Posted on Sep 15, 2014
Can anyone point me towards specific guidance regarding a Wetting Down?
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Posted 11 y ago
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CWO4 (Join to see) What are you specifically looking for? It is your gig so do what you want. Invite who you want.
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CWO4 (Join to see)
I'm specifically looking for the history, procedure, and common improvisations. Other than the wiki page, I can't seem to find anything about it. Unfortunately, its not in the Service Etiquette, Customs and Traditions, Mess Night Traditions, or Naval Officer's Guide.
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PO3 Keith VanAllen
Hello, in the early 19th century the term "wetting someone down" meant buying them a drink. All I could find about an officer's wet down was that when they were promoted it was customary for them to pay for their shipmates drinks in celebration of their new pay-grade. Many US Naval vessels have their own individual customs usually associated with ship history so for example, a wet down on the USS Whidbey Island would be
unique due to it's own matriculation over the years. Any way, good luck.
unique due to it's own matriculation over the years. Any way, good luck.
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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
More info here: http://www.history.navy.mil/trivia/trivia01.htm#anchor253700
and here: http://www.goatlocker.org/resources/cpo/downloads/customs.pdf
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CWO4 (Join to see)
Thank you Maj Michael Ankrum. Am I overthinking it? Request how you condcuted your Wetting Downs.
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Maj (Join to see)
The way I have done them in the past is to throw a party for my friends. I pay for the booze. Traditionally the money you spend should be ones months difference between your old pay and new pay. You can do it at a bar and just open a tab for your buddies.
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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!
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!
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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....
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....
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For the education of the RP community, would you care to explain more about what a "Wetting Down" is?
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PO1 Ken Johnson
Sharing you celebration of making rank by hosting an open bar for your shipmates... that would be the "in a nutshell" version of the explanation.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
The original reason for "Wetting down" was because your old stripes were sort of tarnished from age. (Ever notice that older gold stripes are duller then new?) Back in ages past, you only added one new stripe and it was shiner then the rest. In order to make the cororsl match more, wine or other liquid was pored over the newer stripe as all hands celebrated and the newer stripe came to look more like the older stripes. (Of course it may have been that the celebrants were unable to focus sharply and tell the difference.)
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