http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/re...ics/articles/features/2016/jan16_cs.html#navy
Did Elaine get anal and vaginal sex?
Worthy sailors
When a Navy ship passes the Equator, things get pretty chaotic on board. Sailors, drenched in a concoction of seasonings and sauces, crawl through a mishmash of vegetables and food ingredients doing push-ups, crunches and what-not.
This is an initiation to mark a sailor's maiden crossing of the Equator. A long-standing tradition in the Western seafaring world that dates back at least 400 years, it is a symbolic test to ensure that the rookies are able to endure the long and rough journey at sea.
"It is a rite of passage for all Navy personnel who come on board a ship," explained Military Expert (ME) 3 Ruan Qin Yuan, Coxswain of Landing Ship Tank (LST) RSS Endeavour. The 40-year-old has done the initiation twice as a participant, and thrice as an organiser.
"The young crew may not be accustomed to such long periods of sailing in the rough seas. The initiation is a series of physical and mental tests to ensure that they are worthy to sail.
"It's carried out in a fun way to boost their morale, and the crew actually looks forward to it."
The initiation is based on Roman mythology. It is believed that Neptune, the God of Seas, resides near the Equator. The physical and mental tests are "punishments" for maritime sins such as killing fish and polluting the seas.
Cohesion and camaraderie
Although largely symbolic, the practice helps to build morale and a sense of belonging among the crew.
Midshipman (MID) Tan Juanhe recalled his experience on board RSS Endeavour during his Midshipman Sea Training Deployment (MSTD): The crew sprayed water at us. It was quite cold, so we huddled together to keep warm. This was where the team bonding came in."
In fact, MID Tan went through the ceremony twice. He had previously crossed the Equator on board LST RSS Resolution. Despite being given the option to sit out at his second crossing, he chose to do it again. "At the end of the day, this is what makes it meaningful - crossing together with your batch boys and girls," said the 25-year-old.
Fellow MSTD trainee MID Elaine Lim, 19, agreed: "Our friendship has become stronger because we went through it together. I feel that it's a good tradition and something that is exclusive to the Navy, to the seafarers. It gives us a strong sense of identity. These are good memories we can look back at."
Did Elaine get anal and vaginal sex?