Posted on Nov 19, 2014
SGT Team Leader
122K
233
89
15
15
0
Is there a AR that covers when a soldier is not in uniform if they must go to parade rest or attention?
Posted in these groups: Respect  logo RespectAr Army Regulations
Avatar feed
Responses: 50
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
COL Charles Williams
1
1
0
Yes. We are on duty 24/7, no matter what we are wearing. It is not about what you have to do, it is about what you should do. You should want to do the right thing.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Leonard Johnson
1
1
0
Look Man.....Like this brotha....when I stand at parade rest to a superior whether in uniform or not....I do it out of honor to our past, I do it cuz I earned the RIGHT....to salute, or stand at parade rest. I know that sounds kind ol fashion....I'm a ol skool NCO..(I can spell it that way cuz I'm ol skool).....

I know I'm jesting a bit......I take pride of the past. Of what we as a country and a NCO Corp has accomplished. I do not mind standing at parade rest...even as old as I am.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT(P) Delivery Driver
1
1
0
I guess it really depends on the situation. I have never had anyone senior to me say anything about standing at parade rest while out of uniform. Doesn't mean you shouldn't, just my experience. I will always remember this one time in college: the marching band was borrowing the colors from the ROTC program for a performance. Myself and another member of the band (both of us in civilian clothing) went to meet the POC which happened to be a CPT. I knocked on the office door and the CPT invited us in. The CPT walked up to me and shock my hand as we introduced ourselves to each other. The other guy snaps to attention and just stood there as me and the CPT chit chatted. The CPT finally noticed the other guy standing at attention and asked, "What's wrong with this guy?" I shrugged my shoulders and just said he was a newbie.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Mark Hoover
1
1
0
Customs and Courteys, on/off duty, in uniform and out
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Melvin Brandenburg
0
0
0
Regs apply 24/7
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MSG Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
0
0
0
Character.
The junior will show good character to give respect.
The senior will in return respect the junior by setting a comfortable tone, thus showing good character.

If the senior does not initiate a less formal engagement it should be in a private setting. Otherwise the senior will be showing the lack of character.

My opinion.

No regulations needed.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG(P) Senior Driver/ Protocol Nco
0
0
0
If you know who they are, and what rank they are, YES!
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Mechanic
0
0
0
It depends on the situation. You run into one of your NCOs at a bar and y'all are both drinking no. If you are out and about and you run into an NCO use your best judgement. People act like going to parade rest for someone is the hardest shit in the world.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CPT Jeff Reichardt
0
0
0
I spent 24 years of my 30 as an enlisted. I rode tge rank train quite a frw times. ( E-1 to E-4. E-4 to E-5. E5 to E4. E4 to E-1. ) Then i wised up. Protocol is there for many reasons. Once i found that out, i was golden and went to E7 I went to the darkside. I never saw O1.

Now for extra credit, explain to me how my DOR for Captain is before my DOR for E7?
(0)
Comment
(0)
LTC Hardware Test Engineer
LTC (Join to see)
7 y
I'm still trying to figure out why my ORB was showing that I was a black and my MRD was Jan 1998.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Aric Lier
0
0
0
it really could come down to the situation,Ive had NCO's and even in the position told my troops knock that shit off and relax ...on the other side if im tearing you a new one for something stupid you may have done , you better be locked up.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Francisco Rosario
0
0
0
This falls in the category of "Common Courtesies". Its just like saulting an officer when you are in civillian clothes. If you plan on making the Army a career then you will some day understand. These are the little things that can take you to bigger things in your career.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Dental Specialist
0
0
0
Regulations pale in comparison to attention to detail. Be smart, be respectful, be sincere as it too is also a sign of respect. Respect is not black and white and no manual will encompass how to show respect. I assure you I can go to parade rest in a disrespectful manner if I so wished to. Will you catch me observing military customs and courtesies at a public airport? No way. Why do we not wear uniforms at airports anymore? We become targets, does not rendering standard military customs and courtesies during such a time render the no use of uniform null? Of course... we may as well tell everyone we are soldiers. There is a time and place for everything, and respect requires attention to detail.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Detachment Sergeant
0
0
0
So FM 7-21.13 The Soldier's Guide used to spell it out clearly in para 4-16. Now that it's TC 7-21.13 and not FM, it no longer says you have to stand at parade rest for an NCO or attention for an Officer. My question is, is it in writing anywhere else? If not, why did they remove that section?

edit: after further research I've found it in Tradoc Pam 600-4 23 June 2017, so at least I know they are still teaching it at BCT. I'm just surprised it's not in writing anywhere else being such a big tradition/ courtesy
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Counterintelligence Agent
0
0
0
It's a common sense question, if you run across any officer, commissioned or non, you render the appropriate courtesy. Do the same thing you would in uniform. If you pass someone you know at the mall render a greeting. "Hi sir/sergeant", and carry on. Chances are he's thinking the same thing you are, "why is he here?" or "Crap, please don't ask me about work." If you get nailed down assume the position until told otherwise and tough it out.
Maybe you're self-conscious because it's new to you but after a while it becomes habit. I've been out eleven years and last month, while hanging out at the local recruiters office the company commander visited, and when the office came to attention i was halfway there before I remembered I wasn't in the army.
TLDR: when in doubt, whip it out. You can't go wrong doing the right thing.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PFC Aircraft Powertrain Repairer
0
0
0
Yes. You are a soldier 24/7.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Motor Sergeant
0
0
0
I don't stand at parade rest I just greet them and shake his or her hand and recognize them by their rank.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Ricardo Marcial
0
0
0
I'm retired 2 years now, first day on the job at my civilian job, the CEO walks into my office to say hello and invite me to lunch with him. I tell you I stood from my chair and snapped to parade rest like my Senior DI in boot camp had walked into the room. I caught myself at parade rest and had to put my hands in my pockets to keep from doing it again.

I even did it in Agfhanistan as that asshat (rank hidden to protect the stupid one) began to scream at me in front of the entire BDE Intel cell. Both case totally different, but in each case I showed respect and in return my peers in Afghanistan applauded me for restraint and at work my coworker acknowledge what I did. It's about respect, both up the chain and to your subordinates, it's too simple.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Kenneth Wheeler
0
0
0
There is. Yes you do when is a dressing you or Any in ur group
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC David S.
0
0
0
Great question. Yes, especially if you know them and are they are in your chain of command. Being a PFC you should assume that you are out ranked in most cases. In due time you will get your respect. Best of luck to you in your military career.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Ben Keen
0
0
0
I think it's always smart to error on the side of caution. If you know the person you are talking to is a SRNCO in or out of uniform, give them the respect of standing at parade rest. Even to this day, as a Veteran, I find myself standing at parade rest for people I know were/are SRNCO.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

How are you connected to the military?
  • Active Duty
  • Active Reserve / National Guard
  • Pre-Commission
  • Veteran / Retired
  • Civilian Supporter