My Trusty Shellback Page

It has been a long standing naval tradition to initiate "pollywogs" into the Kingdom of Neptune - the legendary god of the seas, upon their first crossing of the Equator. Captains of ships have always taken time, either in war or peace, to uphold this long practiced ceremony. The ceremony has changed in recent years due to gender factors, but the intent is still very much alive. It should also be noted that the tradition holds no regard for rank. Officers and Enlisted are treated equally (or nearly so, as you will see below).

A ship knowing it will cross the Equator will pile up stores of garbage and smelly clothes and anything that is vile but not life threatening. On the appointed day and time the uninitiated are led out on deck, instructed to get down on all fours and crawl, (unless directed otherwise) usually in humiliating garb (for examle you start with your dungarees on inside out and backwards, and finish with your "huggies" on top inside out and backwards), take the "wog" to breakfast where they get to eat all sorts of green stuff, like green spaghetti, green eggs, green donuts washed down with green milk.. Yeeech! Then the lowly "pollywog" is paraded around the deck, and made to do unspeakable things. Actually it is great fun and no one is supposed to get hurt (although the occasional accident occurs). The 'wogs' are made to run a gauntlet, being belted with greased socks stuffed with rags or other such instruments, crawl through the garbage, and suffer other indignities, and at the end you HAVE to kiss the belly of the Royal Baby. This is usually the fatest, biggest beer gut guy they have on board. He'll grab you by the ears and rub your face in his belly which is covered with mustard, oil and stuff.

Afterwards, a good hot shower is had and usually a good hot meal (steak and lobster.)

You are later issued an official 'Shellback' card. You must keep this card, because if you lose it and it is not documented in your Service Jacket you will have to go through the ordeal again unless you can prove otherwise. There are no exceptions to this rule.