What’s the proper way to correct someone when not saluting an officer?

I think the more important question is was it a “No hat, No salute” zone? I’ve seen that at hospitals and USOs as well as Aviation AOs.

Tactful but straightforward.

I was a ssgt and my wife's cousin was a LT. We met each other in a parking lot in front of base hq and didn't exchange salutes. A bird Colonel proceeded to rip us a new one and impressed us that the salutes were for rendering respect for the uniform and not necessarily the individual wearing it. Never forgot that educational moment. We were in the wrong. If the private can't accept that as a man perhaps he's in the wrong profession.

It should be done immediately. Especially if you are certain the enlisted soldier intentionally avoided it. Aggressive or non aggressive is just style. The importance is correcting the problem and making the soldier aware of their surroundings.

Of course this just happened. I saluted (as a civilian) a soldier I know was injured in Afghanistan. A few minutes later an Air Force officer told me civilians don't salute military. He is lucky I was in a hurry to go home. I have every freaking 1st amendment right to show my respect for a member of our military by saluting him/her.

You were right, the soldier was corrected very tactfully, the way it should be done.

I guess I'd start off by asking if this hospital environment and the nearby USO has a "lax" attitude toward saluting, in general. And secondly, if this Major and Lieutenant were medical officers. My experience, way back in the late 60's, was that our BN surgeon (a top-notch neurosurgeon that was DRAFTED), could "give a crap" about military policy and procedures. He often did not return salutes or gave a sort-of "wave". Why he was only an Army CPT is knowledge held only by the Army. I also experienced, as a brand new "Butter Bar" in that same unit, our Company TOP that walked into the platoon leaders room and told the three of us "Newbies" that he was absolutely NOT going to salute us, unless we had the gonads to go out back of the barracks with him and win a fist-fight. LOL ! With him being a crusty old Viet Nam vet, we all figured he knew some real "dirty" fighting, so no one took him up on it. Within a month or so we apparently passed whatever test he had for us and he started saluting us. Perhaps one of my fellow 2LTs complained to our CO, or further up the chain. I never found out, nor particularly cared.... However, I NEVER tolerated a non-salute from any other enlisted man, as I had been drafted and worked my way through to E5 then OCS. It's a fairly simple rule, respect the rank. Even as a 2LT we always saluted the 1LTs. They often laughed about it, as we all had the same jobs !

You were very passive aggressive in this humble Marine's opinion. I would have locked that young PFC up and in no uncertain terms explained that it was NOT acceptable to simply ignore not one but two Officers. Then after letting the PFC go on their merry way would have addressed the Major's lack of concern for improper discipline. Semper Fi

I had this happen when I was newly commissioned. But I also remember being a JR Enlisted. Any rank above SPC scared the crap out of me. It's part of the autonomic fight, flight or freeze mechanism we all have ( some people just don't freeze). You can tell by the look in their eyes and body language.

Best way to respond, IMHO, is to approach the Soldier and give instruction. Don't berate the Soldier, just be a gentleman (or lady) and instruct and professionally correct. Employ the "see one, do one, teach one" aspect of the educational process. Remind the Soldier of proper etiquette and ensure they know that etiquette through the lesson.

It's always better to guide and teach with sugar than with salt. If there is an NCO nearby, let the NCO address the situation. If the NCO does not, shame on that NCO. If they address it, I trust they will address it appropristely.

How are America's young military service members supposed to get the mental toughness and savvy needed in order to overcome real adversity if they are considered to be too sensitive for accountability. I am just a civilian and this may sound weird this may sound for all I know but there are many reasons why I really want to serve my country. And what them is the feeling you get when you're involved with good positive teamwork. I would be proud to salute the U.S. Military uniform it is exactly the kind of stuff that just motivates me.