Shellback Initiation
January 25, 2007 by Mike
Filed under Featured, Traditions
There is a long standing Naval Tradition known as Shellback Initiation or wog day and it occurs when a Navy Ship crosses the equator. This initiation ceremony, also known as the Crossing the Line Ceremony is a long standing Naval Tradition and is one of the most threatened of the Navy’s Traditions.
Navy Shellback Initiation has always involved a lot of contriversy and lately, Navy shellback initiation is in danger of becoming extinct due to the political correctness of today’s Navy. Regardless, we are here to document shellback initiation as a great Naval tradition and to help keep alive the loyal order of shellbacks.
Shellbacks, are sailors who have crossed the equator. Pollywogs, are sailors who have not crossed the equator. Shellback Initiation is the ceremony which converts pollywogs to shellbacks. This ceremony is said to have dated back to the early days of the Royal Navy and was originally created to test a new sailor’s ability to withstand long, hard days at sea. Early shellback initiation ceremonies involved beating wogs with wooden planks, wet ropes, and in some cases, dragging sailors overboard. It is historic fact that some sailors died while participating in Shellback Initation.
During World War II, Shellback Initiation still involved some rather brutal methods of initiation. The “Devil’s Tongue”, a piece of electrified metal was often shoved into a pollywog’s side. Beating of wogs was still very common and remained common until the early 1980s when several beatings led to many injuries and at least one reported death.
Since then, the Navy has implemented regulations and strict practices which prohibit physical attacks on wogs.
What do you think about the kinder, gentler Navy?
[...] as many of us sailors know, Navy Shellback Initiation is dying. I really think this ceremony is going to go before chief’s initiation [...]
I missed the equator by 1 degree last month. Being a reservist, I wanted desperately to return to regular drilling at the center as a Shellback. 1 degree!
WOW! 1 degree, you’d think the Skipper would have gone a little lower.
Shell Back Initiation.
well i am an old sailor. I feel that going thru the shell back initiation is a right of passage for a sailor.But from what my daughter tells me it is a nicer softer Navy. The shell backs can’t use a shalaie to smack the a** of the wog. I had to go thru the process twice, I got out and my shell back certificate which was in my service record was lost or so the Bureau of Personnel told me. I went thru it in April 1975 on our way to Help the US With draw from Nam. So in Jul 1988 while onboard USS ROANOKE AOR-7. I had to go thru this again. But as a good sailor I went thru it and this time I laminated the shell back card. let me tell you that I was catching hell. for the last time I went thru it I had 17 years in the navy. but I made it. the point to all this is that with the softer navy they will not let there poor little sailors go thru this. it is a optional thing but so much pressure is put on this individual to go thru it that eventually they give in. after getting my rear beat I was fine and it did not hurt much. the thing is that with the nicer softer navy the sailors have to not let them do this to you. I just think the way they have changed the navy is an insult to all the sailors of old. My dad went thru it during WWII and it was a lot harder. the navy did not care of the feelings. Once I was a shell back in 1990 we went thru the equator and it was my turn. we had this OS2 that had never been on a ship well me and my best friend that was a HT2 we made sure we paid a lot of atttention to him. Then in 1990 I saw that the softer navy was starting to coem across so they would not let us lay a shalaie on a wog, pluse they had safety observers. I am gald I am retired for the old tradation of shell back initaition is going to die sooner than the chief’s initiation. this is so sad for these are a part of a right of passage for a sea going sailor. well sailors good luck in your softer navy. I am glad to have served in the hard navy.
lon he’bert
At my last shellback initiation, only E6 and above shellbacks could participate in wog day and only after going through some training on hazing and reading a 25 page 5050.
Ah yes the soft Navy and the delicacies that may go with it. I got out in 89, but got to experience the rigors of the Shellback initiation. Those that worked in engineering got it the worst I think. Our stuff started at or before the midnight hour. You were awakened out of a sound sleep. There was chaos, yelling, smacking of metal, and people scranmbling to their feet. We were all dirt for the next 14 or so hours. Aside from wearing everything you worked in inside out and backwards, except for shoes, you’re mind and body were put through some wicked treatments. Yes, your ass was beat til it was redwith a piece of 2.5 inch fire hose, eggs were smashed and stuffed down the crack of your rear. You crawled over nonskid material, which of course mad both your knees and hands bleed. Also, all kindso fthings were smeared on your head ranging from peanut butter, oils, shoe polish, eggs, syrup, and other items that were readily available for application. Sure there were breaks to rest up here and there, but then you were back at it again. We had rol an egg with our nose for several yards, then suck it up into our mouths. After this we then cracked it and let it pour over another’s face. What else? We had to kiss shower drains … yum and crawled through a 50ft shoot of garbage that was ever so putrid and nasty. We also had to at least pretend to eat slop from the shellback kitchen. Hey, I even got to swan dive in a toliet out on the flightdeck, with stuff in there that looked very similar to some one who just finished up with the runs. Yeah, I was after a small pickle … man that stuff was hot. There was more to this, but this was what it was, a ritual. I’m glad I went through it, otherwise what’s the point?
