Wetting-down is a raucous ceremony for newly promoted officers observed in the U.S. and Royal navies, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The U.S. Marines, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps, and U.S. Public Health Service officers also participate in this custom as homage to their naval heritage.
Modern wetting down parties may or may not include some version of, or homage to, this ritual, such as pouring beer over the officer's head or forcing them to jump fully-uniformed into the ocean.
In an episode of the American TV series Major Dad, 2nd Lt. "Gene" Holowachuk (Matt Mulhern) is promoted to 1st Lt. and is, therefore, obliged to throw his fellow officers a wetting-down ceremony.
David wants to go out and celebrate and Timothy McGee (Sean Harland Murray) says she means a wetting-down, but Ziva thinks he is referring to a wedding because of the language barrier.