Posted on Sep 5, 2014
Should one still salute when crossing the brow on a decommissioned/museum ship?
19.5K
101
29
8
8
0
This came up in conversation regarding the USS Nautilus (SSN571), which is now decommissioned and is a museum ship right outside the main gate of Naval Submarine Base New London. The ensign and the Navy jack are still flying on the ship, and thus far, I've not heard a consensus on the issue. The closest thing to a consensus that anyone here at Sub School has come up with is along the lines of, "When in doubt, salute," but I was hoping for a bit clearer of an answer.
I'm hoping that CMDCM Gene Treants , PO1 (Join to see) , and PO1 (Join to see) can offer some insight.
I'm hoping that CMDCM Gene Treants , PO1 (Join to see) , and PO1 (Join to see) can offer some insight.
Posted in these groups: 
Saluting
Customs and Courtesies
Saluting Customs and Courtesies
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
13
13
0
PO1 Michael G. Great Question and since The National Ensign is still flying on the ship, we render honors to the Ensign, not to the Officer of the Deck who is not there.
There are TWO distinct steps to be performed when we board a Commissioned Ship in the Navy: 1. We render Honors to the Ensign and 2. We Salute the Officer of the Deck (OOD) AND then Request Permission to Come Aboard (enlisted) or Report our Return Aboard (officer). The OOD returns BOTH of the Salutes that we rendered.
Even if the ship is decommissioned but still flies a National Ensign like the Nautilus or the North Carolina, Wisconsin, etc, we still, as Sailors, render Honors to the Flag of Our Country. (US Navy Regulations 1207 does not specifically address museum ships, but it does address Honors to the Ensign).
I hope this clears up the question for all hands. For all non-sea services the Ensign we are talking about is the Flag of the United States that flies at the Stern (Flat end) of all Naval Ships in port or Aft (behind) of the Conning Tower of Submarines. The Jack is the part of the flag that has the Blue Field with the Stars and flies on the Bow (Pointy end) of the Ship.
There are TWO distinct steps to be performed when we board a Commissioned Ship in the Navy: 1. We render Honors to the Ensign and 2. We Salute the Officer of the Deck (OOD) AND then Request Permission to Come Aboard (enlisted) or Report our Return Aboard (officer). The OOD returns BOTH of the Salutes that we rendered.
Even if the ship is decommissioned but still flies a National Ensign like the Nautilus or the North Carolina, Wisconsin, etc, we still, as Sailors, render Honors to the Flag of Our Country. (US Navy Regulations 1207 does not specifically address museum ships, but it does address Honors to the Ensign).
I hope this clears up the question for all hands. For all non-sea services the Ensign we are talking about is the Flag of the United States that flies at the Stern (Flat end) of all Naval Ships in port or Aft (behind) of the Conning Tower of Submarines. The Jack is the part of the flag that has the Blue Field with the Stars and flies on the Bow (Pointy end) of the Ship.
(13)
(0)
SSgt John Carroll
Without going into any Branch's Regulations here is my view. The Salute is a sign of respect, so plain and simple: If you have respect or feel you should pay respect, then do it, and if someone gives you flak for it then I guess they don't have the same respect or honor as you.
(2)
(0)
11
11
0
As MCPO Treants has stated, if the ensign is flying, then salute. I know the Missouri here in Pearl Harbor is decommissioned, but you are still required to salute due to the ensign still flying on her brow. I still salute on noncommissioned vessels if the ensign is raised as a show of respect.
(11)
(0)
11
11
0
I was at Pearl Harbor touring the Arizona for my honeymoon. I gave the wall of dead a salute. I didn't care who saw me.
(11)
(0)
CMDCM Gene Treants
I also did that every time I visited and I did not care either! Well done Shipmate!
(8)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google