570
562
8
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
4
3
1
Is this an example of the focus on "petty discipline" over war fighting focus we have to look forward to in years to come? Folks seem to be eating this conversation up.
(4)
(1)
SGT Carissa Lara, RCS
I agree with MSG Pollard. Why does everyone seem to think that we can only do one or the other? We are supposed to be the world greatest fighting force and we can't multitask to be combat ready AND disciplined.
(0)
(0)
CW3 Ian Mains
2LTs weren't saluting 1LTs prior to the GWOT. The responses here blow me away. Most of the "yes they should salute" responses are from those who have never been in those positions. Decades of servicemembers before us came up with a way to do things for a reason, and it worked; we haven't caved in as an institution (US Dept of Defense) because LTs don't salute each other, all NCOs don't stand at parade rest for each other all the time, because the LTC calls subordinates by their first name, or because Warrants don't salute each other and ALL call each other by first name. There's a difference between "customs and courtesies" and "traditions". One is written the other is not.
(3)
(0)
COL (Join to see)
Best response yet. You could also add that everyone calls warrant officers "Chief".
(1)
(0)
(0)
(0)
4
3
1
When I was young Sgt. I worked with a group of LT's , both 1st and 2nd, all great guys, but none them ever saluted each other. When I asked them about this their reply was " rank among LT"s is like virtue among whores". I think that kind of sums it up. If you consider this a problem, you must first realize that the LT's caused it themselves, and THEY must be the ones to clean it up.
(4)
(1)
SSG Jim Handy
That's pretty arrogant to call something BS when you weren't there. Do you think everybody has exactly the same experiences as you? If you think you are smart enough to pass judgment on others like this, you do a disservice to the uniform. Not everything in the military happens the way YOU think they should!
(1)
(0)
SFC Walter Mack
Virtue among whores, that's funny. I believe these things happen. I've had a LT that got angry any time we saluted him because he thought it was a silly tradition. This was in the 90s when I was a Private. It's out there, but it's not correct.
(0)
(0)
SSG Jim Handy
Something else that needs to be considered is the unit we were in. We were in a unit that did experiments for DOD and the Dept. of the Army. We were all members of "Project Teams" and our jobs were to write the test parameters for the experiments and then make sure those parameters were met when the experiment was carried out in the field. None of us had troops working directly under us and none of us were in "leadership" positions. It's a lot more relaxed atmosphere and relationships are different.
(0)
(0)
Cpl David Schaffer
From my experience in the Corps, a butter-bar would salute a 1st Lt. As a LCpl (E-3) I had a 2nd Lt say something to me and he was quickly corrected by my Gunny and told "this Marine has been promoted more times than you, so show some respect." If this Lt would have been a 1st Lt I know my Gunny would have treated him differently. A 1st Lt has earned the rank more so than the 2nd Lt just as a PFC has earned the rank compared to a Private. It is all about earning the respect. Maybe things in the Corps are different than the Army, but I personally think the 1st Lt earned his or her rank and deserves the respect of that rank.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I have heard that before, an Lt is an Lt. I hate that. I used to get on the 2Lts for not saluting 1Lts whenever I saw it. Just keep chipping away at traditions, small things don't matter right, and soon enough the big things don't matter either.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
True, there are regulations and as soldiers, we must follow. Yes, in accordance with regulations, a 2LT should salute a 1LT, but to caveat on this for the people who are regulation minded and not see a sense of humor in the comment I’m about to make, it would be like a PVT/E-2 standing at parade rest for a PFC.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
2
2
0
Nope, rank among lieutenants is like chastity in a whore house....there isn't any. The only time that a salute is given is when the 1LT is the 2LT's company commander and that is only because the 2LT is showing respect for the position.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
In the 90’s, we considered an LT an LT unless they were in command or acting commander. I found the collegial relationship between LT's in the Battalions I served to be crucial to our mission success and frankly, our sanity. However, there is always one douche in the canoe. When I was in 1-506th, 2ID on the DMZ we had this new 1LT who one morning after I had coffee with the 1SG, asked me to stop by his office. As I walked into his office, he called me to attention and told me from this day forward I was to salute and address him as 1LT X or Sir. I burst out laughing so hard he ranged walked right out of his office. #FBF #LPA
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
If you are going to go "by the book", then yes, salute. Most Lt's I knew never saluted each other. I have also seen Lt's and WO's not salute each other as well as 2nd Lt's that salute WO's out of respect for there length of service and experience. I guess if it really bothers you then do what makes you feel good.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
As a 2ndLt straight out of TBS and still in a training command (flight school) we are instructed of the "one bar rule" aka 2ndLts, 1stLts, and warrant officers do not salute each other. I don't know where it comes from or why this distinction is made apart from all other officers, but it is taught to every USMC officer before we hit the fleet. I obviously haven't been in service very long, but I think we all know there are unwritten rules that are observed in the military, and for officers (in the Marine Corps at least) this is one of them. It is not a lack of respect or not understanding rank structure, it's just a general rule that is followed for the most part.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google