Post by sgtmajor on Jul 30, 2009 22:16:45 GMT -5
My little Sis's husband is a retired Navy Senior-Chief and somehow or another we've been discussing the Shell Back ceremony the U.S. Navy does for crossing the equator.
I'm assuming all Navy's do this or something similar as I'm pretty sure this dates back to the days of even the tall ships.
Here's more info:
www.desausa.org/pollywog_to_shellback.htm
Anyway..... brought back some very fond memories.
At the time of my crossing, I was a First Sergeant with the 11th MEU. (11th MEU is made up of four elements 1) Headquarters Element 2) Infantry Element 3) Aviation Element and 4) Combat Service Support Element )
While only a First Sergeant, I was the Sergeant Major for the Combat Service Support Element at the time and had only been notified about a week prior that I had actually been selected for Sergeant Major and had chosen to wait until my return to the States for the promotion since it was going to be my last and I wanted my wife to attend.
Anyway...... digging around in the "I Love Me Closet" today, I found my old certificate and thought perhaps it might be of some interest or generate some stories by other Honored Shellbacks or Wogs. (smile)
Wording on the Certificate is as follows:
Golden Shellback
IMPERIUM NEPTUNI REGIS
Know All Ye by These Presents: and to all Polywogs, Mermaids, Sea Serpents, Whales, Porpoises, Sharks, Dolphins, Eels, Skates, Crabs, Lobsters and Other Living Denizens of the Sea Greetings:
Know Ye: That on 28 March 1997, in Latitude 00000 and Longitude 108' 00' there appeared within Our Royal Domain the USS Cleveland (LPD-7) at the Equator
Be it Known
That the said Ship with Officers and Crew thereof, has been examined and passed on by Ourselves and Our Royal Staff, ALSO BE IT KNOWN: By all ye who go down to the sea as well as ye lowly Landlubbers who may be honored by the presence of 1stSgt S.J. Rapp who has been found qualified to be numbered as one of our honored shellbacks and has been duly initiated into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of Shellbacks BE IT Further Known: That by virtue of the powers invested in me I do hereby command all my subjects to show this illustrious Shellback due honor and respect. DISOBEY THIS ORDER UNDER PENALTY OF OUR ROYAL DISPLEASURE.
Signed: Davy Jones (His Majesty's Scribe) Neptunus Rex (Ruler of the Raging Man) and of course the Ship's CO., Capt. Marsh
Cheers,
BTW..... Just one more note of interest. The USS Cleveland has always been my favorite ship I had the pleasure of serving on.... Great crew and made many dear friends.
About 3 years ago, the Cleveland donated one of her anchors to a small local park dedicated to U.S. service men & women. Since anchors are rarely ever changed out..... it's like having a piece of my past forever close by. (smile....The park is about 2 miles from the house.)
I'm assuming all Navy's do this or something similar as I'm pretty sure this dates back to the days of even the tall ships.
Here's more info:
www.desausa.org/pollywog_to_shellback.htm
Anyway..... brought back some very fond memories.
At the time of my crossing, I was a First Sergeant with the 11th MEU. (11th MEU is made up of four elements 1) Headquarters Element 2) Infantry Element 3) Aviation Element and 4) Combat Service Support Element )
While only a First Sergeant, I was the Sergeant Major for the Combat Service Support Element at the time and had only been notified about a week prior that I had actually been selected for Sergeant Major and had chosen to wait until my return to the States for the promotion since it was going to be my last and I wanted my wife to attend.
Anyway...... digging around in the "I Love Me Closet" today, I found my old certificate and thought perhaps it might be of some interest or generate some stories by other Honored Shellbacks or Wogs. (smile)
Wording on the Certificate is as follows:
Golden Shellback
IMPERIUM NEPTUNI REGIS
Know All Ye by These Presents: and to all Polywogs, Mermaids, Sea Serpents, Whales, Porpoises, Sharks, Dolphins, Eels, Skates, Crabs, Lobsters and Other Living Denizens of the Sea Greetings:
Know Ye: That on 28 March 1997, in Latitude 00000 and Longitude 108' 00' there appeared within Our Royal Domain the USS Cleveland (LPD-7) at the Equator
Be it Known
That the said Ship with Officers and Crew thereof, has been examined and passed on by Ourselves and Our Royal Staff, ALSO BE IT KNOWN: By all ye who go down to the sea as well as ye lowly Landlubbers who may be honored by the presence of 1stSgt S.J. Rapp who has been found qualified to be numbered as one of our honored shellbacks and has been duly initiated into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of Shellbacks BE IT Further Known: That by virtue of the powers invested in me I do hereby command all my subjects to show this illustrious Shellback due honor and respect. DISOBEY THIS ORDER UNDER PENALTY OF OUR ROYAL DISPLEASURE.
Signed: Davy Jones (His Majesty's Scribe) Neptunus Rex (Ruler of the Raging Man) and of course the Ship's CO., Capt. Marsh
Cheers,
BTW..... Just one more note of interest. The USS Cleveland has always been my favorite ship I had the pleasure of serving on.... Great crew and made many dear friends.
About 3 years ago, the Cleveland donated one of her anchors to a small local park dedicated to U.S. service men & women. Since anchors are rarely ever changed out..... it's like having a piece of my past forever close by. (smile....The park is about 2 miles from the house.)
