Posted on Dec 14, 2018
What’s the proper way to correct someone when not saluting an officer?
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I was walking with a Navy LT and an Army Maj. (My hospital has both services) from the USO across the street to the hospital and a PFC passed and didn’t salute. I stopped and asked her, “Do enlisted soldiers not salute officers anymore?” The Maj. with me said I didn’t have to be so aggressive about it. What’s a better way of addressing it without coming off as aggressive?
Customs and Courtesies
Saluting
Enlisted
Officers
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 389
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Just politely remind the Officer that it’s your duty to do an on-the-spot correction.
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The major was wrong, on the sport corrections call for direct and specific words and actions. Don't sugar coat it, point it out . It is remembered that way and not sloughed off.
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CW3 Walter Goerner
There are always excuses when called into account and I've heard them all. Personally, I've had to correct enlistedmen for not saluting passing officers when the officers didn't correct them but the offenders that got to me were the one's that looked you in the face, had to see the bar on your beret and still passed by within a few feet. Then, I'm not nice when I have to turn around to correct the behavior.
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You took corrective action which is the responsibility of ALL Soldiers. It seems the problem was with the Officer.
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That's not even aggressive. You're right about it so who cares? The only time ita wrong is if you threaten someone for doing something wrong
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SGT (Join to see)
PFC (Join to see) respectfully, I might disagree.
Imagine if Gunnery Sergeant Chuck McLeatherjaw walked by and didn’t salute. And the Army Specialist did the exact same thing. As long as he didn’t threaten the disrespectful Marine, hes right?
Imagine if Gunnery Sergeant Chuck McLeatherjaw walked by and didn’t salute. And the Army Specialist did the exact same thing. As long as he didn’t threaten the disrespectful Marine, hes right?
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PFC (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) it's different when correcting a superior. You correct superiors tactfully. But you should correct your subordinates in a sort of aggressive manner. Dont let it be shown that BS is okay. Make them remember that experience of being corrected and then they will have no trouble doing it the next time
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SGT (Join to see)
PFC (Join to see) - I guess here’s where I might disagree. You correct everyone tactfully. Certain ranks warrant different levels of tact, for sure. To start, a PFC isn’t exactly subordinate to a full bird Private (specialist). Does it outrank him? Of course. But in reality, an E4 trying to d*ckstomp an E3 (especially one not assigned to him directly) often just frustrates the E4.
It was a minor lapse. Maybe the sun was in her eyes. Maybe she just didn’t see it. Maybe..etc. Treat it like you just saw an E7 with his boot unbloused. ‘Hey, just wanted to let you know, your boot is unbloused.’
There are ways of being tactful, respectful, firm and even aggressive, all at the same time. The OP drifted into sarcastic waters and that rarely works.
It was a minor lapse. Maybe the sun was in her eyes. Maybe she just didn’t see it. Maybe..etc. Treat it like you just saw an E7 with his boot unbloused. ‘Hey, just wanted to let you know, your boot is unbloused.’
There are ways of being tactful, respectful, firm and even aggressive, all at the same time. The OP drifted into sarcastic waters and that rarely works.
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1LT (Join to see)
PFC (Join to see) - Please refer to FM 7-13-21, Chapter 3 "Duties, Responsibilities, and Authority of the Soldier", section "Inspections and Corrections" ; subsection "On-the-Spot Corrections" 3-44 through 3-46 as well as figures 3.1 and 3.2. I also would suggest a couple of quotes that I think are fitting in this situation: “Regardless of age or grade, Soldiers should be treated as mature individuals. They are engaged in an honorable profession and deserve to be treated as such.” GEN Bruce Clarke; "Correct errors in the use of judgment and initiative in such a way as to encourage the individual." FM 22-10, Leadership (1951); “He who feels the respect which is due to others cannot fail to inspire in them regard for himself, while he who feels, and hence manifests, disrespect toward others, especially his inferiors, cannot fail to inspire hatred against himself." MG John M. Schofield (all quotes from "Corrective Training/Corrective Action Guide for Leaders" NOV 2011 online at cybercoe.army.mil)
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I had a 2LT do the same thing to me in 1992 when I chewed out a soldier about not saluting an officer. The 2LT that wasn't saluted explained to me it wasn't important but a watching Major then cut in to explain to me (in a deadpan manner), "It's okay Sergeant, 2LT Yadi-yadi is correct that 2LTs aren't really officers."
The look on on the 2LT's face was priceless as he absorbed the implications of what he had started.
My CSM called me in later (about the non-saluting soldier) and we had a good laugh when he told me the story was all around the Bde HQ, but the COL was very happy with the 2LT's "education".
The look on on the 2LT's face was priceless as he absorbed the implications of what he had started.
My CSM called me in later (about the non-saluting soldier) and we had a good laugh when he told me the story was all around the Bde HQ, but the COL was very happy with the 2LT's "education".
