SHELLBACKS AND POLLYWOGS

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Permalink Reply by Barbara (Derek's Mom) on October 16, 2008 at 2:10am

Both my sons are now shellbacks and recently I was going through my Mom's "stuff" and found my Grandfather's Shellback Certificate from the Marines in WWI. It was really exciting for me since I knew what they went through to achive this. My younger son was on a Frigate and since it was all men the initiation was a little worse than on the carrier for my older son where there are women present!

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Permalink Reply by ~Sheila~ Zac's mom on October 16, 2008 at 8:05am

Don't they also terrible things???? I have a few pictures from my son when he crossed the equator.. Cool.. Just an idea.

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Permalink Reply by Robbi Puryear on October 16, 2008 at 8:46am

Everyone who is on a cruise will go through shellback. It is a right of passage once the ship reaches a certain point on the deployment. Although I am not privy to exactly what happens, it's not harmful or dangerous, but not exactly pleasant. Both of my sons have gone through it and both said they were glad when it was over. When a sailor goes from Pollywog to Shellback they really become a member of the crew.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on October 18, 2008 at 6:22pm

Everyone who is on a cruise will go through shellback.
Not necessarily. It's a certain point on the globe- not the cruise... the equator.

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Permalink Reply by Susie-Mom of BlackGryphon on October 16, 2008 at 1:01pm

Wow, that is so cool, Diana! Thanks for the information.

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Permalink Reply by Tami A. on October 16, 2008 at 2:00pm

Thank you for sharing this info! I hear so little from my son re any of his experiences.

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Permalink Reply by Cora-Brooklyns Mom on October 16, 2008 at 3:04pm

I am so glad I got everyone going on this as my husband is an Honorable Shellback too! It was his idea to start this discussion and it has been quite exciting to read everyones stories here. Keep it going Sailor families!!!

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Permalink Reply by Achseh on October 16, 2008 at 9:11pm

If you already knew about this- why start a thread asking about it? You made it sound as if you didn't know about it and wanted information.

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Permalink Reply by Navy for Moms Admin on October 16, 2008 at 10:03pm

Heh, to create convo- actually I'm glad she asked it- I feel like I haven't heard the terms on here used in awhile. The way I look at it there is probably somebody out there that doesn't know what shellbacks and pollywogs are and hasn't asked/wouldn't ask the question. I think it will be helpful when they are searching it out. :)

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Permalink Reply by Achseh on October 17, 2008 at 11:57am

Perhaps so, but I'd hope in the future it would be presented more truthfully. I like to help people out with answers to questions if I can, but time is short for everyone and better spent on those who really do have honest questions that may need answering.

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Permalink Reply by diane {Shawn's mom} on November 10, 2008 at 1:38pm

My son will become a "shellback" on this cruise...they will cross the equator @ 00.00 .....
let me go find the copy of the cert. someone posted on here...its all in fun..

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Permalink Reply by diane {Shawn's mom} on November 10, 2008 at 1:40pm

Thanks Sheila, my son is looking forward to it...its all in fun..love the pics.....someone has a cert. on here...let me go and find it....

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