Sailors, Marines and DoD civilians aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) participated in a “crossing the line” ceremony aboard the ship Jan. 23.
The ceremony is a time-honored tradition predating the U.S. Navy when a ship crossed the equator and tested new Sailors to determine whether or not the novices on their first cruise could endure the hardships of life at sea.
Makin Island crossed the equator following a port call in Singapore. Sailors and Marines who never crossed the line before, called “pollywogs,” had the opportunity to become “shellbacks” after “crossing the line.”
Pollywogs, or wogs for short, were inducted as shellbacks by completing a series of obstacles and games while singing nautical-inspired songs and military cadences.
Makin Island, the flagship of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, is on a deployment with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit to promote peace and freedom of the seas by providing security and stability in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.
Image: US Navy