"Odd Military Traditions Most People..." Topic

…DON'T KNOW ABOUT

"Some military customs and traditions can seem plain weird to outsiders.

And if you're new to the military, you may find them odd or super exciting depending on which traditions your branch participates in. Traditions are that way, though — intriguing and generally historical.

While some have been labeled as hazing or otherwise unsafe, they've been "retired" and are no longer active military traditions. Most of the active ones, though, are worthy of trying at least once in your military career…"

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Armand

When I was in the navy back in the trireme era, to celebrate when a sailor qualified as a submariner and received his dolphin insignia, the dolphins were dropped in a pitcher of beer and he was expected to drain it to retrieve them. It was called "drinking your dolphins." I guess that's another one of those traditions that's been "retired," at least officially.

the tradition of eating the rose was there when I was in KOYLI in the early 60's to commemorate the Minden 6. british infantry regiments who faced huge cavalry forces at the battle of minden during the 7 years war. instead of forming square the infantry attacked and beat the french cavalry.

why the rose well they marched through a garden and picked roses to decorate their hats, all 6 regiments celebrated the same way but we wore white roses for obvious reasons.

in later years the youngest recruit ate the rose (petals only) on minden day.

Thanks!

Armand

Eating a raw leek on St Davids Day, the Brick at Wellington Bks on Waterloo Day, 100s of old traditions in the British Services, well new ones with the RAF! An old friend was attached to 1 QDG and on arrival was informed by the RSM that Subletons were not saluted. Minutes later he walked past a subleton, who not recognising the cap badge/ beret, insisted on being saluted, so mate complied, seconds later a hurricane of hot wind issued forth from the RSM's office, both parties were invited to the RSMs office and in turn given suitable bol***ings",

Tally Ho!

Blood Pinning

Wolfhag

We always used to 'e-tool qualify' new Marines. You take an empty MRE box and draw a target on it. The new Marine has to be blindfolded and uses and e-tool to chop as much of the center out of the box as he can. While he's being blindfolded you take his blouse off so he has room to swing. Once in position you tell him to start, but you put his cover and blouse on the MRE box. He then has to wear his newly chopped up blouse and cover to evening formation.

Dn Jackson,
What unit was that? I missed out on that one.

At Camp Geiger, we'd tell new guys to go to the armory and request a sling for a 106 recoilless rifle.

Wolfhag

I was with H 3/14, but I had friends from several units that said they did the same thing. We used to send the new guys to the XO pit and ask for a 100 yards of gun line.

I have been to the grog bowl at many military balls until I stopped drinking, then they had a nonalcoholic grog far worse than the alcoholic one- but never back down.

I got blood wings in jump school although from a peer not the black hats, but they saw us and smiled at the tradition continuing. My battalion jump masters all gave me blood wings when I earned my senior rated paratrooper. And back in the day airborne infantry units had a day long "training" and harassment event called a prop blast.

As a new second lieutenant I gave a dollar to the first enlisted soldier to salute me, had to be voluntarily not forced. He was surprised but thankful.

Tradition.