Do you salute a senior officer when walking alongside an even more senior officer?

2014-04-26T17:08:37-04:00

So I have been told different things and been told it is not in the regulations (and I also checked this out myself). If you are walking with an officer and an officer of the same rank as of the officer that you are walking with approaches do you salute them? Example: You are a CPT walking with a LTC and another LTC walks by do you salute?

I have heard it is respectful to salute and they just return your salute and you are on your way. I also heard that if you salute then you are disrespecting the officer that you are walking with.

And to take it one step further. You are a SGT walking with a COL and a CPT walks by do you salute the CPT?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2014 5:15 PM

2014-04-26T17:15:11-04:00

You don't salute if someone ahead out ranks you.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Apr 26 at 2014 7:37 PM

2014-04-26T19:37:22-04:00

Unless you are in a formal formation, where the formation leader represents the others, then everybody ought to still follow individual customs and courtesies. It doesn't matter who you happen to walk next to, behind, or in front of.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2014 8:51 PM

2014-04-26T20:51:12-04:00

Yes! You always salute those whom are senior rank to you! As others have said, the other side is peers don't salute each other so the question may have been better phrased with a COL walking with several lower ranking personnel, then they are approached by a Major with other mixed ranks----the myth is that the Major Salutes the COL and everyone else has a 'Bye' but that wouldn't even work because the cardinal rule for saluting is rendering proper respect to to those who are higher in rank! In addition, we don't salute a person....it's the rank which is tied to the Flag and our oath as officers!

Good question though because this tends to be a question that confuses junior officers, quite often!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2014 4:24 PM

2014-04-27T16:24:04-04:00

Soooo.... We have a COl, a Major, A Capt, a couple of NCOs in one group, and a LTC, Major, a pair of LTs and two privates in the other.

As they reach the six foot mark, EVERYBODY's hand flies up, a chorus of greetings of the day sing out. A Mexican stand off ensues as each person holds their salute until everybody senior to them as the Officers have to return all the salutes and the enlisted pop from parade rest to attention if addressed by officers or NCOs.

Are you guys kidding me? Seriously? Last time I checked regulations are guidance for the commander. If the above groupings were going somewhere the two seniors salute or nod or high five or fist bump as they feel appropriate and the rest just keep moving.

Although the whole saluting frenzy thing does appeal to the part of my mind that enjoys watching the three stooges.

The common solution for me is is to stack left by rank and let the guy on the senior guy on the end deal with the saluting. When traveling through a danger area filled with people who think these issues are important.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2014 4:56 PM

2014-04-27T16:56:30-04:00

I used to have this same question. I never used to salute if I was walking with my commander and another CPT walked by. Just like you, passed down from years and years of BS. My wife, a MAJ, also was under that impression, and shes NG, so it's not just NG or AD that's doing it.

I then decided to dig into the regulation and no where does it say that.

Now if I'm walking with a four star general and see a brand new commissioned 2LT I salute just as if I was walking by myself - which is the correct way to do it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2014 11:03 PM

2014-04-27T23:03:33-04:00

A SPC, 2LT, and CPT are walking together as they approach a SFC, CPT, and LTC. Who salutes who? I'm assuming it's like dividing by 0, where a black hole just engulfs everyone as soon as they walk within 6 paces of each other LOL

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2014 7:43 PM

2014-04-28T19:43:56-04:00

If a SGT (me) salutes a CPT who is followed by a bunch of PVTs and PFCs, then the PVTs and PFCs should salute the SGT. At least that's what happened this past weekend.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2014 8:46 PM

2014-04-28T20:46:08-04:00

Semantics.... when in doubt, whip it out (solely referring to the salute... and the greeting of the day).

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2014 2:12 PM

2014-05-18T14:12:34-04:00

Yes. You do NOT assume your seniors rank.

Response by MSgt Ediberto L. made Jun 1 at 2014 11:17 PM

2014-06-01T23:17:33-04:00

Sir, unless things have changed in Army Customs and Courtesies since I left the Army in 2003, one is expected to salute those of higher rank regardless of who is at your side. You could be standing next to President Obama but, unless you are in some "no hat no salute area, if someone of higher rank than you walks by or comes up to you then according to Army regulations you are required to salute that officer.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2014 10:52 PM

2014-06-04T22:52:04-04:00

When in doubt, whip it out.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 9:15 AM

2014-06-05T09:15:50-04:00

Yes, but have we answered the age-old question: "Should a 2LT salute a 1LT?"

