Marissa Gaeta and Citlalic Snell have become the first same sex couple from the US Navy to share a lesbian kiss.

The traditional dockside embrace was given a liberal makeover after the US government repealed the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on homosexuality earlier this year.

After 80 days away at sea, Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta, 23 won a raffle prize to be one of the first sailors to greet her loved one, 22-year-old Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell after disembarking at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia.

The couple described their landmark kiss as "a long time coming." Previously openly gay men and women had been barred from serving in the military.

Navy spokeswoman Ensign Sylvia Landis confirmed: "It's just news to some people because for them [gays and lesbians], they don't have to hide it anymore, I guess. It's just a first; that's why it's significant to some people."