Posted on Nov 13, 2015
How many of us had trouble distinguishing the rank of approaching commissioned, non-commissioned or warrant officers on field uniforms??
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Fatigue, battledress and other work and combat uniforms had subdued rank most of the time. Some ranks are very distinctive such as Captain [double bars], Colonel [eagle], and General Officer [black star or multiple]. However 1st LT and Warrant Officer looked very close and sometimes Majors and Lieutenant Colonels looked very close especially in the rain, snow, etc.
When I was a private in the 1970s I couldn't tell sometimes if a LT or a Chief Warrant Officer was approaching me. I would salute usually and wasn't sure at that time if I was supposed to salute Warrant Officers.
Did you have trouble recognizing officer rank?
When I was a private in the 1970s I couldn't tell sometimes if a LT or a Chief Warrant Officer was approaching me. I would salute usually and wasn't sure at that time if I was supposed to salute Warrant Officers.
Did you have trouble recognizing officer rank?
Rank
Troops
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 125
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Only on occasion did this become an issue, most important was the officer's attitude if you made an honest mistake, In 30 years only once did this become an issue and it was a newly promoted LTC who thought I was dis-respecting them. (I was a MAJ at the time.)
I rendered the salute as soon as he laid into me and he vented for about 30 seconds, returned the salute and walked away.
I rendered the salute as soon as he laid into me and he vented for about 30 seconds, returned the salute and walked away.
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LCDR (Join to see)
SFC Ruether, HOW can one tell the difference between an "honest" mistake and merely ignoring the tradition?
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LTC John Shaw
LCDR (Join to see) - In this case it was in shadow of a very sunny day in Kuwait. I literally could not tell the color of the rank and it not want to look stupid saluting a peer (I was a Major). I was wrong, I told him the truth and he obviously had a bad day and spent some time venting. I decided that I was in wrong and just took it. Let him chew on me, saluted and moved out smartly. It is what it is.
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CWO2 Richard Rose
I believe that an officer that dresses down another officer for failing to salute anywhere other than in private is an egotistical ass.
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I've accidentally approached officers or senior enlisted from behind to ask questions or because I think its one of my battle buddies many times. I have found that as long as you are polite and show proper courtesy as soon as you DO know the rank of who you are talking to, you never get in trouble.
"Oh, I apologize sir/Sergeant, I thought you were one of my team members, I wont bother you."
"not a problem specialist, carry on."
"thank you sir/Sergeant."
edit: I posted this when I was still a SPC.
"Oh, I apologize sir/Sergeant, I thought you were one of my team members, I wont bother you."
"not a problem specialist, carry on."
"thank you sir/Sergeant."
edit: I posted this when I was still a SPC.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you SGT (Join to see) for responding and making us aware.
Showing respect makes great sense and I hope that in the future no officer of senior NCO will be offended at an honest mistake.
FYI SMSgt Lawrence McCarter MSG Felipe De Leon Brown SMSgt David A Asbury PO2 (Join to see) Maj William W. 'Bill' Price MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SSG Franklin Briant SSG Stephen Rogerson SSG Samuel Kermon SP5 Geoffrey Vannerson COL Mikel J. Burroughs TSgt David L.
Showing respect makes great sense and I hope that in the future no officer of senior NCO will be offended at an honest mistake.
FYI SMSgt Lawrence McCarter MSG Felipe De Leon Brown SMSgt David A Asbury PO2 (Join to see) Maj William W. 'Bill' Price MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SSG Franklin Briant SSG Stephen Rogerson SSG Samuel Kermon SP5 Geoffrey Vannerson COL Mikel J. Burroughs TSgt David L.
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I love that AF still wear their stripes on their sleeves. I am really not looking forward to trying to find rank on the OCPs.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you MSgt (Join to see) for responding and letting us know that you are glad the USAF still wears rank for NCOs and enlisted on the sleeves.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
I abhor those 5% that look away to avoid saluting... it’s about saluting the rank they’re wearing... not the individual.. Some go through more trouble avoid’g if they’d just give a proper salute than going through all obfuscation to avoid rendering it..