Response by MAJ Bill Darling made Jun 5 at 2014 10:09 AM

2014-06-05T10:09:00-04:00

As a matter of practicality and the way I've always understood it, the two senior officers exchange greetings and salutes, although I readily admit everyone saluting everyone seems to be more popular. I was never in doubt, so I never whipped it out.

For one thing, on a narrow walkway, the junior folks should be walking to the inside, on the left of their superiors and a salute and shuffle to the rear would be awkward.

For another, extrapolate it out to two larger groups instead of just a pair of duos. To add to your example, if two gaggles each of a WO1, 2LT, CPT, MAJ, LTC, and a COL walk toward each other, would each person greet every person who is senior in the other party? I doubt it. It would resemble a scene from the original "Airplane!".

Keeping in line with that reasoning for the follow up, I would say that the SGT would not be obligated to address the captain as the CPT should be addressing the COL only.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 10:29 AM

2014-06-05T10:29:26-04:00

Short answer, no you don't. If the approaching officer is lower in rank that the officer you are walking with you let them exchange salutes and you keep walking.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 1:05 PM

2014-06-05T13:05:18-04:00

Whether it is in the regulations or not. I find it to be courteous and respectful to salute any officers that come up while standing with another officer.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jun 5 at 2014 4:16 PM

2014-06-05T16:16:06-04:00

I pulled my old FM 22-5 from the bookshelves (you would be surprised how often I get real questions about the military) and looked it up. My copy is a lit' bit old since I retired back in 1993, but here's what it said. Note that this does not say anything about the particular ranks of the involved individuals but only mentions 'a superior officer'.
FM 22-5 ,App A ,Para A-7b, Pg A3
b. Not in Formation. On the approach of a superior officer, a group of individuals not in formation is called to attention by the first person noticing the officer, and all come sharply to attention and salute. Individuals participating in games, and members of work details, do not salute. The individual in charge of a work detail, if not actively engaged, salutes and acknowledges salutes for the entire detail. A unit resting alongside a road does not come to attention upon the approach of an officer; however, if the officer addresses an individual (or group), the individual (or group) comes to attention and remains at attention (unless otherwise ordered) until the termination of the conversation, at which time the individual (or group) salutes the officer.

It was explained to me that when officers are in groups only the senior officers render salutes, the lowest of the two ranking officers initiating with all others at attention just as in the FM.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 5:05 PM

2014-06-05T17:05:18-04:00

The short answer is yes you do salute. The answer can be found in regulations. Take a look at AR 600-25, Chapter 1-5b and c for basic guidelines. Then look in FM 3-21.5 Appendix A-1 for more specific guidelines. Section C is the catch all. If the situation is NOT addressed in A or B then you salute.

A-1. WHEN TO SALUTE
Army personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize persons entitled (by grade) to a salute except when it is inappropriate or impractical (in public conveyances such as planes and buses, in public places such as inside theaters, or when driving a vehicle).

a. A salute is also rendered—
• When the United States National Anthem, “To the Color,” “Hail to the Chief,”
or foreign national anthems are played.
• To uncased National Color outdoors.
• On ceremonial occasions as prescribed in Part Two, Ceremonies.
• At reveille and retreat ceremonies, during the raising or lowering of the flag.
• During the sounding of honors.
• When the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag is being recited outdoors.
• When turning over control of formations.
• When rendering reports.
• To officers of friendly foreign countries.

b. Salutes are not required when—
• Indoors, except when reporting to an officer or when on duty as a guard.
• Addressing a prisoner.
• Saluting is obviously inappropriate. In these cases, only greetings are
exchanged. (Example 1: A person carrying articles with both hands, or being
otherwise so occupied as to make saluting impracticable, is not required to
salute a senior person or return the salute to a subordinate.)
• Either the senior or the subordinate is wearing civilian clothes.

c. In any case not covered by specific instructions, the salute is rendered.

Response by MAJ JohnK Wright, V made Jun 28 at 2014 10:35 PM

2014-06-28T22:35:00-04:00

Yes, always salute.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 7 at 2014 4:35 PM

2014-07-07T16:35:00-04:00

Well generally when I've been in that position, I've been toting the luggage, so I leave it to the senior individual because my hands are full.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 5:04 PM

2014-07-07T17:04:23-04:00

My understanding was handed to me by a now since passed CSM. He said: you don't walk with officers. You march. If you are marching, who ever is in charge (the officer) salutes when appropriate. Not you. You only render the hand salute when given the appropriate command.

I have pretty much gone with this during my career. Now I have been in places recently (Camp Arifjan) that has rules about this. Salute every time all the time is about how that goes.

