Are you required to salute officers in ABUs or Blues while in PT gear?

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 12:28:58 -0400

I have an AMN in my class that was told by an officer that while in PT gear you didn't have to salute an officer in ABU'S. AFI 36-2903 says you do not.
Customs and Courtesies AFI states in uniform you do. PT gear is a uniform. I told her to salute anyway since it is a sign of respect to the officer. Thoughts?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2016 12:33 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 12:33:22 -0400

When in doubt, always salute.

Response by SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood made Oct 19 at 2016 12:34 PM

SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 12:34:22 -0400

I di not know about Air Force regs,but in the Army PT"s are a uniform and any known officer will be greeted and saluted.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2016 1:05 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 13:05:14 -0400

In the Navy I was never saluted by sailors in PT gear and never gave it a second thought

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Oct 19 at 2016 1:12 PM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 13:12:51 -0400

To paraphrase one of my favorite authorities on all things military (a tee shirt I see ever once in a while) - "Salute 'em all, let the Sergeant Major figure it out!"

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Oct 19 at 2016 1:25 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 13:25:11 -0400

As I recall Marines never saluted if they were uncovered. Since PT normally never includes a cover of any kind which would relieve the SM of saluting. A verbal greeting is certainly in order. If for some reason I was wearing my cover and also in PT gear, and the Col happened by I would damn sure salute.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Oct 19 at 2016 2:57 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:57:47 -0400

While PT gear is considered a uniform, it is not required to render a salute because you do not have a cover on your head. That being said though, if you were in a proper uniform and saw an officer in PT gear, you will still salute that officer.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Oct 19 at 2016 4:09 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 16:09:37 -0400

The NCO/OFFICER calls the formation to attention & salutes for the formation. NAVY/MARINES don't salute uncovered.

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 19 at 2016 6:04 PM

SFC George Smith — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 18:04:29 -0400

Used to there was an AR for it... and as Long as you recognized the officer the proper respect was due to be rendered... But now, I don't know and as to the Branch of service may very, and in Combat Zones Not sure what the Regs. say now...

Response by SGT Alan Dike made Oct 19 at 2016 6:20 PM

SGT Alan Dike — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 18:20:49 -0400

when conducting PT, we didnt salute.. if we were in formation but in PT's, we saluted. If we were walking between car and PT field before or after PT.. salute... PT uniform is an official uniform, and we salute in uniform.. It may not have been correct by regs, but I never saw anyone get corrected on it. Thats not necessarily a good measure though.

Response by SSG Robert Smith made Oct 19 at 2016 7:14 PM

SSG Robert Smith — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 19:14:55 -0400

As long as it doesn't interrupt your PTL session I would salute.

Response by Maj John Bell made Oct 19 at 2016 7:41 PM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 19:41:35 -0400

Air Force PT? Is it safe to salute while operating a golf cart? Sorry, couldn't help myself :)

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Oct 20 at 2016 3:47 AM

SSgt David Tedrow — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 03:47:29 -0400

In the Marines we never saluted in PT gear.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2016 12:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 12:44:41 -0400

you salute regardless of uniform

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2016 1:41 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 13:41:31 -0400

You answered your own question SSgt. Always go back to the regulation. AFI 36-2903 states, "7.1.15. Proper military customs and courtesies honoring the flag during reveille/retreat will apply (this means coming to full attention and rendering a proper salute when outdoors). Saluting due to rank recognition is not required when wearing the PTU/IPTU." The only branch of service that I know of that salutes in PT gear is the Army and that is based on AR 600-25.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Oct 21 at 2016 11:41 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 11:41:59 -0400

AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 1-1
7 AUGUST 2012
Incorporating Change 1, 12 November 2014
Air Force Culture
AIR FORCE STANDARDS
Para 1.6.1.3.4. States the following "Saluting due to grade while in PT gear is authorized, but not required." With that being said, as an officer I would have rendered the courtesy/respect back had someone taken the time and the thought process to render me that courtesy/respect of saluting me but would not have told them not to if they desired to provide that courtesy/respect to me.

