The final word on saluting? ARSTAF CWO weighs in.

The only exception to the "one bar" rule that I ever observed: When a 1stLt was acting in lieu of a Captain (billet-driven). My first Company Commander was a 1stLt. Out of courtesy for her billet, we (CWO's, 2ndLt's, and one other 1stLt) all saluted her and called her "ma'am." It was good practice for her "1stLt-Second Award" promotion. But it reminds me of this:
Q.) What do you call an officer appearing on the Captains' promotion list?
A.) Lieutenant.

This subject is one that comes up on a regular basis ... and has in the past and will continue to do so in the future. My observation is really a simple one. The regulation says the "junior" will salute the officer/senior officer. So, what does this mean. While on active duty, as a SGM with 30 years service when I retired, I never once thought twice about saluting a new WO1 or 2LT. The obvious here is ... why would I. It's the right thing to do. Think of the whole "teach, coach, mentor" aspect here. Although the regulations are the regulations, it's also just the right thing to do. Now, when you are in your WO1-to-CW2 relationship, and the 2LT-to-1LT relationship, my observation is fundamentally simple: If you do not respect military service and regulations, then why should your soldiers (your reason for existence by the way) respect them? If you, as a warrant or a commissioned officer, do not feel obligated to salute a higher-ranking officer, then how can you, in good faith, hold a soldier to the standard if he or she does not salute you when you are establishing the standard? BE the leader and lead by example. It's about LEADERSHIP, not LIKERSHIP.

"Requiring" something that was already in B&W isn't going to make it happen. Just like telling troops not to do anything stupid during liberty briefs isn't going to prevent them from doing anything stupid during liberty.

This is a "cultural" issue, not a "regulatory" issue. Much like the "1 bar rule" in the USMC which is a matter of Pragmatism, because no one would be able to walk more than 5 feet without saluting another Lt or WO around TBS.