CPT Private RallyPoint Member 50196 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>&lt;p&gt;I know the anwer to this question, but I have yet to see it happen.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The same can be said for just the opposite, &quot;Officer&#39;s hands are full (carrying a box, or whatever), and SPC, SGT, SSG Joe fail to salute because they&#39;re thinking is that the officer&#39;s hands are full so he can&#39;t return the salute, so I won&#39;t salute!&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thoughts!?&lt;/p&gt; 2014-02-03T13:01:20-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 50196

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>&lt;p&gt;I know the anwer to this question, but I have yet to see it happen.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The same can be said for just the opposite, &quot;Officer&#39;s hands are full (carrying a box, or whatever), and SPC, SGT, SSG Joe fail to salute because they&#39;re thinking is that the officer&#39;s hands are full so he can&#39;t return the salute, so I won&#39;t salute!&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thoughts!?&lt;/p&gt;

2014-02-03T13:01:20-05:00 2014-02-03T13:01:20-05:00 SSG Andrew Dydasco 50228

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I&#39;ve had my hands full and given the greeting of the day to officers and they render a quick hand salute. &amp;nbsp;Some do, some don&#39;t. &amp;nbsp;And vice versa; I still always salute an officer even if their hands are full, wait for them to pass or return greeting before dropping the salute.

2014-02-03T13:37:42-05:00 2014-02-03T13:37:42-05:00 SFC Michael Hasbun 50229

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The person who is capable of the salute does so. The person who&#39;s hands are full does not. Either way, the courtesy should be extended. Perhaps a respectful nod and verbal greeting would be appropriate if your hands are full?

2014-02-03T13:38:34-05:00 2014-02-03T13:38:34-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 50268

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Ryan, why you recycling questions from BOLC??? JK lol

2014-02-03T14:22:22-05:00 2014-02-03T14:22:22-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 50346

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>AR does not require it, but If I am able to salute I do, even if the officer cant return the salute. NOT REQUIRED does not mean strictly forbidden!&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AR 600–25&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;i. Salutes are not required to be rendered or returned when the senior or subordinate, or both are—&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;(1) In civilian attire.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;(2) Engaged in routine work if the salute would interfere.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;(3) Carrying articles with both hands so occupied as to make saluting impracticable.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;(4) Working as a member of a detail, or engaged in sports or social functions where saluting would present a safety&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;hazard.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;(5) In public places such as theaters, churches, and in public conveyances.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;(6) In the ranks of a formation&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

2014-02-03T15:47:35-05:00 2014-02-03T15:47:35-05:00 LTC Private RallyPoint Member 50381

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The times I have been Saluted by a Soldier with keys or a smoke in their saluting hand I have refered them to an NCO for corrective action.

2014-02-03T16:52:10-05:00 2014-02-03T16:52:10-05:00 CMC Robert Young 50602

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Salutes are required of juniors regardless of the capacity of the senior to return the salute.

2014-02-03T21:54:06-05:00 2014-02-03T21:54:06-05:00 Maj Walter Kilar 50646

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>&lt;div&gt;If a junior member has his/her hands full I would salute because it shows that I acknowledge the junior member&#39;s verbal greeting and I respect him/her as a fellow service member. It also sets an example for the junior member that respect between military members is unquestionable and is not conditional. Simple.&lt;/div&gt;

2014-02-03T22:46:45-05:00 2014-02-03T22:46:45-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 75385

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am big on customs, it was ingrained in me the first days as a Marine. &amp;nbsp;If your hands are full you render the greeting of the day, the other service member will salute and render the greeting. &amp;nbsp;I think a lot of these customs and traditions have gone out the window in the past ten or so years, I think it is time we get back to it.

