## Retired Navy Veteran Exposes Lifetime Trauma from Navy-Sanctioned Hazing
Robert Graham, a retired U.S. Navy veteran, has shared a harrowing account of the lasting physical and psychological damage inflicted by Navy-sanctioned hazing rituals, specifically the “Shellback Initiation,” also known as the Crossing the Line Ceremony. This traditional naval event, celebrated when a ship crosses the equator, involves rites intended to test the seaworthiness of sailors. However, Graham’s experience reveals a far darker side, one marked by brutality and degradation that extends far beyond the bounds of acceptable tradition.
Graham, who served in Fighter Squadron One (VF-1) during Desert Storm, witnessed and documented extreme hazing during the Shellback Initiation. He personally experienced and filmed severe physical and psychological torture, beginning hours before the officially sanctioned ceremony, in direct violation of Navy regulations prohibiting pre-initiation activities. This footage, initially presented to ABC PrimeTime in 1997, was inexplicably shelved by the network. However, it later aired on European channels RTL and Inside Edition, exposing the disturbing reality of the hazing to an international audience.
Graham’s account details the devastating consequences of this sanctioned abuse. His video evidence, which includes footage of a superior officer stating that pre-initiation activities are forbidden, directly contradicts the then-Secretary of Defense William Cohen’s claim that such activity was not widespread. This evidence, coupled with Graham’s own harrowing experiences, has had profound and enduring effects on his life.
The fallout from his participation in the Shellback Initiation led to a wrongful termination from his teaching position in Germany, resulting in significant financial losses (over €600,000 in potential income) and ultimately contributing to his wife’s suicide. He now grapples with PTSD, directly linking his trauma to the Navy-sanctioned hazing. He has recently contacted the House Armed Services Committee, pleading for recognition of the lifelong repercussions of these rituals.
Graham’s story serves as a stark warning about the long-term consequences of military hazing and the need for increased accountability and reform. His unwavering determination to expose the truth, despite facing significant personal hardship, highlights the urgent need for a serious reevaluation of these deeply entrenched traditions within the Navy and other branches of the military. The Gateway Pundit has reached out to the Navy for comment.
(Note: The extraneous headlines and unrelated news snippets have been removed to focus solely on Graham’s story and maintain the article’s coherence and quality.)