Strange Military Traditions

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Ever heard of a military approved roof stomp? Learn how to carry one out properly, the necessary stompage tempo required and the correct vocal decibel level for maximum output of beer and commander’s appraisal.
Find out how eleven notorious Gold Wing Brotherhood Marines had ensured they would forever remember their new jump pins, why flaming pianos bring tears to RAF members’ eyes, the correct way to use your sword at a U.S. Navy wedding, as well as the historical period in which being drunk cured you of scurvy, and the legendary pillow fights of West Point Academy.
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Credit:
Created by Daniel Turner (B.A. (Hons) in History, University College London)
Script: Script Writer: Natasha Martell
Narrator:
Chris Kane
vocalforge.com/
Sources:
Brzozowske, Brooke Lt. “CGOC returns porch stomp to Warren colonels.” F.E Warren Air Force Base, February 20, 2009.
Coles-Aldridge, Alec. “What is a piano burning ceremony?” Pianist Magazine, July 25, 2018.
Curtis, Wayne. And a bottle of rum: A history of the new world in ten cocktails. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2007.
Denson, Marie Lt. “CGOs stomp the wing commander’s house.” 50th Space Wing Public Affairs. Last modified November 8, 2010.
Dowty, Jonathan C. Christian Fighter Pilot is not an oxymoron. Jonathan C. Dowty, 2007. 
Kilner, Peter “Blood-Pinning Helps The Military Do Its Job.” Roanoke Times, March 11, 1997. 
McIntyre, Jamie. “10 Marines to be disciplined for blood-winging incident.” CNN, March 27, 1997.
Phillips, Dave, “At West Point Annual Pillow Fight Becomes Weaponized.” NYTimes, September 4, 2015.
Pietrek, Matt. "Setting the Record Straight on British Navy Rum." Cocktailwonk, December 5, 2019.
“RNZN and the Rum Issue.” Torpedo Bay Navy Museum. 
Saber Instructions. “Arch of Sabers Ceremony.” Westpoint.
Stilwell, Blake. “Why the Royal Air Force Burns Pianos Every Year.” Military.
"US West Point military academy bans mass pillow fights." BBC, November 26, 2015.
Zlotnick, Sarah “These are 9 Traditions You Can Expect to See at a Military Wedding.” Brides. Last modified July 15, 2022.

[@Simplehistory]

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[@stanleybochenek1862]

no u

[@maxjendri4677]

Hi

[@tudor8899]

I'm good

[@sophiayao7041]

Simple history like my comment

[@user-jl6oc1wk8w]

NO!!!

[@DarknetDude]

One strange military tradition was my father kicking me in the face several times. Although I'm a little confused, because he's NOT in the military, he just wears a lot of camouflage.

[@mikialovic5304]

Oh yeah my father loved wearing camouflage and hiding randomly when I was little, still haven't found him to this day.

[@Geekin.potato]

Y'all need jesus

[@wagahagwa6978]

@@mikialovic5304 my father was sent on a suicide mission called "retrieving the milk" he's still MIA to this day

[@ledgaming6489]

@@Geekin.potato I think their dads are the ones that need Jesus, normie

[@jspec-vz3mc]

@@wagahagwa6978 God bless him for his service.

[@jeffery7756]

A tradition in most military flight schools is the wet-down. After a student pilot finished their first solo flight, their peers would douse the solo pilot with water. This started when the carrier pilots of WW2 would land after a long combat flight. The pilots usually had to hold off going to the bathroom until they landed. Doing a carrier landing with a full bladder and being scared stiff usually ended with the pilot pissing in their flight suits. On one occasion, news crews were filming the returning pilots. A plane's crew chief wanted to spare his pilot the embarrassment of wetting themselves on camera by pouring water on the pilot while explaining that the pilots would overheat in the cockpit and required cooling off. This became a tradition that is still used in most military flight schools. This wet-down was also used to celebrate a pilot's last flight before retiring.

[@LegendStormcrow]

That was a great crew.chief.

[@Cyrotechnium]

sounds like a generous crew chief who cares about his men, not harmful at all either

[@brucegoldy4973]

I didn't know this, awesome man thanks

[@ricky6608]

We do this in civilian flight schools as well

[@astralclub5964]

It’s not a “gun”. It’s a rifle!

[@jayce3991]

The blood wing tradition is actually something that carries across to other schools, MOSs and even units sometimes when a promotion is done. Engineers still do this when they get the castle on their collar and it’s is punched in near the collar bone and although it isn’t allowed and is considered hazing it still happens sometimes.

[@christopherbenfield7848]

its only hazing if taken too far

[@imnotwadey]

15P here, was not a common thing in my AIT, but my father made the pinning of my wings special. Though it wasn’t too rough, it was hard enough to draw blood. In front of my battalion commander, none the less. So still something that does happen, but it seems to be dying down

[@koharumi1]

What is hazing?

