Elite Membership

            An excellent example of this type of folk group comes from the United States Marine Corps.  The elite scout-sniper is an occupation that few achieve. Training is rigorous and achievement hard won. Those who pass are given the title of HOG (Hunter of Gunmen). Along with the title, new members receive a gift filled with superstition—a “hog’s tooth.” This object is, “a sniper bullet through which a hole has been drilled and a necklace of cord attached” (Burke 2012, 31). Along with being a symbol of membership to the group, it also works as a lucky charm. The belief being that the bullet worn around the neck represents the bullet that is meant for the wearer, so as long as the hog’s tooth is worn, the wearer will survive (Burke 2012, 32). These objects become a part of the HOG identity. When one former Marine was returning from a deployment and was asked to remove and leave his hog’s tooth he refused and was about to pay for a civilian flight home, but as the person requesting the surrender of the object saw the importance of it to the Marine, he let him keep it (Burke 2012, 32). This example illustrates how esoteric views of group membership, in this case the HOG identity, are expressed to those outside the group through the use of a superstitious tradition (Sims and Stephens 2011, 36).

            Another example stems from the shaving habits of Thud pilots during the Vietnam War, as discussed earlier. While the origins of this particular superstitious behavior—handlebar moustaches—is unclear, it was an obscure practice prior to 1966. Within two years, it seems every pilot sported this distinguished look and it became a statement of identity (MacKenzie 2017, 787). Pilot Wayne Warner explained, “We believed that a good handlebar moustache would help ward off evil spirts and let you return safely home” (MacKenzie 2017, 787). Thus, for pilots wishing to express their connection to the group, a mustache became a requirement. 

           These types of rituals help create identities because members of these groups chose and work to become a part of them. As Sims and Stephens discuss, “Choosing to identify with a group often involves or requires deliberately expressing a clear sense of connection to the values, practices, and beliefs of a particular group. This process is a bit different than simply joining a group because one shares an interest or skill with other group members. It means taking a position that says “this is who I am” rather than “this is what I like to do” (Sims and Stephens 2011, 43). So while many different types of superstitions are found within the military, with some shared across disciplines, those in specialized fields create unique group identities that are reinforced through superstitious behaviors. They share unique lived experiences that mark them as belonging to specific folk groups both within the group itself and from outsider perceptions.