Do I need to render a salute to an officer when my hands are occupied?

Leave the right hand empty whenever possible. Something like a binder can be tucked under your left arm to render a salute. When carrying heavy items like vehicle or aircraft parts a salute should not be expected but a greeting is.

Any honest officer would see your hands are full, but if you do feel the need find a place to empty your right hand and render a salute.

IF you had a binder too large to hold the mug and binder in the same hand, then the CSM was being an ass and was trying to impress the Capt. You might remember who he is and let your CSM know. They can always have a nice chat about it at their level.

IF, however, it was a small binder and you could easily have carried your mug in the left hand with the binder under your arm, than you probably should have done so and not looked like an idiot trying to get out of saluting the officers.

No. Only a self-centered self-important officer would demand such a thing. By regulation they are in the wrong.

Salute

You want to get rid of that minor problem and have peace simply salute...

The one thing I learned in the military that taught me a hard lesson ,.....do not go against the grain simple as that....

I was told in life do you wanna be happy Or do you want to be right...... That's an Avenue to run for the feathers for them the mess with you even though they're wrong so what what's the issue with saluting anyways.... They might give you more respect saying "wow this soldier willing to salute us even though hes carrying things.... And he doesn't have to but he does it anyway"

Forget about what it States or what it doesn't state... You just do it out of respect put the laws on that particular issue and set that aside show the honor and salute.. It's not that difficult get rid of the pride.....

Yes absolutely it's the highest gesture you can do in a military put that stuff down on the ground and stop salute ....cut and dry...."no-if-ands-or-buts-about-it."....100% for sure