Elite Navy unit is rocked by claims officers 'urinated in their own mouths' during shocking 'gargoyling' rituals and forced sailors to run nude while being hit with frozen thongs
- The claims came out of one of two teams in the elite Clearance Diving Branch
- Internal investigations discovered female staff were being sexually harassed
- Hazing known as 'gargoyling' - which forced people to urinate in their own mouth
- They were forced to run naked while their comrades hit them with frozen thongs
Shocking claims have come to light about disturbing hazing rituals, sexual harassment and service people forced to drink their own urine on an elite Navy unit.
The claims came out of one of two teams in the Clearance Diving Branch, with one based in Sydney and the other in Perth, comprising of around 200 service members.
Internal investigations discovered fraud, sexual harassment among female staff, and hazing rituals known as 'gargoyling' - when personnel are egged on to urinate in their own mouths.
Another bizarre ritual involved forcing people to 'run the gauntlet' where members run naked past their colleagues who whip them with frozen thongs.
Shocking claims have come to light of disturbing hazing rituals, sexual harassment and service people forced to drink their own urine on Clearance Diving Branch
The investigation and subsequent claims have found 'significant lapses in leadership' and an 'adverse culture,' the Weekend West reported.
It's understood that in 2016, the Navy carried out an internal investigation of the Clearance Divers, which uncovered cases of unacceptable behaviour between junior and mid-level members.
Following the 2016 investigation, claims of 'machismo culture' were made, as female personnel were sexually harassed.
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Around 20 members were then ordered to plead their case as to why they shouldn't lose their jobs.
But a legal review then found the investigation didn't stand up, and the then Chief of Navy Tim Barrett was forced to formally apologise to the accused members.
But cultural recommendations found the initial inquiry was upheld, so the Navy put down a lot of its findings to the result of poor training and environment.
Culture at the Clearance Diving Branch was cleaned up, under Rear-Admiral Jonathan Mead's direction.
Internal investigations discovered fraud, sexual harassment among female staff, and hazing rituals known as 'gargoyling' - when personnel are egged on to urinate in their own mouths
