America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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them on the flight deck. Spared no mercy, the neophytes are soon ushered into smaller herds, where they grovel together to clean the grease from the airplane padeyes. Goodmorning, Chaplain, it's strange to see you here , says a pollywog to the ship's spiritual advisor, who seems to be praying a little more feverishly than usual that it will all be over quickly. God loves pollywogs Crossing the Line lCon'tD Special Cases: If you're going to be something, why not be something special? adorns the back of his now soggy t- shirt. When the command is given, the small groups disperse, like bands of rodents at the approach of a predator overhead. Several timid pollywogs try scurrying for safety but are gently prodded back into the herd again. After more greeting lines, each pollywog receives a master shellback, who takes more than a casual liking to his new subject, and prepares to bring him before King Neptune and His Royal Court. Here he is tried on the basis of the summons that hopefully, has survived the ordeal between clenched teeth. The pollywog that pleads guilty to his charges, is next ushered to the Royal Baby, a jolly soul whose belly resembles a well- lubricated Franklin Stove. If his ac- tions meet the Royal Baby's approval, at , W i

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X, ,-using' .gm 'wa KH bs.. 8 Viublbhlll 1-wlMi ' ? if W W A J - e o..e . V ff --'lu Y H x - f PW I I , - 4 FS 'ar 9 PWA' ' 'U' 1 v , 6- U 4 H Q f ,we 1 if ,, 4 f ,ff Q1-1-3,3 i' N7 1 Pollywogs enter the realm of King Neptune on their haunches, summonses clenched between their teeth. Shellbacks are now in command. The initiation begins with pollywogs blowing water from aircraft tiedowns before being brought to a speedy trial before King Neptune. A quick trip to the Royal Dentist follows. WW xr. 5 if

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ld prepares tobft New and ll r he is tried Ol .ons that hopemi Ideal hem: 2 0 . IL The POW? is y V al BHbl'1 Wu? H sembles 3 is U Stove. 3 l P 'T If .-' lf' pd. V f I ,A If hlav 1 Babyls approx: a quick visit to the Royal Dentist is in order, for a painless squirt of pollywog paregoric. More lines and further judgments await the hapless pollywog, who, by this time, is just a little dazed by all he has witnessed. Finally, following the application of several harmless magic potions, he is almost ready to be pronounced a loyal shellback . First, however, he must be purged with seawater and then aske to identify himself. If he is unsure of his status, he will be sent back through the ceremony again until there is no question that the transformation is complete. Most sailors are pleased with their new status and gladly vow they will remain loyal to the Shellback Order. After it is over, a seaman turns to his buddy and says, That wasn't so bad . . . the best part is that everybody was like a kid again for a little while. His shipmate doesn't seem entirely convinced. I don't know, he replies, massaging his ankles. I haven't duckwalked for that long a time since bootcamp, but I finally found a use for those sneakers they give you . -G. H. J ochum