Should a 2LT salute a 1LT?

Discussion in private don't demand the same respect as a salute in public. Next thing you know we will debating date of rank of one 2nd Lt. over another. Come on guys this is basic military protocol. Salute a higher rank for the rank not the person. the rank has been earned by service in the military, however respect is earned through leadership.

I suppose that is a difference between enlisted and commissioned and our respective approaches to the martial culture. My squad leader would have the squad over for cookouts and consumption of beer. He was still sergeant, even when intoxicated. That wall allowed us to be social, develop camaraderie, and build the team yet not violate tenants of fraternization. 

Like I said in the first sentence, It depends on the situation and where you are. At the time this occurred the major and I were not in a combat unit, and the atmosphere is TOTALLY DIFFERENT. We were running tests and experiments for the Dept. of the Army and the Dept. of Defense. We were assigned to a "Project Team" and we were basically staff officers and NCO"s. Although we were in charge of different groups of people from outside units from time to time, neither of us had any troops working directly under us. If we needed that group of people to do something, we went to the senior person in that group and gave them the instructions for the group. My position on the team put me in a position where sometimes I had to go to Capt.', Majors, Lt. Col.'s ands even Col.'s and give them their instructions for the day. We would sometimes sit in operational planning meetings with E-5 through O-7 on the military side and representatives from Raytheon, Ford Aerospace, General Dynamics, and Northrup Grumman on the civilian side. These were discussions, not meetings where orders were being issued and EVEYONE in that room talked as if they were all equals. Now, as an NCO, I couldn't bring myself to call an O-6 or O-7 by his first name, but I didn't answer "yes sir" or " no sir" either. I did that at the first meeting I attended and was instructed that "it was not necessary" right in the middle of the meeting. As far as the major I mentioned before, we were members of team and in that situation, he looked at me as an equal team member.

Ahhh I see. 

So I've updated my photo to one that was taken 60 seconds before the other.  So you can understand now 1LT Gilcrest that sometimes in a war you have to take off your headgear even when your not inside a building, and what you'll also find out is people love to take pictures during deployments.

Your response is completely out of line and I would expect an NCO with your credentials to take the high road on such a rather mundane topic.  He called you out and now you have to pout about it.  Just remember who your audience is (or could be) in this forum.  

What exactly are you talking about SFC Anderson?

1LT Gilcrest, I am curious if you have ever been guilty of a uniform violation, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Have you ever put your hands in your pockets, or walked while texting or talking on your Blackberry? Did you feel as though that undermined your authority or responsibility to enforce standards amongst your soldiers?

While stationed at Fort Bragg I kept three pt belts, an extra set of black gloves, an extra fleece pt cap, and an extra beret in my trunk. I knew that even if I somehow managed to go all year without forgetting something myself, I would certainly need to square away someone else. My reserve uniform items were at various times used, and occasionally even returned, by my peers, my subordinates, senior noncommissioned officers, and officers of both the warrant and commissioned varieties. Especially when everyone works odd hours, people occasionally mess up.

A few months ago my PL left his beret in his car. He did not realize this until he had already showered and changed into his duty uniform. The only solution available to him was to exit the hangar and walk all the way across the parking lot without headgear. Although he was almost immediately asked where he was going without headgear, he was not counseled or reprimanded for this infraction because sometimes people make mistakes. 

SGT Davidson, would you expect that SPC to stand at parade rest for you?  If your answer is yes, then he or she should for that CPL.  That's not negotiable.  A CPL is an NCO, a SPC is not.

All due respect, sir, but you're wrong.  If you'd expect a salute from me, you should expect one from that 2LT.  It's regulation, and by not expecting it, you're sending a message to the jr. enlisted and NCO Corps that says "Standards don't apply to us, we're officers".

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Chief -

I see your point, and agree on that level. I was looking at the pay grade - both E4 - and comparing the O1 v O2 in question.

As a Specialist, I did parade-up for Corporals. Had I the Corporal rank instead of the Specialist, I do not believe I would have 'pushed the issue', so to speak. In my ten years, I never saw that one pushed or enforced. What I did see, however, was deferment on a regular basis, and E1-3 grades really confused.

Then again, I also only encountered two Corporals between both enlistments. It was really a non-issue, as they 'didn't exist' (at least not in my unit).

Point well made, point taken.