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

As a commissioned officer, I used common sense about saluting. Soldiers are human beings and they aren't always ready to salute when they should. Not all CSMs are wise. This one sounds like a fool. That you greeted the captain would have satisfied me. I used to hold people accountable when it was obvious they were disrespecting the rank, but let slide honest mistakes. But I also left my right hand unoccupied while in uniform because I always felt it my duty to return any salute rendered to my rank.

No, you are not required to salute if both hands are full. You ARE required to acknowledge the Officer. You can fulfill this requirement by simply saying “Good day Sir, Ma’am” and drive on with the day.

If you can practically free one hand, do that and salute. If not, just give the greeting of the day.

A junior who cannot salute should give a sharp MORNING, SIR. An officer should accept this.

I once got reprimanded for not saluting an officer, because he was carrying a large box with both hands outside the commissary. I was under the impression that if they couldn't return the salute, we shouldn't render it. Never did that again...

Common sense approach: if you carrying something that requires both hands to carry, such as equipment etc and it is unsafe to stop and salute, acknowledge the officer and carry on in a safe manner. No need to cause injury or unsafe condition to salute. However if you carrying something that would not cause an unsafe condition and can be safely carried in the left hand, do so smartly and render a salute.

Perhaps you should have stopped. held the binder in a way where you could have supported the mug and then gave a salute.

Pass whatever you are carrying over to the Officer then Salute him after taking back control of your burden he should then return the salute.

Would you hold this item while I salute you Sir.

We here are the only British Servicemen who salute with our left hands, (once a year) 50% of us use the left hand the other 50% salute with their right. It has nothing to do with dogs.

Oh and we have been doing it since 1692 Yes that is correct 1692.

Who are we and why do we do it.

no

Too easy...never occupy your right hand when walking in uniform. Duh