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

What happened to integrity? Who gives a shit if someone's feelings get hurt.

I had an officer tell me that my desire to ensure proper observation of customs and courtesies was admirable, I really didn't need to say to the Marine in question, "HEY, F***HEAD! GO BACK AND SALUTE THAT OFFICER, RETARD!"

No matter what you do someone is going to say you committed psychological violence against them. When we are supposed to salute then we do it in a crisp manner, period. Not doing so is wrong and this disregard and disrespect seems to only be getting worse. They act like it's a chore to render a salute much less a proper one, when it's an honor to even perform the courtesy in the first place...

I don’t think you were to aggressive

That is not aggressive if said in the right tone. In fact, if a strong effort was made by the officer in a humorous tone via a question, that’s the perfect way.

It depends on person who failed to salute. Someone that’s just out of basic/boot camp may never had contact with a commissioned officer and be a little flustered. More experienced (6+ months) enlisted personnel should have no excuse. That said, senior enlisted are usually more than happy take care of the matter. If they’re not there, I usually stop the individual and ask them whether they were taught to salute an officer. They’re usually embarrassed, snap off a quick salute, which I return. On a side note, I was the guest of honor at a recruit graduation several years ago. The incoming CO (an O-6) was taking my on a tour and several recruits failed to salute her. Her first question was what week they were in. If they were in the first three weeks, she would correct them and then take the name of the Recruit Division Commander. If they were in the middle three weeks, she was much more aggressive. And then again took the RDC’s name. My guess is the CMDCM got a call and request to follow up with the RDC. Then came a recruit that was close to graduation. Whoa, Nellie. He was blistered. I suspect the recruit’s RDC had to make a trip to see the new CO.

Chastise or correct in private.
Praise in public.
At least start out that way. If someone continues to repeat errors, making it public might help, it might not. But starting out the gate by publicly embarrassing someone who probably didn't intend to not respect your authority will most likely ensure they never do, even if they do salute you...

Boy am i glad I retired out when I did. The military is getting weak on discipline and on the spot corrections. If you can't get the soldiers to perform their most basic functions how the hell do you expect to get them to perform as a soldier/warrior when the time comes.

I always showed respect to Officers and expected a small measure of respect in return. We had a Prima Donna C.O in Iraq. Signs were posted "Snipers, no salute area". He would scream at enlisted for not saluting him ! I am all for military traditions and customs, we need to use common sense as well.

I might ask you: "would you have corrected an E-7 or E-8 in the same manner?" I commend you for the correction.... Just good for thought.

What you did (correct a junior enlisted soldier) was correct. Perhaps the proper challenge to the PFC would have been, "you just passed two officers, plus you need to be more aware of your surroundings. If you had been, you would have seen them and rendered the proper greeting of the day and a hand salute." With that said, the PFC should have complied with your correction and then carried on. Regardless of what the Major felt, you should have mentioned to him/her, in a private setting, proper military protocol, and then left it at that. Obviously, said Major is probably not familiar with Army tradition and used to a more laid back or sedimentary atmosphere. A little more education from you might help fix the problem.

It's kinda of a two-way street. I was a 1LT and walking with another LT on our hospital compound in Korea. A Captain (doctor) stopped us and asked we didn't salute him. I told him when he started acting like an officer, he would be treated like one and he was standing in the street out of uniform.
No response from him, so we left with no salute rendered.
Smartass on my part and could have caused trouble, but he started shaping up.
This was before the movie "MASH" came out and some of our doctors and nurses could have been tactical advisors for Hawkeye and Hot Lips.

blinded from eye wound.

I've seen two schools of thought playout in situations such as this:
1. Pull the enlisted SM aside and remind them of customs & courtesies.
2. Jump on them and smoke the customs & courtesies back into them.

What's best? Depends I suppose. Know your audience and take your pick.

You did the right thing.

I got lit up for this once, I was coming out of medical. I just woke up, and was sent back to the barrack’s. I couldn’t see, think,walk. But I sure got chewed, then they got me some help

A failure to Salute MUST be addressed on the spot! The Officer MUST be provided Military Respect for their rank. I would have locked the PFC's heels and no matter what another officer's response was! You, as an Officer Must require the show of respect by those serving in the Military regardless of which branch of service that are a part of. ;-) I SALUTE All My Fellow Veterans!!!

Like a first class petty officer corrected me when I was an E2..... "Hey! Are you stupid? Even I have to salute that guy!"

Counsel the miscreant on what violation of ART 89 UCMJ will earn him/her.

Yes do ask politely the pfc that you would appreciate a moment and take the pfc aside,know which standard you are referring to and remind 5he pfc of this for future reference. Should your c.o. witness you not leading, it might cost you, career wise later. It's a tradition you don't uphold I'm the field but on duty at least on post you do. Many officers have earned the respect and many enlisted men have carried on the time honored greeting of respect.