[@Gokenshiba]

I got my blood wings when I passed Airborne school lol.. and it’s not hazing one bit, it’s a tradition

[@Thatsaltygrunt]

Can’t just let old traditions die. Blood riffles still happen so often for the infantry.

[@ekhozo6850]

Here in Mexico, something similar to the "blood wings" is done upon graduating from the Special Forces Basic Training Course, when the trainees receive the insignia known as the "vampire tag".

[@pawepaw5991]

Theres a tradition in Polish arliterry that when you finish the traning you need to drink a "special brew" straight from an used artilerry shell

[@houseplant1016]

Ah yeah lol

[@LitNoah]

In Lithuania also

[@OldUncleDan]

Used to that here in the states we call it grog

[@johnnybravo8582]

I jak smakuje? 😆

[@fajny_nick]

Paweł Paw i co oni tam wlewali jakiś alkohol i pili z łuski, czy jak?

[@cryingtoradioheadisntgay4643]

Blood wings are common but it’s not after basic, it’s usually after jump school

[@juggaloclownpreacher]

Facts.

[@Amigafur]

My dad was in the 101st Airborne, that's what he's told me before. It happened to him in the mid 2000s

[@juggaloclownpreacher]

@@Amigafur I got mine in 2010 and the sergeant really had to make sure it was on my uniform. That's what he told me. 😂😂

[@keithallen5670]

yeah and in the Corp it not just wings its rank too. surprised they didnt add blood striping

[@CraigLYoung]

My father, who was in 187 ARCT, did mine. When we went to my son's Airborn Graduation, although we were warn not to do it. Dad did it to my son saying, "Let them give me an Article 15."

[@carljohnellacott7299]

The New Zealand Navy issued daily Tot of rum up until 1990's. Last navy in the world to issue daily tot's. Even as a Sea cadet when I went on a frigate at 14 years old I was issued with a tot.

[@Cpt_Kinz]

There is an Army tradition kinda like spike winging, but you get the badge after you have been into combat for the first time. After it is stuck in your chest, every member of your unit punches you right where the badge is. My dad still has the picture when he got his badge. It's him standing there with a big old smile, and a big old pool of blood soaked into his uniform.

[@scrimshaw7470]

I got my blood wings from the US Army Airborne school in the 2000s. I also had my combat medical badge "punched in" on our way back from Afghanistan. With the airborne wings we were asked if we wanted them beforehand. Not so much with the combat badge. Good times 😄

[@dakoderii4221]

I forgot my CAB was done the same as the wings. Guess I just remembered the part about getting home after a year and a half in the sandbox.

[@StudleyDuderight]

I got my blood rifles at Benning and then later my CIB was officially "set" in front of my wife and mother. They were just as proud of the tradition as I was.

[@hititwithabigrock6479]

@YO YOU KNOW ME what

[@Sarge92]

tbh thats how it should be done as long as theres no pressure to do it or any judgement for refusing it should be left upto the individual if they would like to undergo the continuation of a tradition my only concern if they asked if id like to participate would be is there any risk of the pin entering my chest cavity and causing any complications like colapsed lung or something

[@SRTifiable]

This is most definitely the way. Got mine in 2004 and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

[@doggo7078]

Imagine having such a wild pillow fight that it becomes a centuries old long-lasting military tradition

[@theoneandonlydetraebean8286]

now imagine some cadets bashing other cadets with their helmets causing hospital worthy injuries thus ending that same tradition

[@noeyesmcgee810]

@@theoneandonlydetraebean8286 what's that saying again it's all fun and games until someone gets their head bashed in with a helmet

[@andreaseverin1346]

​@@theoneandonlydetraebean8286as someone who's in a military officer school (in another country) I'm pretty sure the pillow fight still happens, just under the table. Students always have to fight against the school administration to keep their sometimes 200-years old traditions too

[@krazeekalvin]

Pinning and punched in was what it was called when I was in and sometime it was rubbed in roughly. I had no problems with it and would proudly go through it again. You earned it.

[@tomservo5347]

I remember in my unit if promotions were made, the platoon sergeant and First Sergeant would come by and smack their palms on the new rank on our collars-right where our collarbones were with the statement "Make sure they stay there!" meaning don't do something stupid and get demoted. We'd also have to 'run the gauntlet' where the newly promoted had to run through with everyone allowed to punch.

[@DeadMeat991]

That explains a lot about the army.

[@jamesmadison7551]

I remember during basic training in 2015 that we took our pillows and raided the next door barracks and straight up committed a pillow fight with our fellow soldiers. it was fun lol.

