Is it all Army Guard units that don't call "attention" or "at ease", or is it just my battalion?

2021-03-03T02:07:55-05:00

I've been out of AIT for coming up on a year now. This past weekend was literally the first time I've heard anyone "call it" when a senior NCO or officer walked into a room or the area. That was when the BC came to check in on something while we were all at the same post, not just our respective drill stations.

I saluted the first time I went to see my CC in his office (reporting), and he looked at me like I was half off my rocker. Now, I realize that I'm just as much the problem, but I can read a room and figure out that standing out isn't always good.

I'd love to show top and the sir (and our platoon ma'am and sir for that matter) the courtesy they deserve, but I don't know if this problem exists everywhere else in the Guard too. Help.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2021 2:30 AM

2021-03-03T02:30:33-05:00

You don't normally call a room to at ease when a senior NCO walks in, that's basic training stuff. The unit is called to at ease when the BN CSM arrives. If the CSM walks into the room then you call at ease. If the BC walks in you call attention or come to attention.

You only salute indoors when you're reporting. You will report in the future when you are reporting to a board. Or when you are specifically instructed to report to your CO. Meeting your CO isn't actually reporting, that's just an introduction.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2021 8:18 AM

2021-03-03T08:18:31-05:00

I've always thought calling a room/area to attention or at ease is ridiculous. It disrupts the workflow and decreases productivity if everyone has to stop what they are doing and stand up every time an officer or SNCO comes around.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2021 2:24 PM

2021-03-03T14:24:49-05:00

Nah we never did that. Generally only time that happened was if someone up top (Battalion level officers) showed up. Don't worry about standing out or not giving respect. You can show respect to leaders by being polite, courteous, and not being a pain in the ass (not that you would for saying it but you get it.)

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 3 at 2021 3:55 PM

2021-03-03T15:55:04-05:00

My experience with the Guard shows they may be a little more casual than the active duty units; however, I am quick to add that proper military courtesy is never wrong. (Some rules are suspended in combat zones for good reason.) The rules for calling a room to attention for an officer who is senior to anybody in the room and other military courtesies should be spelled out in an Army directive. Look them over and be proud to follow them. Your sergeant will help you understand the local traditions. BTW, if you were told to report to the Commander, you were correct to do so in a military manner. His failure to return your salute was impolite at best.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2021 4:05 PM

2021-03-03T16:05:52-05:00

Try to find balance with your Hooah. Fit in when you need to and stand out in the right ways. In the lower ranks it doesn't take much to stand out ahead of your peers.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2021 5:12 PM

2021-03-03T17:12:21-05:00

We call "attention" and "at ease" for BN level and up for the most part. It caught me off guard at first too. As a Company Commander, I don't stress over it. However, when we are on an active duty installation I'll remind everyone that the customs and courtesies switch is back on 100%.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 4 at 2021 6:12 PM

2021-03-04T18:12:20-05:00

Wait, I’ll check

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2021 7:46 AM

2021-03-07T07:46:28-05:00

You'll notice things are a bit more relaxed, and not just among the Guard but on Active as well. The TRADOC environment is tight out of necessity, but once you get to your unit you'll see where things are relaxed and that just takes time for you to feel out.

That doesn't mean lose your bearing, but you'll discover how your NCO's and officers conduct themselves. I saw an O-6 tell everyone within hearing distance to stop calling a room to attention while he was there, in his opinion it was interrupting work every time he went to do something. If the CG stopped by then yes everyone called attention but not for the colonel.

I had an O-5 who we only called attention at the start and end of the day because he spent a lot of his time moving throughout the HHC and also didn't want people to stop working.

I got tasked out to work with a two star for a day, and he had the same mindset. Us calling attention was getting in his way and so he ordered us to stop and send anyone who had a problem with it his way. Of course the CSM would pop in and tell us to call attention, because CSM is fun like that.

It really depends on your officers and NCO's but things are dialed back a bit outside of training and certain situations. You'll find the line as you get to know your unit and their expectations.