Golden shellback

The term Golden Shellback refers to a person that has crossed the equator at the the 180th meridian (international date line), they are often also refered to as Sons of Neptune. This is a popular tradition in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard. The term is often used as an initiation rite. The tradition has no regard for rank but does follow a leveled system. A Golden Shellback is actually a person who is not only a shellback, (a person who has crossed the equator) but is also a Gold Dragon (a person that has crossed the international date line). People who have done neither of these feats are often refered to as pollywogs. Being named a Golden Shellback is viewed as a major accomplishment in such circles and in fact the Navy has a patch for both shellbacks and golden shellbacks, that depicts Neptune battling a sea serpent with his trident. Originally it was created as a test for seasoned sailors to ensure their new shipmates were capible of handeling long rough times at sea, but in mordern times has become a rite of passage, the tradition follows that the shellbacks must prepare the vessle for the arrival of Neptune and the Royal family and his party (usually including his first assistant Davy Jones and her Highness Amphitrite and often various dignitaries). This tradition, in modern times, is also being carried out on many U.S. merchant ships but without the oversight of military justice and can often get out of hand.