[@fredcisneros2013]

In my barracks we didn't even speak to each other in down time because we were so scared of the DS's and people would snitch on each other to not get in trouble even though everyone gets in trouble equally

[@fredcisneros2013]

2011

[@tanmaysingh267]

One strange pratice i went through was eating glass after drinking vodka that you got after passing out from indian para forces academy

[@Dread_Pirate_Homesteader]

No wonder why the military is failing

[@craydussy]

@@Dread_Pirate_Homesteader yes im sure shutting down dumb traditions is what is "making the military fail"

[@jaskapenttila7644]

We had a funny tradition in our basic training in the Finnish Defense Forces. Every night we had an inspection of our rooms done by our foremen (usually done by Corporals or other older/senior servicemen like Jägers) to see if the room has been kept clean up to the company standard and to see if we can make our beds and fold our day covers neatly. And usually it's accompanied by an announcement done by one of the rooms recruits. This too has it's knacks for it. When someone bites the bullet and goes to do the announcement he has to nod at the inspector and the inspector has nod back at him/her who then has to walk about 3 meters in front of the inspector and nod again and give the announcement that the room is ready for his/her inspection. The shenanigans begin if the inspector is facing the window and says that he wants an announcement. So one of the recruits has to walk outside in front of the window and yell the instructor the announcement to the second floor. It's even better when the snows been piling up.

[@hepo3544]

Ah yes, tupa-, kaappi ja siisteystarkastus or teksi 😁 we didn't have those knacks to the extend you were talking about (this was 2013-2014). In my time two guys would just crawl under the beds and see if we cleaned the dust well enough under the bed. If we ended up having dust all over our uniforms, we'd have to do the cleaning all over again. Even that was in the gray area whether it is hazing or not. I just think this was a fun knack but obviously not everyone agreed with me. Army humour like this in Finnish Defense Forces is something I miss every now and then

[@Tommuli_Haudankaivaja]

Ah yes, the reason I became aggressive and got C-papers.

[@jaskapenttila7644]

@@Tommuli_Haudankaivaja natsais kyl

[@balabanasireti]

That doesn't sound like fun

[@pharaohsmagician8329]

@@Tommuli_Haudankaivaja what does C-Papers mean?

[@donaldmccombs5566]

Blood wings is an army tradition high speed and we still do it. Every rank and every school you get a badge, or award, however the men that set your wings have to already have it. Every rank I gained and my EIB, CIB, Air Assault wings, etc, were blood wings.

[@jasonflay8818]

I have a friend is a Commander in the Danish Navy. He told me one time they have an annual tradition of grievance day. On that day there is a room where there is food and lots of drinking and fighting. There are no ranks during that time and any grievances are fleshed out as it were. The following day ranks are resumed and everything continues as normal. He explained it as a way to release steam especially against superior officers which otherwise there would be no outlet. To me that sounds like some old school Viking stuff!!

[@blitzkrieg1711]

As a separated Airman myself I can say during my time bloodwinging wasn't really popular (at least among enlisted), however, whenever someone made the next rank it's still common for the people who are that rank already or higher to form a line on both sides of the individual and punch them on the arm where their rank patches are located. It's the other members' way of stating to the newbie to not let the increase in rank get to your head.

[@greggrace967]

Yea.... you Air Force types are not very much on the tough physical manly stuff huh?? You do have better chow.... I'll give you that. Oh yea, good looking women too. I'll give you that too.

[@dominickjustave3558]

@@greggrace967 u forget parearescuser

[@croissantlover1]

"It's the other members' way of stating to the newbie to not let the increase in rank get to your head." Gee, thanks Narcissistic member XD

[@lucemiserlohn]

In the German Army (extends to the other branches just as well), the rank insignia are worn on the shoulders. Upon promotion, the whole unit (unless the promoted is an officer, of course, then only his immediate CO reading the promotion and handing out the new insignia will do so) will hammer the new rank down unto your shoulder quite forcefully. That includes the CO and other officers participating and having "first blow". This is however not for the reason you stated, but to "properly emplace the new rank on the uniform". When I was promoted to Corporal, my CO almost broke my collarbone in the process, still felt that a few days later.

[@notgivingyoumyname6345]

@@greggrace967 In aircraft maintenance we were worried the stripes might fall off so the whole unit had to make sure they didn’t fall off. Admittedly it got out of hand. I saw one guy with two blurple upper arms after he sewed on staff sergeant. If you got hit you were liked if you didn’t you knew why.

[@richardm3023]

The only painful adornment I've ever worn was a wedding ring.

[@alexhamilton9913]

In my unit in the Marines we drank French 75 out of a toilet bowl once a year. The tradition started during Vietnam when some officers in V3/4 used a unused toilet as a punch bowl because they didn’t have anything else. Now there’s a whole ceremony involving the entire unit commemorating the event.

