the
SHUTTLE
USS Enterprise (CVN 65)- Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Photo by MC2 Brooks B. Patton
Tuesday June 21, 2011
the SHUTTLE
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Enterprise News
Big ‘E’ Sailors to become ‘Shellbacks’
By MC2 William Blake and MC2 Aaron Chase USS Enterprise Public Affairs
USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – Neptunus Rex sits majestically on his shell and seaweed throne, impatiently waiting as another ‘pollywog’ or ‘wog’ reports. Neptunus asks why the ‘land lubbah’ thinks he or she is worthy before declaring his intent to cull the pollywog infestation on the ship. This playful scenario is but a small scene in what Enterprise Sailors can expect as they take part in one of the Navy’s, and indeed the sea-faring world’s oldest traditions, ‘crossing the line,’ after the deployed aircraft carrier USS Enterprise crossed over the Equator. Neptunus Rex, the mythological god of the sea, plays a central part in this ceremony. Typically, he is represented by a senior U.S. Navy Sailor aboard who has previously crossed the line and become a ‘shellback.’ For Enterprise, the role will be filled by Lt. Cmdr. Michael G. Topping, who crossed the line in 1982. “It’s a proud moment for me to take Neptune’s crown and lead my fellow Big ‘E’ Sailors from life as lowly pollywogs to the esteemed status of shellbacks,” said Topping. “It’s up to the shellbacks and me to ensure this tradition is upheld honorably and in-line with the Navy ethos.” Honorably upholding the crossing the line ceremony means keeping its high spirit while divorcing the ceremony of its previous excesses. Crossing the line dates back to the Middle Ages and was passed down to the Angles, Saxons, and Normans from the Vikings.
Photo by MC2 Aaron Chase
Old USS Enterprise (CVN 65) cruisebooks contain pictures of crossing the line ceremonies, if the aircraft carrier crossed the equator during the deployment. This collection of photos is from Enterprise’s 2006 deployment.
Then, it represented passing through the Strait of Gibraltar and was intended to test the new crew members to see if they could endure the hardships of a life at sea. As it passed into Navy tradition, overzealous Sailors added hazing as part of the tradition. The Navy, and Neptunus Rex himself, have worked hard to make sure this no longer the case and that the ceremony reflects the traditions that date back centuries. “The Navy does not tolerate hazing and harassment, and neither will I during the ceremony,” said Topping. “Both Davy Jones and I will not allow hazing, by Shellback and pollywog alike. You don’t have to haze to make this memorable or important. If anything, hazing takes away
from the goal of bringing the crew together.” The Jolly Roger, a black banner with white skull and crossbones, is the personal flag of Neptunus Rex. Davy Jones is his first mate and assistant. They are just a part of the larger royal court in the ceremony. Sailors can expect a wog talent show the night before followed by the arrival of Davy Jones in the morning. Once the ceremonies begin, wogs will be led through the ceremony, dressed in t-shirts, old sneakers and inside-out pants by Shellbacks from their department. Although wogs are widely accepted as slimy, unworthy sea creatures, they will be treated respectfully within the following guidelines:
-There will be no wog revolts; such activities will be interfering with the safety of the ceremony. -There will be no striking of wogs or Shellbacks, physical restraints or any touching other than to ensure the safety of the participants. - There will be no shaving, haircuts or any other activities considered hazing. - Shellback “sheriffs” are responsible for safety during events. There regulatory decisions and orders are final. When events are complete, Neptunus Rex and his royal court will greet all Sailors aboard as trusty Shellbacks, upholders of one the Navy’s oldest legacies. “I can smell the wog stench already,” said Neptunus Rex in an exclusive interview. “I won’t tolerate it. Not on my watch!”
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the SHUTTLE
Tuesday June 21, 2011
FUN ZONE!
Across
1 Newts 5 Shellfish 9 Health resorts 13 Small combo 14 Anchorman’s summary 16 Folksinger Guthrie 17 Meet halfway 19 Work hard 20 Bray 21 Disconnected 23 Bed and breakfast sites 25 Act impatiently 26 Played a part 29 Unit of electric charge
31 Feathery wraps 32 U.K. fliers 33 Consecrate 36 Neighbor of Leb. 37 Circumscribe 39 Casual shirt 40 Jeweled headpieces 42 Superlative ending 43 Munich Mister 44 Old kingdom in the Pyrenees 46 Wore 47 Leader of the Huns 48 Chapters in history 50 Like an eagle
52 Sham 56 Saintly symbol 57 Pseudonym 59 Former Israeli statesman 60 “The Three Musketeers” author 61 E in Q.E.D. 62 Assemble 63 Northumberland river 64 Actor Andrews
Down 1 Tabula ___ 2 Brio 3 “Sixteen Tons” singer 4 Helen’s mother 5 Shown plainly 6 It’s more than most lifetimes 7 Apples and oranges? 8 Airline to Stockholm 9 German resort 10 More clamorous 11 Bell towers 12 Burger garnish 13 Isle on which Apollo was born 14 First abode 22 Coached 23 Cry over spilt milk? 24 Anticipated 25 Unwanted messages 26 “Doctor Zhivago” heroine 27 Branding tool 28 “Ratner’s Star” author 32 Fight like a knight 33 ___ dixit 34 The enemy 36 Founder of Carthage 39 Alfresco 40 High ball 41 Eyelike spot 42 Beaming 45 “It’s only ___” 46 Bundles 47 Boadicea’s people 48 In the distance 50 Arab chief 51 Shuttle group 52 Enterprise counselor 53 Enraptured 55 Analysis site 56 Accomplished