This is the sea-going equivalent to barracks justice in the army. This is when the enlisted men, who live on the ship's lower decks, punish a thief or wrong-doer among themselves, usually by beating him or forcing him to run a gauntlet. The terms, sock party, blanket party, and falling down a ladder, have the same meaning.

Personally I never saw, heard, or took part in anything such as this. Anytime such a punishment was merited it would be totally unofficial. Also if the person being punished were to complain about such an act then those who took part would be in serious trouble. We did have one person in Boot Camp who was so far behind the rest of the company in their abilities that this might have been a possible way for us to deal with it, but!!!!! We were warned by our Company Commanders, “that this was real life and not some movie.”

Acts such as this were once common place, however times have changed and the military does not allow such acts.