I became a shellback on the USS Midway in late 80's. Even our captain had to go through it. Because Saddam wasn't quite the bad guy just yet we had Kaddafi (in military uniform) as our special guest, who stood next to King Neptune (our admiral). And our wog queen was the hottest in all of westpac...lol. It is sad that today's Navy has all but abolished this great tradition.
Awesome video, I crossed on 20 Nov 1982 on USS Enterprise as an AMEAN in VS-37. I didn't see any SC's or Attack WOGS?? If want to see a sad display of PC, (POLITICAL CORRECTNESS) check out the episode called "Rites of passage" from the show called CARRIER on PBS. They show the current state of the ceremony as of 2005... Extremely weak. Glad to have had the chance to go thru when it was pretty real!! CLEAN OUT THAT PADEYE WOG!!!!
Brought back memories, was VS-22s Corpsman TAD to Medical on the John F Kennedy's Med/IO cruise of 82. Even had the ships K-9 "Shadow" go through, remember seeing him crawling on the Hangar Deck with his handler, afterwards they had a picture of him posted in the First Class Mess coming out of the swiming pool they had on the deck during the initiation.
Like many other posters, I too became a Shellback at this initiation.... First of 6 cruises in the Navy over a 21-year career. Unfortunately, I never crossed the Equator again and never got to dish it out!
I was a scrawny PNSN during this cruise...working in ship's Personnel. At one time, I probably knew 3/4s of the crew (about 2,500) by name. Mike Moss
What memories, went through in 82 on the JFK, this is the way I remember it.....They even made the drug dog, a black lab. named Shadow go through......
@rcompton43 do you have a myspace or any way I could get ahold of you? My father Robert J. Dean was onboard 1979-1984 and we lost all pictures an memorabilia to a house fire. I love the old stories and would love to have some pictures please reply.
@carnellc - I knew your dad, he was a regular runner & used to have a bit of a rivalry with my best friend Randy Carmen. We had runners world with us on that 1983 world cruise & if you get a chance, look at your dads cruise book. Your dad took 2nd in Hawaii, Korea, Subic & 3rd in Cannes and Singapore. My friend won the 3 races he entered Singapore, Cannes & Naples (he ran with the stomach flu in Naples). Your father was a great Chief and sailor.
@bluelodge3 -- Thanks for the kind words about my Dad. He retired as a senior chief out of San Diego and now that that I'm board eligible, he reminds me of that every day :). He has pictures of some of those races up in his office and I almost know that cruise book by heart, I've looked at it so many times. I'm calling him later tonight, I'll let him know of our conversation. I'm sure it will put a smile on his face.
I recognize a couple guys in this one. Yes I was there for the transition. What most don't realize, is that we became "Golden Shellbacks" Thanks, Rick (G-1).
I served on the Coral Sea from 82-84 in the flash lab under Senior Cheif Hanson. My son is 25 and just found this video on YouTube. Coool to see me in the video. Reconized Goodrum and Kubitz on the elevator, a couple of names you should remeimber. Hazard
Golden Shellback GMG2 Baca 1988 Battleship New Jersey , I approve of this ceremony! Sing a song to Flipper you slimy Wog.... The pirate outfits made it all better.
I was there!!! I became a shellback that day and earned it! We were the wogdogs of 1st division and man did it hurt! 3/4 of the ships crew had already become shellbacks on the previous westpac so we were in the minority and as you can see from the video it was brutal. Great video and sound!
OMG I was 2 years earliear as a WOG then crossed again year later a Shellback on the Maru so I saw it both ways. Never thought Id see it again. My knees still ache ! Thanks for the look back!
Could not believe that I saw this again! I got aboard a few weeks later in Sigonella Bay,Sicily.I was in OI division saw a few friends in the video. Man we were all young then!
I too was there, green eggs green grits and green bug juice, clothes on inside out and backwards, i completly scraped all the leather off my boot toes, all the way to the steel toe. Hands bleeding, knees bleeding and backside nearly blistered. Boy was that certificate costly, ...but hey, thats fraternity life..RIght?
Was onboard the Coral Sea that day and became a ShellBack! I was onbaord fm 82-86. I caught the collsion, madman khadyfi and the World cruise. Those were the days. Thank for posting!!!
Wow..memories. I wasn't on the Coral Sea..I was Midway and became a trusty shellback in '87 I think, but I remember it all..wogway, wogway, kissin' the baby, the garbage chute, all that. Good times.
I had to make sure I wasn't visible in case anyone wanted to use this video against me. What memories that brought back. VF-154 line 82-84. Man, that was pretty cool.
Glad you liked it. I was a photographers mate on board USS Coral Sea 81-84. I edited it on board using 3/4 videotape. I believe it was shown on the TV channel on board too several times. I was amazed how well it has held up over the years.