[@Uhaneole]

“Blood Wings” means something completely different nowadays, but that act you described in the video was meant for ranks and pins to symbolize the pain you went to get such; and so you don’t do anything stupid to lose said achievement.

[@danielrice2296]

You also get blood-winged in the Marines when you get a new rank. They pin the rank right on your collarbone and rub their thumbs over it so that the pins dig into the bone. The unwritten rule is after you get pinned a new rank, you leave your backings (or turtles) off the rank for 24 hours.

[@Ang-yd1bx]

We still do that today. Hurts when it hits your collar bone

[@kylesmith3923]

They do the same thing for aircrew in the marines too.

[@squidboii]

Hurt for the sake of hurt, idiotic

[@thomasgordon9366]

And then you pick up Cpl....and the infamous blood stripe

[@OP5redsolocup]

@@Ang-yd1bx unless you’re sleeping under a DD-214 blanket I’d be careful using present tense on that lol

[@azj_]

In my country Malaysia 🇲🇾 we are also have a same tradition like Blood Wing too. When our soldier who did it finish their training course to join our 10 Brigade Para, they will receive a badge Sayap Berdarah (Blood Wing) from their general. (Sorry if my English has error)

[@richardm3023]

Your English is better than a lot of my fellow Americans.

[@shokrithan.k8207]

Your English is good enough *smoke*

[@dakoderii4221]

@@richardm3023 I bet he can tell what state Utah is in and what year the War of 1812 happened, unlike many Americans.

[@azimisyauqieabdulwahab9401]

It's not Blood Wings, it's a Wings ini semua poyo!

[@richardm3023]

@@dakoderii4221 Utah is a state, it's not in a state.

[@Hans140]

One thing I love that simple history has begun to is being funny. He isn’t a comedian but him talking a bit more casually or making small little sarcastic remarks or jokes here and there just cracks me up. Since this usually super serious dude talking about history and then talking about sailors mourning the loss of a ration of rum is hilarious to me. The fact that he usually doesn’t make jokes or talk that casually makes it even funnier when he does since it’s so sudden and out of no where

[@BaDNws]

So, I’m an armoured troop out of 5 div in Canada and funny enough the rum ration still happens. I’ve personally done it only twice. Once when we were on our advanced winter warfare course and the other when our commanding officer stood down from his posting and retired. It’s a great tradition and an even better way to honour those who’ve fallen in combat. Cheers

[@dylan2686]

Another odd tradition is the grog at military balls, it varies unit by unit but whatever campaign the unit was involved in an ingredient symbolic to that campaign was added into a large vat and the newest soldier was given a pitcher and tasked to get a pitcher full of the grog ( usually it’s rum, cinnamon, rice wine, fruit juice) and bring it to his platoons table as a bonding experience, showing the new soldiers are carrying on the units history and future.

[@OP5redsolocup]

It’s actually an offshoot of the rum rationing tradition. Grog was invented by the limes (and other fruit) being added to the rum for the sailors and Marines to drink

[@darrylweinstein5272]

When my dad was promoted to Sergeant it was in front of a lot of people and on parade, he had a tradition similar to the blood wings, except he got his new rank placed on his shoulder and then he had to lead the parade with bloody shoulders and in severe pain

[@mcmudger1538]

Wow that sounds so awesome!

[@jonjonhyper8324]

I'm an airborne Trooper and I can say that feeling when the crest strikes into my chest, it's the most proudest moment ever for me! That's why it's called "Blood Wings"

[@oliversherman2414]

I love your channel keep up the great stuff

[@briancross7835]

I received "Blood Rifles" after graduation from the US Army Infantry School, and "Blood Wings" after graduation from both Airborne & Air Assault Schools. The thing is, we didn't see it has hazing or harassment. We ASKED our superior sergeants and officers to "pound us" as we saw it as an honor & rite of passage.

[@wilfdarr]

Not militarily, but I can see that. I mean how much blood was let during training just from scrapes and cuts, not to mention broken ankles etc in jump school: in that context, blood winging is pretty tame!

[@Dipp182]

Pound you ey?

[@upscaspirantskhan1983]

right brother

[@upscaspirantskhan1983]

i am in indian army

[@briancross7835]

@@Dipp182 Yes. Pound your wings into your chest, thus drawing blood. I'll assume that you never spent a single second serving in the military & know nothing about it. You know nothing about earning something that forced other students to either quit or wash out. Your attempt at humor was lame & stupid.

[@davec.8406]

One that I experienced in the US Navy is pinning on the crow. Whenever you went up in rank say from a 3rd class petty officer to a second class, you would have your left arm hit by higher ranks then a handshake. The hit was to make sure your new rank stayed on. A well received right of passage

[@no_mnom]

I think they do it everywhere? Or at least in many places.

