And there goes Chief's initiation.....

[CWOJackson]

I put the anchors on in 82 and shoulder boards in 86; never regretted either and always remained active in the initiation process.

I didn't mind the fun and games during the initiation process, as long as they weren't personally demeaning, but my normal punishment to an initiate was to have them help non-rates with their course studies.

As far as the initiation ceremony itself, the key to success with them was having the right Sheriff. Not only did the Sheriff insure that the guilty were properly brought to justice, but that any members of the court who threatened to get out of hand, were quickly brought under control themselves.

 

[rdaniell]

Opinion from an ole Air Force Vet.....

....These kinds of ceremonies, etc., have been around for as long as there have been military services. They serve a very important psychological function.
Yes, of course, they can sometimes get a little "brutal" but, are still a necessary part of imparting a sense of belonging to something bigger than one's self.

Being an optimist, I am confident that the passing of the "code" will continue. Just not with any "official" approval. Who knows maybe someday even the upper echelons of the military establishment might find their b***s.

Just two cents from an hardened old tradionalist.

RD

 

[PRB]

....These kinds of ceremonies, etc., have been around for as long as there have been military services. They serve a very important psychological function.
Yes, of course, they can sometimes get a little "brutal" but, are still a necessary part of imparting a sense of belonging to something bigger than one's self.

Being an optimist, I am confident that the passing of the "code" will continue. Just not with any "official" approval. Who knows maybe someday even the upper echelons of the military establishment might find their b***s.

Just two cents from an hardened old tradionalist.

RD

A Fair point RD. Heck, after crossing the line, I never really got into the fun of messing with the slimy wogs on subsequent line crossings. Just not my "thing" I guess. My problem with the CPO "initiation" was that it was exactly like wog day, except that it lasted a month... No wizdom was imparted, no explanation was made. I do remember being told at one point that "on the last day, the reason for all this will be revealed, and you will be filled with enlightenment and great wisdom, the likes of which you have never before felt!" Well, after the "last day", I walked out to my car as the sun was setting, on my way to the emergency room with a piece of dried grass stuck in my eye (long story), thinking, "hmm, maybe I missed it, I don't feel too enlightened right now..." And they spelled my name wrong on my Chief's Creed plaque. It seemed fitting. I'm sure my experience was "different" that many others, and that's a good thing.

To be fair, I was younger in 1989 than I am now. And thinking back on those days, there were a couple of Master Chiefs that were trying to teach me something, but I missed some of it, in the heat of the moment..

- Paul

 

[CWOJackson]

A Fair point RD. Heck, after crossing the line, I never really got into the fun of messing with the slimy wogs on subsequent line crossings. Just not my "thing" I guess. My problem with the CPO "initiation" was that it was exactly like wog day, except that it lasted a month... No wizdom was imparted, no explanation was made. I do remember being told at one point that "on the last day, the reason for all this will be revealed, and you will be filled with enlightenment and great wisdom, the likes of which you have never before felt!" Well, after the "last day", I walked out to my car as the sun was setting, on my way to the emergency room with a piece of dried grass stuck in my eye (long story), thinking, "hmm, maybe I missed it, I don't feel too enlightened right now..." And they spelled my name wrong on my Chief's Creed plaque. It seemed fitting. I'm sure my experience was "different" that many others, and that's a good thing.

To be fair, I was younger in 1989 than I am now. And thinking back on those days, there were a couple of Master Chiefs that were trying to teach me something, but I missed some of it, in the heat of the moment..

- Paul

It's a shame that your initiation was spoiled and not that meaningful; but all of us who were there know this happened sometimes.

One of the big advantages to the Coast Guard was the size and nature of it's units. The Chief's mess on a cutter wouldn't equal the CPO's in a division on a larger Navy ship. With SAR stations you're talking one or two chiefs so the lead up to initiations required a little travel between units; the combined final day being held at a common meeting place.

Now if you were at a major installation (base, three or four cutters...huge for us) the courtroom could be crowded with as many as three dozen CPO's...and some of them would be local retirees.

That size factor made it easier to keep things a little more on track and a "little" less Animal House; not that we didn't have some fun. Another thing, perhaps because of our size, the typical initiation almost always included invitations to some folks from the wardroom (CO, XO, DivOffs for initiates). The officers always had a good time despite being at the tender mercies of the mess, but it was also an educational opportunity for them and a chance for the wardroom and Chief's mess to reinforce their own relationship.

Yes, I wish there weren't any excesses that ruined the occasion for some, I just wonder what our people are losing if we just abandon the institution.

 

[CWOJackson]

http://communities.washingtontimes....cer-initiation-ill-advised/#comment-771142230

Interesting editorial regarding this in the Washington Times today. Although it doesn't address the negatives that did happen, it does a very good job at explaining the elements of the process and the associated purposes.