Posted on Dec 14, 2020
SGT Intelligence Analyst
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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?
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LTC Clayton Hill
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No officer in his or her right mind would expect a salute. A polite greeting and/or explanation is sufficient.
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SMSgt Steve Neal
SMSgt Steve Neal
4 y
You are skipping over a few dozen other genders... Your new diversity / inclusion training needs a refresh... LOL
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LTC Clayton Hill
LTC Clayton Hill
>1 y
I appreciate your jest.
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SCPO Ken Badoian
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Idiot question, how long have you been active service, "hands full drop the junk in your hands and salute, yea you would actually pass and say good whatever, sir, mam, etc." What was the CSM, oh yea a administrative E9 - must be either an ego trip or reserve. YOU answered your own question and have the gonads to tell the CSM it. If he disagrees take it up the chain.
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SP5 Paul Riley
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Even after I became an NCO I used to try and avoid saluting officers, sometime I would lean over and act like I was retying one of my laces, sometimes I would act like didn't see them. But occasionally when I did salute an officer it would be because I respected an officer.
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SGM Gerald Fife
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A binder and a mug. Lets see a mug has a handle. Put the binder under your left arm and hook your index finger in the handle of the mug and salute. Obviously someone didn't learn from his first time. This all comes under lessons learned. This sounds like one of those soldiers that carries things in both hands just so you don't won't to salute.
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CPT William Jones
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I just tried this afternoon being out after 6 yrs active duty as an officer from enlisted first. I got a full heavy 4” binder and full Coffey cup put binder under left arm cup in left hand walke down hall towards full length mirror. Tendered my smartest OCS salute with no problem. Miss or returned it and I continued walking
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SSgt Daniel d'Errico
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Normally, since both hands are completely occupied, no you're unable to properly salute an officer. But if that folder wasn't the size of a M-84 in thickness or the length of an Abrams tank and your coffee mug/cup, you must switch that mug/cup over to your left hand and render a snappy salute. As for the CSM biting your head off, getbuse to it anytime you see any CSM and you fail to salute an officer.
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SSG Richard Brue
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There were only three times I got away with out salute an officer. In the field, in combat, when my right hand was injured. For a whole year I did not have to salute any one. For the first 2 months, I had a cast on and for the next year, I had to wear a brace on my hand. That got me into a little bit of trouble after it came off, because I had forgot to salute one of my LTs, but he understood why and just gave me a little bit of grief. The best thing I can tell you to do, start carrying your binder in a black or green back pack and carry your mug in your left hand.
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PO2 Mike Vignapiano
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Edited 4 y ago
A binder and a mug? Really? SMH. As an E-5 who is an Intelligence Analyst, you definitely should know much better. Being the second time, your command is being VERY lenient or you're very lucky.
Using your argument, I can have an envelope in each hand and not be required to salute.
The spirit of AR 600-25 is that if you are carrying articles that REQUIRE both hands, such as 2 cases of printer paper that cannot be carried with one hand, or a stack of binders that, although light in weight, would fall if you remove one hand. In your case, ONE binder is easily placed under your left arm, the mug transferred to your left hand. Then you salute!
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COL Military Police
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The AR states it correctly and you did it right. The CSM obviously did not deserve to be wearing the stripes of an E-9! PS What did the CPT do during this exchange you had with the CSM?
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PO2 Mike Vignapiano
PO2 Mike Vignapiano
4 y
Sorry Col, but if that's the case, I can have a simple binder in each hand and not be required to salute. That won't fly. The binder is easily placed under the left arm. The mug should ALWAYS be in the left hand when out and about so your right hand is free to salute officers.
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CPT William Jones
CPT William Jones
4 y
Col I believe you are incorrect a binder and a coffee mug do not make a two handed load. A mug can be held with one or two fingers in handle and binder on same left side proper thin for Cpt to do while CSM makes his corrections is keep his mouth shut. After sm is gone is the proper time to discuss anything about the correction he wants to from an attaboy to an wash—t award.
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SN Jay Perry
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I have had my ass chewed for failing to do so....though I have also scene guys transfer their child into their right arm to prevent them from having to salute, as I have also seen people to move into the skin of the ship (you don't salute under cover). I have been WRITTEN UP FOR FAILING TO RENDER A SALUTE WHILE WORKING ON A SHIPS ANCHOR (defined as hazardous duty charges were dropped)!
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SCPO Ken Badoian
SCPO Ken Badoian
>1 y
BS Seaman ...when youleave quartes you salute your division ofice. You should know that you only salute once a day all officers below tthe CO. He or she plusall flag officers get saluted always. Seamen Perry stop slinging the BS. MMCS(SW)(SS) E8 or non USN or USMC types, Retired.
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