Posted on Sep 18, 2014
SFC Intelligence Analyst   Atl
205K
1.5K
491
21
21
0
7974309046 07837d37a4 o
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?
Posted in these groups: Customs and courtesies logo Customs and CourtesiesImages 20 NCOs
Avatar feed
See Results
Responses: 180
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
SPC John Gomez
0
0
0
Yes i believe a private should stand at parade rest for a specialist. This comes with constraint. The private should only have to stand at parade rest for a specialist that has deployed. This will be a senior lower enlisted soldier with valuable knowledge in their field that privates will not know. I served in an Infantry company and this was the standard and I believe it also shows respect for a soldier that has deployed and been through the hardship. A non-deployed special is just a higher payed private to me.

Just my Opinion though
(0)
Comment
(0)
1SG Company First Sergeant
1SG (Join to see)
11 y
That I can stand behind SPC Gomez.
(0)
Reply
(0)
SFC Intelligence Analyst   Atl
SFC (Join to see)
11 y
Good follow-up SPC Gomez.
(0)
Reply
(0)
SSG Ncoic
SSG (Join to see)
11 y
SPC Gomez,

I'm not trying to be a jackass about it, but think it through... if someone has to stand at parade rest (or offer any type of military custom or courtesy) just because someone else deployed, how far would it go? One deployment has to stand at parade rest for two deployments? Any idea how many of our senior leaders haven't deployed? Should we disregard them because of it?

Rank implies experience. It implies a certain amount of wisdom. THAT'S what we offer our respect to. The person who has deployed might have sat in an office drinking coffee for 6 months, while the person who didn't deploy might have been in charge of running their section.

To address your situation specifically - it sounds an awful lot like the work of the good idea fairy. Someone got a little full of himself and started demanding respect. Think of it like this... someone who wanted respect made that the rule, but a LEADER would have (and should have) shut it down.
(2)
Reply
(0)
SSG Ncoic
SSG (Join to see)
11 y
One more thing. For what it's worth, I'm glad you posted. This definitely isn't a site only for Senior NCOs, but there is a lot of experience lurking around. Read through the comments and use these guys' knowledge when you pin your stripes.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Ncoic
0
0
0
The guy sounds like a Tool First Class. His leadership needs to make sure he doesn't wear stripes until he understands that they don't mean anything if the person behind them is an ass.
(0)
Comment
(0)
SFC Intelligence Analyst   Atl
SFC (Join to see)
11 y
SSG (Join to see) , he was and as far as I know he has long since separated from the Army.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
CW2 Jonathan Kantor
0
0
0
No. Sorry, I meant hell no.
(0)
Comment
(0)
SFC Intelligence Analyst   Atl
SFC (Join to see)
11 y
Very good chief.
(0)
Reply
(0)
PFC Zanie Young
PFC Zanie Young
>1 y
Yes, Sir!
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Detailed Recruiter
0
0
0
It's kind of an unwritten rule I believe although a spc in my book is just a glorified private it should be a respect for rank where I grew up e-1 went to parade rest for e-2 and so on
(0)
Comment
(0)
SFC Intelligence Analyst   Atl
SFC (Join to see)
11 y
While it is a sign of respect... It should not be required and then have the reg used as a reason when the reg states otherwise.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Squad Leader
0
0
0
I have heard people say that soldiers will stand at parade rest for soldiers of higher rank, but I have never seen any regulation specifying that any soldier will stand at parade rest for anyone other than NCOs. Sounds to me that this specialist was overstepping his bounds.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Tim O'Reilly
0
0
0
When the SPC is in a position of authority such as Fire Team Leader.
(0)
Comment
(0)
SSG Ncoic
SSG (Join to see)
11 y
His position doesn't make him an NCO.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Andrew Wright
0
0
0
While I wasn't infantry I was in an infantry battalion 1/508 PIR and every time a PFC came to a SPC he stood at parade rest
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC RADAR Repairer
0
0
0
That's just dumb maybe parade rest for a CPL but a SPC really?
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Eric Ziems
0
0
0
I think you should only stand at parade rest for NCOs. You don't have to work for your e-4 it comes automatically with time in service. You shouldn't have to stand at parade rest for someone who really hasn't worked for their rank
(0)
Comment
(0)
SPC Randy Torgerson
SPC Randy Torgerson
11 y
I am for the first time on RP actually offended by your comment PFC Eric Ziems. I worked damn hard for my SPC4 rank in the 1980's. They didn't give any corporal stripes out in Germany during my time there. SPC4's were team leaders in the infantry. I may not of demanded someone to stand at parade rest, but I can tell you that we worked for our SPC4. And guess what? They did not have to promote you to SPC4 then.

I guess the military has changed dramatically since I was in..... What happened....?
(0)
Reply
(0)
SPC Eric Ziems
SPC Eric Ziems
11 y
E-4 SPC comes automatically with 2 years time in service. Things must've been different when you were in. But from what I see in the army now it doesn't take much effort at all anymore to get your SPC.
(0)
Reply
(0)
SPC Rifleman/Rto
SPC (Join to see)
11 y
Sorry, I don't think its appropriate to go to parade rest for a SPC. Sorry, they are not NCOs. While they are team leaders and of course deserve respect, they are NOT NCOs. I am an infantryman as well and some units insist on going to parade rest for SPCs and I think it is silly. 
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
TSgt Terry Hudson
0
0
0
If the SPC is just talking to the lower ranking member than no, but if that PFC did something stupid and the SPC got to him before an NCO did than yes. In the AF, if an A1C does something stupid a SrA can pull him/her to the side, ***WITH*** a SrA who has graduated ALS or an NCO present.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.