@rcompton43 I served on the Coral Sea from 82-84 in the flash lab under Senior Cheif Hanson. My son is 25 and just found this video on YouTube today. Coool to see myself in the video. Hazard
Ron, you did a good job on this and I'm glad that you posted this....should be entertaining to my students at middle and high school...take care,Bob S
I became a Shellback Dec 21st, 1981 on West-Pac 81-82 USS Coral Sea, and did my first cruise as a Shellback on the World Cruise, it sure did feel good to be a sadist for a day. I was in VA-97 from 80-84. Thanks for the memories Ron...great video.
I became a shellback on the USS Midway in late 80's. Even our captain had to go through it. Because Saddam wasn't quite the bad guy just yet we had Kaddafi (in military uniform) as our special guest, who stood next to King Neptune (our admiral). And our wog queen was the hottest in all of westpac...lol. It is sad that today's Navy has all but abolished this great tradition.
thybigballs 6 days ago
Awesome video, I crossed on 20 Nov 1982 on USS Enterprise as an AMEAN in VS-37. I didn't see any SC's or Attack WOGS?? If want to see a sad display of PC, (POLITICAL CORRECTNESS) check out the episode called "Rites of passage" from the show called CARRIER on PBS. They show the current state of the ceremony as of 2005... Extremely weak. Glad to have had the chance to go thru when it was pretty real!! CLEAN OUT THAT PADEYE WOG!!!!
hawkeye0927 1 week ago
Brought back memories, was VS-22s Corpsman TAD to Medical on the John F Kennedy's Med/IO cruise of 82. Even had the ships K-9 "Shadow" go through, remember seeing him crawling on the Hangar Deck with his handler, afterwards they had a picture of him posted in the First Class Mess coming out of the swiming pool they had on the deck during the initiation.
bobsit1945 1 month ago
Like many other posters, I too became a Shellback at this initiation.... First of 6 cruises in the Navy over a 21-year career. Unfortunately, I never crossed the Equator again and never got to dish it out!
I was a scrawny PNSN during this cruise...working in ship's Personnel. At one time, I probably knew 3/4s of the crew (about 2,500) by name. Mike Moss
mrmominvabeach 2 months ago
What memories, went through in 82 on the JFK, this is the way I remember it.....They even made the drug dog, a black lab. named Shadow go through......
bobsit1945 6 months ago
what memories..i was v2 div on my hands and knees..great video
doowoorrk 9 months ago
@rcompton43 do you have a myspace or any way I could get ahold of you? My father Robert J. Dean was onboard 1979-1984 and we lost all pictures an memorabilia to a house fire. I love the old stories and would love to have some pictures please reply.
IHATEYOUJESSE 9 months ago
I'm in that mess somplace, I was ATAN with VA-196 on that cruise.
bluelodge3 9 months ago
My Dad ACC Chappelle was on this cruise. I have early memories as a little boy walking on this boat when it was in the Alameda ship yards.
carnellc 10 months ago
@carnellc - I knew your dad, he was a regular runner & used to have a bit of a rivalry with my best friend Randy Carmen. We had runners world with us on that 1983 world cruise & if you get a chance, look at your dads cruise book. Your dad took 2nd in Hawaii, Korea, Subic & 3rd in Cannes and Singapore. My friend won the 3 races he entered Singapore, Cannes & Naples (he ran with the stomach flu in Naples). Your father was a great Chief and sailor.
bluelodge3 9 months ago
@bluelodge3 -- Thanks for the kind words about my Dad. He retired as a senior chief out of San Diego and now that that I'm board eligible, he reminds me of that every day :). He has pictures of some of those races up in his office and I almost know that cruise book by heart, I've looked at it so many times. I'm calling him later tonight, I'll let him know of our conversation. I'm sure it will put a smile on his face.
carnellc 9 months ago
Sweet. Went across 07/90 uss antietam cg54. Indy battle group. The ceromonies these days are pussified, glad to have done it 'old skool'
jwm05281971 11 months ago
Yes I was in Subic
rcompton43 1 year ago
nice!! thanks for posting!
carolyndavid1959 1 year ago
I recognize a couple guys in this one. Yes I was there for the transition. What most don't realize, is that we became "Golden Shellbacks" Thanks, Rick (G-1).
pdxnative1964 1 year ago
This is a great video. I remember this well I was top side petty officer for the gear during this time. Talking about a great flash back.
hotrodtopside 1 year ago
Awesome vid,
I'll never forget WOG DAY..
bd1965 1 year ago
I was there! V-4 Division ABF-3 Tavarez, USS Coral Sea CV-43!
chavisgrandpa 1 year ago
@chavisgrandpa were you on the coral sea when it pulled into Subic bay along with two other carrier groups?? I believe it was 1983??
