The DC Punch post got me wondering, and the follow up questions solidified it: Most spouses have no idea what goes on while we're deployed.

Time to level the playing field!

What are some of the "games" you've heard about and were too afraid to ask? What's the one thing that's you've always wondered about, but didn't know if you should interfere? I'm pulling down the curtain on my lowly 12 years of service to help you folks answer these questions - and probably make some new ones.

mine have always been what happens to Chief selects?:thinking

mine have always been what happens to Chief selects?:thinking

While I can't tell you for any 100% accuracy (I've never been there), I can tell you what I know. In the words of a chief selectee just this morning, the Season of Pride is about "reprogramming".

As a blue shirt (E6 and below), we're taught certain ways of doing things and ways of making yourself stand out in the pack. At the E7 level, the game is reversed, and you're evaluated on how well you work with other E7's and what you do for your people.

The charge book (that wooden box they carry around inside a black backpack) is a really neat tradition. Inside the book are the words of wisdom from all the E7's at the command. In earlier days, these books were filled with the wisdom of all the chief's onboard. If something should happen to one of the chiefs, the Captain would appoint the E6 with the most useful information in his charge book as that chief's replacement. These days, it's carried only for symbolic purposes. (Chief's are appointed by Congress)

There is a strict PT schedule, lots of meetings, fund raisers and general chaos. Most of these evolutions are designed to test the chief selects ability to work with others in high stress situations. Each Chief Select is appointed a "division", and they held REALLY responsible for his people's actions. One of the chief selects so far has already had 2 people die and 4 U/A's in just a week. Not literally, but the chief select had to fill out all of the paper work and forms as if these things had actually occured. Ouch.

There's the white hat burning ceremony. This happens the night before the pinning, and symbolizes the road they've travelled, and can never go back. This is probably the only time in my career where I'll burst into tears and sob like a sissy.

The biggest part of the Season is pretty simple: The Chief Selects can do nothing right. EVERYTHING is wrong, from how they talk (they have to address other chiefs with certain titles, such as "Honorable Chief Petty Officer") to how they carry themselves. The idea is to put a lot of stress on the person, gauge how they react, and offer mentoring on how to overcome their shortcomings as leaders.

Did I mention they can't do anything right?

how neat!! not to TJ but on dh last "cruise" it was family day and i got to be there when he threw his white hat. of course he made sure it sank!!! it was nice feeling to watch that.:goodvibes

Sounds like you know more than I would, then :) And of course, it's apparently different depending on where you are. In Great Lakes and DC, they burn the white hats.

My husband has told me everything I've read on here so far :)

I could have used a thread like this a couple of years ago. It is so nice of you to volunteer your wisdom in this area. I do not have any questions as of yet but as soon as I think of one I will post it.

Sounds like you know more than I would, then :) And of course, it's apparently different depending on where you are. In Great Lakes and DC, they burn the white hats.


it was for when he left the ship out of jax. i guess if the hat sinks..you will never come back to a ship and if it floats....:scared

Ok I found 2 questions that my dh did not have an answer for on the previous post.

What are Sole Survivor knocking and a ID-10 Tango form?

Ok I found 2 questions that my dh did not have an answer for on the previous post.

What are Sole Survivor knocking and a ID-10 Tango form?

ID 10 Tango I believe is an IDIOT form. Not sure of the other one though.

Tea bagging?

I have no flipin idea what any of that stuff is. It will be some good reading!

Tea bagging?


ummm....:blush getting smack by a set of balls..............:inshock

Ok I found 2 questions that my dh did not have an answer for on the previous post.

What are Sole Survivor knocking and a ID-10 Tango form?

True statement about the ID-10 Tango.. It's an IDIOT form. You can have YN's and PN's running around looking for these all day and never get bored.

