Posted on Nov 3, 2013
CPT Senior Instructor
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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..."
Edited 11 y ago
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Sgt Robert Gardner
2
2
0
Yes!
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LCDR Thomas Combs
2
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I'm a coastie, but I was in the army for 9 years, had three platoons, and one company command.  I can't believe that this topic has produced such a volume of discussion.  Aren't there bigger issues in the army worthy of debate than whether a 2LT salutes a 1LT?  It's been the tradition for decades, and if it hasn't caused a breakdown in the chain of command after after all that time and three wars, it probably isn't going to do so in the future.  As we used to say, honor among lieutenants is like honor among... well...ladies of the evening.
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SFC Michael Hartwig
SFC Michael Hartwig
>1 y
Don't worry LCDR, I tell it to their faces as well.  Some are easily trained others have been doing it wrong so long they can't be changed.  My Commander has a real issue with calling me by my first name in front of the whole staff.  I need to remind him that we're not in the SOF community.
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SGT(P) Platoon Sergeant
SGT(P) (Join to see)
>1 y
Sir, honor is one of the seven Army Values. I expect my most junior enlisted soldiers to act honorably. Failure to do so results in remedial training or NJP, as appropriate. A Second Leutenant may not have any experience or responsibility immediately upon commissioning, but Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage are expected and required of all soldiers from day one.

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LCDR Thomas Combs
LCDR Thomas Combs
>1 y
Apples vs oranges.  When did we stop talking about military courtesies and start talking about core values?  Just because a 2LT doesn't salute a 1LT doesn't mean he lacks core values.  If it did, the Army would have been doomed after WWII.
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GySgt William Hardy
GySgt William Hardy
>1 y
It took Maj Ballinger a bit, but he finally explained the reason he says no on this issue. Now that he has explained about the commander having the authority to interpret regulations, I understand his stance. As I said in the other post, if I were under your command, I would go by the standards you set in accordance with regulations. I just wish you had said that in the first post. Those of you who are still talking about this issue, read the Major's post about the regulations giving commanders the power to interpret the regulations in situations like this one. I think it ended the discussion quite well.
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LT Melissa Metz
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2
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I agree with most who have posted here. A salute is a courtesy and sign of recognition of achievement to a senior. Not to salute a senior would be akin to walking past someone without a greeting. This is not how I was raised, and certainly not what was expected when I was in the service. On a personal note, it's a bit disappointing as well. Nowadays people seem so in-tune with the latest technology, that we've lost the most basic of human courtesies. My hope is that in the military, this time honored tradition will be preserved.
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LT Melissa Metz
2
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I agree with what most have said.
A salute is a military courtesy as a sign of respect and recognition of achievement in the military. Not to salute a senior officer is akin to passing someone without a respectful greeting. This is not how I was raised, and certainly not what I saw when I was in the service. It's also a bit disappointing on a personal level ... the world seems so atune to technology that we've lost some of the most basic of human courtesies.
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PFC Matthew Bahr
2
2
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Out of respect they should but I also see both sides of the coin.  Obviously someone that is not an O-1 should offer a salute.  It really depends on how much it went to their head in my opinion.
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SGT Ncoic
2
2
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In my opinion Salute is different and yes a 2LT should
salute a 1LT. Is showing respect to the person who earn the rank. It doesn’t matter
they are both LT. Now it’s different if a 1SG talk to a MSG…. Who’s going to
stay in parade rest?



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1SG Driver
1SG (Join to see)
12 y
The MSG stands at parade rest as a show of respect under general military authority due to the position of higher authority the 1SG holds. It's not in any AR and it's not about who out ranks whom, but rather a courtesy and show of respect.
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CPT Senior Instructor
CPT (Join to see)
>1 y
You make a great point 1SG. It should be rendered out of respect for the other and not out of position.
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Capt Jeff S.
Capt Jeff S.
11 y
Should a LTC salute a bird COL? It's spelled out in AR-600-25 and there is no ambiguity. That should answer the question. The only question not answered is, "Why are we even discussing this?!!!"
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LTC John Wilson
LTC John Wilson
>1 y
Why are we discussing when to salute and whom to salute? It is clearly written in the Military manuals of all branches and should be understood once you are out of Basic.
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CPT Ray Doeksen
3
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1
"What if a 1LT walks towards a CPT and a 2LT walking together? Should the 2LT not give the salute to the 1LT even though the 1LT was primarily saluting to the CPT? Answer: the 2LT salutes with the CPT and the 1LT salutes first, not because of the lack of respect from junior LT to senior LT."

Simple regs and rules cover this don't they? The 1LT should salute the CPT, the 2LT should salute the 1LT, at EXACTLY the same time. The CPT is going to return the salute to the 1LT and everybody can hold the salute for long enough that everyone gets saluted! Respect!
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LT Section Chief
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2
1
Edited >1 y ago
Yes. Always salute a senior officer. This should NOT be a question that someone contemplates. 
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MAJ Inspector General
MAJ (Join to see)
>1 y
Personal opinion, no as they are both LTs. However, if that 1LT is in a Command position than yes a salute should be rendered and a Sir or Ma'am as appropriate.
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CPT Signal Officer
CPT (Join to see)
>1 y
I as a 2LT have been corrected several times by 1LTs for saluting them. 
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SFC Michael Hartwig
SFC Michael Hartwig
>1 y
you weren't corrected you were misguided
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CW2 Ernest Krutzsch
CW2 Ernest Krutzsch
>1 y
When I became a Warrant Officer, I was told not to refer to Senior Warrants as Chief, or Sir, but by their first name, I never did that, but it seems to be a custom among the Corps
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Cpl Ray Fernandez
3
2
1
Allow me to ask another question. What is the big deal about rendering a salute? Is it a hardship to raise your arm and render a sign of respect to another service member? Personally I say salute show respect and move on. Odd as it may seem, I've seen enlisted salute other enlisted as a sign of respect (notably one of my Drill Instructors saluted another Drill Instructor from another company out of friendship and respect). Should it be done according to regulations yes, but the reality of the world is that although something may be in the regulations it isn't always the end all be all of the exact way business is conducted.

I say do it unless otherwise directed, and if you're a 1Lt saluted by a new 2Lt, return the salute and chuckle about it to yourself later in private. No harm done.
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SFC Human Intelligence Collector
2
2
0
I'm not sure what the issue is, Sir. To me, this is like asking, 'Should a Lt. Colonel salute a Colonel?'. Just as there are several difference between a Light and a Full Bird, much of the army recognizes differences between a Lt. and (excuse the phrase) a Butter Bar. But regardless of opinion, regulation clearly states the proper procedure. And besides, it's actions like these that create controversy. If some witnesses the failure of an O-1 to render a salute to an O-2, they might immediately see it as an act of disrespect or a general lack of respect for traditional customs and courtesies by both officers. Rule of thumb for me in training was, "When in doubt, salute. No one ever gets smoked for saluting."
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