the many wars and battles since the founding of our country. There are also chapters and verses from the Bible alone that have been adopted into US Military culture. A few examples of these Psalms and texts are listed below.
PSALM 144:1
One of the most famous of Biblical Psalms, 144:1 has been quoted numerous times by the men and women of the military. The reason for this is that it speaks to the men and women of the US military giving them added strength as they experience the enemy on the battlefield and need that added faith to get them through difficult times. Without their religious convictions Biblical passages like would never be expressed.
Psalm 144King James Version (KJV)
144 Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
3 Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
5 Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
TIMOTHY 4:7-8
We Will Never Forget – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Without exception the US military is has and will always be about never leaving our men and women on the battlefield. It serves at the heart of who we are as Americans and as soldiers. And should we lose a brother or sister we as Americans have taken vows, expressed the deepest and most sincere feelings about never forgetting them and keeping their cups always filled at times of gather. Although the chair might be empty we always remember those we have lost and could not be with us a feeling rooted in our religious beliefs and backgrounds.
PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD!
Below is the Bible passage taken from Ephesians 6, 13-17 which is the foundation of warriors in the field that has gone back centuries to our modern military day.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
911
When American was attached on 911 her Fireman, Police, First Responders many of whom were former military did the first thing they knew to do: They rushed to the scene and did their jobs. Ingrained in these heroes above their own personal safety they went to save lives of others. They put the men and women of the Twin Towers ahead of their own, running to the scene to make every effort to save lives. As a cornerstone of American values and ones deeply ingrained in our military is putting the lives of our brothers and sisters ahead of our own even when it mean self sacrifice. It is keeping the faith as is often the quote that is the building block of America and why we as a culture are reminded daily of how important faith is to the foundation of this country.
THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY…
Who at what point has not heard the beginning of this all too famous Biblical statement. Either you are in a crack US Marine platoon, part of the US Army highly evolved artillery or airborne division or you are stuck in some god forsaken place in a sloppy and disgusting foxhole you still need a little faith that you will get through this madness and get home safely. It takes faith and belief you can do it. Sometimes you just need to feel like you are the biggest, baddest mother in the valley to accomplish this feat.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
MILITARY AND RELIGION AT THE HEART OF THE AMERICAN CULTURE.
Movies like Uncommon Valor, Saving Private Ryan, Blackhawk Down, We Were Soldiers, Hacksaw Ridge and many more centered on your battle buddy, your fellow soldier, your brother and relying on him and him you in the harshest of environments. For the commons soldier you looked for any means to survive and being shoulder to shoulder on the firing line, in a fox hole praying to get home safely or simply looking for any reassurance from your faith that no harm would come to you and everyone could go home when it was over has been every part of the American culture from fighting the British Redcoats, surviving in Hell Holes in the Civil War, over the fields of France during World War Two, on the hills of Korea and in the jungles of Vietnam. There have certainly been more like Fallujah, Baghdad, Kuwait and so many more where America has been.
“On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind.” Dan Lipinski
American movies have also chronicled our heritage and connection tot he military and each has told a story often with a direct correlation to a religious connection or faith expressed.
Hacksaw Ridge
How a conscientious observer, Desmond Doss, against all odds and efforts to prevent a man from being an Army Medic, wages into battle without a single weapon and successfully saves the lives of over 70 men in his command earning him the Medal Of Honor, the first one by a conscientious observer ever.
Uncommon Valor
A father wages a personal and very private effort to save his son and his fellow soldiers, with the assistance of his son’s remaining A-Team from a Cambodian POW camp years after the war had ended.
Blackhawk Down
After a Delta Force, 75th Ranger Battlalion raid into a dark and heavily armed Bakara Market in downtown Mogadishu encounters heavy enemy action and the downing of several Blackhawks both Delta Operator and 75th Ranger work as a team to successfully extract pilots and crew from downed crash sites against all odds.
We Were Soldiers
A film featuring Mel Gibson as Colonel Hal Moore whose Troopers of the 7th Cav, surrounded, successfully fought off attacks from North Vietnamese soldiers over the course of days and was able to retrieve all his men and leave the field of battle with honor.