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Sgt Dan Catlin
Gotta luv them "butter bars!" I was Duty NCO and brought a young Marine into my office, away from others to school him for not saluting. I removed my cover, which although I was wearing a duty belt was generally accepted inside the Duty Office. While "tactfully" explaining the error of his ways, a 2nd Lt. walked out of a door behind me and in the middle of a sentence said "And you are uncovered while under arms, Sgt." I put my cover on, came to attention and saluted, saying "The Lt. is correct. Good afternoon, sir." He left and I finished my "lesson" with the Pfc.
The Lt. came back in about 15 mins. later and apologized, saying he realized he had just taken away some of my authority by doing that.
People make mistakes. All of us did in this case. But we all handled it with tact and military courtesy, which is firm but respectful, just like a proper salute should be! Ass chewings are the next level of discipline, not the first. But neither is it soft, like a limp handshake. Firm, sharp, to the point. And when you are wrong, admit and take the reproof and/or apologize if it is appropriate. But be assured, I made sure before the Pfc left that LT had not removed any of my authority! I did respect him for making the effort to come back and apologize.
The Lt. came back in about 15 mins. later and apologized, saying he realized he had just taken away some of my authority by doing that.
People make mistakes. All of us did in this case. But we all handled it with tact and military courtesy, which is firm but respectful, just like a proper salute should be! Ass chewings are the next level of discipline, not the first. But neither is it soft, like a limp handshake. Firm, sharp, to the point. And when you are wrong, admit and take the reproof and/or apologize if it is appropriate. But be assured, I made sure before the Pfc left that LT had not removed any of my authority! I did respect him for making the effort to come back and apologize.
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I had a Sgt who would stop the non-saluters, particularly if the are obviously looking away. He would use humor and explain that when they failed to look me in my eyes and render a proper salute; I interpreted it that they assumed I was Godlike a merely meeting my gaze would cause them to burst into flame.
But your Major was wrong, let me guess... he/she was a healthcare professional. The majority are great, but many restricted line officers do not understand the necessity of immediate, intelligent obedience.
But your Major was wrong, let me guess... he/she was a healthcare professional. The majority are great, but many restricted line officers do not understand the necessity of immediate, intelligent obedience.
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As others are saying, just be more direct. Instead of asking rhetorical questions to make your point, simply state "hey/excuse me, you just passed an officer without saluting!" It puts the bottom line up front and they always follow with a salute.
Just the other day I had to correct five Soldiers who did not salute a Warrant Officer as we walked by. The worst was when a Staff Sergeant did it, he had a free left hand, but was carrying a small box in his right hand. He ignored the salute, then two privates walking behind him ignored the salute as well. I got loud at that point, because the SSG had just set a wrong standard for the junior Soldiers to follow, and they immediately followed it. Needless to say, after that, everyone within 100m were paying attention and saluting as the warrant passed.
I do take into account when officers turn their head or body, making it difficult to see their rank as they approach/pass. I don't say anything when that happens. I think some officers do this on purpose though, ha.
I also take into account that newer Soldiers aren't often familiar with Warrant Officer rank, so I may adjust my approach accordingly to the situation. If a Soldier looks genuinely confused, I will pull them to the side to explain. If I catch someone making a glance and then positioning themselves to ignore, then I get more aggressive with my response.
Accidents do happen, but such an on-the-spot correction can increase their alertness for a short period.
Just the other day I had to correct five Soldiers who did not salute a Warrant Officer as we walked by. The worst was when a Staff Sergeant did it, he had a free left hand, but was carrying a small box in his right hand. He ignored the salute, then two privates walking behind him ignored the salute as well. I got loud at that point, because the SSG had just set a wrong standard for the junior Soldiers to follow, and they immediately followed it. Needless to say, after that, everyone within 100m were paying attention and saluting as the warrant passed.
I do take into account when officers turn their head or body, making it difficult to see their rank as they approach/pass. I don't say anything when that happens. I think some officers do this on purpose though, ha.
I also take into account that newer Soldiers aren't often familiar with Warrant Officer rank, so I may adjust my approach accordingly to the situation. If a Soldier looks genuinely confused, I will pull them to the side to explain. If I catch someone making a glance and then positioning themselves to ignore, then I get more aggressive with my response.
Accidents do happen, but such an on-the-spot correction can increase their alertness for a short period.
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CPT (Join to see)
I remember my sergeant's correction of my shortcomings often began with the observation "HEY, SHIT FOR BRAINS COLLEGE BOY!" (or something even more colorful).
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Sgt Dan Catlin
Officers turning their heads is a good point. As a young L/Cpl I once saluted a Warrant Officer, and was corrected by a Cpl. after he's passed. The Cpl. was a bit of a butt-head, but he was correct when I thought about it. The WO probably for some reason did not want to be saluted. However honestly, I still think an officer of any rank is wrong to do this. Technically wrong, at least. But never having worn anything shiny on my collars, I guess I'm not in a position to pass judgement.
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