Should a 2LT salute a 1LT?

Sir, according to the customs and courtesies, we are obligied to call "At Ease" when a senior Non Commissioned Officer (E-7 to E-9) comes into the area.

Sir, Unless there is a SOP or an Order from  the Commanding Officer stating otherwise, as a NCO, I would call my Office to At-Ease if another NCO senior to the highest ranking NCO in the office enters, or likewise  if an Officer of a higher rank of the OIC of the Section or BN Cdr, as I worked in the S-1 entered, I would call the Office/Building to Attention.  If the S-1 was in the office, there was no At-Ease, even if the CSM walked in as the S-1 outranked the CSM, and those were his orders.

While I wouldn't generally call "at ease" for a staff sergeant, I will absolutely address one while at the position of parade rest. I do this not only because it is right, but because it shows my subordinates that what they know to be right doesn't stop when they reach my rank.

Well, perhaps things have changed since 'the day' as evidenced by the BDU pattern I wore in the photo. . . That written, at OBC (Ft. McClellen, AL, COBC 9-93) we had some 1LTs in our class (3 as I recall) and the policy was put out that LTs are LTs are LTs and that frankly, CPT was the first rank a junior officer (2LT, 1LT) was compelled to salute. Now, this is NOT true in Naval services (I was an enlisted Marine), I don't know about the USAF. I suspect it may be different based on where one is - Bragg as different from Hood as different from Campbell, etc. The really old guidance was that if it moves, salute it; if its not moving, move it; if you can't move it, paint it . . . When in doubt . . .

Privates are not NCOs and are not entitled to someone standing at parade rest while addressing them. 

Technically, enlisted are only to stand at the POA for an officer, when it's enlisted to enlisted the standard IS parade rest regardless of where on the rank structure you sit. Try telling an E2 or 3 that you don't have to go to parade rest as an E1. Good luck with that. 

Gentlemen, Having endured a 22 year career in the U.S. Navy and stood many a bridge watch with OODs fresh out of the Naval Academy or OCS I can attest to the fact that many, if not most O-1s and O-2 don't have enough sense to poor piss out of their boots! When on bridge watch I have been asked numerous times by a shave tail ensign or JG "am I doing it right, am I doing it right"? It's easy to see why the bridge watch team on the Fitzgerald got caught with their pants down, somebody wasn't paying close attention to what they were supposed to be paying attention to! I'm glad I retired in 1985 so that I don't have to spoon feed them any more!

So much for Military Courtesy, sailor.

OK, so a fresh out of school junior officer doesn't know how to conn a ship their first time out, does that mean you disrespect them? No...and as a Petty Officer, an NCO, you know that. One of the duties of mid-level NCO's is to help train their young officers.
If you want to be on top of them , then go out and earn your own commission. I think you'll find it's a bit harder than you think.
Regards,
Hugh

Respect and courtesy is the foundation of our profession with out it we descend into anarchy and fail in our duty. It hurts no one to show respect and courtesy. When I render a proper courtesy, I expect and deserve an appropriate response.

We don't teach that at our OCS. It's about respect. Is a Sergeant and Sergeant? No. And anyone. regardless of the rank, that is trying to make someone salute is wrong. You salute out of respect (and obviously regulation).

Simply put, there is a rank structure. If they didn't need to salute then do away with second LT and just make them all Lieutenants with no class difference. Not saluting a senior officer is not only a sign of disrespect but against your general orders. Anyone who says differently regardless of their rank is wrong. They have been behind a desk to long calling everyone in the company office by their first name and getting way to comfortable with their subordinates. &nbsp;<div>And if a 1st is trying to get a salute from a 2nd, he is not wrong, he is a dick. There is a difference.</div>

With all due respect, MAJ Dallas, I'd like to know what OCS you went through

SSst Daniel W...Where do you get that? Whether it is the military or a civilian job, there are standards of conduct. In most formal business situations, an "underling" will address "bosses" as sir/mam. Showing disrespect at in your speech can lead to your dismissal. I work in education and in of our mission to educate the kids, we call each other by our formal names at work, not by our first names. When I talk with the administration, in public or private, I say sir and mam because they deserve the respect. We do not salute like in the military but we still have the appropriate greetings. When I was working my way through college I worked for a lumber company. It was a sole proprietorship and I and everyone else said "Yes Sir." 

Another thing that bothers me is how people throw around the term "officer", but seem to forget the O in NCO. The only difference is whether or not you have a commission. 

I would offer that if you are a 2LT and you are questioning whether or not you should have to salute. you're either going to.have a hard career, or a short one. AND I've seen about enough of you NCOS saying "we shouldn't have to salute or say Sir at all". As a former SFC I will tell you all that does is belittle your professionalism in this public forum. It's the rules. It's the standard. Move out and draw fire

Gentlemen, this is my first post and I hope I'm not barging in on a conversation reserved for higher rank. I feel that with my input, one of higher rank could see what they are showing to their subordinates. I have been in service for a year and still live up to the following standards:

The standards for my platoon required me throughout my time here to stand at parade rest for team leaders and up while my team leader is E4. The reason is because his authority comes from NCO's and NCO's authority comes from the PL.

Regulation states that because of rank, you must address the NCO in parade rest with "Sergeant" at the beginning or ending of every statement spoken from you, and "Sir/Ma'am" to officers the same manner at the position of attention, and "Gentlemen" towards a multitude of officers. As I see it, no Soldier has the authority to sidestep regulation because doing so violates Respect. We have a Duty to perform because it is the Selfless Service that those Soldiers provided which earned them significant rank. One must show Honor by being Loyal to these Army Values, your branch of service, and have the Personal Courage to perform Integrity without fail.

What makes this relevant to the question is that while there can be small things like time in service difference, I see that it's still a whole rank higher. Two 1LTs however would not necessarily require a salute because they are of the same rank. To Soldiers like me, rank makes all the difference, and leadership always should lead by example. I can hate my leader all I want but because of his rank, I am required to render proper respect no matter what, without question, at all costs, and do exactly what he says, to the letter, with a sense of urgency, and never "obey under protest" or raise complaint. It is not my place to question authority.

Granted, I do not see any LTs saluting each other at all. If I was in leadership, these few paragraphs of military philosophy at least would be my basis of being a leader.

I see that being "close" to anyone higher in rank is nothing short of fraternization. My opinion only, of course based on what I am learning.

My effort is to be the best Soldier I can be and express my input to show what I as a low ranking Soldier have learned. If I am at any point out of line here, please excuse my action. I mean no disrespect, Gentlemen.