THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 25, 1995 TAG: 9501250478
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Married to the Navy
SOURCE: Mary Mahoney
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Recently there has been a resurgence of a topic that caused me to open my dictionary and look at two nouns.
TRADITION. n. A custom so long continued that it has almost the force of a law.
HAZE. n. To subject (new students, new members) to humiliating horseplay or pointless harassment.
I read these definitions several times and came to the conclusion that it is a very fine line that separates the two.
Fourth of July barbecues, proms, sweet sixteen parties, shellback, blue nose and chiefs initiations are all long-standing traditions. For many years, people have taken part in these customs no worse for the wear.
Many of those who have taken part are proud to boast about them. They tell their families, grandchildren and friends. Certificates are framed and hung in plain view for all to see.
Through the passing of the time, things change. Variations have evolved from the guidelines originally set forth, to ensure that these initiations were peaceful, safe and fun for all involved.
However, some in charge of shellback, blue nose and chiefs initiations have elected to toss the guidelines aside completely. Unfortunately, these people have taken traditional events to the extreme. People have been hurt. Now traditions initially set up to celebrate camaraderie have crossed over and become hazings.
Wrapping someone up in a blanket and beating them as an act of retribution is known to military members as a blanket party. This is an unnecessary act of violence. There are nonviolent ways to handle all situations.
Hitting a fellow military member on the arm, better known as tacking on the crow, seems to me to be absurd. Why not shake the hand of the new petty officer instead?
The traditional shellback, blue nose and the chiefs initiation are rituals that no sailor is forced to take part in. If a man or women chooses not to participate in the chiefs initiation, they will still receive a chiefs salary and wear the uniform of a chief petty officer.
Many sailors feel their careers would not be complete if they did not participate in these long-standing traditions.
I do not condone violence. I feel that all sailors should take heed of the instruction by Adm. Jeremy M. Boorda on the issue of hazing. I do not think however, that the traditions of the chiefs initiation, blue nose or shellback should be put into moth balls.
I think that these rituals should be restructured, guidelines strictly enforced, and of course, the continued option of participation by choice only. by CNB