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
In addition.. i’m Not aware of specified times to salute WOs. In the AF when we still had them.. We saluted them whatever time of day
It may have been.. While st Fort Lee, VA. I followed the same principle and got no grief about proper times to render a salute to a
W.O....
It may have been.. While st Fort Lee, VA. I followed the same principle and got no grief about proper times to render a salute to a
W.O....
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Can't tell the difference between a Warrant and Lieutenant, it's easy, warrants are seasoned.
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
So we are clear on rendering a salute whether a Lt or W.O.? Give them all a crisp sharp proper salute.. I’ve seen some sloppy ones and they’re embarrasing.. geeez o’ mighty!
I’ve been to many line-ups where we’ve gone up to the casket or the table where urn , container and flag are displayed.. .. I don’t have that pic.. in a military manner approach casket or urn, container and flag .
Bring arm up like you do a regular salute... only in this case bring salute up s-l-o-w-l-y and down the same way.. i’ve Got more.. this is AF but the respect shown is basically the same.
I’ve been to many line-ups where we’ve gone up to the casket or the table where urn , container and flag are displayed.. .. I don’t have that pic.. in a military manner approach casket or urn, container and flag .
Bring arm up like you do a regular salute... only in this case bring salute up s-l-o-w-l-y and down the same way.. i’ve Got more.. this is AF but the respect shown is basically the same.
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
Whatever service branch you are take some time and look up Your branch’s guidelines for rendering salutes for different occasions.
There may be some you may not be aware of.
There may be some you may not be aware of.
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my feels is a seen something that looked it was a bar i was thrown my hand up next to my cover
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding SSG Christopher Conklin and I hope that you are able to enjoy Memorial Day weekend with family and friends.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F.
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SSG Christopher Conklin
LTC Stephen, sir. yes, i am off from work and have a cold one. Thanks for asking and thanks for service, sir
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Hehhehe. As you may be able to tell from my pic, im/was not a "young" SPC. So, here I am walking into the motorpool, back straight, shoulders broad, crisp OCPs, and my aircrew wings sewn on. As i approach a group of 2LTs standing to the side of one of the HMMWVs, THEY snap to attention and render a salute. Im so confused I tell THEM to "Carry on". As I pass I hear "Is that our new LTC?" And the other goes "You Idiot, thats a randon dude from the Aviation companies"
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you SGT (Join to see) for sharing a great "True Story" as you strutted by some new 2LTs they snapped at attention and one 2lt wisely observed "You Idiot, that's a random dude from the Aviation companies"
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright
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SPC Chris Ison
LTC Stephen F. - You have gone through this entire thread naming people.
What are you trying to do? You are acting very Juvenile.
What are you trying to do? You are acting very Juvenile.
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For all enlisted, in the Navy, ALL Warrant Officers are commissioned Officers (we do not have W-1's), ALL Commissioned Officers get Saluted. If you do not believe what I say, don't salute a Navy Chief Warrant Officer and then you can spend the rest of your day getting your head out of your ass!
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LTC Stephen F.
Thanks for responding my friend SPC Margaret Higgins. I well remember the OD Green fatigues with rank on ball cap or camo-covered helmet :-)
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi LTC (Join to see) LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Jeff S. CPT Jack Durish MSG Dan Walther MSgt Robert C Aldi SFC Stephen King MSgt Danny Hope SGT Gregory Lawritson Cpl Craig Marton SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi LTC (Join to see) LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Jeff S. CPT Jack Durish MSG Dan Walther MSgt Robert C Aldi SFC Stephen King MSgt Danny Hope SGT Gregory Lawritson Cpl Craig Marton SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
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SPC Margaret Higgins
LTC Stephen F. - I remember those things well; as well, Steve. Thanks for your reply. I wish you peace and comfort; as you sleep tonight.
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LTC Stephen F.
SGT (Join to see) - Here is an image with me and some my infantry platoon soldiers at Graf in 1981. The enlisted men wore the 52nd infantry Unit Crest while I had my rank and jump wings on the ball cap. SPC Margaret Higgins
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It was worse when some one had the brass E M rank on, a couple of guys did it during Basic, got their rears chewed.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thanks for weighing in SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth :-)
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright
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