[@charletonzimmerman4205]

"TACKING-the-CROW", It's called. I think it was , stopped, cause of Female Petty Officers. "ASSUALT" ?

[@darkknight7545]

Tacking on the crow to make sure it didn’t fly away

[@richardstansbury9788]

The Naval tradition is called “Tacking on the Crow” I have fond but painful memories of that.

[@taviuslewis2865]

We have the same tradition in the Army... we place the new rank on your chest then punch it so it stays... can't do it with everyone but most Soldiers are down for it

[@Thomas-rl9xd]

Please do a video on the battle of Delville wood. As a South African it would be truly amazing to see our troops remembered on this channel. Thank you...

[@goblinzaku6211]

In the US marines, the “blood wing” tradition extends to leaving the backings off chevrons for a full day after you get “pinned” the the next rank, and everyone of the same or higher rank can slap your chevrons as a gentle reminder of your responsibility at that new rank. I was proud to be blood winged and blood chevrons at every rank I was promoted to.

[@mattf8479]

I've had plenty of friends that are in the military get bloodwinged. It's still common.

[@sethrogers8473]

Yep. I've even seen it done in college ROTC. it's not a big deal for most people.

[@kobejames5699]

@@sethrogers8473 but damn getting bloodwinged is painful asf

[@yiwoon_cr8s]

@@kobejames5699 it is, But some people can debate on whether it's acceptable or a big deal

[@JamesFromTexas]

Blood-pinning happens constantly across all branches. It was especially common for promotions until they went to velcro

[@littlejdgameingthemeep7866]

Even with velcro when there's a promotion we "apply" the new rank with great force utilizing the knuckles. The weakers guys and gals typically can't breath afterwards.

[@JamesFromTexas]

@@littlejdgameingthemeep7866 yep, the one inch punch, we called it. I was in from BDU, to ACU, to OCP and I still have scars on my collarbones from PFC and SPC promotions. Even our CABs got blood pinned.

[@mrfabuloso91]

It still happens in the marines because they still use the pinned on rank insignia on the collar.

[@SuicidalChocolateSK]

@@littlejdgameingthemeep7866 yeah my friends have been "punched in' their ranks and a few of the skinnier guys look like they almost died lmao

[@elcabbage2306]

Correction: for the marine corps, it isn’t a badge and it isn’t upon completing boot camp; it is upon picking up the rank of corporal (E-4) and it’s with your new rank insignia which have sharp metal prongs which go through the collar before the backing is put on them.

[@ShaneM223]

💯. Then you you went back to he barracks and took your beating to earn your blood stripe.

[@randyeller8139]

The sword arch has found it’s way into the fire/rescue service too. Usually ceremonial axes replace the sabers.

[@TheWildtiger87]

I was US Army Infantry from 2004-2008 also a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq. Every time I or anyone was promoted rank we had blood rank just like blood wings. You had two rank pins with two metal barbs put onto each collar of your uniform the same way. Then your platoon Sargent as well as all 20+ members of your platoon would all get in a single file line and one at a time take turns bashing you with both fists at the same time pinning your rank and uniform to you just below your collar bone. Same thing when you earned your (CIB) combat infantry badge except on your chest. Those were good times and a lot of camaraderie among our unit, I considered it a right of passage.

[@dragonlord3579]

same here 04-12, those who got to "set the rank" were same rank or above, same with CIB, only those with a CIB could set the badge.

[@clairevero]

No wonder you lot have not win a war since 1945

[@dux_bellorum]

I got my blood CIB in early 2012 in Afghanistan...

[@ralfantino2291]

İ hate it when a small group of people ruin something for everyone like in the pillow fight tradition. Thanks to them now no one can have fun

[@ultrapaladin]

You guys need to do a part two with USMC Blood Stripes and USN/USMC Shellbacks.

[@bigflip3714]

Great vid

[@johnburns1962]

The British Parachute Regiment has a tradition called “going airborne”, were they do things to each other

[@somebawldy3789]

**The Parachute Regiment

[@mcmudger1538]

Very descriptive my man. Makes it sound kinda gay to be honest……. “They do things to each other.” Hmmmm like what? A little rub and tug? A little naked wrestling? A little one eyes snake fight? Hm? What do they do to each other?

[@mcmudger1538]

@@somebawldy3789 What exactly are you correcting? You just spelled EXACTLY what he did but with two asterisk at the start.

[@balistixmapping197]

@@somebawldy3789 incorrectly correcting people :/

[@Welshman2008]

7:26 Now Captain Jack Sparrow knows why all the rum is gone.

[@origin3271]

My older sister had her pin punched into her chest after finishing BMT and so did everyone else. They just didn't punch very hard, seems plenty sanctioned.

