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

Did you talk to this NCO and mentor him? Did you get all of the facts or only assume he was avoiding a salute?

Very simple solution to fix this problem. Just walk over to his car and stand there until he arrives. He will not only walked an extra distance to get to his car, but will still end up rendering a salute once he make it to his car.

Once he makes it to his car, engage in conversation about why he decided it to be best to avoid saluting you.

This may also be an indictment of that particular 2LT.

I'm sorry that happened to you LT. Its not about you. Its about him. He obviously doesn't get it. I can't say that there were never officers that I didn't want to salute, but it had nothing to do with their rank. I would never have gone out of my way.

Not sure why someone would hide like a child to avoid a salute especially an NCO. If it was as blatant you say, I would definitely have hurried to his car and ask him for directions to the BX or something. This way he not only has to salute you, but he has to get out of his car as well.

When I was a Captain serving at NSB Bangor, it was common for sailors to take evasive action or avert their eyes to avoid rendering a salute. One of the Sergeants in my company saw a sailor do this with me. He snatched up the sailor and asked me if I had a minute. He then placed the sailor in front of me and explained to the sailor that when the sailor averted his eyes and went out of his way, that I would form a false impression that I was a god and that sailors would burst into flames if I were to let my eyes and attention rest on them too long. He further explained that the last thing we needed on base was officers that believed they could set enlisted men afire simply by meeting their eyes and saluting them. All three of us had a good laugh, the sailor apologized, I accepted the apology, we exchanged salutes, and life went on. Marines like a little friendly messing with sailors. It caught on with the Marine NCOs to get sailors to render salutes to both Navy and Marine officers. It took about six months but the military courtesy improved greatly. The exchange of salutes is common courtesy amongst brothers and sisters at arms. When the senior returns that salute he is showing that he recognizes and respects you as well. If people do not want the military customs and traditions they should join the US postal service.

Funny story. As a new Airman, I attended follow-on training at a base that also conducted pilot training. As such, there were plenty of young lieutenants around.

Back then, during our first weeks out of basic, we were pretty restricted and required to be in uniform anytime we left our quarters.

To entertain ourselves, a bunch of us new Airmen would wander around base "hunting" officers to salute.

It was silly, but in retrospect, the game was borne of excitement over our newly earned privilege to render the hand salute. If we all remembered that saluting is an honor granted only to our military fraternity, I think this problem would disappear.

Unfortunately, but usually not unfounded, Lieutenants have a stigma of knowing nothing but acting like we know everything and are above everyone else. Most people who would deliberately go out of their way to avoid saluting don't make it very far in the military. However we as lieutenants also need to be aware of the stigma attached to us and make sure that we don't come across that way. It's the only way the stigma will change.

I love young and new officers. I don't try to avoid them. I really take pride in showing them what is right.

I had no problem saluting the freshest of Ensign's to the saltiest of Admiral's. Sir, you have earned your rank and title and are deserving of the salute. This NCO you speak of has issues. Not a good way to show leadership. Carry on L.T. Thank you for joining up!

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.