What is your funniest salute story?

In 1968 I was a third Class Hospital Corpsman stationed at the Naval Dispensary at the Navy Department in Washington,D.C. I was concentratating on a task and saw a person wearing khakis walking by and I said "Good morning Chief" At that moment it was like time stood still. everyone disappeared and it was dead silent. I looked up and saw Admiral Hyman Rickover standing in front of me! I popped to attention and saluted and said "pardon me Admiral" and he said "carry on corpsman" and then left. I thought my career was over. Actually, 10 years later, I was interviewed by Admiral Rickover when I attended submarine training as a Chief Hospital Corpsman. He told me he remembered me because that was the only time he was ever called a "chief" and now that I was a chief I would understand that I had actually complimented him since the backbone of the Navy is the Chief Petty Officer.

While in Navy Electric/electronics class San Diego, 1972. I casually saluted an officer with somewhat of a curve to my right hand. The officer quickly grabbed my hand, straightened it out, and said "there". I never maid that mistake again.

When I was serving at the Air Force Academy I accidently cut my right hand thumb deep and needed to go to the medic. I wrapped paper towels around my hand to stem the blood and walked outside in the freezing cold. About half way there I encountered a CWO who stopped me and wanted to know why I had was walking with my hand in my pocket and had not saluted him. I explained to him the situation and he told me "I don't care if you cut your hand off. This is the Air Force Academy. Get your hand out of your pocket and salute me." I told him respectfully, Sir, no sir. Saluted him with my left hand, turned around and walked off. Never heard a word.

As a young airman, I broke my glasses at work one day. I was walking across base to go get my prescription so I could get new glasses. Apparently, as I walking, the base commander (a one-star general) zoomed by me in his staff car. I didn't even know he'd driven by me until I got back to my office with my new glasses. My supervisor had a frightened and sick look on his face as he told me I was being summoned to the base commander's office. He asked me what the heck I had done. I told him I had no idea. So my supervisor and I go to the base commander's office where he proceeded to chew me out for about 10 minutes non-stop. Then he asked what I have to say for myself. I was too terrified to speak, but my supervisor told him I had broken my glasses and couldn't see the staff car insignia and then gave the general a copy of my prescription. The general muttered, "oh, well, ok then" and dismissed us. Wonder if he learned the lesson that you should ask questions first.

I was pulling guard duty one night while in basic training at Ft. Polk. I had switched my weapon to my right shoulder to relieve pressure from a pinched nerve. Not two minutes later a 2nd Lt. walked up and I saluted him with my left hand. Oh boy, did I ever get dressed down and I made sure I NEVER MADE THAT MISTAKE AGAIN!

About a year ago following a Warrant Officer Graduation at Ft Rucker Al, I was saluted by about 6 brand new W-1s. I was standing just outside the doors, preparing for a photo. I had my pride vest on and a Desert Storm hat with multiple pins and my Crow pin (Po2). No uniform. I’m long retired. I had turned to face the main doors as the newbies came out. A gnat had decided to attack my right eye as the Graduates approached. I raised my hand to swat at the gnat. Mistaking the movement, all 6 new Officers Saluted me in unison. I grinned and returned the salute. Then as with the old tradition, all 6 handed me a Dollar honoring their first salute.

In 1988 I was just out of boot camp and had just transferred to San Diego when I found out the drinking age on base was 18. Myself and a few friends were going to the club. We still had to wear uniforms because we had not earned our civilian clothes chit and had not even one ribbon. It was night and pretty dark and as we approached the club none of us saw or saluted a Marine Colonel as he approached from the opposite direction. He asked us did they not teach us to salute Marine officers in boot camp and all I could say was yes sir and salute crisply, but what I was thinking was "I did not even learn to recognize Marine Officers in boot camp". I was terrified, just tow days out of boot camp and I had already screwed up. He was actually really cool about it though. I have since found that Junior officers are much more worried about it than junior officers. I spent almost the next 18 years in a field unit and rarely saluted.

After a hospital at Chanute AFB, I was assigned to an orderly room in an officer squadron as a clerk typist.
One weekend I acquired a three-day pass of Friday-Sunday. I had a great time. but I had to report for duty Sunday night as CQ duty (Charge of quarters). It was my duty to assist officers arriving that night with procuring quarters.
The CQ was allowed to sleep on a cot in the orderly room, and hang the sign on the door, “KNOCK LOUDLY. CQ IS SLEEPING” and lock the door.
Well, I bedded down. The next thing I knew, was it was morning and the Commanding Officer was shaking me to wake me up with that sign in his hand. Some officer had come in that night and added to the sign, “ HELL, HE ISN’T SLEEPING. HE’S DEAD

While serving in the Navy as a Corpsman, Third Class, stationed at the dispensary at Terminal Island, California I was surprised to see my Dad who happened to drop in for his annual physical. He was a Captain in the Navy and he was accompanied by his boss who happened to be a Rear Admiral. They were both in dress blues.
My division officer who happened to be a rather pompous W-3 immediately approached the three of us and began to dress me down for my failure to act “appropriately” in the presence of two senior officers (They both shook my hand and to my embarrassment, and gave me a hug.)
I immediately fell to attention and introduced the Admiral and my Dad by their proper names. My division officer became so frustrated with himself that he immediately saluted both officers, in complete frustration and in violation of all customs and rules since all of us were bareheaded. He immediately disappeared for quite a time. I must admit, I truly enjoyed the moment.

While an Airman with 1 stripe, I often walked with buddies along a troop walk going to the base cafeteria for lunch. The walkway was usually pretty heavily traveled at that time of day, with many officers in the mix. When I would spot an officer, I usually saluted first and said something like, "Good Day, Sir!". The usual response from the officer(s) would be something like, "Carry On!". Well, one day the situation was reversed. As we approached each other, the officer spoke and saluted first. I was amazed when I heard myself say "Carry On!" as I returned the salute. I immediately anticipated being called back for this breach of protocol, but nothing happened. Amazing!