Santa and his elves were born into the Order of the Blue Nose, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic tweeted.
The command, which coordinates shore-based naval personnel and shore activities in the Mid-Atlantic region, added in an image attached to the tweet that the order is a special designation reserved for personnel who have crossed the Arctic Circle above 66°34 N. After completing assigned activities and a line-crossing ceremony, Sailors are welcomed into the Order and given a certificate, the image says.
According to Navy tradition, sailors crossing into the Arctic Circle enter the realm of Boreas Rex, King of the North. To be accepted, those sailors have to complete a series of challenges.