Initiated into the ancient order of the deep, October 8th, 1985 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). I was a special case wog. They yanked me out of my rack before 5 that morning and I was waiting for them. They promptly took a broomstick I had for defense and spray painted a big red “S” on my back. I found out that gets you head of the line priviledges all over the place.
I got beat senseless with shela-leighs, but I’m sure I had it coming. They had entry after entry on me in their “wog log” since the cruise began. I knew I would catch hell, so I made damn sure I’d at least be deserving.
No doubt, the time honored traditions have erroded away and we’ll never see any of the antics that used to be played out. Not just the brutality of being whacked over and over on the rear, but especially all the sexually demeaning sorts of hazing.
Ha ha, at one point they had about a dozen of us in a passageway outside the berthing compartment. They were simply trying to keep us occupied for a short while while they cleaned up some of the mess in the berthing. We’ve got our noses against the bulhead, wogging the national anthem over and over when this big country boy from northern California turns to me and says, “Hey, Beak’s the only Shellback here.” I said, “Let’s #@%& him !” ……So as instant payback for the way they had humilated us, we came off that bulkhead and took him down to the deck. I was spanking him as hard as I possibly could on the ass. I mean I was winding up and coming from way back in Cleveland ! Ole’ Beak was screaming bloody murder and suddenly a hoard of Shellbacks burst out into the passageway. We paid for that one, but it was worth the laugh.
I was just recently visiting my 86 year old Mother at her home in Illinois and I came across my Father’s Shellback card he earned while serving in the Navy during WW2. He was aboard USS PC 1603 during the war. His Latitude was 00 00 and his longitude was 155-05E at the time he received his card.
I would like to learn more about the Shellback’s and my Father’s ship during the war. By chance, were any of you out reading this that were on the same ship? I know my dad was a Pharmacist’s assistant on this ship. also, after his death, we found two small bits of metal from a Japanese plane that hit his ship that he had saved.
I am a new sailor and i was dissapointed that navy has become pussified. so was my grandpa who joined in 61
I was not even in the Navy, but one of my fondest memories about military service was being on board a LST in 1962 and crossing the line. There were about 20 or so Air Force type on board and we were initiated rigth along with the other Polywogs on board. Didn’t think much of it then, but later I became so PROUD that I got to experienc such a tradition. I am tuely proud to say I am a member of the LOYAL ORDER OF THE SHELLBACKS. HOORAH !!!!
Hi: I served aboard the Coast Guard manned P.C. 590 in the Pacific during World War II. Our duty was escorting ships of all sizes and shapes into the war zone, generally from Pearl Harbor. We first crossed the equator in January, 1943. No one aboard our ship had crossed the Equator previously so we did not have any Shellbacks on board. So we had somewhat of a celebration rather than an initiation. But we all became shellbacks with Certificates. We crossed the Equator many times. On one trip, we had three new guys on board, Pollywogs, - poor souls - but we did not have hazing or beatings but we really put them to the survival test. The main feature for the day was for the three, naked, to pick up a prune with the cheeks of their butts and carry it across deck (about 20 feet) without dropping it. Hands could not be used in any way. The guy reaching the other side of the deck with his prune last, had to eat all three prunes used in the race. Naturally, they were nice, soft, muchy, tenderized, flavored and most delicious. The looser was good sport about it and just before he fainted, he said the prunes were really wonderfu- - -. I have pictures of this outstanding event and I am in the process of making this initiation into a DVD. Good pictures. Bill
I have a certificate from this ritual that has the name Harold C. Dillon on it. It was issued on the 26th of December 1942. I can’t find any information on this man anywhere. Please drop me a message if anyone knows him or of him. It would be much appreciated.
I crossed the equator four times while I was in the Navy in 66 - 67 I noticed that the ‘wogs the screamed the loudest that it should be stopped were the ones that spent the most time beating on the wogs when they became shellbacks on latter crossings. I have some good home movies of the activities but that was the extent of my perticipation as a shellback. I still carry my card in my billfold. I don’t regret any of the experience.
As a Shellback, the Son of a Shellback, and a 6th generation sailor, I cannot begin to describe the feeling of being initiated into King Neptunes Realm. I crossed the equator on 14 April, 2007. I remember as a small child my dad telling me sea stories, and of the day he crossed the equator onboard USS CHARLES H. ROAN (DD853) in the mid 1960s. It was one of the most exciting experiences of my naval career, and I truly hope the tradition lasts throughout the sailing generations to come. Gone are the days of the beating and pain, which some “Old Salts” say make us a little less of a Shellback. But i believe that as long as there are “Old School” Chiefs and Officers out there who care about tradition, the Shellback ceremony will live on. I feel for those who have not had the experience, because of the sense of pride you show when you stand in front of a Wog and remember what it was like being a Wog yourself. I was fortunate enough to cross twice in 6 months. Once as a Wog, then as a Shellback. KEEP SAILING TRADITIONS ALIVE!!!
