Should one still salute when crossing the brow on a decommissioned/museum ship?

PO1 Michael G. — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 21:15:23 -0400

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 Private RallyPoint Member , and PO1 Private RallyPoint Member can offer some insight.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2014 9:56 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 21:56:28 -0400

PO1 Michael G. That is a great question. Are you required to salute when boarding a vessel that is not in commision, no.

With that said, I would be hard pressed to find any Sailor that would give you a hard time for rendering honors.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2014 11:40 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 23:40:09 -0400

Great, there goes my 100 trailblazer points! Anyway, 1st, the ship IS decommissioned so no need to salute. 2nd, you don't have a brow watch who acts on behalf of a ship and ensign, even lesser reason to salute.

Now: if you just happen to be on the deck in uniform and WITNESS raising and/or lowering of ensign, you might want to salute then because it is being 'worked'

Hope that answers it, shipmate!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2014 12:15 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 00:15:09 -0400

Y'all and your shippy shipliness...I like these threads because the only thing I know about watery ocean ship stuff is "Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in morning, sailor's warning” which I take to mean y'all batten down the hatches or something.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Sep 6 at 2014 12:57 AM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 00:57:43 -0400

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.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Sep 6 at 2014 1:18 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 01:18:26 -0400

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.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2014 5:38 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 05:38:27 -0400

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.

Response by PO3 John Jeter made Sep 6 at 2014 11:23 AM

PO3 John Jeter — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 11:23:13 -0400

Crossing the "Quarterdeck" of an active naval vessel actually calls for 2 salutes. Coming aboard, the first salute is to the national ensign. The second is to the Officer of the Deck who, by virtue of the watch-standing title (if not by actual rank) is entitled to the military courtesy of a salute while requesting permission to come aboard or depart . I say that about the actual rank because on many smaller vessels an E6 or above may stand OOD watches. In departing, one simply reverses the sequence. OOD first, flag last. If a vessel displays the American flag, military protocol dictates the flag should be saluted upon entrance and departure. For a museum ship with no actual watch or authority figure at the access point the second salute is not necessary. Now if there is a uniformed park ranger or some such vessel authority figure at the access point, courtesy would suggest rendering of a salute.

Response by SN Alan West made Sep 6 at 2014 12:38 PM

SN Alan West — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 12:38:23 -0400

Yes, when crossing the quarterdeck of any Naval vessel, active, decommissioned or museum it is right and proper to salute the national ensign. You are rendering respect to the men and women who served aboard that vessel and to the vessel itself for its service. To me there is no question whether or not to salute.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Sep 6 at 2014 3:23 PM

CMC Robert Young — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 15:23:06 -0400

During my last visit to the Nautilus, I saluted as is our custom. There is never any harm done by adhering to our traditions and honoring our heritage.

Response by SN Tracey Decker made Jul 28 at 2015 11:54 AM

SN Tracey Decker — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:54:11 -0400

Are solders of retired status saluted? Yes they are and so should or ships. They helped us fight and in most cases we won because of them and our sailors.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 12:05 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:05:24 -0400

If the ensign is still flying then absolutely. If in civilian attire come to attention for a moment instead.

Response by SSgt Mike Finch made Aug 7 at 2017 8:57 PM

SSgt Mike Finch — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 20:57:49 -0400

Is it proper for a veteran of a different service to render a salute when boarding, disembarking such a ship?

Response by PO1 Richard Nyberg made Nov 12 at 2020 6:50 PM

PO1 Richard Nyberg — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 18:50:50 -0500

Out of respect you should always salute