[@stevemc01]

West Point cadets in the headmaster's office: "It's just a prank, bro."

[@monkeyboy93333]

Blood wings is a us army tradition when upon graduating airborne school but was fazed out due to “hazing” complaints.

[@ironclamp5325]

We “did” something similar in the Air Force. But it “was” reserved for whenever someone ranked up. It “was” done with their new rank tabs.

[@NeutralGuyDoubleZero]

You don't need quotations as that's literally what it is

[@bigboicheesy245]

@@NeutralGuyDoubleZero found the civilian

[@NeutralGuyDoubleZero]

@@bigboicheesy245 Implying soldiers can't understand basic definitions while civilians can? Munch on some more crayons jarhead

[@LegendStormcrow]

@@bigboicheesy245 I'm a civil too, but I'll keep y'all's secrets. It's a sacred rite of passage. For men and women who risk their lives, such acts are not just harmless, but necessary.

[@rwchidester]

My uncle was stationed on the USS Enterprise during Vietnam. I remember him telling about the order of Neptune ceremony that happens when you cross the equator for the first time.

[@artkillsevil]

Bring all of these back

[@oofman1911]

Blood winging is literally the definition of the "it's just a prank bro" meme

[@R.J._Lewis]

I was in the Air Force for over a decade and have never, ever heard of a "roof stomp" before. It may have been a tradition at one point, but if they do it to this day, they keep it well under wraps.

[@TheAlmostHarmless]

It's mostly in flying communities. We always do them for our new commanders.

[@doltonthibodeaux414]

@@TheAlmostHarmless so usually officers participate i assume

[@TheAlmostHarmless]

@@doltonthibodeaux414 Everyone that wants to go, goes, officer or enlisted.

[@jeffdavis6657]

@@TheAlmostHarmless I was stationed on a Fighter base, and pararescue with close air support (A10s) and never heard of this, even when the Wing Commander was replaced.

[@TheAlmostHarmless]

@@jeffdavis6657 Sounds like you weren't invited lol. Nah it very well could be a by base thing. I know all the training bases do them for sure. But I haven't had a new commander at my newest unit to roof stomp, so it stands to be seen.

[@nicolasalvesbastos5415]

Here in Brazil, the Brigada Paraquedista (Airborne Brigade), after completing basic training, burns their used black boots. Paratroopers here wear brown boots instead of the traditional black boots used by conventional army troops. It's the rite of passage to becoming a true airborne the burning of black boots, the maroon beret ceremony and wear the airborne wings insignia.

[@LichsuhoathinhDrabattle]

The channel releases videos regularly, with an easy to understand and interesting historical recap. Hope the channel produces more interesting historical videos☺☺

[@morfan570]

Having to sit through Raid: Shadow Legends ads in damn near every youtube video is far more painful than earning my bloodwings ever was.

[@jwseibert1059]

Getting punched in the arm by every enlisted in the squadron when you got promoted was as close as I got to the airborne thing. Some people waited a day or two so you were good and bruised already.

[@johnbush5002]

I remember that happening to me. And also doing it when soldiers got their next rank. Never saw a problem with it. Also got my CAB the same why. Don't know why they did that for CAB but they did.

[@MisoBoredProductions]

There's also a tradition where marines who earn their NCO stripes are "dead legged" by all their peers.

[@Motofiend]

I participated in 2 sword arches, got my Castle pin punched on when graduating from AIT in 2010. Also got the 'gauntlet' rank punched onto my chest when i promoted. I preferred having it.

[@patrickfullan9509]

Back in the 80's we called them Blood stripes(USMC) after being promoted everyone in your platoon made sure your new rank was on your collar correctly. Made for a sore day, but you just embraced the suck and carried on with your day. No rank was exempt from the pinning ceremony.

[@CommissarMoody1]

Got my blood wings in jump school. Along with every time I got promoted, got the new chevrons punched in. Its still pretty popular in the army.

[@MoonMoon-gu2ge]

I got my blood wings in airborne school back in 08' and our rank punched in for every promotion. It may be labeled 'hazing' but its something the combat arms family will likely continue to do forever.

[@epikhampter8298]

Whenever I'm sleeping during Sundays or Saturdays, my dad always barges into the room, destroying my perfect sleep. " WAKE UP, PRIVATE! " He shouts every time.

[@cqtaylor]

3:32 Jerry Lee Lewis was into burning pianos as he played them, but I don't think he served in the military.

[@jokekopter2509]

Cool traditions,It looks fun

[@oliversherman2414]

RAF commanders: you must take your piano lessons Piano: *accidentally catches fire* RAF pilots: this gives me an idea

[@leviticus3470]

I got my blood wings when I graduated Airborne school and blood rank when I got promoted. Good times

[@kymmzej9173]

There was a point in my life where I really wanted to join the Air Force. Well now I’m glad I didn’t.

