Posted on Jul 9, 2014
Anyone saluted the wrong rank working on a Joint Base?
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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.
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 302
Good afternoon SFC Steven Borders. Excellent post. Thank You for sharing this. Excellent question. It can be very confusing if a Military member works on another base. Unfortunately, I started out as active duty Navy and had no issues im recognizing enlisted and officer ranks. To include warrent officers. But, when I switched to active Army it became a little confused. One instance would be when I was at a MEPS and an Army Capta came out for a briefing. At first I thought She was going to introduce Herself as Lieutenant so and so. Caught Me off guard when She addressed Herself as Captain so and so. Ironically, when I used to be Army Reserves, I had an advantage of recognizing the ranks. Caught an E-8 (Senior Chief Petty Officer) off guard one time by addressing Him as Senior.
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While attending the University of Washington under the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program (E5/Officer Candidate), I demoted an Air Force Colonel by saluting his eagle, but saying, “Good morning Captain.” I woke up three steps later that he was wearing Air Force blue, Not Navy blue. I kept on moving away.
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I will admit to once having been a bad boy and getting into an NCO club on an AF base because noone there understood Navy ranks. I was an E4 and the NCO club of the time started access at E5.
As a rationalization, the NCO club had a kitchen and I was traveling.
As a rationalization, the NCO club had a kitchen and I was traveling.
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When we first got to Afghanistan I used to get saluted and called Colonel for at least a week. Mostly by O1-O3s, almost all of them Air Force. I was a Navy E6 at the time and they were saluting me and the E3s and E4s. They didn't understand the chevrons on the eagle of our rank signified we were enlisted. Happened when we first got there and when our replacements came in.
The funniest was the E4s that were making fun of the officers that had no idea what they were doing while we were in the line for chow at Bagram. The Command Master Chief was in line behind them and asked if they were having a good time. A lot of red faced E4s all at once.
The funniest was the E4s that were making fun of the officers that had no idea what they were doing while we were in the line for chow at Bagram. The Command Master Chief was in line behind them and asked if they were having a good time. A lot of red faced E4s all at once.
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Back in the early ‘90’s, there wasn’t a CPO, SCPO, not MCPO on NAS North Island that I haven’t saluted.
Most of those salty dogs just returned my salutation with their own, “Carry On, sir!”
Most of those salty dogs just returned my salutation with their own, “Carry On, sir!”
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I was stationed at Herbert Defence Complex in New Orleans in the early 80's. That place was crawling with Navy Chiefs with shiny rank insignias on their lapels. I saluted a bunch of them until I got the system down. Better safe than sorry.
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I was supporting an Army Reserve MATC at Fort Bragg during Desert Shield. No matter where I went on post I was constantly being saluted by officers and enlisted alike. Finally I asked one soldier why he saluted me. He was slight embarrassed, but replied that the next time I was at the post exchange look at the photo of the post commander. I did and at a distance, we could have been twins. I also found out that civilians thought they could tell active duty soldiers for reservists. A civilian from the Pentagon entered our MILPO where I was at the copy machine. He asked me where the reserve unit was. I replied that he had found it. He replied, "But you don't look like a reserve!" What are reserists supposed to look like?
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We all look for "Shine" on the collar, and that triggers a salute. The Navy screws that up for all of us.
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In the BDU days, it was difficult to differentiate SPC and LTC collar insignia. I was in the AF, in Italy, and nearly saluted a "seasoned" E4, or two.
Later, in my Army days, I breezed right by a young LTC at Air Assault. He was the in charge of the course, and not impressed that he was blown off by a butter bar. I mean, the "sir" looked like he was about 12 and was playing with a dog in the parking lot. Pretty sure I was one of the first ones he DQ'd out on the lanes. *face palm*
Later, in my Army days, I breezed right by a young LTC at Air Assault. He was the in charge of the course, and not impressed that he was blown off by a butter bar. I mean, the "sir" looked like he was about 12 and was playing with a dog in the parking lot. Pretty sure I was one of the first ones he DQ'd out on the lanes. *face palm*
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.
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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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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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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