The Ceremonial Passing of the Raccoon: A U.S. Navy Squadron Tradition You Never Knew You Needed
When you think of Navy traditions, you might imagine solemn ceremonies, painstaking procedures, and a whole lot of discipline. But let’s be honest, sometimes the best traditions are the ones that come with a side of unusual charm and unexpected fun.
Enter the VRM-30 Titans, the U.S. Navy’s first CMV-22B Squadron, who’ve just given us a new reason to smile. They recently made waves with a reel featuring something you’d never expect: the ceremonial passing of a … raccoon?
Yes, that’s right. A living, breathing raccoon.
Meet Remy: The Raccoon Who’s All About Snuggles
Before you start questioning reality, let’s set the scene.
VRM-30 had just moved into a brand-new hangar, but their initial digs were, let’s just say, a bit rough around the edges. Infested with raccoons? Check. So, rather than letting the situation get them down, the squadron decided to embrace it.
Enter Remy the Raccoon, courtesy of Critter Encounters, a wildlife sanctuary and live animal education company that provides up close, animal presentations for preschools, elementary schools, summer camps and now, the U.S. Navy.
The reel captures the squadron’s unique tradition with Remy being passed around in a lighthearted, ceremonial manner.
Know of Weird Military Traditions? Share ‘Em With Us!
Now, we’re curious: what other odd and entertaining U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard traditions are out there? Know of any Navy Squadron customs? We know every branch has its own quirks, and we want to hear all about them. Respond to our post and drop your stories and photos in the comments or tag us on social media. Just remember, keep it PG-13—this is a family show!
A huge shoutout to Jen Jordan (@jenjordanphotography) and @sjyeargin for capturing this gem of a reel and giving us all a reason to laugh. Give the VRM-30 Titans account a follow and show them your support!
Celebrating Traditions with the Navy League of the United States
At the Navy League, we’ve been all about celebrating traditions since 1902, thanks to the backing of President Theodore Roosevelt. As a nonprofit dedicated to supporting America’s sea services—the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine — we take pride in our mission. We boost the morale of sea service personnel and their families with national and council-level programs, advocate to educate the public and Congress on the critical role of our sea services in national defense and prosperity and inspire young people through programs that showcase the values of the sea services.
But back to traditions… The Navy League is dedicated to supporting and celebrating the rich traditions and accomplishments of our sea services. From the serious and solemn to the lighthearted and fun, every tradition tells a story about the values and spirit of our naval forces. We love highlighting these moments that showcase the unique character and camaraderie within our Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard communities.
If this sounds like a mission you’d like to join, consider becoming a member of the Navy League and join one of our 200+ local councils around the world.