Much depends on the ratio of wogs to Shellbacks.

CORAL MARU's 1975 cruise took the ship across the line for the first time in
several years. Thus there weren't as many Shellbacks aboard who could mete
out the requisite rites as circumstances might otherwise have demanded. The
wogs suffered relatively little.

But on the following cruise, and with a high percentage of Shellbacks
aboard...

--
Mike Kanze (still a wog)

"You're never too old to become younger."

- Mae West


"Jim" wrote in message
...
Mike Kanze wrote:
OJ,

This turn of thread reminds me of what Gunny Martin told all of us
Midshipmen before we left our NROTC unit for summer cruise.

There are three documents your must NEVER, under any circumstances, let
out of your sight or secure possession until you reach your next duty
station:


* Your Shellback certificate (if you had one).*

How many can equate to this? My second crossing was in many ways worse
than the first. Unlike the polliwogs I spent hours on the flight deck. My
sunburn lasted longer than their welts.