Are we really so sissyfied that we can’t take a little hazing and a smack on the ass? Are we just supposed to forget that we are “FIGHTING men and women”? Are we to defend our country and not have the sack to handle a little hazing. Have we really gotten that soft? Shame on all those who think that doing away with this time-honored tradition is a good idea.
By the way, I am a Shellback and damn proud to have gone thru the initiation when it actually meant something!!!!
Well I am a shellback and proud of it and the initiation I went through. Granted it wasnt as “harsh” as the old Navy but I still did it. Even then, 2003, we didnt think we were going to be able to do the initiation. Alot of older sailors were mad at this and convinced the captain do let us do it. She eventually said yes. And what do i htink of this new gentler navy?…sucks thats all i gotta say Navy is tradition and lots of it. And thats what makes our navy great…dont get rid of this…thank you.
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!
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.
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”.
I have my shellback card (South America transit 2004) as well as my Golden Shellback (WESTPAC 2006) and I think that the entire process is both absurd and outdated. Honestly, why do we follow a tradition started by the Royal Navy instead of implementing our own? The way I feel about it is simple; if someone feels they have a right to strap me ass with a piece of firehose simply because they’ve been south of the Equator, then I feel as though I have the right to defend myself.
I am a grown-ass man, my brother and I broke our stepfather’s nose the last time he tried to whip our asses, we were 8 and 10 at the time. If I haven’ty had an ass whipping since the age of 8, why the hell would or should I allow some jack-off to strap me for his own jollies?
Too many things in the Navy today are done in the name of tradition but the traditions we follow are the most crude and crass. The traditions we do follow are woefully outdated and not in line with the goals of a modern professional navy.
i crossed the equator in july 1974 at 00 degress latitude 00 degress longitude my certificate says silver shellback. we crossed again about a month later only pollywogs were sa group of marine communication techs so they got special treatment, which the captain momitored to make sure it didnt get out of hand, but they did get some nice haircuts. to bad the navy is getting soft these days.
My name is thomas A. aiello, and I served onboard the USS Inchon LPH-12 from 1977-1979. I went across the equator at 000 lattitude and 000 longitude and became a golden shellback in February of 1978. The initiation has left me in pain and disabled to this day. I was beaten on the back with fire houses, and led around by a rope on the neck, constantly being beaten. My initiation was so brutal that I eneded up in sickbay. I think this type of initiation should be done away with as it is very brutal, and damaging to ones body. I think anyone who has had a bad physical disability should get a class action suit against the Department of the Navy…
This time honored tradition that you Shellbacks are so proud of, is stupid and disgusting. But, hey if you are proud of being placed into a homoerotic situation to fullfill your fantasies of being with a member of the same sex? Who are we to disagree? And payback? Those wogs were not the ones who humiliated you or beat you. Those Shellbacks were. Shouldn’t those be the ones that should of gotten “paid back”. The elephant walk? Some of you ” old Shellbacks”? Did you have to hold onto the genitals of the wog in front of you? That is what this “time honored tradition” is based on. A ship full of men fulfilling sexual fantasies. Cross dressing, S and M (spanking and beatings), performing sexual acts such as performing fellatio on the ShellBack who was acting as the baby? This is what you are all proud of? Guess it made you into better “men”, husbands, fathers? No, it didn’t. It didn’t even make you into better sailors. Crossing the Line was just an excuse to fulfill your darker fantasies.
Of course the new Navy can also be called the corporate Navy. Where the hec are all of our traditions going? Is quickly turning into the “Cubicle Navy” for all I can see. Everyone is offended by everything and the sense of being in a family of traditions is fading away as well.
I hear that some commands don’t even partake in the ceremony and initiation. They just simply hand you a certificate and shake your hand once you have crossed the equator like they just handed you an LOA or something.
I went through it about five years ago and I am so glad that my command had the cojones to do it “Old School”. It is one of my fondest memories and most precious moments I spent onboard the old crusty LPD7. No one was hurt, complaining or crying but proud to be in a Navy where we can join the ranks of those who have gone before us in the same ceremony. Is our pride, our tradition our heritage.
If anyone has any intention of hazing wogs or has done so in a manner thats distasteful and frowned upon, then that person has lost the virtue of the Navy’s core values. keep the tradition and weed out the violators!
I don’t condone hazing or any acts to bring shame and discredit upon the Navy, but i want to address those who wrote about how bad this ritual is. If you had a bad experience with this i sympathize over your experience. Some people tend to get out of control in the name of “tradition” without suffering any consequences. It is one of those gray areas.
However, as far back as I can recall with “old salts” reciting their stories about their shellback initiation, it was completely voluntary. So I really cannot feel sorry for those who rogered up to the rough initiation of the old days and then coming here and complaining about it. And if you tell me “BS, i was obligated” then I will put up the “BS” flag because i don’t see a command with able officers and petty officers in charge letting an initiation where obscene sexual acts take place whether it was back then or now.