Throughout American films and their association with military films there are notable quotes that have also become part of the American Military conscience.
Chris Kyle – In the film adaptation, Kyle is visibly moved by his first shot and later mentions meeting his maker and justifying each shot he took. He writes that he spent a lot of time praying during difficult times.
God of our fathers, who by land and sea have ever led us to victory, please continue your inspiring guidance in this the greatest of all conflicts. Strengthen my soul so that the weakening instinct of self-preservation, which besets all of us in battle, shall not blind me of my duty to my own manhood, to the glory of my calling, and to my responsibility to my fellow soldiers. Grant to our armed forces that disciplined valor and mutual confidence which insures success in war. Let me not mourn for the men who have died fighting, but rather let me be glad that such heroes have lived. If it be my lot to die, let me do so with courage and honor in a manner which will bring the greatest harm to the enemy, and please, oh Lord, protect and guide those I shall leave behind. Give us the victory, Lord.” General George Patton
“Military power wins battles, but spiritual power wins wars.” General George Marshall
SO WHAT IS THE RELIGIOUS MILITARY ANSWER?
On a personal note religious expression in the military is one that would be fundamentally based on a democracy but in the military it is not a democracy. The orders given, the laws given and governed, the decisions of senior leadership is not one based on free rights. They are not. When you signed the papers and took the Oath to Defend The Constitution you gave up your rights and that was of your own volition and free will. No one said you could;t go to Church, a Mosque or Synogogue. They are simply stating that you don’t get the power to decide what you do when it comes to not following the orders of the officers and command appointed over you. You made that choice. Now is not the time to stand out as an individual unless it is in the course of following orders and doing your job. You are not special and no matter what you feel is right or wrong no one cares what your opinion is while you serve in the US military. You have a job. Do it and don’t make it some personal need to demonstrate how important you think your religion is. If you don;t like the rules don’t join because it only hurts the fabric of the US military when you do.
Learn what it takes to become a United States Navy Bluenose and more!
Mamas Don’t Let Your Sailors Grown Up To Be Bluenoses! Why? It’s not easy, you are colder than the 15th viewing of Disney’s Frozen, you never can remember to bring your orange golf balls to work, you will never eat another popsicle as long as you live, reminds me of the D I got in high school chemistry, you didn’t pack enough long underwear, you acquire permanent teeth chatter, ice fishing stories become legendary and one quickly realizes that 15,000 miles from the nearest civilization might after all be a good thing.
It’s Cold As Hell!
Without question travelling by horse, car, or submarine to the Arctic Circle does engage the senses when it comes to temperatures, right before things shrivel up, turn blue and whither away. Some say the Arctic Circle is cold as Hell.
Average January temperatures range from about −34 °C to 0 °C (−40 to +32 °F), and winter temperatures can drop below −50 °C (−58 °F) over large parts of the Arctic. Average July temperatures range from about −10 to +10 °C (14 to 50 °F), with some land areas occasionally exceeding 30 °C (86 °F) in summer. (Wikipedia)
Is It Easy To Become A Bluenose?
Not even close. The right conditions, ship, orders and a Captain that volunteers at every turn and is on the fast track to make Admiral all have to line up properly. This is no small feat in the nautical and US Navy world.
Not As Many Dolphins In The US Navy Become Bluenoses Like You Might Think.
A Blue Nose is a someone who has crossed the Artic Circle. There aren’t too many Blue Noses in the Submarine Force, since submarines go up under the ice infrequently – every few years, 2 or 3 subs will go under the polar ice cap to shoot torpedoes, or submarines will transit under the polar ice cap if they’re doing an inter-fleet transfer and the decision is made to send them under the ice rather than through the Panama Canal or through the Suez Canal.
Blue Nose rituals will involve the pre-Blue Nose somehow getting really cold and getting a blue nose. (Source – http://rickcampbellauthor.com/styled/index.html)
Undocumented responses to US Navy Sailors seeing the Arctic Circle for the first time.