Response by 1LT Shawn McCarthy made Jul 7 at 2014 10:44 PM

2014-07-07T22:44:14-04:00

I was always advised that the senior person in each group determines who salutes whom.
I was once scolded by a Bde CSM because I was walking in a group with a BG and I saluted a MAJ.
That MAJ was saluting the BG, so it created all sorts of confusion.

Quite frankly, it makes more sense that way.
If a Lt, MAJ and a COL meet a CPT, LTC and a BG, The LT, MAJ and COL should salute the BG and everyone should carry on.
Someone could get seriously injured if they all salute their seniors in the other group.

Response by GySgt William Hardy made Jul 15 at 2014 1:21 PM

2014-07-15T13:21:37-04:00

Of course you do. The other member is not saluting you. You salute them. When I was stationed at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, this was very common. In the end, it just looked like everyone saluted everyone else in the group. You might see a Colonel, Major, and Sergeant in one group, and a LTC and Warrant Officer in another. Everyone reached up and saluted as they passed one another. What's the big deal. Everyone showing respect for everyone else.

Unless everyone is equal rank, the junior will salute and the senior will return it. The only one who does not have to salute is the officer of equal rank in the group when approaching a single officer of equal rank. Everyone else salutes. In my experience, everyone salutes just because it was habit.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2014 1:36 PM

2014-07-15T13:36:08-04:00

LTC Private RallyPoint Member, CPT Private RallyPoint Member has an answer to that in his 'should 2LT salute 1LT' post. I know he does

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2014 11:45 AM

2014-07-24T11:45:52-04:00

You should salute even if you are walking beside a superior officer. The fact that you are accompanied by a superior officer is irrelevant to you in that situation. No matter the situation, if a superior officer is approaching the subordinate should always render the hand salute in accordance with customs and courtesies.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 3:33 PM

2014-07-27T15:33:03-04:00

LTC Private RallyPoint Member the way that it was always explained to me is that you salute the senior officer anyways because they are of higher rank than yourself.

Response by SCPO Tony Ramey made Jul 30 at 2014 3:00 PM

2014-07-30T15:00:36-04:00

In the Navy, at least how was during my 20 years. When you are walking alongside an officer and regardless of his/her rank, you are required to salute any officer that approaches you that is higher rank than you are. When overtaking any officer while you are walking, the correct procedure is to salute him/her and say" by your leave sir/ma'am". Remember our 11 General Orders "salute all officers and colors", or words to that effect. I remember a crusty old Boatswains Mate Master Chief Petty Officer instructing a class when I was in Boot Camp in 1977 at the Naval Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. The old Boat's said "in the Army they have a tradition, if you see it and don't know what it is, salute it. In the Air Force, if you see something that you don't know what it is, tell congress and they will fund it, in the Marine Corps if you see something that you don't know what it is, salute it and then shoot it. But in the Navy if you see something that you don't know what it is, "paint it, salute it, and then deep six it, after that go on liberty". Crazy I know but I remember all of that.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2014 12:29 AM

2014-08-01T00:29:37-04:00

I asked my dad (a colonel) when I was a private once after we walked past a captain. He said the courtesy should be extended and he wouldn't feel disrespected at all.

At the same time, it's just one of those awkward questions not covered in a regulation. If an officer gets upset about your course of action, then they're the one with the problem.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2014 8:06 PM

2014-08-02T20:06:56-04:00

I feel sorry for that SGT.

Response by SGT Jay Ehrenfeld made Aug 4 at 2014 2:34 PM

2014-08-04T14:34:36-04:00

yes when two senior officer walking together you salute them both

Response by SSG Robert Pierce made Aug 5 at 2014 4:40 AM

2014-08-05T04:40:08-04:00

Sir,

No, you dot salute the Captain if you are walking with someone senior in rank to the Captain. However; I've always been told to greet them by saying "Good afternoon, sir or ma'am".

Response by SGT Richard H. made Aug 8 at 2014 9:04 AM

2014-08-08T09:04:41-04:00

I'd say yes. Take it a step further. What if you're a SGT walking with a Major General and a Brigadier General walks by. Do you EVER not salute a General?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2014 7:29 PM

2014-08-11T19:29:21-04:00

As most of the responses here indicate, regardless of who you are walking alongside, if you cross paths with somebody who outranks you and they are entitled to a salute, you salute them.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Aug 24 at 2014 4:22 AM

2014-08-24T04:22:04-04:00

I've always wondered that myself. Never had the opportunity to find out. Maybe its a "what the hell is that over there" and when they look run away. :)

Response by MSG Marcel Guaring made Nov 9 at 2014 9:36 PM

2014-11-09T21:36:26-05:00

Common Courtesy would be to Salute and give the greeting of the day to the LTC passing by.

