Comments for Gear Adrift

Comment on Navy and NASCAR = More Enlistments? by Mike

Mike — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:48:31 +0000

That’s funny, just like anyone who couldn’t spell enlist! just kidding.

Comment on Navy and NASCAR = More Enlistments? by dawg

dawg — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:55:28 +0000

Anyone who would inlist, in any branch of the service because they have their name on someones race car. Probably couldn’t pass the test!

Comment on Does Together We Served.com = OPSEC Risk? by IT1 Joseph Clovis (USN)

IT1 Joseph Clovis (USN) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:01:54 +0000

Without having visited the site yet, my first concern is that the site itself contacted me at my official email address. They should not be asking users to input the names and email addresses of their friends. That is getting information about somebody without their consent. The “friend” should send an email to the user with a link to the site, not the site sending it with the “friend” email address in the From line. That is the only thing that raised my suspicion about this site. As for the site location, you can take a look at http://www.whois.sc and find out they are indeed in California. Feel free to add this site to your IA security list for identifying source websites.

Comment on Battle Stations 21, without running? by Brian

Brian — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:18:13 +0000

I recently retired after 24 years and whish I had something similar to Battlestations 21. Is it all it could be? Probably not. Are there places for improvement? Probably are.
Kept this in mind when grousing about how boot camp isn’t has hard as it was/should be..the first Marine to graduate Marine Corps boot camp thought the second Marine to graduate had it too easy.

Comment on Shellback Initiation by Mike

Mike — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:36:09 +0000

John,

Well, I went through it in 2005 and there was NO shillelaghs, wog sex, or grease. The garbage tube was crystal clear fresh water (not even salt water) with green dye in it. The worst part about it, they made us sing “I’m a little teapot”.

Comment on Shellback Initiation by John

John — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:52:57 +0000

In what way has it gotten softer? Are they actually trying to get rid of it? I went through it in 1990, and there were shillelaghs and wog sex and grease everywhere, but the garbage tube was actually pretty sanitized, it was more just old food with food coloring and sea dye. I thought it was fun, didn’t know if I was going to do it because it seemed like some lifer thing, but I was glad I did it, for tradition’s sake. I knew one guy who bitched out of it, but to be fair there was a shellback who was making it a venue to personally humiliate him. A little pain and suffering is good, but when it indulges the sadistic side of some shellbacks, then it’s destructive to the purpose of the ritual. I imagine with females onboard it’s got to be tough to get away with the old methods, no ass-smacking allowed I suppose.

Comment on The New Navy by Mike

Mike — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:49:45 +0000

MA1, it’s funny you said that. I had the same thing happen the other day in my cammies. Kids need to realize that they are just kids.

Comment on The New Navy by MA1 Bishop Metzger

MA1 Bishop Metzger — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:23:52 +0000

LMAO…. My chief MA actually has this picture in his offiice. And I totally agree that 90% of the recruits as booters atleast are a joke. Out on the smoke pit the other day an airman tried to tell me my cover was on wrong and to fix it now…. my brother is an RDC and i love the stories he tells me all the time….

Comment on Battle Stations 21, without running? by bf

bf — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:19:32 +0000

Yeah, yeah,yeah.

I finished boot camp 04/69. It’s tough no matter when you go. And, bear in mind I was in when ships were wood and men were steel, plus wimin weren’t there.

Comment on Shellback Initiation by IC-2 Fred Monteil

IC-2 Fred Monteil — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:23:31 +0000

I had the privilege of crossing 3 times on the USS Camden AOE-2, back during the early 70’s and the Viet Nam war. My dad crossed while aboard the USS Nevada in 1937. MY first time across, since just about every Shellback on board ship knew me, I got the “Special” treatment! Just as I was about to be “baptised” as a new Shellback into the dunk tank, somebody would see me and take me back to the Royal Barber, or to repay homage to the Royal Baby, or put me back in Davy Jones jail! It was pure HELL! Brother, did they ever wail on me with their shallelies and 2 1/2 inch fire hoses! But I made it through, and am I ever so proud of that experiance. The second time across, I was a Shellback, and it was “pay back” time!! Talk about dishing it out! It was such a great time in my Navy tour. The 3rd time across, I was able to let the new Shellbacks have their day with the lowley ‘Wogs, while I took several pictures! I sure wish we had video cameras back then or we could post our pictures here! It would be a treat for you old sailors to revel in and you new Wogs to realize the Royal treatment of the initiation ceremony that allows you to become loyal Shellbacks! On the 3rd crossing our Skipper, was a Wog, and went through the entire ceremony without so much as a whimper, including the 40 foot by 36 inch garbage chute made of canvas with 3 pallets on each end, so you had to go down into the chute and climb out of it! The picture of the Skipper climbing out of the chute was absolutely pricless, what a Kodak moment! It was fantastic! I kept, as well as did several of my Shellback shipmates, my custom made shalelie for future use. Somehow it has dissappeared in the last 35 years. What a loss! I am saddened that the US Navy has suggested doing away with the traditional crossing ceremony! I am truely proud to be a 3 time Shellback of the Royal Domain of Neptunis Rex!