Posted on Dec 14, 2020
Do I need to render a salute to an officer when my hands are occupied?
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This is the second time I’ve gotten reprimanded for this situation. I was walking with a binder in my hands, and a mug in the other hand. I walked past a CSM and a CPT, greeted both as I was unable to salute. CSM stopped me and demanded that I drop everything to salute the CPT. AR 600-25 states that I am not required to render a salute if I am carrying articles with both hands. What is the right answer?
Customs and Courtesies
Saluting
Officers
Enlisted
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 630
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hand whatever you are holding in your right hand to the CSM and salute......
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SGT Lance LeBerte
Maj Gail Lofdahl - hadn't thought about it in years but I still do the same, born out for almost 30 years and still try to keep my right hand free
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SGT Michael Wells III
I would like to just say that this LTC might not have the best interest of an enlistedman in mind here. Firstly no. Article 117 of the UCMJ paves the way for the exception of rendering a salute (safety, performing a task, etc) which covers carrying something like equipment in both hands as being an exception.
Hand something to the CSM so HE can't salute, though? Sorry "Sir" but I'm afraid I'd be a little more concerned with upsetting the CSM and getting HIM in trouble. I've generally found that when you have your CSM's back, he has yours. Never met an officer without "Warrant" in front of it where that was true.
Hand something to the CSM so HE can't salute, though? Sorry "Sir" but I'm afraid I'd be a little more concerned with upsetting the CSM and getting HIM in trouble. I've generally found that when you have your CSM's back, he has yours. Never met an officer without "Warrant" in front of it where that was true.
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SGT Keith Smith
Most CSMs I know would not take a mug so a soldier could salute. If he did he would pour it out before he handed it back. He would say this is corrective training.
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Stop carrying stuff in your right hand. Was I the only one taught that the right hand was unofficially forbidden from carrying stuff? =o)
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Suspended Profile
Common sense is sometimes so rare it almost qualifies as a super power.
PFC Clifford Kelley
SFC Kelly Fuerhoff I was at the hospital and on crutches when a butter bar went off on me for not saluting. Unknown to him there was a Brigadier General walking up behind him. After the General got through I promise that LT never did that again. There are always exceptions to every rule! Even in the military.
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TSgt Andrew Harper
Air Force Major and Chief would ask if I needed help carrying the junk, instead of being shitheads about it.
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The right answer is not to put yourself in those situations if possible. Seriously.
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MSG (Join to see)
Capt George Wolf - Good one.....but as much as I LOVE coffee, it would have been in my other hand.
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SGT Michael Wells III
I detect maybe a slight bit of anger here. I'm assuming some unit spaced themselves out by about 20 meters and walked past you single-file causing you to keep your salute up for 20 mins?
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PO2 Stephen Cline
SGT Michael Wells III - I got chew out by an ensign for not rendering a salute when I had books under both arms. Courtesy and understanding works both ways.
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LT David Hodges
When I was an ensign, I would not have expected someone to drop everything to salute me. In fact, at no time would I have expected that.
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