If I see an officer sitting down outside, do I salute him?

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 14:36:15 -0500

I'm at Camp Pendleton in the 52 Area, SOI, and I see a 1st Lieutenant sitting at one of the tables outside the MCX, I walked around because I didn't know if I was supposed to salute him. I tried to seem as little as possible like a shitbag, I don't know if it worked though.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2017 2:40 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 14:40:42 -0500

Unless you see a sign that says "No Headgear, No Salute Area" go with the old traditional thinking of "When in doubt, whip that salute out."

Response by SPC David Willis made Nov 15 at 2017 2:43 PM

SPC David Willis — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 14:43:43 -0500

Haha you certainly can, one of the best ways to break in a new LT is being super inconvenient with salutes. When we walked to chow and saw him coming we would space out to about 10 paces and each salute him. You can also salute one whos sitting, they may or may not stand and return it but its up to them.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2017 3:47 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 15:47:38 -0500

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member Great question. You do not salute if it is impractical to do so. I could not find an answer to your specific situation, although, I am leaning toward a hand salute being the right course of action. I think you handled it the best way that you could. As MSG Private RallyPoint Member mentioned, if in doubt, it is better to salute. Semper Fi Marine.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Nov 15 at 2017 5:21 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 17:21:06 -0500

If you recognize him as an officer, then you render a salute unless as it has been stated you are in a no salute area like the rifle range.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 15 at 2017 5:25 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 17:25:25 -0500

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member You Have Been Advised Wisely by Many of My Professional Shipmates! I Do So Love SPC David Willis Response! I Have a Sick Sense of Humor!

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Nov 16 at 2017 12:17 AM

SSgt David Tedrow — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 00:17:29 -0500

I always tried to train my Marines to use "common sense", which I hear they don't issue anymore. If the officer in question is seated and eating or drinking then it is usually fine to not salute. That said there is always that "one" 2nd Lt or 1st Lt that demands a salute no matter where he is at.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2017 12:19 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 00:19:54 -0500

I refrain from sitting outside in uniform. I will start advising the same for junior officers.

Response by Sgt Mick Culp made Jan 2 at 2020 7:57 AM

Sgt Mick Culp — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 07:57:25 -0500

I would salute