Sole Survivor knocking is borderline mean. While you're taking him around, you stop at random closed hatches, knock twice put your ear to the door, then continue walking the new guy around. When he finally asks what your doing, explain to him that there were a series of fires on the ship, and we've been missing a sailor ever since. Remind him to check the places when you pass them again. When he does tap and listen, tap your fingers on the bulkhead where he can't see.. then act just as startled as he is. You can end the joke here, or send him to go get the LPO or Chief, alerting everyone he passes on the way.

DAYS of fun, I tell ya.

Tea bagging?

Tea Bagging is.. well.. ewwwww. A guy will place his testicles on something or someone. It get's it's name from, of course, dunking tea bags in hot water. ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

Tea bagging?

Oh, God. John always asks if I want to get tea bagged when I irritate him. I had no clue what it was so he asked if I wanted him to show me. I said yes having no clue what I had gotten myself into. That won't happen again I can you that. :teehee

I was asking DH about the things mentioned in the other post. He said tea-bagging but wouldn't tell me what it was.

Mine wouldn't tell me either. He just waited til I got curious enough to say go ahead and show me when he asked if I wanted him to show me one day. He had me open my mouth. Once he did it I was like "oh, ok, gotcha with the tea bagging". Just taught me to be careful when I say sure go ahead and show me. :giggle

Thankfully the Navy has done away with traditions as sick as this :sick :sick

http://home.earthlink.net/~shanedog2004/Navy05.htm

As for teabagging I only hope anyone that gross, gets their ass beat:suspect

While I do agree that some people have gotten out of hand with things I still think most of it is harmless fun. It is a shame that some people were not mature enough to keep the pranks completely harmless.

Thankfully the Navy has done away with traditions as sick as this :sick :sick

http://home.earthlink.net/~shanedog2004/Navy05.htm



My ex husband told many stories from this tradition.:teehee

ETA: My ex went through it in 88 I think

Thankfully the Navy has done away with traditions as sick as this :sick :sick

http://home.earthlink.net/~shanedog2004/Navy05.htm

As for teabagging I only hope anyone that gross, gets their ass beat:suspect

DH went through it like that!!! LOL

Well I don't think they have done away with it completely, but it's nothing like that now. Who knows it may still go on under the radar:thinking

I think it looks like people could really get ill......I mean crawling through garbage can't be safe......can it:tired

I know my Dh did and he is still here :lol

Well I don't think they have done away with it completely, but it's nothing like that now. Who knows it may still go on under the radar:thinking

I think it looks like people could really get ill......I mean crawling through garbage can't be safe......can it:tired

DH' first ship.... they had a holding area for food trash. OMG it stunk to high heaven back that way!!!! but DH had to go crawling through all that:sick

My dh had to eat a raisin out of Penaut butter from his chiefs "big ole belly" button :sick :pukey :yuck

The worst I had to do was get the olive out of Baby Neptune's belly button. His belly was covered in lard. Even back in 95 they weren't beating us anymore. We did have to crawl through the garbage chute, and I spent a good portion of my day screaming for Flipper to come save me while lying on my back like a cockroach, flailing my arms and legs whilst getting doused with tons of water. Much more calm than that link posted earlier.. that's what my dad talks about to this day.... yikes.

:lmao :rofl just too darn funny

Oh the stories of the day.

My FIL is a retired Sea Bee ~ so I have heard quite a few of his stories.

As for DH he is a Subby ~ and there is a whole other aspect there.

I'll have to let my FIL/DH know all their stories paid off ~ because I knew all the answers thanks to them.

Oh, God. John always asks if I want to get tea bagged when I irritate him. I had no clue what it was so he asked if I wanted him to show me. I said yes having no clue what I had gotten myself into. That won't happen again I can you that. :teehee

:lmao

Joe did all that fun stuff and was very proud when everything was done. still carries his card in his wallet.

my dad was on a sub in the 80's and actually did sort of the same thing while for going under the north pole. it involved ice cream and anything else cold. he also came home with only one eyebrow!:lol

All the tea bagging comments --> :rofl