[@Atony94]

Cause of blood wings? It's a quick tap on the pin to pierce your skin and it's done. The video highly exaggerated it.

[@AimBitX]

@@Atony94 that quick tap is usually a punch by several personal

[@AimBitX]

Also it’s also in the marines, army, and is also pretty common apparently

[@Atony94]

@@AimBitX The only time I've seen it done with multiple punches is with rank which in most branches is just a Velcro patch so there's no blood. It's really not that big of a deal and it's an honor to have it done. I was in the Army so that's all I know in terms of traditions. There's a lot of job specific ones that are more in depth (tankers have a lot). Though from the stories I've heard from the Navy they definitely have the most straight up weird traditions by far.

[@AimBitX]

@@Atony94 oh cool, how long was the pin anyways

[@MLGtroll365]

Blood wings i still have my scar in my collar bone 😂😂😂

[@MaxVonKreiger]

Roof stomp tradition is the funniest one for me because just imagine when you're asleep and suddenly your fellow students stop on your roof or make many noises he or she'll wake up with sleepy eyes.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 How funny .

[@marcreeves5980]

I was raised in the USAF and served for almost 10 years. I've never heard of "roof stomp". Oh and we don't have regiments, we have squadrons

[@breveth]

Yeah same. Never heard of roof stomping.

[@somebawldy3789]

Raised?? Whats the minimum entry age?

[@mtgrousehntr]

@@somebawldy3789 my father was USAF

[@reconty2133]

Got my blood wings the night the first Gulf War ended. We celebrated with two beers each Marine. However those who got their wings were afforded two more. Got so drunk. 😂

[@johnbussink6928]

eeehhhnn Dutch Airforce pilots also know the tradition of the piano burning. mostly after graduating flight training at their part of Tucson AFB in Arizona

[@DumbOrangeFrog]

i just love how he didnt even bother recording the raid shadow legends ad properly

[@neofulcrum5013]

Can you guys do a video on guerrilla warfare?

[@seanmessick9330]

Why not gorilla warfare

[@seanmessick9330]

Why not gorilla warfare

[@franciscofranco5739]

My unit had a military tradition of sorts as well: destroyed knees and lifelong back issues by the time you get out. Lol

[@lelandgaunt9985]

The VA has determined your injuries are not military related.

[@franciscofranco5739]

@@lelandgaunt9985 yah man, I’m glad that didn’t happen to me. I wasn’t a sick call Ranger or anything but I made sure I documented everything.

[@michaelshaffer6108]

Blood wings are also celebrated in the army when a leg earns their Airborne wings and is officially no longer a leg

[@mattnp22gaming]

When I was in the army. My sergeant did something similar to the blood wings. When we got our first rank badges(aka e-2 merits) in order to know how our caps were dead center he would center the merits on our head and hit them. Never had a crooked cap after that

[@earleaccount]

Got my blood rifles when I completed AIT and blood wings when I finished Air Assault school. It wasn't "hazing" it was tradition and I'd do it again.

[@commies.are.not.people]

Marines still blood wing we do it in the collar bone area because that's where our rank sits on our cammies. It's also called pinning

[@Jdavidson210]

I got my rank pinned on that way from PFC to SGT.

[@commies.are.not.people]

@@Jdavidson210 yut, get some

[@Brando_Broshi]

We had a similar thing in the Army at Fort Benning. After completing OSUT there, all us recruits are given our crossed rifles brass pins to signify our becoming infantrymen. The pins are placed over our hearts and then hammered in with a closed fist.

[@Jack-cc3qm]

Admiral Vernon is my great grandfather by several generations. They call it grog, because Admiral Vernon wore a grey grogram cloak. They nicknamed him "Old Grog" because of it. Sailors would often save their daily tot of pursers rum and then drink it all at once and get hammered. Admiral Vernon ordered that all rum was to be watered down to prevent this. It wasn't very popular. So they named the diluted rum after him as well. He was also infamous for his siege of Portobello.

[@MM-qz3eh]

sorry airforce bloodwings, nah more likly they pricked their fingers and called it bloody

[@What.was.my.name.againn]

Ive never seen nor heard of a airmen get winged. Blood wings was definitely a Marines and US Army tradition. Mainly Army, as the tradition originated from them. As a matrer of fact, I believe it originates from US Army paratroopers in WW2

[@not_your_business666]

Yeah the description in the video is quite odd. It's am army school where the majority of students are soldiers, not airmen or marines.

[@Splube]

It absolutely was done in the Air Force.

[@not_your_business666]

@@Splube OFC it was. Some airmen do go through the ARMY jump school. But the way it was presented in this video is misleading.

