Saluting: Have you ever encountered an officer that did not salute you back, although he/she recognized your salute?
Saluting
Officers
I didn't give you the down vote - but I wouldn't worry about it too much. I agree with the officer that was implying that you only needed to salute the uniform not the individual. For the most part and for most officers it's just that - saluting the uniform. But I HAVE met and worked with that rare officer who, in my humble opinion, EARNED that extra bit of respect from peers and enlisted folks. Even today, were this one particular Admiral still alive, I am certain every single one of his past unit members would stand and render honors even in civilian clothes and a completely civilian setting - he was just that kind of an officer.
Unfortunately, too many officers and entirely too many of their wives get the weird idea that even in a civilian setting and out of uniform feel they should be rendered honors just cuz they're commissioned. When I see that attitude being displayed I'm actually embarrassed for the military.
I was informed as a Private after numerous occasions where I saluted a Navy or Marine Officer while checking their ID cards at the gate and them just nodding and driving off, that they do not salute if they don't have head gear on. I don't know if that's an official thing or not, but it seemed pretty accurate to me. I was upset at first, until the Airmen I was working with told me, and I was fine with it after that, I just kept doing my thing.
Other than that I have never personally experienced it. However, to me it would depend on the rank of the Officer, as an NCO at my level I provide knowledge and guidance to My LT, and my Company CO if he asks for it. So I would say that it would be more than appropriate for me to conduct and about face, approach said Officer, and make a polite correction while standing at the position of attention, and when the conversation was complete Render a Salute and continue on my way.
SGT Unger Please Read Carefully
AR 600-25 (Salutes, Honors, and Visits of Courtesy) Chapter 1 Paragraph 5
d. The practice of saluting officers in official vehicles (recognized individually by rank or identifying vehicle plates
and/or flags) is considered an appropriate courtesy and will be observed. Salutes are not required to be rendered by or to personnel who are driving or riding in privately owned vehicles, except by gate guards who will render salutes to recognized officers in all vehicles unless duties are of such a nature as to make the salute impractical. When military personnel are acting as drivers of a moving vehicle, they should not initiate a salute.
I read this when I was a Private, and my Team Leader explained it to me. If the Car is Stopped for what ever reason, and you identify the driver or any of the passengers as an Officer or Warrant Officer before you release the vehicle you Render the proper customs and courtesies.
Notice the first sentence, a few years ago it was normal to salute a Vehicle just because it had a Blue Post Decal, The Marines still did it up until the Decals went away. The Driver didn't return a salute, because of safety reasons. COL and Above sometimes have Plates on their vehicle, Are you to tell me that your not supposed to salute a Vehicle with a two white stars with a red back round on a plate mounted to the grill? I think that's common place, and being PSD Qualified ( provide security for Generals and other VIPs) I know that its common place.
Don't just say according to Regs, and then be wrong about it. If you don't know the exact Regulation or at least a variation of the wording pertaining to the Subject, then either Look it up, Google is an awesome tool, Or don't say anything. Because in the end as a SGT (P) you look Foolish.
However, as per regs, an acknowledgement of the salute is required (which I assume would be the nod mentioned in the original post). It should also be noted that while most Naval Officers do not wear headgear in a POV, I have met Naval Officers who will drive without headgear until they get to the gate, when they will put it on to return the USAF guard's salute.
Great nuanced post SSG!
For this particular Officer, I considered it as more protocol rather than respect for him. Yes he was an Officer, but I definitely don't respect the man behind the rank. I would never follow him into combat.
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