Posted on Sep 18, 2014
Should PFCs stand at "Parade Rest" for a SPC?
204K
1.5K
491
21
21
0
We had Lieutenants saluting each other, now I ask this: Should an E-3 stand at the position of parade rest for an E4 Specialist (not a corporal)?
FM 7-21.13 The Soldiers Guide in Chapter 4 addresses customs and courtesies. It states that Soldiers junior in rank will stand at parade rest when addressing an NCO unless otherwise directed.
I remember when I was a PFC, I had a Specialist who was adamant about all E3s and below standing at parade rest in front of him. Was he right?
What say you RP?
FM 7-21.13 The Soldiers Guide in Chapter 4 addresses customs and courtesies. It states that Soldiers junior in rank will stand at parade rest when addressing an NCO unless otherwise directed.
I remember when I was a PFC, I had a Specialist who was adamant about all E3s and below standing at parade rest in front of him. Was he right?
What say you RP?
Posted in these groups: 
Customs and Courtesies
NCOs
Customs and Courtesies NCOs
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 180
5
5
0
Yes... of course... and 2LTs need to salute 1LTs... Because we are Italy.... If we are in Germany, then the Answer would be No, but in Italy, the Answer is always Yes.
And what about a Command Private Major?
2LTs don't salute 1LTs... and Parade Rest is for NCOs!
NOOOOOOO
And what about a Command Private Major?
2LTs don't salute 1LTs... and Parade Rest is for NCOs!
NOOOOOOO
(5)
(0)
SGT William Howell
I actually held the rank of Master Private for a day. My 1SG cut the first 2 stripes off and E-8 insignia and made me wear it one day. Not even sure what I did to get it. I have it in my shadow box.
(1)
(0)
COL Charles Williams
I was promoted to General at Air Assault School as a Captain.. the NCO Instructors put a big white chalk star on my helmet because they said "Sir you are general F&^% U* Sir!"
(2)
(0)
5
5
0
SFC (Join to see)
SFC Mark Merino , I did too, but that doesn't mean that we were right. By Regulation anyways...
(0)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
I always did as well. I did it that way for everyone so I never messed up no matter who I was in front of. I think it helps Soldiers (junior enlisted) to always practice courtesy, even among each other. Hopefully that SPC will be an NCO one day and that PFC will probably be a SPC and over night he/she will be expected too stand at parade rest. If it's done consistently a Soldier will perform as a Soldier consistently, but I am aware of the regulation. I guess a Soldier that takes pride in the fact that they are wearing a U.S. Army uniform will take pride in themselves as a Soldier.
(0)
(0)
5
5
0
If I recall correctly from my enlisted/NCO days, standing at parade rest was a courtesy afforded to NCOs who are senior in rank. Thusly, no I don't think a PFC should stand at parade rest for a SPC.
(5)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
Your memory serves you correctly Sir, and as I stated in my post a SPC is not a NCO.
(2)
(0)
4
4
0
We really need to stop trying to reincarnate the Lieutenants saluting one another question
(4)
(0)
LTC Mark Gavula
Lieutenants saluting each other is like virtue among whores. So I was told when I asked this question when I was a new 2LT.
(1)
(0)
LTC Scott O'Neil
Here is another question that has to do with history and drill and ceremony Where is the place of honor in a formation, why and where did it historically start? Hint Rome
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
I'm a Navy guy, but the way I understand it a SPC is NOT an NCO, and the instruction you cite clearly states Soldiers junior in rank will stand at parade rest when speaking to an NCO. So my answer to your question is no.
(3)
(0)
COL Thom Brooks
A SPC is not an NCO. I agree with you completely! Should there be respect if the SPC is in charge? Of course. But none of this parade rest! NCOs are a special group of Soldiers, etc. They should be treated as such.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
No. I think Specialists should be content with the salutes they receive from us poor eye-sighted Air Force types who see insignia on hats and automatically salute. ;)
(3)
(0)
CPT Ahmed Faried
lol @ MSgt Bj Jones. Fresh out of OCS I came across an older looking SPC. From my vantage point as I was approaching I mistook the rank for LTC. I rendered a quick salute and he saluted back with a "As you were Lieutenant" Still my funniest military experience. I'm sure it wasn't the first time for him.
