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USS John S. McCain Observes "Crossing the Line" Tradition

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080731-11
Release Date: 7/31/2008 4:19:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka Public Affairs

USS JOHN S. MCCAIN, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) crossed the equator, the dividing line between the Northern and Southern hemispheres, also referred to as "King Neptune's Domain" in the early morning of July 25.

McCain held a 'crossing the line' ceremony, a tradition among seafarers which predates the U.S. Navy. Like the ancient Greeks, Vikings and Scandanavians. Sailors conducted this nautical ceremony along the 30th parallel or as their ship crossed the Straits of Gibraltar.

These early ceremonies were designed to challenge the novices in their abilities to withstand sea rigors. Those who had already crossed the equator at a previous time during their Navy career were deemed "trusty shellbacks," sons and daughters of Neptune, those who had not crossed yet were called "pollywogs."

Although shellbacks and pollywogs are still part of the ceremony, today's process is a more evolved and professional process.

McCain's observance included completion of a personnel qualification standard (PQS) and a pollywog teamwork skills display, as they faced physical and knowledge-based challenges designed to teach them to work as a team and build camaraderie before presenting themselves to King Neptune. Shellback safety observers were on hand to ensure the event remained a safe, fun and memorable occasion.

Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Mark Alejandro of Lexington Park, Md., a newly minted shellback, acknowledged the importance of keeping the tradition alive.

"I feel great that I completed something like this, this kind of long tradition," Alejandro said. "My dad did the crossing the line ceremony, and when I was going through it, that's what was going through my mind. He did this, I can do this."

John S. McCain, commanded by Cmdr. John S. Banigan, is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and is permanently forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.

For more news from Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/cfay/.