2014-03-13T17:15:04-04:00 2014-03-13T17:15:04-04:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 76059

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Every soldier has run into this problem at least once, and my solution was to salute only when both parties were capable. If I had both hands free, but an approaching officer didn&#39;t, I would not salute but I&#39;d be damned sure to make sure he received the greeting of the day and knew I acknowledged both him and his rank.&amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I did this because many times when I was a brand new PV2 I rendered the salute regardless, and it clearly caused discomfort and unease on the officers part. I&#39;ve never been corrected by anyone for going by my earlier mentioned solution.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;

2014-03-14T18:04:55-04:00 2014-03-14T18:04:55-04:00 SPC(P) Delcina Myers 76236

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Tricky question, Sir... Although when someone salutes an officer, Reg says that you can&#39;t release your hand until the salute is returned... Being an insufferable amount of time if the officer is power hungry and hates the lower enlisted... So, if an officer is carrying something, I would be polite, not salute so that way I wouldnt have to stand at the POA all day until said person renders the salute in return, but I WOULD, however, give the greeting of the day...&amp;nbsp;

2014-03-15T00:11:13-04:00 2014-03-15T00:11:13-04:00 MAJ Private RallyPoint Member 76265

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>&lt;p&gt;1LT Ball,&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Glad you brought this up because it is one that most people tend to mess up. If you read 600-25 (the regulation covering salutes and courtesies) on the top of page two it covers when not to salute.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;A salute is not require to be rendered or returned if: &lt;/p&gt;&lt;font face=&quot;Times New Roman&quot; size=&quot;2&quot;&gt;&lt;font face=&quot;Times New Roman&quot; size=&quot;2&quot;&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;LEFT&quot;&gt;(1) In civilian attire.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;<br />(2) Engaged in routine work if the salute would interfere.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;<br />(3) Carrying articles with both hands so occupied as to make saluting impracticable.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;<br />(4) Working as a member of a detail, or engaged in sports or social functions where saluting would present a safety hazard.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;<br />(5) In public places such as theaters, churches, and in public conveyances.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;<br />(6) In the ranks of a formation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I don&#39;t know how many times I will be heading towards a meeting with hands full of papers and someone renders a salute. I will then return the greeting, without saluting, and then educate them on the regulation. Now you know. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_25.pdf&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;">http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_25.pdf&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</a>

2014-03-15T00:52:58-04:00 2014-03-15T00:52:58-04:00 Capt Private RallyPoint Member 85023

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Anybody that gives me the greeting of the day is getting saluted, whether they can salute back or not.

2014-03-25T19:42:40-04:00 2014-03-25T19:42:40-04:00 SFC Michael Hartwig 88649

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As regulation states Sir all you need to do is give the greeting of the day back. &amp;nbsp;I have had the opposite happen and felt bad that I couldn&#39;t salute but gave the greeting of the day and the Officer saluted back.&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

2014-03-29T23:48:29-04:00 2014-03-29T23:48:29-04:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 88832

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You are never wrong when rendering a salute. &amp;nbsp;However, if someone doesn&#39;t have the ability to return the courtesy, it can prove awkward. &amp;nbsp; The greeting of the day without the salute still shows that the Soldier is respectful and trying to do the right thing, but giving consideration to the fact that their superior has his or her hands full. &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;Some Soldiers just feel uncomfortable not saluting their superiors and will do it anyways. &amp;nbsp; It&#39;s a non-issue for me regardless of whether they salute or use the greeting of the day. &amp;nbsp;Whether you can return the salute or respond with the greeting of the day, it doesn&#39;t matter so long as you do one of them.

2014-03-30T07:46:48-04:00 2014-03-30T07:46:48-04:00 SSgt Private RallyPoint Member 90365

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Imagine if you were at a Navy/Army Football game and were required to salute as a player,&amp;nbsp; coach and fan.&amp;nbsp; lol&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Carry the ball with one hand and salute with the other.&amp;nbsp; ha

2014-04-01T00:21:41-04:00 2014-04-01T00:21:41-04:00 SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member 90601

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>&lt;P style=&quot;MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt&quot; class=MsoNormal&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;&lt;FONT color=#000000&gt;&lt;FONT face=Calibri&gt;Sir, a Chief once said anything you tolerate becomes the standard.&amp;nbsp; The right thing to do is for the officer or the enlisted member is to render a salute, with hands full the verbal greeting is used in place of the salute.&amp;nbsp;The two individuals rendering the greeting and salute or not doing either are setting the example for any and all that see the exchange.&amp;nbsp; Thus their actions are degrading or enhancing customs and courtesies.&amp;nbsp; In short yes the enlisted and officer in your scenario should salute.&lt;?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = &quot;urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office&quot; /&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/P&gt;

