WATCH: U.S. Navy Observes First Gay Homecoming Kiss

A California man and his partner made naval history by becoming the first male same-sex couple to kiss at a ship's homecoming.

After his first seven-month deployment in the western Pacific, Thomas Sawicki was welcomed back to San Diego by the embrace of his partner, Shawn Brier, reports local TV station KNSD.

Sawicki was chosen by a lottery system to have the ceremonial first kiss -- a tradition in the Navy -- after his warship submarine, the USS San Francisco, returned to its home port.

"Everyone was cheering for me when they announced it over email," Sawicki said. "Everyone was very excited, very supportive, very happy."

When asked by his shipmates how he would perform the duty, Sawicki responded that he would do it "like any other kiss."

Brier said he was a little more nervous about being on display.

"I don't want to screw it up and fall in the water or something," he said.

Watch an interview with the couple below.