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I have been dealing with this a lot. I have seen both ways. As per AR 600–25 the junior person should salute. I see a 1LT senior to a 2LT and I salute them. I have seen many instances where this does not happen. Most see a LT as a LT regardless of being a 1st or 2nd. How do you all feel about this?
"B. All Army personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize persons entitled to the salute. Salutes will be exchanged between officers (commissioned and warrant) and enlisted personnel, and with personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States..."
"B. All Army personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize persons entitled to the salute. Salutes will be exchanged between officers (commissioned and warrant) and enlisted personnel, and with personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States..."
Officers
Customs and Courtesies
Army
Saluting
AR 600-25
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 1296
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What I like is when I see a COL with a LT and I salute the COL so the LT also salutes back while the COL says that's not for you LT.
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SSG Kevin McCulley
I've gone after a captain sternly for avoiding my salute. "EXCUSE ME SIR!"
I was having a bad day and it could have ended badly for me but remember my fellow enlisted they owe you that return salute every bit as much as you owe them theirs. They just get it first because of rank. If an officer does not return your salute, TAKE IT AS DISRESPECT. IF you don't salute them, that is what they will do after all. This all goes back to two knights passing in for forest, lifting their visor to show no ill intent. If an officer goes out of their way to not salute you, they are projecting an image that you are not a warrior.
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Damn right he had better salute or have a come to Jesus prayer meeting. Military is not a good old boy brotherhood. It requires a command structure, not an excuse structure.
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I don't understand why there would even be a question about this. The general overall question is should a junior officer salute a senior officer? Should a LTC salute a COL? and on and on. The answer is yes. Why would there be any exceptions?
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CW3 Matt Hutchason
I kind of agree, especially for O3 and above. Those ranks are awarded based on whether or not the person wearing the rank still breathes. I know that my rationale is wrong, but.....
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As a SNCO, I have stopped a 2LT and informed them that they need to salute a 1LT and when they tried to object, I asked them if they had time to go with me to speak with their COL, my COL or the base commander. If they attempted to argue with me, I took their name, rank, and organization and informed them they would be contacted. It didn't take long for word to get out on the base that there was an asshole SNCO calling 2LTs to account. I also called out officers who did not return the salutes of those who saluted them.
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I know my original response was a bit nebulous...but, yes...knucklehead...a 1LT does outrank a 2LT and anyone that tells you different prolly took way too many prescribed meds as a young adult. Does that mean that a 1LT should act holier than all, nope! What's the difference between a Private First Class in the Army and a 1LT? The Private First Class has been promoted more!
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As a Navy Chief, I would have loved to see an Ensign not salute a LT j.g. I would have thoroughly enjoyed the Chief to Ensign training that would have followed. That said, I never saw it because it would be ridiculous. There is a reason why the colors are different, even though the bars are the same size. Is this even an issue in the Army?
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CPO Scott Boyle
OK, see here is where I am confused. You say this is a common custom with a good reason, but your own NCOs don't know about it, and you even have officers confused about it. If there is that much confusion then it is obviously not a respected practice. Chiefs call each other by our first names, no matter if we are E7-E9, but we do it behind closed doors. So, yes, that is a respected custom many don't know about but they don't need to because no one sees it other than us. Lack of a salute is public and therefore possibly seen by juniors. There is a big difference in my eyes. All that said, do whatever floats your boat. This was posted for all to see and I'm sharing my opinion on it. Cheers.
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SGT (Join to see)
MAJ Ballinger, then please explain this Custom, as it goes against Regulation, and an explanation might better allow us to see where you are coming from.
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MAJ (Join to see)
So, MAJ Carl Ballinger, based on your last post in this thread, "The regulation states only enlisted and officers exchange salutes", if I were to see you walking around on Ft. Hood, and I did not salute you, you wouldn't have an issue with it? We are only separated by one rank. I am a CPT, you are a MAJ. How about if I didn't salute your BN CDR, or BDE CDR? Do you think they may have an issue with it? According to your last post, "only enlisted and officers exchange salutes".
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If I hear another 2LT saluting 1LT question, I'm gonna bang my head against keyboayrhfudjejfjdk fjdugfc
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Should a NCO salute a 2LT? Why?
Try and answer that question without it being applicable to a 2LT saluting a 1LT.
If you can do that with a reference to some sort of regulation, memorandum, policy, SOP, FM, AR, DA PAM, TC, SMART Book, dash 10, anything I can read; I will concede.
If you cannot, well then I can come up with a bunch of "understandings" and unwritten rules too. Like sticking my hands in my pockets when it's cold.
Try and answer that question without it being applicable to a 2LT saluting a 1LT.
If you can do that with a reference to some sort of regulation, memorandum, policy, SOP, FM, AR, DA PAM, TC, SMART Book, dash 10, anything I can read; I will concede.
If you cannot, well then I can come up with a bunch of "understandings" and unwritten rules too. Like sticking my hands in my pockets when it's cold.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Simple, base the salute on positional authority. If you don't know the positional authority of someone of a higher rank than you, then you salute them. If you do know the positional authority of someone, and they are of a lower rank, but higher positional authority, salute them. If they are of higher rank and higher positional authority, obviously salute them. Below is a graphic and is based on saluting according to positional authority.
Salute based on positional authority
Their Rank is:
Higher Same Lower
"Their
Position Is:" Higher -----> SALUTE SALUTE SALUTE
Equivalent -----> No Salute No Salute No Salute
Lower -----> Return Salute Return Salute Return Salute
Unknown -----> SALUTE No Salute Return Salute
Salute based on positional authority
Their Rank is:
Higher Same Lower
"Their
Position Is:" Higher -----> SALUTE SALUTE SALUTE
Equivalent -----> No Salute No Salute No Salute
Lower -----> Return Salute Return Salute Return Salute
Unknown -----> SALUTE No Salute Return Salute
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Maj (Join to see)
Yes, respect the rank...I always say you don't have to respect people but you must respect the rank.
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