“Where the fuck did all that ice come from?!”
“Port Side Polar Bear Sighted!”
The glow, brilliance, polar bears, walruses, cracking ice, freezing temperatures, winds that can flash freeze a person in seconds are all the common experiences of the US Navy Bluenose.
A Bluenose Certificate: As Diverse As It Gets!
Every Sailors that has traveled to the Arctic Circle has had common experiences but when it comes to their certificate the words often change. We asked around and found a wide variety of Bluenose Certificate’s wording. One examples reads:
“All Sailors, wherever ye and whoever ye may be, Greetings.
Know all ye by these presents that Jack Tickler did on the 19 July 1971, appear in the northernmost reaches of my realm, bound for the dark and frosty wastes of the land of the midnight sun and did with our royal consent enter this dread region by crossing the arctic circle by virtue whereof i, neptunus rex, ruler of the raging main do hereby declare him to be a loyal and trusty salt-lined and brine-encrusted bluenose and do call upon all Icebergs, Sea Lions. Narwhals, Polar Bears, Whales, Mermaides and other creatures of the Frigid North to show him due deference and respect.
Disobey under pain of Our Royal Displeasure
Neptunus Rex (Ruler Of The Main)
Aurora Borealis (Queen Of His Pallid Polar Regions)”
On or around June 28th, 2017 the USS Ross on a rare occasion set for the Arctic Circle and acquired one of the most difficult certificates found n the US Navy having been to the Northern Domain of the Polar Bear. “The Blue Nose heralds our cold bodied Sailors — those that have proven their selves worthy of the cold arctic winds and ice as they cross into the Arctic Circle,” a post on the Ross’s Facebook page states.
What Does Your Bluenose Certificate Look Like?
All different, all unique, all displaying the flora and fauna of the top of the world and each gives its own story about how a US Navy Sailor traveled to the region where Queen Aurora Borealis rules.
A Bluenose Certificate From Torpedo Squadron 4
A Bluenose Certificate from 1946
Top 10 Things About The Arctic Circle You Might Not Know
1. BIRD POOP HELPS KEEP THE AREA COOL.
Bird guano. Yes you might have guessed this one but the birds have to take one once in a while and all that poop makes for gases and those gases creates cloud cover and cloud cover means reduced temperatures. Also don’t park your freshly washed car anywhere in the region for obvious reasons.
2. THE ARCTIC COMES TO LIFE DURING WINTER.
According to a recent study in Current Biology, “Biodiversity, abundance, growth, and reproduction in habitats studied were at similar or higher levels than in warmer months.” Plankton, crustaceans, cod and haddock come out in the Winter and the feeding frenzy begins. More food. More parties for the whole family.
3. IT’S HOME TO THE WORLD’S BIGGEST, MOST SECURE SEED STORAGE FACILITY.
800 miles beyond the Arctic Circle lies the Svalbard Global Seed Vault operated by the Norwegian government. Why is there there and what does it do? Built into the permafrost, it holds seeds for more than 4000 plant species—including life-sustaining food crops—keeping them safe in the event of natural or manmade disasters.
4. THE FIRST MAN TO REACH THE NORTH POLE WAS OVERLOOKED FOR DECADES.
Robert Peary (1856-1920) claimed to have been the first man to reach the geographic North Pole, in 1909. Today, however, experts believe that it was his assistant, an African-American man by the name of Matthew Henson (1866-1955), who actually deserves the distinction. By the time Peary and Henson neared their destination, Peary was struggling with a bad case of frostbite, leaving him unable to walk. (He had to be pulled along on a sled instead.) As they got closer to the North Pole, Henson and two guides went ahead on foot, but accidentally overshot their destination—which meant that Henson technically reached the Pole about 45 minutes before Peary did. (Source – http://mentalfloss.com)
5. LOTS OF PEOPLE LIVE THERE.
More than 4 million people live in the region called the Arctic Circle comprised of parts o the US, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Greenland and Norway. The combined economy is 230 billion roughly or equal to combining the economies of Portugal and Ireland.
