Title: Traditions – Cherry Pie
Informant info: Matt Menezes. Informant attends Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH as a United States Army Veteran (2004-2013) . Informant was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division and deployed twice to Afghanistan (2007-08, 2008-09) as well as spent two years as a drill sergeant for basic combat training (2011-13).
Type of lore: Customary/Verbal Folklore, Tradition, Ritual, Prank
Language: English
Country of Origin: USA
Social / Cultural Context: Informant was interviewed at Dartmouth College. Informant was asked about any traditions during their time in the military. Informant discussed the initiation ritual in which a paratrooper would have to fill their pockets on the first jump.
Associated file:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/11vv5a27kzlycgq/Dartmouth_Folklore_Collections_Matt_Menezes.mp4?dl=0
Transcript:
Item: [I have recorded the item exactly how it was told to me in the interview]: I don’t know if this still goes on, but one of the traditions is usually since I was a paratrooper and one of the things they usually make you do is on your first jump in the division is they make you fill your cargo pockets full of cherry pies.
Informant’s comments: Informant smiled widely remembering this tradition.
Collector’s comments: Initiation rituals such as this one are very common throughout many different military units as well as groups of all kinds world wide. A common activity that is shared as a common experience by all members of the group.