Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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Hazing
Hazing is a common practice in the Seals, but the traditional
pre-marriage hazing is a practice worth mentioning. Before a member
of a Seal team is married, the other men in the team will kidnap him,
strip him, shave his body hair, tie him to a pier, throw him in the
ocean or bay, and let him "bob" for the remainder of the day.
Submitter comment:
Being the fiance of a Seal, I am not particularly fond of this
tradition.
Where learned: United States Navy Seals
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 01-00-1990
Seal Battle Cry
Throughout training, and through the course of their careers,
Navy Seals can commonly be heard screaming the traditional battle
cry. The cry itself consists of a low pitched, guttural, "HOO YAH,"
usually followed by answering cries of a similar nature
Where learned: United States Navy Seals
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- War cries |
Frogman Shot
This is a Seal tradition involving the consumption of alcohol.
The shot consists of tequila, rum, and whiskey. The men partaking of
the Frogman shot must first put the shot in their mouths, and hold it
for as long as they can. They then return the alcohol to the shot
glass and repeat the process. After the alcohol is returned to the
glass for a second time, the men must hold their breath for as long
as possible, exhale completely, and finally drink the shot.
Submitter comment:
This disgusting tradition has caused many new Seals to feel a
bit "under the weather."
Where learned: United States Navy Seals
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Distilled Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption |
Date learned: 06-00-1991
Hungry Song
During a twenty-two week training period for the Navy Seals,
every time the men went to breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they were
forced to sing the "Hungry Song" before they were allowed to eat. The
song is to the tune of "Are You Sleeping, Brother John?," and the
words are as follows: "We are hungry, we are hungry, feed us now,
feed us now. Hungry little tadpoles, waiting for their dinner
(breakfast, lunch), feed us now, feed us now."
Where learned: United States Navy Seals
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Initiation
When a Seal becomes a member of a platoon, he goes through a
rather strange initiation. He receives a pin, known as the
"Trident," and is then tied and blindfolded. The other members of the
platoon then take turns making "attacks" on the new member. He must
defend himself from these attacks, or face the punishment decided on
by the group. Usually, the group decides that the new member has not
sufficiently defended himself, and designates a punishment. A common
punishment consists of allowing the entire platoon a "free shot" on
the new man. The new man is never seriously injured, but is often
uncomfortable after the ordeal.
Where learned: United States Navy Seals
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 09-00-1991