How many of us had trouble distinguishing the rank of approaching commissioned, non-commissioned or warrant officers on field uniforms??

As a Marine Captain, I once had my ass chewed by a Navy LtJG, brand new from nuke school, for failing to render a proper salute.

1. I was in full combat gear, and at the time Marines wore their rank on the flap of the Kevlar Flak Jacket. He clearly did not know that. I just stood there and smiled at him. Which fired him up even more.
2. We were conducting security operations in an area, where it was clearly posted upon entry, that it was a non-saluting area during security ops. He clearly did not know that.
3. The Chief of the boat (Senior SNCO aboard the submarine) kept trying to shut him down, but the LtJG was in full R. Lee Ermey mode and ordered the Chief "Be quiet and let me finish." The Chief just smiled and stepped back, only saying "Sir, I tried to warn you."
4. I told the Chief "Its OK, let him go on," which just fired him up even more.
5. When he finally stopped reaming long enough to ask me, "What the #*@% is wrong with you Marine?" I just pointed at the Captain's bars on my flak jacket. He then realized he was chewing ass on a senior. The Marines who were close enough to witness the event and the Chief of the Boat all started laughing their asses off. He did an about face without saying a word and stormed off. I asked the Chief of the Boat "Do you want to take him back to the Wharf gate and show him the " 2ft x 4 ft sign that says non-saluting area, or do want me to do it?" To which the Chief replied "Please sir, let me. I don't want to miss that, not for all the tea in China."

I'm still confused at the School House here at Fort Leonard Wood. I see in the halls, a Silver Oak leaf, a Black Oak leaf and a Gold Oak leaf. I'm sure of the Silver being a LTC, Gold being a Major. What I'm not sure of is the Black Oak leaf....

When I was stationed at my first duty station in 1981, there was a guy who we called Sarge (Can't remember his actual name) because he was in the Army in Vietnam. He was my supervisor an we were walking to the Chow Hall. What most people didn't know was, he was a Medal of Honor recipient. Back then we use to have to salute officers cars. Me being just an E-2 or E-3, I saluted a car right outside the chow hall and Sarge didn't. The O-3 stopped his car and confronted us. I saluted and came to attention, Sarge came to attention also. Not sure if he saluted that time or not. I was nervous! This 0-3 chewed Sarge up one side and down the other side! When he was finished and as Sarge what he had to say for himself. Sarge said Sir, do you know what this is on my uniform! The O-3 was still steaming but took a closer look. Came to attention and saluted Sarge! Sarge saluted him back and we went to chow. While in the Chow Hall, Sarge called the Base CO. After lunch we were to report to the CO.. When we got there, the CO had us come in and sit down. A few minutes later that O-3 report in. I have never in all my years heard a butt chewing like that! Not a rank mistaken, but I don't know why anyone in the services would not know what a Medal of Honor looks like!

Navy class A ranks baffle me with the stripes on the sleeve cuffs. I once mistakenly saluted a Navy chief when I saw an eagle on his cap. He saluted back with a grin and chuckle anf then I realized what I'd done. Drew a laugh and hoots of "dumb grunt" from some nearby squids.

Back in the 80s and 90s officers were subdued on the collar and silver or gold on their cover in garrison making it easy to identify who was approaching. Transitioning to the acu with the mid chest rank and subdued cover rank does make for awkward situations. I don't see any reason to wear subdued rank from private to general in garrison at least on your cover.

It was never a problem when I was in; however, now that the location has changed from collar to center chest I often forget. Easiest way for me to remember 1st and 2nd lieutenants was it was the only time silver was worth more than gold. Same for Major and LT Colonel. It gets a little dicey with the higher ranking NCO's SM, CSM, CSMA That whole eggs and bacon and all the other antidotes used to remember never worked for me until I was right up on top of them. You put a diamond for 1st SGT why not something simpler for SM and CSM? JMO

LTC Stephen F.

Ft Irwin, 1972, (before it became NTC), atop Brigade Hill 3 ? klics N of main post.

Upon entering a ‘command van’ on ‘Brigade Hill’, after removing my Raybans; while my eyes were still adjusting to the ‘shady environment’ of a command van, a LTC burned me for addressing him as MAJ, and not recognizing him as a LTC!

That was cool. Later in 1972, I spent time at Ft Carson observing how the Army was in such bad shape while recovering/considering recovering from negatory personnel problems created by Vietnam!

Then, to enter a barracks after hours, the CQ or OD was accompanied by a another, armed Soldier/Officer.

Toilets I observed in Army barracks at Ft Carson in 1972 were more than deplorable!

I once thought a s2tars insignia on his jacket made him a LTJG(O2). IT's much harder these days with the trend of putting a single small rank patch on the middle of the uniform, ala ACU... I think sleeve stripes for enlisted and collar devices or soft shoulder boards (like the Navy, with visible stripes) should be the norm, even on battle uniforms. It's just too confusing otherwise...

Note that I am not a ground combat vet, and there may be over-riding reasons for it being the way it is, but that doesn't make it easier for any of us...

I was enlisted. If it looked like the rank of an officer of any kind (warrant or commissioned), I saluted it.

It was never really an issue as long as you properly identified Officers and Warrants as such the rank didn't matter as long as you got that salute in and with in the right distance usually 6 paces before and 6 paces after you were golden, same goes for Medal of Honor recipients but rank doesn't apply on that one, it is any and all Medal of Honor recipients are saluted.