How to greet an unknown person in PT uniform?

2014-04-01T11:35:08-04:00

I remember as a young SGT, I was in Hohenfels Germany. I was heading to get breakfast at the chow hall and passed two people in PT uniform. I didn't know them as I was not from that post but very quickly learned who they were. One was the BN CSM for the OPFOR BN and the other was his BN Commander. I had said something along the lines of "Good morning" and carried on about my way. The CSM followed me and said let me talk to you. Pulled me aside, told me who he was and of course I went to parade rest. Asked why I didn't salute his Commander who was a LTC. I told him I didn't know who they were as I was not from the unit/post. If my memory serves me correctly he advised me to salute and give the greeting of the day if you are unsure of who an individual is when in PTs. I have always wondered what the "correct" answer is (if there is one) thus I ask the rally point community. I Just want to add that if I wanted special recognition while in PT uniform I would find a way to display my rank, so that it is visible.

Response by SSG James Seets made Apr 1 at 2014 11:46 AM

2014-04-01T11:46:12-04:00

I have always wondered this myself! I always just give the greeting of the day and carry on my way.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 11:49 AM

2014-04-01T11:49:22-04:00

I just give them a greeting of the day, say "How are ya" and keep it moving.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 11:54 AM

2014-04-01T11:54:54-04:00

Like our parents taught us; introduce yourself politely, they'll do the same, then respond accordingly.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 1 at 2014 12:06 PM

2014-04-01T12:06:35-04:00

In today's Army, at least in the TRADOC side of things before I retired, reflective vests with rank/nametapes sewn to them was how you could tell whom was whom. I know if I did not recognize someone while in pts I normally just would have said "Morning." and gone about my way, as most individuals in normal pt uniforms are not recognizable and unless anal will not correct you, at least that's how it used to was.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 12:43 PM

2014-04-01T12:43:59-04:00

Soldier seems like the right answer.

Response by SGT Tim S. made Apr 1 at 2014 1:27 PM

2014-04-01T13:27:15-04:00

Good point SFC G. I had two similar cases with the PT uniform when I was in the Army. Both instances took place while I was a SGT and tending to my soldiers. There should be understanding within this grey area. Or if the command element is really worried about it, then, as you stated, they should make all personnel display rank.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 1:37 PM

2014-04-01T13:37:40-04:00

Where I am stationed now 1SGT and above have to wear reflective vest displaying there rank along with all officers

Response by SGT James Elphick made Apr 1 at 2014 1:38 PM

2014-04-01T13:38:38-04:00

I like that CSM's advice, haha. Could you imagine saluting someone who you are unsure of their rank and it's some older PVT? or even worse a CSM? He would have that ass and wonder why you are going around saluting people you don't know. In the 82nd when I was there higher echelon's (Generally BDE and higher staff) had unit PT shirts with rank, but at the BN level, you would just have to know who they were.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 1:51 PM

2014-04-01T13:51:42-04:00

A lot of posts/units these days seem to use reflective vests with sewn on insignia and name tapes to identify leaders. At FT Bliss the post policy dictates what color reflective belt is worn. Green=Team Leader and above (regardless of rank SPC/SGT etc) and yellow=Soldier not in a leadership position. Additionally, subdued rank is worn on the reflective vest, though it is nearly impossible to see until you are 3 feet from the individual. Its an effective policy for the most part. I would assume other posts/units have similar SOPs.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Apr 1 at 2014 2:06 PM

2014-04-01T14:06:31-04:00

600-25 1-5 b. "All Army personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and RECOGNIZE persons entitled to the salute." I could never appreciate the mentality of expecting everyone to know who you are. If I don't deal with you on a regular basis, I'm not going to recognize you on a chance meeting. I have a hard enough time recognizing myself in the mirror (thank God for name tags).

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 2:32 PM

2014-04-01T14:32:03-04:00

Something was up his arse I assume. Unless his picture is on the Command board next to POTUS and SECNAV, why would he assume you know who he is and get bent out of shape for not saluting? Some people....

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 11:58 PM

2014-04-01T23:58:51-04:00

I think it's always a good gesture to recognize somebody else's presence regardless of rank with a proper greeting or of lesser ways using good judgement. If they want to engage in a conversation, an introduction will occur, then the two will know who is who and then you can do what you do.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2014 4:49 AM

2014-04-14T04:49:52-04:00

SFC Gilley, I guarantee that the CSM in question does not recocnize everyone on his post, and I also guarantee that he does not salute every person wearing PTs he does not recognize "just in case" that person may be an officer.  For all that CSM knew, you were a COL! I do salute people to that I know to be a senior officer while wearing PTs, but I am not going to start saluting everyone that I don't know. If the Army cared about this, then the new AR 670-1 would have rank on the PT uniform.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2014 8:35 AM

2014-04-14T08:35:49-04:00

Our battalion started using PT belts with a velcro square for ACU rank. It works okay as long as the belt doesn't get turned around.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 9:33 AM

2014-06-05T09:33:54-04:00

Well if you were the "prize" child of a company that I shadowed as a cadet in the CTLT program it does not matter........

He once waved and said "Hey, Sir" to the Company Commander to which triggered two immediate actions. The first was the Platoon Sergeant started in a dead sprint to the scene of the crime. The Company Commander just staring stunned at this "prized" child. The PSG saluted the Company Commander and then said sorry he is one of our chaptering out Soldiers.