2014-04-01T10:19:56-04:00 2014-04-01T10:19:56-04:00 CWO2 Shelby DuBois 91432

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As O&#39;s go... Jr O&#39;s should be held to the same standard as Enlisted... Salute when appropriate. If you are an O and don&#39;t know then you&#39;d better get out your Basic books and do a refresher.&amp;nbsp;My expectation is that Officers know these very basic tenets of being a leader. &amp;nbsp;And I agree with the 1LT.. a lot of these &#39;traditions&#39; may have been set aside in the past few years but the Marines are making a concerted effort to get back to the customs and courtesies a professional military needs to ensure proper discipline. But the word &quot;discipline&quot;&amp;nbsp;is taboo with much of todays generation of kids who feel they should be equal to all without earning their stripes. Gonna be a bumpy ride going forward.&amp;nbsp;

2014-04-02T09:01:43-04:00 2014-04-02T09:01:43-04:00 SSG Anthony Schoepp 91535

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have always saluted officers even if they cannot return it (sometimes with amusing results). The <br />salute is a tradition of honor that needs to be upheld. Just because <br />your hands are full does not mean that you get a pass. Even worse are the personnel, enlisted AND officers alike that will purposely change their direction to avoid saluting each other. I have called out both before in a respectful manner but many young Soldiers, again enlisted and officer alike, feel they can bend the rules to make it more convenient. There needs to be more focus on respect, customs and curiosities as this will help bring discipline back into focus. &lt;br&gt;

2014-04-02T10:44:05-04:00 2014-04-02T10:44:05-04:00 1SG Private RallyPoint Member 91543

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I&amp;nbsp;feel that&amp;nbsp;(dare I say it) common sense pervails here Sir. As has been said the ones whose hands are not full should render the salute as normal and should give the greeting of the day. I have done this numerous times upon approaching officers who have their hands full and they always return the greeting, once they do then I drop my salute. When approaching and my hands are full I give the greeting of the day and some will still salute, and some only return the greeting of the day.

2014-04-02T10:50:16-04:00 2014-04-02T10:50:16-04:00 Maj Tom BangKnudsen 91873

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>No the actual act of raising your hand and arm to perform the salute is what should responded to not gesture of acknowledging a senior officer. &amp;nbsp;Now the junior ranking must render a salute even if he knows the senior cannot return the salute.

2014-04-02T15:43:45-04:00 2014-04-02T15:43:45-04:00 Sgt Matthew O'Donnell 95586

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If the hands of either service member are full, no salute is rendered, it is actually inappropriate to salute someone or expect a salute from someone with their hands full. The proper greeting of the day is fine.&lt;br&gt;

2014-04-07T08:12:56-04:00 2014-04-07T08:12:56-04:00 CW2 Jonathan Kantor 96507

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>This has never happened to me.&amp;nbsp; I don&#39;t think I would because that would technically be me saluting someone junior to me and that could only be an enlisted Soldier.&amp;nbsp; That being said, I think that since you are capable of saluting, you should do so.&amp;nbsp; I will need to consult the reg to be sure... or just ask an NCO.&lt;br&gt;

2014-04-08T10:46:03-04:00 2014-04-08T10:46:03-04:00 SGT Michael Smith 100358

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Yes. AR600-25 Chapter 1, paragraph 5.b.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; <a target="_blank" href="http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_25.pdf">http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_25.pdf</a>

2014-04-12T18:45:43-04:00 2014-04-12T18:45:43-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 102203

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Or like I&#39;m my case a 2LT tried to chew me because I didn&#39;t salute him, even though I said good morning Sr, since I had my hand full. So I told him &quot;I&#39;m really sorry Sr could you hold this bags for me?&quot; So I gave him part of my stuff, saluted him, he looked at me confused saluted back I got my bags and walked away.