Response by CPT Chris Newport made Jan 18 at 2017 9:56 PM

CPT Chris Newport — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 21:56:32 -0500

Yes except under combat conditions.

Response by SPC Daniel Melendez made Mar 23 at 2017 12:22 PM

SPC Daniel Melendez — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 12:22:32 -0400

Yeah we always saluted while in PT uniform. It was something we all did and never questioned.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2017 4:25 PM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 16:25:18 -0400

LCDR Wright, you never got a salute from someone in PT gear because that uniform has no cover. Army and AF salute uncovered, we don't.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2017 12:00 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 00:00:50 -0400

ALWAYS err on the side of caution. When you start not saluting, that's when you run into the 1Lt that goes nuclear when a 2Lt doesn't salute them, isn't that right CPT Private RallyPoint Member?

Response by SP5 Robert Ruck made Mar 28 at 2017 8:03 PM

SP5 Robert Ruck — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 20:03:30 -0400

No harm, certainly, in saluting. I can not for the life of me understand why there seems to be so much consternation over saluting officers.

Response by SPC John Parmenter made Mar 29 at 2017 8:56 PM

SPC John Parmenter — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 20:56:25 -0400

You don't HAVE to salute anyone. Just stay the hell out of the Armed Forces if you don't want to salute. At Wildflecken, West Germany (1960s), it was not uncommon for EM (& perhaps officers) of U.S. Army & West German Army to exchange salutes as a matter of military courtesy among Allies.

Response by SN Sean Willson made Mar 30 at 2017 7:00 PM

SN Sean Willson — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 19:00:03 -0400

According to Navy regs you do not salute while in PT gear as that uniform does not include a cover and sailors never salute uncovered except at the quarterdeck of a building.

Response by SA Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2017 1:20 AM

SA Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 01:20:59 -0400

I'm all up for the when in doubt salute but no you are not required to Salute an officer while in PT gear, although you should acknowledge their presence for example "Good afternoon sir/ma'am" just without a salute.

Response by SN William Norberg made May 25 at 2017 12:29 AM

SN William Norberg — Thu, 25 May 2017 00:29:08 -0400

You salute no matter what you are wearing. That is how I was taught in the Navy

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Jul 31 at 2017 7:54 PM

LCpl Cody Collins — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 19:54:53 -0400

When I was in the Marine Corps, while in PT gear. We didn't have to salute, or while in civvies. We snapped to attention.

Response by PO2 Paul Atkins made Jun 1 at 2018 4:54 PM

PO2 Paul Atkins — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 16:54:13 -0400

Only when in uniform

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 1 at 2018 5:58 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 17:58:24 -0400

Not a birdman- but Army regs state that you salute in uniform, and PT outfit is a uniform.

Response by Capt David Bays made Jun 1 at 2018 7:08 PM

Capt David Bays — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 19:08:59 -0400

When I was in the Air Force, we did not have PT gear because we did not have PT...

Response by COL Dan O'Rourke made Sep 30 at 2018 9:19 PM

COL Dan O'Rourke — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 21:19:54 -0400

Regardless of regs I have always saluted a senior officer whenever I recognize them as such regardless of uniform/situation. It’s the principle of the reg, and an effort to present yourself as the example to follow.

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Dec 28 at 2018 8:52 PM

LCpl Cody Collins — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 20:52:54 -0500

Better safe than sorry.

Response by MSgt John Taylor made Dec 29 at 2018 12:12 AM

MSgt John Taylor — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 00:12:57 -0500

I'd say no, not wearing a hat.

Response by SSG Red Hoffman made Jun 27 at 2019 7:36 AM

SSG Red Hoffman — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 07:36:10 -0400

To maintain a professional level and if you know the person and his rank, my advice is to salute. Try walking past a general and get away with not saluting...especially if the post CSM is witness to it. Sometimes it is better to be safe than sorry.

