Avoiding Saluting an LT; What do you do when you see this?

I don't even know why you would avoid a salute. I used to enjoy saluting and never went out of my way to avoid doing so. It didn't matter the age or rank of the officer and I can't even imagine why it would.

Why are you wearing sunglasses indoors?

Butters

reiterated sentiment

You should have gotten in his face sir. As an NCO I have gotten in the face of a fellow enlisted who failed to salute. Respect for rank is what makes the chain of command work.

Likewise, it works for officers who refuse to return the salute.

To be honest LT, I never avoid any officer, even a brand new 2LT. Mind you, I was a PFC. If I did that, and an NCO saw me avoid that said 2LT, I would definitely be corrected. It would be a bad example set for me if I saw that same NCO avoid that one 2LT that I got counseled about that I initially avoided. What I feel is this: We are all taught from basic training to salute any officer that we see. As an NCO, he/she should set that example. Anyone who avoids an officer should be corrected.

My LT and I used to go to the chow hall for breakfast together and I was always amazed at how soldiers always became bird watchers when they saw an Officer approaching.

When I in-processed to Fort Campbell in 2009 the CG of the 101st ABN DIV (AASLT) came over to the reception battalion one day to say hello, among other things. One of the things he emphasized was to always keep our heads on a swivel and maintain situational awareness at all times. As example he provide us the following wisdom, which I'm forced to paraphrase. He said "Soldiers, if one day you see me strolling up and I see you immediately break contact then I couldn't be prouder. You kept your head on a swivel, took notice of the incoming threat, and took steps to live to fight another day." He went on to talk about the fates of those he managed to sneak up on.

Sir, the moral of the story is to not fault this NCO, but rather applaud him/her for their highly tuned senses and situational awareness. Be proud of their efforts to combat complacency because always remember, complacency kills! Also be proud that you are apparently enough of a BAMF to merit an expeditious tactical advance to the rear.

I think all of my generation is guilty of this. We're walking around, see shiny on a collar, and maintain a 10-pace radius to avoid saluting. I personally only did this when I knew for a fact that a portion of my uniform was out of regulation (in actuality, I avoided everyone I could in this situation). Often times, I was on my way to correct the error, but the fact that being told twenty times in two minutes to correct a known issue gets annoying, thus leading me to in those instances, to avoid higher ups. Any other time, I'd continue on my merry way and render the appropriate courtesy.

Personally, I just think it's funny and keep going about my business. It's no skin off my nose if someone wants to take some kind of bass-ackwards route to their car to avoid saluting me.

Personally i find it more entertaining to set them up so they end up saluting like 40 privates in a row. :)

Enought said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTRZRRlA4sw

It's a disgrace, yes the NCO has more experiences and most likely fit to lead but that LT is the future leader, he should be mentored and helped. Not resented and disrespected.
He is a higher rank, that means respect. You don't have to like him, you don't have to agree with him, but you have to respect and salute him .

If you were feeling particularly snarky, you should have altered your path to ensure that he had to salute you. That would have been funny to watch....

I once saw a 2LT walk all around and run to avoid saluting a 1LT!!

That would have definitely been in the top 10 tool bag moments if you ended up doing that. I'm glad you didn't "force a salute".

Anyways, saluting is a sign of respect to the person who renders it and the person who returns it. It's not just for the officer.

Some soldiers feel as if they do not owe a new LT that respect, or saluting. Some soldiers enjoy watching new LTs get furious about it. It's a strange world we live in. (for the record, I've never been one of those soldiers.)

When at Officer Basic Course I had a drill sergeant put his head down to ensure that the brim of his hat covered his face as he walked by myself and one of my classmates. I did not say anything but thought well there is a great leader who will teach my new Soldiers the same disrespect. It is that plain and simple. Disrespectful. You salute the rank not the person so just get it over with.

Sorry to hear this happened to you Sir. To sum up most simply, a salute does not honor the recipient alone but also brings respect upon the soldier as well. In honoring the traditions and respecting the rank we honor and respect each other.

Now it goes both ways; I have seen TONS of officers either slow down (or even stop walking) and even take different paths to avoid a salute.