[@OP5redsolocup]

Blood wings specifically, probably. It was probably inspired by Marines blood striping new NCOs though

[@adam_p99]

I have a 1700’s Royal Navy rum barrel here at home. The British parachute regiment does something quite painful for initiation. They get naked and jump on lots of broken glass. Or slide across the floor.

[@brennancoffin8076]

My stepdad was 82nd airborne, 2-319th bravo bulls, and he got his blood wings after jump school, what was even cooler was that the soldiers we're allowed to have their families there with them and we got to see them get their blood wings at the ceramony, I think they called it blood pinning their but just as a nuance, and every soldier in the units hits the pin, and I mean everyone

[@phalanxk9]

Blood wings are still a thing . I got mine in 2009, my jump wings were punched directly into my chest. It’s more prevalent with airborne units these days in the army.

[@BigBenn2014]

My brother was in the RAF and once when temporarily stationed in Nebraska he was tasked with acquiring a piano to burn in celebration of Battle of Britain day.

[@somebawldy3789]

What hotel was it stolen from?

[@BigBenn2014]

@@somebawldy3789 😂😂… a school music room was easier to break into. 😳

[@modernxenophon1582]

Non-American here. We had a ritual similar to blood-winging. We also got our badges for finishing the training course without the things that close the spikes, though in our case the staff only lightly pushed the badges, they didn't really "hammer" them. We just got punched in the arm by the training staff. Except for the cadet who finished the training with the highest scores, he got hugs from all the training staff. Really tight hugs. With the spikes of the badge still exposed. Most of us did get small pin marks on our chest from this. I was genuinely disappointed when they didn't leave scars. I view this as an overall positive experience. I agree with the idea that hazing traditions, when done in moderation, can be fun and beneficial for building a sense of belonging. It really suck that some people make it physically dangerous, or so humiliating as to risk psychological damage.

[@MelissaDawns-dg9nw]

As for the west point one people sometimes put the body armor plates or books in the pillows to give the pillows an extra hit

[@SteamMasterGaming]

Talked to a vet from the Marines, he told me about blood wing and how he saw no issues with it.

[@Necracudda]

You earn your wings through blood, it usually happens when you get your wings be it jump wings but it can happen when you get a different set of wings.

[@sgtmayhem7567]

The tradition of Blood wings was started in WW2 and still practiced by US Army Paratroopers.

[@tremblingwheat2642]

Also 15 series ait graduates do it as well for some reason.

[@sgtmayhem7567]

@@tremblingwheat2642 Thanks for that interesting information. I had to Google the 15 series to find out it was Aviation, but I would guess it was Warrants and Officers doing it with their helicopter pilot wings.

[@GameTavern2224]

Leave it to a few idiots to ruin something as fun as a pillow fight

[@icenhorn4744]

My dad got blood winged several times, even up through the 2000's, and my own dad punched my brother, and my rans in too. (promotion, wings, decorated for something... good times xD)

[@tomaskloud5539]

Nice videos

[@gghanoj3679]

Very good video!

[@emten1584]

bro typed this after 1 minute the video was posted

[@gghanoj3679]

@@emten1584 yaaaaaaaaaasssss

[@h2ojr1]

in my 6 years of military experience, my favorite tradition has to be RAID SHADOW LEGENDS

[@Llamadosalvaje]

COOL TRADITIONS!

[@cadetfrazier5296]

Since you mention West Point, I think it'd be cool if yall did a video on the Military Academies as well as the Senior Military Colleges. There's a lot of cool history there, for example. Virginia Military Institute sent it's student body to go fight and win a battle in the civil war.

[@Spetsnaz690]

There's another strange tradition in the special forces of the Indian army. After a soldier completes his probation period and becomes a member of that special forces unit, he will be served rum in a glass and after drinking it, he will have to eat that glass and swallow it. Only after that they will be considered a part of that unit. Similarly, in the MARCOS of the Indian Navy, sailors have to cut their thumb and shed blood as a tradition when they finally complete their training.

[@Snapper314]

When I became an NCO (Non Commissioned Officer) in the Marine Corps my unit and the Staff NCOs that I greatly respected pinned on my NCO Rank. I was THE most awesome experience of my career to that point. But I don't expect anyone who didn't serve to fully understand. Semper Fidelis.

[@julienalonso22]

In rotc we would do “butterfly checks” to each other randomly, where we’d beat your ribbons or ranks into your uniform to “check” for backing. Sometimes we’d do it so hard it broke through the backing.

[@gatorman5547]

I had the privilege of watching a Netherlands premonition ceremony while I was stationed at fort bliss. The Sergeant who was promoted was baptized with two kegs of beef after his stripes were applied.