Response by SPC John Decker made Aug 2 at 2019 11:35 AM

SPC John Decker — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 11:35:33 -0400

The rank and the uniform demand the respect of a salute, regardless of what "uniform" is worn by the other SM.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2020 11:29 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 11:29:34 -0500

The salute is a show of respect: if you’re conducting so much mental gymnastics to avoid showing someone respect, it really shows something about your character. So many people overthinking it: per the AFI, saluting in PT gear is not required, but if you are in PT gear and recognize a superior officer, go ahead and salute... and if you’re an officer in PT gear and someone salutes you, go ahead and return it... no matter what the AFI says. And if you are an officer in PT gear and someone doesn’t salute you, let it slide.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2020 1:01 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 13:01:39 -0500

Air Force has PT? I didn't know that.

Response by SFC Bill Snyder made Jan 1 at 2020 2:40 PM

SFC Bill Snyder — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 14:40:26 -0500

Only if you took Army PT while in the Air Force, or the New Space Force, your excused.

Response by SSG Robert Lee Wellman Jr. made Jan 4 at 2020 2:09 AM

SSG Robert Lee Wellman Jr. — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 02:09:31 -0500

When i was in the army, if we were in pt gear performing pt we did not salute, but if you were walking to and from pt area and the officer was in pt gear and in your chain of command we would salute, if the officer was in pt gear and you are not aware that they are an officer, we didnt salute. However if in there uniform we would salute as long as we were not performing pt. In a combat zone it varied.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2020 3:29 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 15:29:53 -0400

If I recognize a superior officer, I salute, even if we are both in civilian attire.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2020 5:34 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 17:34:47 -0400

When I’m doubt, whip it out.

Response by MCPO Daniel Meffen made Apr 11 at 2020 8:56 PM

MCPO Daniel Meffen — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 20:56:07 -0400

In the Navy, at least when I was in 71-95, if you were not covered you did not have to salute!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2020 11:35 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 23:35:37 -0400

Not required. Exhibit A is the reference you provided and the customs and courtesies applies to uniforms like you said, but nowhere in the PTG section of the 36-2903 does it refer to it as a ‘uniform.’

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 12 at 2020 12:39 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 00:39:25 -0400

As a Marine it is such a foreign concept. We never saluted while in PT gear. We also do not salute while uncovered. We don’t salute indoors unless under arms or otherwise part of a ceremonial detail. The rest of y’all just throwing salutes like Oprah. Everyone gets one

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 12 at 2020 1:27 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 13:27:31 -0400

I concur, simply becsuse PT gear is an authorized uniform, we always did.

Response by SPC John Decker made Apr 13 at 2020 7:10 AM

SPC John Decker — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 07:10:26 -0400

It doesn't matter what uniform you are wearing. It matters if the officer is in uniform or not. The rank commands the salute. The person wearing the uniform earns it.

Response by PO1 John Crafton made Apr 8 at 2022 11:31 AM

PO1 John Crafton — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 11:31:38 -0400

Navy regs: If you're not covered, you do not salute. Navy PT gear has no cover. Therefore, no salute. I figure it's different for Air Force, but I never strayed close enough to the hotels to find out.

Response by Capt Gilbert Nelson made Apr 8 at 2022 12:29 PM

Capt Gilbert Nelson — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 12:29:19 -0400

The only time I was ever told to salute in PT uniform was at OTS. Then again they made you salute constantly just to get used to it.

Response by CMDCM Bev Brennan made Apr 8 at 2022 5:54 PM

CMDCM Bev Brennan — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 17:54:38 -0400

Not sure about the AF, but Navy boot camp 100 years ago told us "If in doubt, salute". If the AF considers PT Gear a uniform, a salute is appropriate as long as you're not "actively" doing your PT.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Apr 9 at 2022 4:16 AM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 04:16:10 -0400

If One Should Error,
Tiz Best To Error On Side Which Would Cause The Least Damage