Is a motor pool a no hat no salute area?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 20:02:13 -0400

Last week I got fussed at by some random SFC about not wearing my PC. We went back and forth respectfully. He eventually got annoyed and walked off.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2023 8:15 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 20:15:24 -0400

If there is NO sign designating a No Hat/No Salute zone....then guess what? You wear your cover and you salute.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 13 at 2023 7:53 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 07:53:50 -0400

Unless it is designated a no salute and/or no cover area by local policy or clearly marked signage you are required to wear your headgear and carry on as usual.

Response by CSM William Everroad made Mar 13 at 2023 8:53 AM

CSM William Everroad — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 08:53:43 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, just to provide context to what SSgt Christophe Murphy and MSG Private RallyPoint Member indicated, there has to be local policy making an area a "no hat" and/or no-salute zone.

You see these types of areas where saluting can be repetitive and reduce the effectiveness of the act or work being performed. For example academies and work areas that see a lot of traffic or saluting can impede work. These types of things are clearly established by local policy (i.e. the commander or facility directors with authority to do such).

There is a school of thought that indicates that maybe the Motor Sergeant or Motor Pool NCO can dictate such a policy. I disagree, policy decisions rest squarely with the Commander whose oversight includes the facility. No matter how obscure, there is always one.

If there is a sign, there is usually a policy reference number, if there is not I would question the authenticity of the sign and in such cases would just keep the PC on.

At the end of the day, unless you are shoulders deep in an engine compartment, the PC should probably be on your head. Disclaimer, in cases where the TM indicates that personal protective equipment must be worn while in or around a certain type of equipment, a "no-hat" policy is void (i.e. equipment that requires an ACH if the engine compartment is open).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2023 11:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 11:48:51 -0400

Does your unit have a policy letter or are there any signs posting that state it is no hat/no salute? I'll go with no. So then you wear the cover you salute and the SFC was right to correct you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2023 1:04 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Mar 2023 13:04:47 -0400

What does the Commander say? Nothing is automatically a no hat no salute area.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 19 at 2023 8:06 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 08:06:50 -0400

It would never be a no salute area, why would it. There are command and or local policy that dictates. Arguing with an E7 was not the way to go. What you should do, unless you can site the policy is to follow the order and review the policy.

Not sure what makes a SFC random, just because you don’t know them does not authorize you to ignore there order.

You got lucky. As for the E7, he should not have put up with you refusal to obey an order after the first go round.