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 >1 y ago
Responses: 634
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If an officer does not understand that your greeting was in place of the salute due to your situation, then they are in wrong. When in doubt follow the regulations and inform whomever has issue that respectfully you are following the regulations per your training and education. Some trees just never learn that the ground is what supports them!!
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CPT William Jones
The CSM was simply continuing this sm training and even about a mistake made at least one time before pe sm own stating it
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You're 100% wrong here, and as a Sergeant you should know better. A coffee cup in the left hand and the binder under your arm, leaves the right hand free for saluting.
"Hands Busy"is using a fire hose, or something that can not be easily carried in another way.
"Hands Busy"is using a fire hose, or something that can not be easily carried in another way.
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Yes. Even if they see you struggling, put the binder under your left arm and transfer the mug to your left hand and salute. Seems like you would have figured that our after the first ass chewing. Wow.
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You know what the real answer is but you just want to justify your lack of common sense .. sorry to be blunt
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And binder and a mug .. hmmmn yeah that’s more of an excuse not a reason to render proper respect
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Yes, but if the things in your hands could fit, however uncomfortably, in your left hand, you're out of compliance. No reaching at your keys with your coffee in your other hand to avoid saluting people.
Why would you, anyway? "We salute the rank, not the man".
You being respectful is about YOU. It's for YOUR character. Don't let anyone lower your standards.
Good luck.
Why would you, anyway? "We salute the rank, not the man".
You being respectful is about YOU. It's for YOUR character. Don't let anyone lower your standards.
Good luck.
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I was always taught never to carry anything in my right hand. And why are you carrying a mug outside?
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From the “Army Officer’s Guide” 53rd edition it states: “Salutes are not rendered by individuals when carrying articles with both hands, or when otherwise so occupied as to make saluting impractical. Still, a “Good Morning, Sergeant” or “Good Afternoon, Sir” is manifestly appropriate”.
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I was never called on that. Once in a while as a training NCO (instructor) I'd have hands full and would encounter a LTC, Colonel, or even a General and when they saw me start to try to get right hand free they would wave me off. But I did make the verbal greeting. That was at a training facility where we had mostly higher ranking officers and some foreign officers.
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The easy answer would be to tuck the binder under your left arm, shift the mug to your left hand and salute. If that's not practical at the moment, smile a bit and say "Good afternoon, Sir." The acknowledgement is the important aspect; that you're not just ignoring him.
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