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

Heres an idea, and just my opinion, but when i was in 98-05, i have seen leadership wear a back pack, why not put the binder in a back pack so your right hand will be free. You wont be in violation of anything, as i understand it.

In this scenario simply stop...set the thing in your right hand on the deck and render the proper custom and courtesy.

Not that I agree with everything; but I think we need more military officers and less political officers.

AR 600-25, of course! You can't even salute if you are eating a BK Whopper. Everyone knows, "It takes two hands to handle a Whopper"!

Sounds like the CSM was in a mood. CSM probably saw a unit out training instead of doing a mundane tasking and he took it out on you.

A salute is a sign of respect, but a Good Morning Sir can also be. I got braced and read the riot act for not saluting a 2nd Lt. It was pointed out that a Sgt was suppose to salute officers, my boots were not shined, my uniform was wrinkled and not ironed. I was going to be written up and reported to my CO. About that time Cpt Mac came out of Bn HC and ask what was going on. The Lt saluted him and that started the tirade. Told him if he ever saluted him again he would be brought up on charges. On our compound no one ever saluted an officer unless they wanted them shot. Viet Nam was not a real safe place and officers were the first to be shot if possible. Before going on R&R we were reminded to follow military customs and once we hit Saigon to salute.

A binder and a mug...Yes you Salute. Mug to left hand and binder under left Arm...Salute with right and grab Binder with right hand when done. So easy a Caveman can do it. Quit being a pussy because CSM is correct. There is times you don't have to salute but Ive even managed it carrying a 204 pound projectile on one shoulder.

I think this an example of rules vs military culture. I think what got you corrected was the fact that you weren’t carrying a two-handed object. Next time shift the item to your left and salute. If you are carrying a box that requires two hands or have an injured arm, just say the greeting of the day. You will get lit up if you have a coffee cup in your right and a binder in your other.

In training, I was instructed as a junior officer that if both hands are occupied, you respectfully address your senior officer and do not salute. Works perfectly especially if you are carrying an umbrella in one hand and the code box covered by the umbrella in your other hand! What I also learned is that you get by in life very well using 1/2 knowledge + 1/2 experience + 1/2 common sense, with common sense being the most important of the three halves.

Technically as many have stated, the correct answer is yes you need to salute. HOWEVER personally as many officers will tell you, our goal is not to walk around and make people salute us as it gets old sometimes LOL, but nonetheless if I ever had a soldier walk past me whether it be one of my own that knew how I was or one that was not mine and did not know how I was if I could clearly see that you had your hands full and rendered a verbal greeting to me that was more than enough. You clearly showed intent which is more than sufficient, however there will be those situations or officers that demand a salute which personally I can’t stand them but that’s just me. I’m sure that’ll ruffle some feathers but I don’t really care as I join the military to complete a mission, not to salute. I understand the background of the salute before anybody makes that comment and tries to lecture me on it.

I will say as one of the NCOs on here stated, if you intentionally try to have a pencil in each hand and make the argument that your hands were full, then good luck with that because even I would say something to you because again that shows intent but of a different type.

If you find yourself in that particular situation again, what I may try doing is it depending on the situation i.e. weather etc. if you see them coming your direction possibly stop and make sure to make eye contact and give the verbal greeting which should hopefully be more than sufficient if not just do your best and shrug it off and just keep on rolling, because at this point I’m sure you’ve learned you’ll never please everybody. Best of luck to you.