Posted on Jul 9, 2014
SFC Steven Borders
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Out of curiosity how many members have saluted the wrong rank working on a Joint Base or Assignment. With me working on JBAB (Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling) it has happened a couple times. I find it hard to recognize the Navy ranks sometimes at a distance. And found myself saluting a Chief. I have always followed the rule "when in doubt whip it out". Most just laugh and we carry on about our day. Would love to hear some stories.
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MAJ Kelly Hays
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Edited >1 y ago
When I was a HM3 (PO3) at FT. Sam Houston, TX. in San Antonio, TX in 1977 I had all of the lower enlisted ARMY saluting me all the time! My retort was "I know I'm in the NAVY, but you DON'T have to salute me!" I was confused by the ARMY enlisted being in Khaki Uniforms thinking....These can't all be E-7 or above can they?!
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CPO George Disbrow
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Attended Corrections Specialist Training at Ft. McClellan as a Petty Officer 2nd Class Builder in the Seabees. At the time the uniform was OD Green Utilities with soft cover bearing the rank insignia of 2 chevrons with the USN Eaglet. Got saluted so many times going to and from the training from base personnel assuming I was an Officer. Had several Chiefs and even a Master Chief go through the same thing until they started a Rank awareness class for the lower enlistees.
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CPT Bob Mason
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In 1970, assigned to the Washington DC area with the 6th Cav, I found my self sitting in mess next to a soldier in an unfamiliar uniform sporting two stars on each of his shoulder boards. He clearly seemed too young for a general officer. Fortunately there was no reason or opportunity to salute because I later found out he was a LT in the Lebanese Army.
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Sgt William Von Ohlen
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Funny, USMC is the 2nd Senior Service, but falls under the Department of the Navy. During boot camp at PI, we had the learn all the Navy Rarks and Insignia as well as other services. So it was usually not a problem, but as stated, “when in doubt, whip it out”.
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SSgt William Blanshan
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Back in my day, we had to learn ALL the ranks from ALL the branches of the military (including the Coast Guard) and how they corresponded to our own in the Corps. I guess the pussies at the top have decided that it's just too hard for snowflakes to learn?
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SSG Russell Moon
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As a Sergeant on NAB Little Creek I saluted what I thought was a Navy Lieutenant Commander. Getting closer, I saw he had Master Chief anchors on his jacket. Before I can say anything he asks if I know about Navy ranks. I told him either you are an officer or enlisted because your cover doesn’t match your jacket. He took off his cover and realized he was wearing his OIC’s cover. He removed the pins, thanked me for noticing and we went on our merry way.
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SFC James Corona
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No. They saluted me!
Once after reporting to my CO
I accidentally picked up his LT hat and put it on. On my way to the mess hall all these guys were saluting me. I thought they were pulling my leg. One guy stopped me and told me I had LT hat.
I QUICKLY RAN BACK, APOLOGIZED AND Grabbed my Spec 4 cap.
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SGT(P) Jody Hall
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Was there ever a SM that did not make that mistake?
I would say that SM was never ever deployed with other services.
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SGT Trish Woodbury
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Boot camp 1975 saluted my Command Sargent Major. All the scrambled eggs on her cover and the Sun was behind her. She was kind as she corrected me. I was slightly embarrassed.
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SPC David Young
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1993 at FAMC in Denver, CO. I was there for 3 days so my daughter could have eye surgery. There were personnel from all 4 branches. 'Not sure but I think I saluted a Navy Chief by mistake. He just laughed. Oops!
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