Posted on Feb 3, 2014
As an officer, should you salute someone junior whom gives you the greeting of the day, but hands are full and can not render a salute?
50.5K
170
65
5
5
0
<p>I know the anwer to this question, but I have yet to see it happen.</p><p>The same can be said for just the opposite, "Officer's hands are full (carrying a box, or whatever), and SPC, SGT, SSG Joe fail to salute because they're thinking is that the officer's hands are full so he can't return the salute, so I won't salute!"</p><p>Thoughts!?</p>
Posted in these groups: 
Officers
Officers
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 35
24
24
0
The person who is capable of the salute does so. The person who'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?
(24)
(0)
MSgt Gilbert Flowers
SFC, I agree with you in practice but doesn’t that officer have the same obligation to keep that hand clear just as enlisted are instructed? (In uniform and not in the field) As an aside, in 16 years I’ve never found myself in uniform, hands full and unable to render a salute as required.
(0)
(0)
13
13
0
I am big on customs, it was ingrained in me the first days as a Marine. If your hands are full you render the greeting of the day, the other service member will salute and render the greeting. 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.
(13)
(0)
10
10
0
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.
(10)
(0)
(1)
(1)
MAJ(P) (Join to see)
What he's saying is that one should not salute someone with a smoke in their saluting hand...completely disrespectful. If it were me, I would switch (keys smoke etc) items to my left hand, so I could salute correctly.
(5)
(1)
(4)
(0)
6
6
0
<div>If a junior member has his/her hands full I would salute because it shows that I acknowledge the junior member'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.</div>
(6)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
MAJ Miller, for referring those Soldiers to their NCO's for having objects in their hands when they rendered a salute.... kudos. It irritates me the lack of discipline, and contempt Soldiers try to get away with showing just to look "cool" in front of their peers. Thank you for taking the time to correct it.
(2)
(0)
SSgt (Join to see)
CPT Walter K and SSG Bubba B. Aside from being mandated, is the issue of respect. Respect for the tradition and the person.
(0)
(0)
5
5
0
I've had my hands full and given the greeting of the day to officers and they render a quick hand salute. Some do, some don't. 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.
(5)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
<p>Well it's bad that I have to say I'm surprised that you've actually gotten some return saltues; good for them knowing what's right. As far as those that do not, have you ever stopped him/her to talk with them in order to correct them. Trust me when I say I know it's difficult to give corrections to someone much more senior, especially in an on-the-spot correction such as this. But if done in the correct manner, I think they'd be receptive, as it's likely just a situation of them not knowing any better. Your job as a Soldier and future NCO is correct us new LT's in a situation such as this. Plant that seed early, and that young officer will appreciate it in the long run, trust me. (That is if they are a true leader and example to the "Military Profession")</p>
(7)
(0)
SSG Andrew Dydasco
I've never personally corrected an officer in that situation, Sir, but there was one time when someone else (an NCO) had noticed it and that NCO politely corrected the 2LT and he apologized for not knowing and rendered a salute.<br><br>I've also noticed it's usually the officers that are in my unit that know me that will render the salute if my hands are full, but the unfamiliar ones do not. That leads me to believe that most people ARE aware of what is SUPPOSED to be done, but the respect is often one-sided if the officer doesn't know who the junior is.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
You are never wrong when rendering a salute. However, if someone doesn't have the ability to return the courtesy, it can prove awkward. 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. Some Soldiers just feel uncomfortable not saluting their superiors and will do it anyways. It's a non-issue for me regardless of whether they salute or use the greeting of the day. Whether you can return the salute or respond with the greeting of the day, it doesn't matter so long as you do one of them.
(3)
(0)
1
1
0
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 "where's my salute?"
I let the silence hang just long enough to be questionable, said "I guess you can't hold this for me," dropped the heavy stuff on the ground, saluted, and got the eff out of dodge before he could read my nametape.
I let the silence hang just long enough to be questionable, said "I guess you can't hold this for me," dropped the heavy stuff on the ground, saluted, and got the eff out of dodge before he could read my nametape.
(1)
(0)
CPT William Jones
The captain was way out of line and should be corrected. I always rendered a proper by the book salute. No half assed hand waved around but always with upper arm parallel to th deck upper arm straight to finger tip ant tip touching headgear properly
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
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.<br>
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
<p>1LT Ball,</p><p>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.</p><p>"A salute is not require to be rendered or returned if: </p><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><p align="LEFT">(1) In civilian attire.</p><p>
(2) Engaged in routine work if the salute would interfere.</p><p>
(3) Carrying articles with both hands so occupied as to make saluting impracticable.</p><p>
(4) Working as a member of a detail, or engaged in sports or social functions where saluting would present a safety hazard.</p><p>
(5) In public places such as theaters, churches, and in public conveyances.</p><p>
(6) In the ranks of a formation.</p></font><p><br></p><p>I don'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. </p><p><br></p><p>http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_25.pdf</p></font><p><br></p>
(2) Engaged in routine work if the salute would interfere.</p><p>
(3) Carrying articles with both hands so occupied as to make saluting impracticable.</p><p>
(4) Working as a member of a detail, or engaged in sports or social functions where saluting would present a safety hazard.</p><p>
(5) In public places such as theaters, churches, and in public conveyances.</p><p>
(6) In the ranks of a formation.</p></font><p><br></p><p>I don'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. </p><p><br></p><p>http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_25.pdf</p></font><p><br></p>
(1)
(0)
Sgt Matthew O'Donnell
It's a really dangerous area but its called common sense. If you need to carry an item, and your left hand is free, you're wrong. If your job or task requires two hands you're fine. <br>
(1)
(0)
SGT(P) (Join to see)
SPC DelArroyo, you're over thinking it. The following sentence includes examples, and the reg is intended to cover activities which would detract from a professional image. Carrying items which require both hands is not unprofessional.
(1)
(0)
CPT Jacob Swartout
I've always had the habit of carrying my item(s) in my left hand so that my right hand is free to return a salute. If I'm carrying a heavy object that requires both hands, I will return the greeting of the day which is covered by regulation
(0)
(0)
CPT William Jones
It doesn’t say that an unemcumbered soldier does not salute the other it says if hands full you are not required to salute
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
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't, I would not salute but I'd be damned sure to make sure he received the greeting of the day and knew I acknowledged both him and his rank. <div><br></div><div>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've never been corrected by anyone for going by my earlier mentioned solution. </div>
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google