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

In August 1994, I had just graduated from the Army's Engineer Officer Advanced Course at Fort Leonard Wood. As I was leaving the School House with a heavy box of materials, a Major stopped me because I had my hat on my head. He directed that I stop. So he could remove my hat, and put it onto the box. Once I got outside- I had to stop again, so he could re-cover my head. As I got to my car, and tried putting the box onto the roof, he said that I now 'owed him a salute'.... so, I turned around, and dropped the box in front of him.. it landed on his boots. I saluted. He got angry for the box ruined his Future-floor-wax spitshine.

It sounds like the CSM has a stick up his butt. Send him my way if he can't correct himself.

As I have said before. There are CSMs and just E9s. Unfortunatly your E9 has his head up a Captain's alpha.

A resonable Officer would see your condition. You have two options. 1. Place your products at your feet and render a salute or 2. Simply say, by your leave, sir. Unless he is woke and self centered and unable to make such observations, take your chances.

When outside, we try to keep the right hand free when permissible. Nevertheless, it is not always possible, and it is not always safe with two-person carry requirements, lifting a body, performing CPR, and circumstances that are not safe or practical. One would only hope that those who deserve/require a salute can see the context. Further, the same should know and understand the regulations. When a situation makes saluting not practical but you receive an order, salute if possible. However, do not risk the safety of yourself and others in a context. Get the name of the individual(s) and report it. By reporting it, you protect yourself and cause a look at the circumstance and policy which may need change. Your report may help the command to see there is a need for further training for the good of the Army. Duty, honor, and country!

As a Sp4 I was walking from HQ to the PX passing a 2nd LT with both of his hands full of packages as we passed each other I acknowledged his presence with a head nod and sir. He responded with specialist don't you salute officers ? At which time I stopped I did an about-face came to the position of attention rendered a perfect salute and held it till he put down his packages and returned my salute !

What if you were picking your nose with your right hand? Would you, could you, should you salute or continue to pick your nose. What the hell is the military cadre coming to with this plainly contrived question. If you were walking to and fro without any specific job function pertaining, then you needed more than an asschewing from the CSM. If you were ditch digging and had a shovel in one hand and a bucket of dirt in the other, then you might not have to salute. Saluting, as I was taught in basic training, is a recognition of Officer rank and position, not a chore to be avoided. I had the pleasure and occasion to salute many enlisted members that had performed enlisted military duties under my NCO leadership and through hard work and success in meeting Officer Training School (OTS) qualifications and requirements became officers. Some I was fortunate to be the first to Salute and collect a dollar from (an old and forgotten custom).

jold the binder hourzontal and put the coffee cup on it, They told us in basic that if you smoke then always hold it in your left hand

No

Hold all items in your left arm and hand and salute or beyond 12 steps away make 90 degree turn and walk away pretending you forgot to do something...