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
If they are the PFCIC, by all means. :o)
I've seen where an armorer and medic both, who due to prior to service experience were considered SMEs. As a result, some SSGs would insist that detail personnel (E1-E4) stand at parade rest when asking for guidance on the tasking.
Appropriate... hard to say.
I've seen where an armorer and medic both, who due to prior to service experience were considered SMEs. As a result, some SSGs would insist that detail personnel (E1-E4) stand at parade rest when asking for guidance on the tasking.
Appropriate... hard to say.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
I am all about LTs saluting and not about standing at Parade Rest for an SP4. I recall having to do that when a SP4 had a Ranger Tab but if not they were just a joe. I still call SP4 a full bird private. They out rank other privates but doesn't entitle them to the courtesy afforded to NCOs.
(3)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
SPC 5s and 6s were for the more technical jobs back when they had them. I'm pretty sure a CPL was an NCO when you served because it is the most junior NCO rank.
(0)
(0)
SSG Paul Forel
Well, believe it or not, I had a SPC 7 come into our dispensary while I was with Alpha Co. 326 Med Bn at Camp Eagle I CORPS.
I kept staring at him since a) he was an old-timer with SPC 7 stripes and b) was wearing the utility/stateside uniform the guys wore when they were first coming to Vietnam.
I kept thinking he had forgotten he was supposed to go home, probably long ago.
But the strange part was that he was blind in one eye, meaning I could not patch his other eye but instead had to use a tiny bandaid.
When I asked him his MOS ("What kind of job do you have here in VN, being blind in one eye?"), he explained he was a Chief of Smoke (Chief of Firing Batteries) which again blew my mind since months before, while I was with the 25th ID down by Cu Chi, we had a 105mm (102mm) round land on our battery area one day.
Seemed the COS from one of our other batteries (2nd/77th FA) had given mistaken co-ordinates to his gun bunnies. He was also blind in one eye (relevant or not).
But the strangest thing about this was when thirty years later I was talking to a smelter manager in Ohio, I think, who told me that not only was he also a former Chief of Smoke, he also was blind in one eye.
I am not making this up.
Anyway, yeah, there were SPC 6's and even a SPC 7 back then.
I kept staring at him since a) he was an old-timer with SPC 7 stripes and b) was wearing the utility/stateside uniform the guys wore when they were first coming to Vietnam.
I kept thinking he had forgotten he was supposed to go home, probably long ago.
But the strange part was that he was blind in one eye, meaning I could not patch his other eye but instead had to use a tiny bandaid.
When I asked him his MOS ("What kind of job do you have here in VN, being blind in one eye?"), he explained he was a Chief of Smoke (Chief of Firing Batteries) which again blew my mind since months before, while I was with the 25th ID down by Cu Chi, we had a 105mm (102mm) round land on our battery area one day.
Seemed the COS from one of our other batteries (2nd/77th FA) had given mistaken co-ordinates to his gun bunnies. He was also blind in one eye (relevant or not).
But the strangest thing about this was when thirty years later I was talking to a smelter manager in Ohio, I think, who told me that not only was he also a former Chief of Smoke, he also was blind in one eye.
I am not making this up.
Anyway, yeah, there were SPC 6's and even a SPC 7 back then.
(1)
(0)
SPC Randy Torgerson
Well I believe this should answer the corporal being an NCO debate.... NCO school was not only not part of becoming a corporal, but it was when you were a corporal or a spc 4 that you would get to go to NCO school in order to make SGT. So how could you be a NCO if you never attended NCO school? (other than an "acting Jack" as we used to call it, but that was not official).
I am open to being wrong on this and will admit so if someone has the definitive answer. But otherwise I'm going with no NCO school, no NCO designation. You can call it JR. if you want but that's not official.
I am open to being wrong on this and will admit so if someone has the definitive answer. But otherwise I'm going with no NCO school, no NCO designation. You can call it JR. if you want but that's not official.
(0)
(0)
SSG Maurice P.
I know in the United States Marine Corps Corporals run shit hehehehehe Oohrah and Semper Fi..................
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
-
Ask questionGet expert advice and
tips for your questions. -
Post updatePost pictures, personal updates, plans, or anything you like!
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google