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?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 634
The correct answer is whatever that CSM says I’d the correct answer. Not a hill worth dying on.
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Well what I would say. If u got in trouble for it once that should have sent u a message. And having read regulations b4 I would say go back and read them cause my guess is u didn't read what constitutes as being an article in the Army.
I grew up in a military family. My dad was a lifer. Meaning that when he said something u not only listened and did exactly what he said or u got in trouble for lazy listening and that hurt.
When I went in I was offerered OCS and I asked some people about it and one told me to check out the regs. read them and tell them what I was going to do.
Well one phrase really stood out. THEY CAN TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION UR SCHOOLING. And that is exactly the way it was worded. That Can means they do not have to so u have to really look at the way things are worded and what each word Can or Could mean.
And I would tell u that if ur still carrying things in both hands ur a fool and if ur going to keep pushing it ur going to start losing money and maybe more.
Oh and like people have given advise to guys that are rejoining the military after being out for a spell. While at basic keep ur head low, do exactly what they tell u and like my dad said to me when I went in, do not volunteer for anything while in basic or they will work u to death.
When ur in Perm Party its not necessarily a bad thing to get noticed but it better be for doing things right and right now ur name is getting around in a bad context. And no matter if the regs back u like u think they do or not. When u have to work for Others they may only have heard ur a trouble maker and u will get treated as such.
I grew up in a military family. My dad was a lifer. Meaning that when he said something u not only listened and did exactly what he said or u got in trouble for lazy listening and that hurt.
When I went in I was offerered OCS and I asked some people about it and one told me to check out the regs. read them and tell them what I was going to do.
Well one phrase really stood out. THEY CAN TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION UR SCHOOLING. And that is exactly the way it was worded. That Can means they do not have to so u have to really look at the way things are worded and what each word Can or Could mean.
And I would tell u that if ur still carrying things in both hands ur a fool and if ur going to keep pushing it ur going to start losing money and maybe more.
Oh and like people have given advise to guys that are rejoining the military after being out for a spell. While at basic keep ur head low, do exactly what they tell u and like my dad said to me when I went in, do not volunteer for anything while in basic or they will work u to death.
When ur in Perm Party its not necessarily a bad thing to get noticed but it better be for doing things right and right now ur name is getting around in a bad context. And no matter if the regs back u like u think they do or not. When u have to work for Others they may only have heard ur a trouble maker and u will get treated as such.
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Sgt, I can tell you this. If I were passing you by, I would not expect a salute, but what I would expect would be a friendly greeting. I can also tell you this. Some folks are overtaken with glittering gold that their critical thinking skills become non-functional. To require any enlisted person to drop the materials they are carrying just for a salute flies in the face of good leadership principles. I wonder if the CSM would have jacked the SM of the Army? I doubt it. I would have jacked the CSM for poor leadership and asked him to mentally reassess the situation. Ask the CSM if he would take whatever you were holding in your right hand and then render a salute, recover your gear, and thank the CSM. However, this is a teachable moment for you both regarding good leadership.
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This is basic Military courtesy, crossed with common sense. All you had to do was free up your right hand for a couple of seconds to render an Officer the courtesy that he or she is due. You're an NCO in the Army and you don't understand that?
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Okay this is a non-issue. I get getting an ass chewing once, but twice? Last time I checked a binder and a cup could both be carried using one arm. If that is too much of a challenge then I recommend getting a backpack and a spill proof cup. If your CSM has gotten on your case twice I'm sure he/she has made their expectations clear it's time to adapt. Id be more open minded if it was simply a butter bar, but I think it's safe to say your CSM has been around long enough that as long as you weren't walking on grass the correction is justified.
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SGT Robert Martin
MSgt Earl King coffee with cream???? That's an officers drink. No self respecting CSM would drink such a concoction.
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SGT Robert Martin
Lol the 2nd AD CSM Hunter imparted that wisdom to me directly circa 1990. Having been out of the army 30 years and 342 days its possible I could say he was wrong, but I'm just not willing to chance it.
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You ALWAYS keep your saluting hand free, as this is your second time that this situation has happened I feel you need to be more aware of your situation and surroundings and anticipate these type of encounters in garrison.
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