On the other instant where the CPT is passing by, He or She should salute the COL and the SGT in turn salute the CPT.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 5 at 2015 8:41 AM

2015-03-05T08:41:37-05:00

Absolutely.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 10:59 AM

2015-03-26T10:59:28-04:00

Hi Sir,
Yes. Yes. A million times yes. One still maintains the same courtesy irrespective of the leadership with whom one walks.

And then if there are a group passing another group, you can bear witness to the comedy show of continuing salutes. ((a la, "Doctor... Doctor... Doctor...")) :)

Response by MSG David Chappell made Mar 26 at 2015 11:03 AM

2015-03-26T11:03:03-04:00

This sounds like the start of a joke these "THIS SFC, SSG, COL and PVT enter a bar,,,,," my feeling protocol aside was the officer had the rank and you salute the rank. I have been with BG's and I saluted the LTC who saluted the BG holding his salute as I did mine until we passed.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Dec 8 at 2015 11:04 AM

2015-12-08T11:04:33-05:00

The 2LT will always salute the 1LT, without a doubt.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 11:11 AM

2015-12-08T11:11:01-05:00

When in doubt, everyone salute.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 24 at 2015 8:08 PM

2015-12-24T20:08:45-05:00

Yes because it gives a circus atmosphere.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Dec 25 at 2015 7:23 AM

2015-12-25T07:23:35-05:00

Just to be safe I salute every single human I encounter.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Dec 25 at 2015 12:48 PM

2015-12-25T12:48:25-05:00

LTC Private RallyPoint Member - Captain; In the limited situation, you (a Sergeant) MIGHT (it would really depend on how "with" the Colonel you are) salute the Captain BUT only if you manage to beat the Captain to the punch because otherwise the Captain will have to finish their salute to the Colonel and then return your salute. If you get yours in first, then the Captain scores a "twofer".

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2015 12:57 PM

2015-12-25T12:57:45-05:00

Not required by regulation unless the position requires your LTC to salute. (i.e.) You are walking with a Staff Officer (LTC) and your Battalion Commander (LTC) walks by then yes. If your LTC salutes you should salute. It's based on Rank first then by Position.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jan 9 at 2016 12:34 AM

2016-01-09T00:34:27-05:00

Yes! A senior officer is entitled to a salute even if you are walking with a more senior officer. You salute and hold it until he salutes the senior officer with you and then returns your salute.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Jan 18 at 2016 9:30 AM

2016-01-18T09:30:02-05:00

Soooo... you are at a political event out in town and you run across this guy...
Do you salute him ?

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jan 18 at 2016 2:16 PM

2016-01-18T14:16:15-05:00

Yes, it's a privilege, not a chore and a sign of respect.

Response by COL John Hudson made Mar 3 at 2016 2:49 PM

2016-03-03T14:49:21-05:00

One salutes the more senior individual in rank (to the observer) regardless of who one is with.

Response by LTC Terrence Farrier, PhD made Mar 29 at 2016 11:24 AM

2016-03-29T11:24:25-04:00

Yes, you do. It is important that you walk on the proper side of the senior officer you are walking with. Remember, it is the uniform you are addressing with the salute. Any senior officer who feels he/she is being disrespected should read this post. Even if you are part of his/her senior staff and the more senior officer than you approaches, it is proper to advance a salute.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2016 2:04 PM

2016-11-17T14:04:01-05:00

Yes, always.

Response by LCpl Stephen Arnold made Mar 7 at 2017 11:20 AM

2017-03-07T11:20:59-05:00

Just salute, period. I'd always say "Good morning, gentlemen", render my salute, and be done with it. I never had a LTCOL correct me for saluting the junior officers he or she was with.

Response by LTC Bob Forrest made Dec 5 at 2017 7:31 PM

2017-12-05T19:31:49-05:00

If it’s not spelled out in the regulations, I’d say it never hurts to salute.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Dec 5 at 2017 7:37 PM

2017-12-05T19:37:11-05:00

I don't see it as disrespect for an approaching officer to receive the hand salute from a subordinate walking with a more senior officer. In several events, I've experienced the officer to my right and I would render the hand salute to the approaching officer.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2017 10:02 AM

2017-12-06T10:02:20-05:00

No you do not. You return the salute because you assume the rank of the officer you are walking with. So if you are an E5 walking along side an O5 and an O3 comes along, you wont salute the O3, but you will return the salute that the O3 renders to the O5

Response by Lt Col George Roll made Jun 4 at 2018 9:29 AM

2018-06-04T09:29:29-04:00

Yes you salute, the Capt. Will be saluting the Ltc. At the same time. The Ltc will be returning the Capt's salute. So everybody will salute or return a salute.
If you are on a work detail or in formation only the person in charge renders the salute.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2018 8:56 PM

2018-07-13T20:56:27-04:00

Yep!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2018 9:02 PM

2018-07-13T21:02:42-04:00

A 2d Lt is walking down the hall at FORSCOM Hqs. A one star is walking twords him. The Lt braces himself against the wall. The Brigadier braces himself next to the 2Lt and asks "who's coming.

