Posted on Feb 25, 2015
The infamous LT saluting thread...what does it say about us?
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I noticed "that" thread has over 600 replies and nearly 4500 votes...must be a RP record.
Interestingly, the question is seemingly innocuous--the regs are clear, juniors salute seniors; yet, the debate became a RP classic.
Are certain regulations or customs more coveted than others? In theory, they should all carry equal weight, but in practice this doesn't seem true.
What say you? What customs or regs do you enforce most fiercely, if any?
Interestingly, the question is seemingly innocuous--the regs are clear, juniors salute seniors; yet, the debate became a RP classic.
Are certain regulations or customs more coveted than others? In theory, they should all carry equal weight, but in practice this doesn't seem true.
What say you? What customs or regs do you enforce most fiercely, if any?
Regulation
RallyPoint
Saluting
Culture
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 9
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MSgt Jim Pollock
You know the answer and you know why it was so popular. Senior NCOs must enforce all standards, policies, regulations and customs/courtesies ruthlessly. We must be the shining example for others to follow.
I salute all officers including 2LTs, if a 2LT wants me to stand at attention while addressing him/her I will. Now that probably won't bode well for that young LT when my battle buddy finds out but, that's the rule.
Herding the enlisted is pretty hard work but, we have some help in our junior NCOs. Keeping the officers straight is much harder. While there are some very professional officers who understand the "officer and a gentlemen" mentality, they do not do a very good job of policing each other. It usually takes a whisper in the ear of an O-5 from an E-9 to get an O-4 or below to understand. Usually only takes one whisper though.
You know the answer and you know why it was so popular. Senior NCOs must enforce all standards, policies, regulations and customs/courtesies ruthlessly. We must be the shining example for others to follow.
I salute all officers including 2LTs, if a 2LT wants me to stand at attention while addressing him/her I will. Now that probably won't bode well for that young LT when my battle buddy finds out but, that's the rule.
Herding the enlisted is pretty hard work but, we have some help in our junior NCOs. Keeping the officers straight is much harder. While there are some very professional officers who understand the "officer and a gentlemen" mentality, they do not do a very good job of policing each other. It usually takes a whisper in the ear of an O-5 from an E-9 to get an O-4 or below to understand. Usually only takes one whisper though.
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MSgt Jim Pollock
CSM, thanks and agreed on all points. This is the type of response I was hoping for when I posted the question.
The length and volatility of the referenced thread had me taken aback a bit. If we're actually debating something as deeply rooted in military culture as saluting, then we need to step back and take a hard look at ourselves.
So yes, CSM, I do know the answer. I think it needed to be said out loud though. Thanks again.
The length and volatility of the referenced thread had me taken aback a bit. If we're actually debating something as deeply rooted in military culture as saluting, then we need to step back and take a hard look at ourselves.
So yes, CSM, I do know the answer. I think it needed to be said out loud though. Thanks again.
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Things it says:
1. CPT (Join to see) Posed a question early in the history of RP.
2. He touched a chord of a very specifically constrained minute detail of customs and courtesies that some people cherish in general, and other people think is unimportant (especially in specific) to observe and varies in importance by service and era.
3. He picked a piece of customs and courtesies that many people consider trivial in the grand scheme of things and therefore comment with lots of "seriously?"
4. As the post gains attention and participation it becomes self-perpetuating for reason 3. It will likely continue growing as RP does for quite some time.
1. CPT (Join to see) Posed a question early in the history of RP.
2. He touched a chord of a very specifically constrained minute detail of customs and courtesies that some people cherish in general, and other people think is unimportant (especially in specific) to observe and varies in importance by service and era.
3. He picked a piece of customs and courtesies that many people consider trivial in the grand scheme of things and therefore comment with lots of "seriously?"
4. As the post gains attention and participation it becomes self-perpetuating for reason 3. It will likely continue growing as RP does for quite some time.
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