When asked why he did not salute the Company Commander he said well I saluted him earlier this morning......so moral of the story is "if you salute once you are good for the rest of the day man....."

Sorry too funny not to share.

Yes it is hard to know who is higher, but get to know who is an officer within your platoon and if they salute so do you. That is the rule I did as a cadet. Know your leadership "wall" of photos for the big ones as well.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 5:19 PM

2014-06-05T17:19:57-04:00

Some really good comments on here. Personally, if I come across someone, whether in PTs or civilians, I don't know I will address them as "Sir" or "Maam". Yes, I may be in the 6th age bracket for APFT but that does not in any way preclude me from respecting others whether younger or older, senior or junior to me. Just simple decency and common sense. I have a brand new 2LT working as our XO here. He's young enough to be my son but I still say "Sir" as appropriate. Yes, partially because he's an officer but partially because it's WHO I am as a person and NCO.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jun 5 at 2014 7:49 PM

2014-06-05T19:49:56-04:00

When I was a young Marine, and we wore PT gear pretty regularly (and I clearly did not know too many Marines over the rank of Sgt), I took the simple path of Sir or Ma'am if they appeared to be older or more wrinkled than I was. I figured that being respectful and courteous should suffice. Now that I am the older guy, and occasionally have found myself roaming around in PTs, I don't expect for anyone except my troops to know who I am, and if someone is polite-I am good with it.
To me, there is no reason to think everyone should know who I am, there is also no reason for anyone to I encounter to be rude up front. I may earn that attitude, but should not get it up front.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 7:54 PM

2014-06-05T19:54:47-04:00

As a Young LT who did extra PT after PT (back when I was High Speed) I once got a very evil eye from a CSM for not giving him the greeting of the day. I did give the greeting of the day to a Warrant Officer in BDUs when I was in PTs and he asked me, “isn’t there something you do when you see a Warrant Officer?”
For the life of me I had no Idea what he was talking about, I again said “Good Morning Chief”.
He then said “What about a salute?” Now knowing what this was about I smiled and handed him my ID card.
“Sorry Sir”
I replied, “Isn’t there something you do when you see a commissioned officer?”

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 7:59 PM

2014-06-05T19:59:42-04:00

The best answer to this question is of course to always say Sir, Ma,am or Sergeant, the person you are greeting will 90 % of the time correct you on the spot. We live in a society that title recognition is important so there will be a response given as to who they are and where they work because they are proud of their organization.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2014 10:31 AM

2014-06-09T10:31:00-04:00

If I remember the correct way to identify an unknown rank is to identify them as Soldier. This is used to talk to uniformed personnel of unknown status from behind them when you can't see rank. It's probably gonna be a lot less trouble of you just say good morning take your scolding if it happens and move on.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 11:50 PM

2014-06-13T23:50:19-04:00

I believe this was the proper way to handle the situation with an unknown person. Greeting of the day and carry on. If they press the issue then address it on the spot. What really annoys me is when someone fishes for a greeting. The rule is 6ft, if a person is more than that no need to greet especially if its 20'. This has happened more than once and I can always tell because they will look at you then away a few times. As you pass they will shout a greeting. Never understood this...

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 12:22 AM

2014-06-14T00:22:33-04:00

Reading all these "gotta salute anyone you don't know", "insignia on the belts"....kinda makes an ol' salt sit back and chuckle.....but I think everyone can guess how I feel about it.

Had a Navy Captain (O-6 for you Non-Navy types) who was a fitness freak. Made all of us younger ones cringe when we had to do unit PT with him - the guy would take a 5 mile run and "extend it" to nearly 13 miles just to see how many were ready for the "half marathon".....not that many of us had all that much time to even consider applying for such drivel when considering our 70 hour work weeks when ashore.

One thing that was constant - he always reminded those who attempted to salute without a cover that Navy sailors and Marines do not salute indoors or when not covered.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2014 9:07 PM

2014-08-01T21:07:48-04:00

You should have just walked away. Only a true leaf eater would do something like that. Acting like that in a uniform void of rank insignia does not a leader make.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2014 11:11 AM

2014-08-02T11:11:45-04:00

Personally I just use the proper greeting without rank attached and if asked a question, I respond with "roger" at parade rest until I know who they are.

And to throw the Bliss belt idea into the discussion (where color of belt shows enlisted, officer, nco), I find it difficult at times to recognize a 1SG or SGM/CSM who I do not know when they are not directly in front of me.

Response by SGT(P) Karen Lonn made Nov 14 at 2014 7:50 PM

2014-11-14T19:50:52-05:00

I think you did the right thing. The greeting of the day. I think the problem is that SMs that know that the person they are passing is an officer, and they avoid the greeting. This is where NCOs need lead by example, and correct deficiencies. I have seen it and corrected it several times. However, you need to recognize the difference in an honest mistake, and an intentional dodging of military bearing and customs and courtesies.

Response by SGT Michael Chittum made Feb 20 at 2015 12:44 AM

2015-02-20T00:44:40-05:00

It amazes me how we got along without PT belts, 20 + years ago. And it is sad that this particular NCO had to show how much of an ick with a capital D he was.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2020 8:35 PM

2020-06-19T20:35:40-04:00

I have addressed LTs in uniform as sir and ma'am and anyone else for that matter. Had a 3 star at the Pentagon greet me with sir whenever passing in the halls. Its never wrong to be polite. I would never expect you to salute me if I'm not displaying any rank insignia or assume I am an officer, just don't assume I am not.