military traditions

[###KILTEDKIWI###]

Also, on the gun salutes:

the custom originates in naval tradition, where a warship would harmlessly fire out to sea, until all ammo was spent, to show that it was disarmed, signifying a lack of hostile intent...

or something to that affect

[thescot]

As to the rifles at the cemetery: we did a funeral one time in a rural settings, and as we drank cokes at a local store awaiting the hearse, a fellow asked us if we were going to give a 21-gun salute. The captain said, "No, we have 6 riflemen firing three rounds."

The man looked a little confused and said, "that's 21 ain't it?"

As to crossing the equator: in the US Navy, one is tried by King Neptune's Court where King Neptune and the shellbacks "try" the "pollywogs," for being pollywogs. Even officers and floating Marines must answer the subpoena to the court.

One final tradition: in the US Marine Corps, every Marine on earth celebrates the Birthday Ball, on or about Novembe 10 to commerorate the birth of our beloved Corps at Tun Tavern in 1775. On that day--and that day only--officers and enlisted are pretty well equal, drinking, eating, and partying together.

If you haven't been to a Birthday Ball, you ain't been around.

[###KILTEDKIWI###]

The naval gun salute came from the days of blackpowder. Cannon would be kept loaded as they were too slow to load in a hurry. Upon preparing to enter port, they would be fired to empty them and left unloaded. Not expending all powder and ball on board, just what had been in the guns. (I should of worded this a little better...didnt mean all and sundry)

Anyone remember the red lights on board naval vessels? Know the reason why? Interior decks of warships were painted red to supposedly lessen the sight of blood and the demoralizing effect it may have on the crew.

The red lights, are still in use and are called "police lights" here, for a couple of reasons, lowers the visibility of the ship, and allows the ships companies eyes to adjust quicker to see at night...

[dfmacliam]

Red light does not reflect, we use to use red lens on flashlights.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I prefer the tradition over the science...

[TheSp8]

It's kind of tough doing blood stripes now that rank insignia is velcroed to the middle of your chest.

Another somber ceremony is the table for Fallen Comrades during a Dining In. I don't remember it from earlier in my career so I think is a rather late addition.

YMOS,
Tony

[dfmacliam]

For Marines... when I was in..getting rank... you got them "pinned" by walking a guantlet and each man punched your shoulder...( each man who out ranks you) and when you earned your blood stripes (Corporal).. you were kneed in the thigh.... by the time you walked the guantlet... you were limping.. and bruised..

and for the special units... when you earned your jump wings... they were literally pinned to your chech... each man punched the pin with the pins going into your chest...