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

This is one example why basic trainer for all services needs to go back to how it was. I retired in 2002 and am happy beyond belief that I retired when I did, because I know the things I see on Facebook and the news would be corrected right then and it wouldn’t be pleasant. I was traveling around a few Eastern European countries with a friend and saw some severely drunk and disrespectful US Navy sailors in Odessa Ukraine. I pulled them aside and let them have it. I told them that they need to remember that they are representing the USA and the way they are conducting themselves should never happen as long as they are wearing that uniform.

I failed to salute a Marine Corps Captain when I was an E-3 because I wasn't paying attention and was only looking for a gold hatband which, of course, Marine officer uniforms don't have. I had mistaken him for a chief. He was pleasant enough and asked, "Don't sailors salute officers?" I realized my error, apologized, and gave him my smartest salute. He was satisfied and I had learned to be more observant without getting chewed out. I thought he handled that very well.

Although the correction was warranted, you could have handled it in a more professional manner.

What you said to the soldier was condescending. You handled it in a manner that is above your pay grade while present with Officers. From a 1SG or a CSM, in a similar situation, I would expect and respect what was said, but I believe even a SFC would have handled it differently except in front of his Platoon Leader.

A SPC, effectively speaking on behalf of the Officers, is usurping a privilege not earned.

As a SPC you are preparing to be an NCO, but are still just an overpaid PFC. A more acceptable correction to a PEER, would be 'Private, you are expected to salute when you encounter an Officer'. The correction is still made, but in a professional manner that is acceptable to one of your pay grade in relation to the Officers you were with.

In private, as a peer, such a correction would be considered appropriate.

I believe the MAJ was attempting to teach you on how such a correction should be made,

Customs and courtesies are a big deal. Enforcing them is not optional. The Major was in the wrong.

Officers have no business telling enlisted how to correct Junior Enlisted, when it comes to Military Bearing

Doesn’t matter if the soldier was having a bad day or not. Everyone who serves in the military regardless of rank is taught Customs and Courtesies. General Military Authority allows for anyone to make a correction when we see something not IAW military standards. Failure to correct the problem when it is noticed creates a new standard. If it’s someone your rank or below use the authority bestowed in you as a leader without being ignorant and make the correction. If it’s someone above your rank use tact and bearing and make the correction. There’s no need of looking down, there ain’t no discharge on the ground.

I’m not sure if this is germane or the not. But in Augsburg, (then) West Germany circa 1976, I was a fourteen year old teenager walking to the PX with my father, an Army Sergeant-Major. My father happened to notice a white, grizzled Staff Sergeant walk by without saluting an African-American 1LT. My father stopped that NCO, who snapped to attention, while the officer turned around and approached us. This was midday, with dozens of spectators. My father questioned the SSG as to why he didn’t salute the LT, and he uncomfortably responded that he was lost in his thoughts, and had not noticed the officer. This answer did not satisfy my father, who later told me that he expected that the NCO’s real motivation was racist in nature. Upon closer interrogation, it became apparent that my father’s suspicion was correct.

My father politely asked the lieutenant (who was dressed in his Class A uniform) if he could borrow his cap. Upon being handed that item, he placed it on the ground about ten meters away on the sidewalk. He then firmly ordered the SSG to approach the hat and salute it as he walked by. My father had the NCO repeat this several times, and then handed the hat back to the LT. He then explained that these salutes were protocol for respecting the rank of the officer regardless of that officer’s ethnicity or race. When he asked if this lesson was understood, the NCO replied, “Yes, Sergeant-Major!” By this time, everyone around us were standing around, intensely observing all that was happening, and the SSG was obviously very embarrassed.

My father then obtained this soldier’s unit, (which he never contacted), and then ordered him to walk by the officer again, who was wearing his cover again. This he complied with, as the Lieutenant with gravitas returned the rendered salute. My father then dismissed the NCO. As we again walked towards the entrance to the PX, my father saluted the officer — who with a slight smile, returned my dad’s salute.

Four years later, I enlisted in the Army myself, in which I served fourteen years. I never forgot the lesson that my father taught that NCO.

When I first got out of USMC, Boot Camp, I went to NATTC Lakehurst NJ....A Navy base, and I saluted everything that had something shining on a collar. I saluted officers, Chief Petty Officers and bank guards. While they usually just laughed it off or said something like "You don't salute me...I work for a living." the Command Chief Petty Officer saw me, pulled me aside and said, "Son... you're gonna take off if you keep flapping that arm like that." He took me to his office and showed me the Navy Enlisted Ranks Poster. He could have just laughed at me as just another dumbass jarhead, but he set me straight and if he told my SgtMaj, neither ever mentioned it. Professional all the way.

I think what the Major meant was for you to use a bit more tact and diplomacy, especially in a more open public area where civilians and kids could be around (USO). The best way to handle it would be to ask the PFC to hold on for a minute...and excuse yourself from your officers and go back and point out the PFC's glaring error. Away from mainside and it's just you and other hard chargers, then yes... grabbing them by the stacking swivel giving some brain housing group reminders is expected.

Sounds like the right tone to me.