Response by SGT Jay Ehrenfeld made Jul 9 at 2019 3:12 PM

2019-07-09T15:12:35-04:00

the Col is the senior officer the captain can also return the salute to Lower rank.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jul 9 at 2019 8:02 PM

2019-07-09T20:02:21-04:00

In a group the highest ranking salutes for the group. If you salute anyway no big deal so I would salute.

Response by MCPO Phil Rolfe made Oct 31 at 2019 10:18 AM

2019-10-31T10:18:58-04:00

Each group follows and mimics the senior in their group. Whichever group does NOT have the senior person initiates. All of them. The group with the senior person in unison return the salute, drop it. The other group then drops. Very simple.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2020 9:13 AM

2020-01-22T09:13:02-05:00

Way back when I was a SPC, I worked for a CPT who was the brigade dentist. One day we were walking back to the company area from the PLT warehouse when my PL approached us and saluted the CPT. After the CPT returned the salute and my PL dropped his, I saluted the PL. He just smirked and returned my salute.

Response by CPT William Jones made Jun 6 at 2021 6:37 PM

2021-06-06T18:37:24-04:00

Everybody salutes. You salute the approaching officer. He saluted the officer beside you and included is him returning your salute. The officer beside you returns the others salute. Convoluted for sure but it is just military way of saying Howdy.

Response by CPT William Jones made Jun 10 at 2021 5:13 AM

2021-06-10T05:13:37-04:00

He walking outside with more than one person you are either in formation and leader salute aproaching officer. If not in formation everyone will salute generally once and render greeting. That way everyone has their salute for senior and all jr salutes are returned.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Oct 9 at 2021 12:02 PM

2021-10-09T12:02:27-04:00

This used to be taught in pre-commissioning courses.
Regardless of your rank, if you are walking with a senior officer you are, of course, walking to his (or her now) left so that his (her) right hand is free.
If the two of you encounter an officer who is junior to the one you are with, that junior officer salutes the senior officer. You salute at the same time that the senior returns the salute.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Jul 16 at 2022 11:16 AM

2022-07-16T11:16:54-04:00

I have never seen this situation discussed in the Army, but my first training was Navy ROTC and the Navy is (or at least was) very big on protocol, so this exact case was part of our training...

In the situation you initially asked about, the approaching officer would be required to salute the senior officer, you would salute the approaching officer at the same time as the senior officer was returning the salute. There is no question that the most senior officer takes precedence.

In the example you used, the situation is a bit fuzzier in that there is no clear senior officer. Both the LTCs are required to salute each other (although in the real world often they won't). You should salute simultaneously with the officer you are accompanying. There isn't really any regulation or protocol covering the situation if the two senior officers fail to exchange salutes because there is no polite way to be rude.

I was actually in the "one step further" situation you described except that the officer I was accompanying was a LTC and the officer approaching us was a 1LT. As I had been taught, I waited for the 1LT to salute the LTC, but he didn't, which surprised me. (Army officers often fail to exchange salutes with their peers, but usually do salute when there is that much difference in rank.) The 1LT surprised me even more when he asked "Sergeant, don't you salute officers?" -- I never got a chance to answer his question; the entire rest of the conversation was between the LTC and the 1LT. That conversation did not go well for the 1LT.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 16 at 2022 8:01 PM

2022-07-16T20:01:23-04:00

Assuming you aren’t in formation or on work detail, follow normal saluting rules. I experienced this situation many times. Never feLt uncomfortable if we all followed the normal customs and courteSies

Response by SP6 Vincent Ramsey made Jan 15 at 2024 11:09 AM

2024-01-15T11:09:07-05:00

If the approaching officer is of higher rank than you, you are still required to salute them. It doesn't matter if the person you are walking next to is a general or even higher.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Jan 16 at 2024 10:05 AM

2024-01-16T10:05:05-05:00

Common Sense Should Dictate The Action....
Or Better Stated "Oh Hell YES"