2014-04-15T04:41:33-04:00 2014-04-15T04:41:33-04:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 109114

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>&lt;p&gt;Sir,&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;No matter what traditions and courtesies are in place for a reason.&amp;nbsp; Not too long ago (2000-2006) I was assigned to 4-1FA.&amp;nbsp; The command policy was regardless of the activity or current mission in the field(at base) or garrison we as Soldiers, NCO&#39;s, and Leaders will address one another in a matter befitting professionalism and discipline.&amp;nbsp; Bedrock of any tight knit unit is th erespect of one another if your hands are full drop or place what you have at your feet and accept my salute just as if I were busy and concede to you.&amp;nbsp; It is not a matter of what is convenient it is a matter of right and wrong; their is no grey area on this although a majority may disagree.&amp;nbsp; As long as the environment allows and doesnt cause dmage to property or personnel is it really that hard to stop, pause for a few moments, and render or return a salute.&amp;nbsp; I guess I would ask you this?&amp;nbsp; As an officer with all this in your hands either at morning or evening would you salute the flag during the reveille?&amp;nbsp; If youi answer yes then the same mentality and courtesy should be applied anywhere anytime a Servicemember respects you and renders you a salute.&lt;/p&gt;

2014-04-23T14:47:38-04:00 2014-04-23T14:47:38-04:00 SSG Kevin McCulley 117882

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Return the physical salute with a verbal one.

2014-05-03T15:35:26-04:00 2014-05-03T15:35:26-04:00 Cpl Michael Mosley 380290

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You are required to salute an Officer doesn&#39;t matter if their hands are full. A salute to an officer also requires a return salute the the greeter. That&#39;s the way it was when I was in the Marine Corps in the early 90&#39;s.

2014-12-21T13:51:18-05:00 2014-12-21T13:51:18-05:00 SSG Tim Everett 390812

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Irrelevant tangent to this conversation: I was walking behind battalion headquarters on my way to the motor pool with a heavy load in both hands. Headquarters Company Commander comes out of Battalion. I give him the greeting of the day. He stops dead in his tracks, says &quot;where&#39;s my salute?&quot;<br /><br />I let the silence hang just long enough to be questionable, said &quot;I guess you can&#39;t hold this for me,&quot; dropped the heavy stuff on the ground, saluted, and got the eff out of dodge before he could read my nametape.

2014-12-29T05:10:08-05:00 2014-12-29T05:10:08-05:00 MSG David Gagnon 390821

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Its like when you think you need a haircut, you do, salute show respect.

2014-12-29T05:34:47-05:00 2014-12-29T05:34:47-05:00 SA Harold Hansmann 404433

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Yes, regardless if the officer has their hands full or not.

2015-01-06T11:36:43-05:00 2015-01-06T11:36:43-05:00 CPL J Sannizzaro 6768333

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Still show the proper respect and salute. Officers are never required to return a salute to the beat of my understating. I was taught to hold the salute until it was returned, acknowledged, or the officer or you completely passed by. But that was in the 1980’s.

2021-02-22T18:38:03-05:00 2021-02-22T18:38:03-05:00 CPO Jeffrey Bohemier 6812826

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>YES...YOU SHOULD SALUTE IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. Senior officers are supposed to be setting the example for junior officers, etc... Just because someone else’s hands are full doesn’t give you a “GET OUT OF SALUTING” pass.

2021-03-10T19:34:28-05:00 2021-03-10T19:34:28-05:00 CPT William Jones 6825903

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>A salute is the standard greeting between military people and comes from ancient times. If other member approaching has full loaded hands does not stop the other from rendering the proper greeting. The hands fool person simply renders verbal greeting. No problem at all

2021-03-15T17:16:25-04:00 2021-03-15T17:16:25-04:00 CSM Tony Blair 7479558

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Short and sweet, you salute no matter what, if the officer can’t return it continue on, you did what you were suppose to do!!!!

2022-01-17T04:35:23-05:00 2022-01-17T04:35:23-05:00 CPT Leo Coleman 8259002

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I always did. He&#39;d have saluted if he could have.

2023-05-01T11:41:02-04:00 2023-05-01T11:41:02-04:00 2014-02-03T13:01:20-05:00