Should a 2LT salute a 1LT?

Yes, it recognizes a Superior Rank and a fellow Soldier. A Salute was a Recognition among Warriors first.

Absolute!

There's a lot of variables. Are they both in uniform, or PT, clothes, or lounging in barracks, are other enlisted nearby? I think out of respect they should salute each other just like I've seen a colonel and a captain do. It's called respect.

Skimming through this discussion, something interesting surfaced. We are so stodgy that we need regulations to address when we say "Hello" to each other in the Military. Everyone is taught the origin of the salute in basic training and its application. We probably received corrective training when we failed to remember what we were taught to reinforce the importance of situational awareness. From there, it likely becomes a fear of missing rank recognition and the Soldier tries to avoid such encounters. The infamous "hidey-holes" or detours Soldiers duck into are passed from generation to generation to circumnavigate these possible encounters.

I know everyone has had someone of a higher rank yell at them or tell them to do something they didn't want to do. They take that and turn it into a grudge against higher rank that affects their ability to see the whole picture. That in turn makes it difficult to feel a part of the whole, and they start questioning the simple mannerisms of our culture. The result: frustrated lower ranking Soldiers walking around not wanting to say "Hello" to people they should be looking to for leadership. Another situation I have repeatedly run into is : "I'm not going to salute if I don't have to", or taking on the task of judging whether or not someone deserves to be saluted. Excuse me for judging, but this is not only feckless but also toxic to your fellow Soldiers and is a bad example of Soldiering and leadership for your junior Soldiers. If we can "Embrace the suck", then why make a huge deal over something so trivial as rendering a salute. I never required people salute me, but I always had a return salute and greeting when I was.

So, should the COL salute the CPT who is the Commander of his Unit, or a SPC give courtesy to a CPL leading a work detail? Again, go back to our original training and meaning for the salute or courtesy. It means "I am aware of your presence, I recognize you are my leader, I am paying attention to you directly awaiting guidance, and I am not trying to kill you because I am unarmed." That "unarmed" thing is true - Soldiers going Postal is unfortunately too common still today.

Regulations should be questioned because they are not made clear enough, not because of personal bias or misinterpretation. I read section 1-5 of AR 600-25, and find it a bit confusing because of the terminology used. Junior counterbalances senior, and describes a difference in experience. When using the term, what counterbalances "Superior"? Inferior? Is the COL inferior to the lower ranking Commander CPT? I'm sure they would not like be classified as inferior and would likely let you know.

Should a specialist stand in Parade rest for a corporal same grade, its the same idea the lowest rankig should always salute the next level basic C&C

Of course.....why are we discussing this?????

why wouldn’t you? I look at it as a sign of mutual respect.........wouldn’t you?

Salute the higher ranking officer.It won't hurt you and God knows we need the practice.Salutes have become so casual ,it is disrespectful to whoever is receiving it.

In my junior officer days of the Army... lieutenants did NOT routinely salute each other in passing...but would occasionally in a more formal ceremony setting or such. But this is a very small topic to even discuss on these boards....
Most new 2LTS ( Ensign/ 0-1) are only at that rank for 2 yrs or less...and the only people it matters too, would be a small subset of NEIDERMEIER 1LT types making an issue of it. Quite likely, if you are NOT being saluted by your peers in an “optional setting”... it is because only a 1LT DickHead would insist upon it.

It’s better to salute than to get s reprrmain