Military Mascots (Real and Anthropomorphised) - a split thread

[Edward Campbell]

Did they actually have one as a mascot?
I wouldn't call her a mascot, per se...... 

At least one OC A Coy (it was Art Hunter, for those old enough to remember that name) in 2RCR back in the 1960s, put a rooster on his company pennant and dared anyone to say anything.

(I cannot find a picture of it anywhere ...)

Art began his military career in the RCN where "cock o' the walk" apparently means (meant in the 1950s) something, and he used to say that his company, A Coy, as also the 2RCR "cock o' the walk." The soldiers like it and, again, dared anyone to disagree.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

And when the rations run out, you can always put your mascot on the BBQ  ;D

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt! ;D

 

[quadrapiper]

Art began his military career in the RCN where "cock o' the walk" apparently means (meant in the 1950s) something, and he used to say that his company, A Coy, as also the 2RCR "cock o' the walk." The soldiers like it and, again, dared anyone to disagree.

Not sure if the term is current in the RCN - it's been retained with the Sea Cadets as a top division award at corps and training centres.

A Cock of the Walk trophy for NRDs (massive cup, silver fighting cocks, etc), instigated by Adm Mainguy, has (sadly/luckily) fallen to usage by the Sea Cadet corps named for him. Not sure why that concept of inter-unit competition (especially if focused on readiness, ability, etc.) hasn't been continued.

 

[jollyjacktar]

No, they still have the Cock of the Walk in Halifax.  For team sports amongst formation units.

 

[quadrapiper]

No, they still have the Cock of the Walk in Halifax.  For team sports amongst formation units.

Excellent. Hadn't heard (or seen) the term in use around Esquimalt.

 

[George Wallace]

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt! ;D

Tell me......Not Princess Louise?

 

[jollyjacktar]

Excellent. Hadn't heard (or seen) the term in use around Esquimalt.

Yeah the winning unit gets to have the trophy for display in their case for a year until the next round.  The results are published in the Trident.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Tell me......Not Princess Louise?

Nope. Alice II, our goat and mascot.

He got to knock me into the boards at the stables.

I got to make goat curry.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

 

[jollyjacktar]

Nope. Alice II, our goat and mascot.

He got to knock me into the boards at the stables.

I got to make goat curry.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

I don't know.... cold curry isn't nice.

 

[FSTO]

Excellent. Hadn't heard (or seen) the term in use around Esquimalt.

Cock of the Walk is used in Esquimalt

 

[quadrapiper]

Cock of the Walk is used in Esquimalt

What's the context? Just hadn't picked up on it anywhere.

 

[Blackadder1916]

. . . they still have the **** of the Walk in Halifax.  For team sports amongst formation units.

**** of the Walk is used in Esquimalt

Since that term is used for competitions at the main naval establishments, I guess that "Pig of the Port" is reserved for all other locations.

 

[FSTO]

What's the context? Just hadn't picked up on it anywhere.

The same as the east coast, ships teams hockey, curling, golf, etc champs for the season.

 

[McG]

I have no doubt someone somewhere is scheming more ways to not focus on things that matter.

It seems there is always someone looking to get accessories to compensate for something else.

When it comes to animals, those get supported form the unit fund.  I understand that here is a history to the Strathcona mounted troop and the Vandoo goat, but I do not think that the troops of a unit without a mascot wants to reallocate money that otherwise is intended for them.  I could be wrong, but I don't know a soldier who would sacrifice a battalion smoker each year to pay for a battalion lamb on parade (maybe if it were in a stew pot, but that again is different).

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

I was under the impression the Strats horses were paid for by donors.

 

[McG]

I was under the impression the Strats horses were paid for by donors.

They are non public property.  The money can come from donors, but it also comes from mark-up at the canteen and kit shop.  It is one reason the Strats are amongst  the best of NPF profiteers. 

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Since that term is used for competitions at the main naval establishments, I guess that "Pig of the Port" is reserved for all other locations.

"Pig-O'the-Port" is not a prize or trophy, like the "Caulk-O'the-Walk". It is a game played on an individual ship: the naval version of "Dinner-for-Schmucks".

And we used to have the Caulk-O'the-Walk in the Naval Reserve also until the mid-eighties decade of darkness, when it was decided that for budgetary reasons, inter-unit sports (which used to consist in a "Summer Regatta" and a "Winter Regatta" - basically like summer games and winter games - were too expensive and did not contribute to the operational efficiency of the units. No consideration was given to the contribution to unit morale, internal naval reserve cohesion and collaboration, or to encouraging physical fitness in reservists. 

 

[jollyjacktar]

"Pig-O'the-Port" is not a prize or trophy, like the "Caulk-O'the-Walk". It is a game played on an individual ship: the naval version of "Dinner-for-Schmucks".

Have never seen it done, heard of it in the past.  I think it's cruel and shameful to treat people like that, especially if they don't fit into society's beauty image.

 

[Blackadder1916]

Sometimes, folks are too quick to discount the value of such things.  Just because something doesn't put bullets down range, doesn't mean it has no role to play.  Regimental mascots have long served to boost morale and unit cohesion.  They often provide something to focus on when times are tough.  In short, they help others put bullets down range.

True, but in this day and age, when someone comes up with an idea for a "mascot", this is what they are thinking about . . .
http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/navy-life/youth-mascot.page

The Royal Canadian Navy’s mascot, SONAR, who is based on a Newfoundland dog, was "recruited" into the navy in 2010 as part of the navy’s centennial celebrations.

. . . rather than this . . .

" Ships Company with mascot marching & saluting Captain -- eyes right. Sunday divisions. "

" Mascot of the camp. "

 

[jollyjacktar]

So sad and true.