Military traditions/rituals

[sprocky_ger]

While it was quite common in my active time (German Navy 1994-2000) to have a ritual e.g. to welcome newcomers to Decimomannu AB (LIED) there pop up some information about abuses in the military in local media these days. About the ritual: you had to be on the pillory, have a "hot" (chili) drink, sit in a cage for a while and some sort of things until you finally reached "Neptune" kissing a stinky fish. Would you call this an abuse? Or is this just a thing for easily offended people? I took this as a funny experience. What do you think? Also are there similar rituals in your country and how does the public handle these things?

[BEagle]

After some people took things too far, so-called 'initiation ceremonies' were banned in the UK military.

When you are declared 'operational', you might be expected to drink the 'Op pot' of some evil concoction or other, but that's about all.

The odd joke played on new arrivals probably still goes on - one of the classics being the invite to the bosses married quarter. Only to find the boss had been 'called way unexpectedly' and 'Mrs Boss' would then tell you how lonely she was....and how much she desperately needed a man. Except that it wasn't actually 'Mrs Boss', it was one of the WRAF officers. Before things became....interesting, a bunch of sqn mates would bang on the door - followed by Mr & Mrs Boss...:ok:

One of the Leuchars F-4 squadrons were true masters of the 'newbie spoof' - as a certain 'Ned' K***y would certainly agree....;)

A while ago there was a media scandal about the antics of some Royal Marines; physical abuse of the naked initiate being the main reason.

[Less Hair]

Hun myself.
Did a "Blue nose" ceremony at some USAF base a while ago. Involved a bit of drinking coloured booze and some funny quiz. Quite common elsewhere I'd say.

[sprocky_ger]

Thanks for your comments.

Some more stuff I experienced (in some cases I've been the "victim" myself :})
"Turtle Race": Get five helmets. Fix them on knees and elbows and put one on the head. Now give him a kick on a waxed floor.
"Music Box": Put a guy into a wardrobe. Throw a coin into the wardrobe and wish a song the guy has to sing.

One of those initiation ceremonies were to make someone sit on an office chair and fix him with tape for the whole nightshift. Beware if you are a snorer: your mates will definetely move you and your bed into the shower :E

[Pontius Navigator]

A cut above duelling with sabres?

[Linedog]

Done many a zulu warrior at Deci............................:ok:

[NutLoose]

Shackletons and Spoons spring to mind... And watched the Regiment playing a game of Freckles.......

[WarmandDry]

"The Dead Dog" spoof

[AARON O'DICKYDIDO]

;)

3 man lift was my favourite.

[minigundiplomat]

Before the Sqn Regt were leaned, they often sent new arrivals to the photo section for an NBC ID card photo in their S10.

The Sqn bar had a fair old collection of the gullible in their S10's.

[sprocky_ger]

minigundiplomat
Reminds me of new technicians (responsible for engine controls) were sent to technical debriefing. They were told there was something wrong with the U-H-R (was said using the English way to spell letters). They returned and said: "Must be something for the radar or communication systems guys." Those who speak german will know that "Uhr" means "clock".:)

[Army Mover]

Young officers arriving in Berlin for the first time would frequently find themselves being interviewed by "Russian officers" as they left Gatow; happy days :E

[minigundiplomat]

Sprocky,

Ha reminds me of my days in Germany. Returning to Gutersloh from Bruggen along the autobahn in a Landrover, the newly arrived Pilot Officer ordered the Corporal driving to pull over onto the hard shoulder.

'We are lost Cpl'

'How can we be lost Maam, this is the main East-West autobahn, Ive driven this way hundreds of times'

'We've been passing signs for ausfarht for over an hour, and I can't find it anywhere on this map'

'Ausfarht is german for 'exit' Maam. Shall we carry on now?

Silence for the remainder of the journey.

Classic.

[barnstormer1968]

As per above, I found the three man lift quite funny to watch, and also the spoon game.
Maybe it's a shame initiations are no more, as they are a form of tradition. Not good, not bad, but tradition all the same. They probably do nothing for you at the time, but the onlookers always found them very entertaining.

I had to drink from an op bucket myself, which seemed to contain all kinds of nasties (most not for a public forum). Some of the nicer ingredients being mustard, tomato ketchup, bleach and ajax!.
Sadly, as I was the last to have to drink from it, it had an added bonus of a good few inches of the other initiates vomit too:eek:

This was followed by a few songs (aimed at us, as we were lined up on a stage), and then, as a special treat (due to me being an ex air cadet) I had to simulate being given oral from a severed pigs head! (minus its eyes and tongue, which were in the bucket....to look at you as you drank:})

To be honest, this was a relief, as the head had been chopped off in the morning, and had been in my sight most of the day, and by the evening, I had imagined much worse fates for me and it!

Well they do say, that you should not have joined if you cannot take a joke:)

[NutLoose]

I remember after the Falklands war the Regiment at Bruggen were to deploy with the Rapier and they put a notice up calling for volunteers to be on the road convoy and the list filled up quite well :p

[pma 32dd]

I rememeber collecting my bags of the baggage carousel in the Brize terminal. Amongst the baggage was JT with hands and legs bodge taped together asking if someone wold help him off - no pax did. He went past at least 3 times.

:)