6. THERE’S AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL ARCTIC FORUM.
It’s called the Arctic Council. “is the only circumpolar forum for political discussions on Arctic issues, involving all the Arctic states, and with the active participation of its Indigenous Peoples.”
7. THE WORD ARCTIC IS DERIVED FROM THE GREEK, ARKTOS.
Arktosmeans “bear,” and refers not to the region’s native polar bears, but to the constellation containing the North Star, Ursa Minor. (Ursa is Latin for “bear.”)
8. THE ARCTIC OCEAN IS THE WORLD’S SMALLEST.
It comprises 5.4 million square miles. By comparison, the Atlantic Ocean covers 41.1 million square miles, and the Pacific 62.46 million square miles.
9. THE NORTH POLE IS MUCH WARMER THAN THE SOUTH POLE.
The Arctic is largely ocean surrounded by land whereby Antarctica is land surrounded by ocean for comparative purposes. Different indeed. So while significant portions of both are covered in sheets of ice, the water underneath the Arctic ice cap (which sits only about a foot above the water) can trap heat and help warm the surrounding air. In Antarctica, as Scientific American put it, “the surface of the ice sheet at the South Pole is more than 9000 feet in elevation—more than a mile and a half above sea level.” (Higher elevations, of course, result in colder temps.) The average summer temperature at the North Pole is 32°F. At the South Pole, it’s -18°F.
10. SANTA’S NORTH POLE HOME WAS DREAMED UP BY A 19TH CENTURY CARTOONIST.
The famous political cartoonist Mr. Thomas Nast started drawing illustrations of the famous Santa Claus as part of an advertising campaign for the publication Harper’s Weekly in the 1860s. In a few of Mr Nast’s drawings, he made reference to the fact that Santa’s mailing address was the North Pole—a place that had already captured the world’s imagination, as they watched a number of explorers attempt to reach the barren and frigid destination. As for the real St. Nicholas? He was born in what is now Turkey. Now how about that?
So as you can see there is a lot of facts and figures, trials and tribulations when it comes to the Arctic Circle and whether you are St Nick preparing the list of items to be be procured this year from his overindulged Amazon Prime account on the East Side of Instanbul or his Uber Deer preparing for the 4th Quarter delivery season to the US Navy Sailor aboard the USS Ross or some to be named later US Navy submarine, earning your Bluenose is more interesting than you might think.
You crossed the line. You went from Pollywog to Shellback and no it wasn’t easy. Here is where that Shellback Ceremony Turns Pollywogs Into Shellbacks and you meant to endure it cause failure was not an option. There were exhausting hours where sleep was never issued and you though the initiation into the Court of Neptune Rex would never cease. The stories about what happened on deck or in the bowels of the ship still astonish many and as consistent as our US Navy is the stories are as diverse as the personalities that serve beneath the uniform.
Remember the stories? The salt water coffee, pulling something out of the belly button of some barnacle encrusted crewmember or swabbing the deck with god only knows what right before you were ordered to navigate some disgusting obstacle course riddled with some really vile substances below your fingertips and within inches of your nose. Ah yes the good times.
So as the story goes they did it and so shall you must cause when you have to be initiated just like your former crew members had been, whether a Chief or lower rank had done their time as well.
Do you have a story to tell? All good stories were once good sea stories and they just got more interesting over time. No experience is exactly the same and if I had to guess yours would be pretty unique as well.
It can only get worse when it comes to a Shellback Ceremony? Right? Right!
You have had better day!
You think you are safe? You are not!
It’s right there. I see it!
Lunch ala Shellback!
So it is painfully obvious that generation after generation of US Navy Sailor has been ordered to volunteer to go through the infamous USN Shellback Ceremony and arrive on the other side of this dubious right of passage a Shellback and invited into the Court Of Neptune Rex. Everyone remembers it and while it happened you hated it but years later you remember with find memories you and your shipmates going through this ordeal.
Maybe you are out of the US Navy or still in and want to commemorate your Shellback initiation with something all your own. There is a way!