Can anyone point me towards specific guidance regarding a Wetting Down?

CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 15:27:29 -0400

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2014 11:40 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 23:40:53 -0400

CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member What are you specifically looking for? It is your gig so do what you want. Invite who you want.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 18 at 2014 10:19 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 10:19:21 -0400

For the education of the RP community, would you care to explain more about what a "Wetting Down" is?

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2014 12:37 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 12:37:39 -0400

The wikipedia page is actually the best guidance for a weeting down. However "The Marine Officer's Guide" 6th Edition has a short paragraph under Marine Corps Social Customs paragraph 2215. Standing Social Customs. "Wetting Down your Commision. Whenever you are promoited, you are obligated to hold a 'wetting-down party.' At this affair, your new commission (which is usually displayed at some conspicuous but safe vantage point) is said to be 'wet down.' When several officers are promoted together, you may join in a single wetting-down party."

More info here: http://www.history.navy.mil/trivia/trivia01.htm#anchor253700

and here: http://www.goatlocker.org/resources/cpo/downloads/customs.pdf

Response by PO1 Ken Johnson made Sep 18 at 2014 12:40 PM

PO1 Ken Johnson — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 12:40:47 -0400

You mean that is still allowed in today's P.C. World? I'm amazed...

My PO3 Wetting Down was at the Coast Guard Club in Boston Mass. The ship was in the shipyards at Braswell Shipyards in South Boston. It was only option we had but many shipmates turned out for myself and my pal Chris Krol. Never had another one as I made PO2 at sea and PO1 at a Marine Base and didn't want to be with a bunch of drunk Jarheads.... it was tough enough putting up with them sober! Although working with Jarheads wasn't what gave me the heart attack....

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Mar 11 at 2015 5:13 PM

LT Jessica Kellogg — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 17:13:23 -0400

Reviving this topic to get a little more insight.
I thought it was something mostly done at O3 and above, but now I'm hearing that it's done for O2 also. Is that common?
Also, as someone who doesn't drink, is there an alternative to getting your coworkers drunk?
Thanks!