FortHood1974 1 year ago
Yes I remember you. I have run into Bob Swinland, Hugh Mcquillan and others on Facebook.
Check out the US Naval Schools of Photography on Facebook.
rcompton43 1 year ago
I served on the Coral Sea from 82-84 in the flash lab under Senior Cheif Hanson. My son is 25 and just found this video on YouTube. Coool to see me in the video. Reconized Goodrum and Kubitz on the elevator, a couple of names you should remeimber. Hazard
ufdlh 1 year ago
Golden Shellback GMG2 Baca 1988 Battleship New Jersey , I approve of this ceremony! Sing a song to Flipper you slimy Wog.... The pirate outfits made it all better.
battleship62 2 years ago
Whoever posted this would be very disappointed in the wog day that's done these days - this was back when the Navy was fun.
pucksterz12 2 years ago
I was there too -- thanks for sharing.
h2okoala07 2 years ago
the Coral Maru was the best ship it had the best people. we worked hard and partied even harder 84-87 v2 cat 2
cypris2003 2 years ago
I was in OI Div & a SHELLBACK participating in the events of the day! Last crossing for me....
dllegg 2 years ago
I was there!!! I became a shellback that day and earned it! We were the wogdogs of 1st division and man did it hurt! 3/4 of the ships crew had already become shellbacks on the previous westpac so we were in the minority and as you can see from the video it was brutal. Great video and sound!
dgsantafedave 2 years ago
1984-1986
ZeroSixTwelveTen 2 years ago
OMG I was 2 years earliear as a WOG then crossed again year later a Shellback on the Maru so I saw it both ways. Never thought Id see it again. My knees still ache ! Thanks for the look back!
bladesaint21 2 years ago
Good Stuff!
lastphcm 2 years ago
Could not believe that I saw this again! I got aboard a few weeks later in Sigonella Bay,Sicily.I was in OI division saw a few friends in the video. Man we were all young then!
sds1962 3 years ago
glad you liked it.
rcompton43 2 years ago
I too was there, green eggs green grits and green bug juice, clothes on inside out and backwards, i completly scraped all the leather off my boot toes, all the way to the steel toe. Hands bleeding, knees bleeding and backside nearly blistered. Boy was that certificate costly, ...but hey, thats fraternity life..RIght?
jwtuley 3 years ago
Was onboard the Coral Sea that day and became a ShellBack! I was onbaord fm 82-86. I caught the collsion, madman khadyfi and the World cruise. Those were the days. Thank for posting!!!
bubbie1019 3 years ago 2
Great footage and edit job! Old School all the way!
macichitte 3 years ago
From the good old days none of this Politically correct crap that years of sensitivity training tamed down.
gregr84123 3 years ago
Love this video.. Awesome!
lpuig73 3 years ago
Wow..memories. I wasn't on the Coral Sea..I was Midway and became a trusty shellback in '87 I think, but I remember it all..wogway, wogway, kissin' the baby, the garbage chute, all that. Good times.
Perktube1 3 years ago
I had to make sure I wasn't visible in case anyone wanted to use this video against me. What memories that brought back. VF-154 line 82-84. Man, that was pretty cool.
RMtitans1 3 years ago
Glad you liked it. I was a photographers mate on board USS Coral Sea 81-84. I edited it on board using 3/4 videotape. I believe it was shown on the TV channel on board too several times. I was amazed how well it has held up over the years.
Thanks
Ron.
rcompton43 3 years ago
great video man i sure as hell miss the old girl the ship the people those where the best days of my life
cat-2 85-87
cypris2002 3 years ago
@rcompton43 I served on the Coral Sea from 82-84 in the flash lab under Senior Cheif Hanson. My son is 25 and just found this video on YouTube today. Coool to see myself in the video. Hazard
ufdlh 1 year ago
@ufdlh Hanson was my first Fleet supervisor on Coral Sea...I was the coop-cleaner for Admin Dept. He was soon a Chief and made SCPO a while after.
mrmominvabeach 2 months ago
Awesome footage! And one of my most favorite albums of all time too. Great vid shipmate!
YukeMansion 3 years ago
FANTASTIC!!! I was one of those slimy wogs on that day!! I sure would like to get the whole thing on video...what memories!!
IAMKAMIAM 3 years ago
Ron, you did a good job on this and I'm glad that you posted this....should be entertaining to my students at middle and high school...take care,Bob S
Charmanderkk09 3 years ago
I became a Shellback Dec 21st, 1981 on West-Pac 81-82 USS Coral Sea, and did my first cruise as a Shellback on the World Cruise, it sure did feel good to be a sadist for a day. I was in VA-97 from 80-84. Thanks for the memories Ron...great video.
airdale80 3 years ago
Well done Ron.That brings back alot of old memories.I was discharged Oct. of 1982
jjfrompa 3 years ago